So it appears we are now full throttle into the Christmas season. The stores are now all decked out and full of those glaze eyed shoppers frantically trying to find that perfect gift for those they love and even those they don’t. Trees are now up and sparkle in two thirds the windows of houses you drive by. A fresh white blanket of snow covers the ground giving the land that magical Christmasy feel. I fully expect to see Disney characters scampering in amongst the trees singing carols and decorating the forest with popcorn strings and candied apples. Wheres my sniper rifle??………..I hate it……I hate it all.

Over the years I have grown to dislike Christmas. Every year as the festive season approaches I slowly transform into what my lovely wife refers to as “The Scrooge” I’m not really sure what or why I have grown to hate Christmas. It could be the fact that it continues to become more and more commercialized and has lost its true meaning. Or it could be I grew up in a household where Christmas was a full on assault to the senses. Endless Christmas music playing at all hours of the day, an obscene amount of presents under the tree or trees with a value that would probably fund a small country. Maybe its a little bit of both, or maybe I’m just a grouchy freak. Who knows.

This year I get a bit of a reprieve from Christmas insanity, for the first time ever, I will be away for Christmas. As of the 22nd I will be basking in the sun sipping a cold beer on the shores of one of Hawaii’s most beautiful islands, Maui. With the family of course. Despite the fact that I pretty much would kill Santa if I saw him walking down the street or that I will put my foot through the next television I see playing “Its a Very Brady Christmas” it will seem strange not celebrating it in the “traditional” way. However, after my second or third round of golf and 50th beer it will all seem just about right.

18 days and counting

Be Good