water tower
never again
in
any
of our lives
will
we come across
a date
like
this
12/12/12
pretty impressive
not so impressive
is the fact
that
I still havent
settled on a photo
for the holiday card
I know
I know
lets change the subject
have you
done
finished
all
your
holiday shopping?
your
holiday shopping?
we don't have children
so Hanukkah means
light the candles
take a photo
have dinner
we don't exchange
Hanukkah gifts
when
I was a kid
I was a kid
and
we did
get
Hanukkah gifts
get
Hanukkah gifts
we only
got
the one gift
got
the one gift
the first night
I didnt feel cheated
but
I did wish
we celebrated Christmas
because
it seemed to be more fun
when I became a part of my friends'
extended family
I got to help trim their tree
we were a part of their Christmas celebration
the last few years
our friends
our friends
havent had
the big celebrations
of the past
the big celebrations
of the past
I am hoping this year
will be different
I am not getting my hopes up too high
so
if you celebrate Christmas
is your shopping done?
I shop all year long
if I see something
that I know
someone
on my list
will love
I buy it
there's a pile
of
stuff
things
potential
presents
presents
waiting to be
sorted out
sorted out
wrapped
labeled
some will
be
shipped
mailed
others will be hand delivered
the buying process
is
usually
one for them
one for me
sometimes
the one for me
ends up being for them
Toonman and I
havent
been exchanging gifts
for the last few years
I told him
this year
that
I know
my idea
of what something should cost
and
his
are
far
apart
not agonizing
over what to buy
someone
who doesn't need
anything
someone
who is hard to buy for
we're skipping that stress
funny story
I was at the hair salon last week
after my cut and style
I went to pay
the receptionist said
that will be
(no, I am not putting the amounts in because Toonman reads my blog)
$$$$$$
I looked at her
with wide eyes:
with wide eyes:
has his fee gone up?
because the last time I was here
it was $$$$
she says
did you get a keratin treatment?
no, just a hair cut
is your name Daryl?
yes
but
I
only
had
a hair cut
oh
she said
there are two Daryls
in the system
your
total
is
$$$$
I said
you know
after hearing what the other Daryl will pay
my bill
seems almost reasonable
she laughed
she laughed