Mostly Harmless

Had X-Mas #1 last weekend with the parents. The haul was pretty impressive; it took me three trips to bring all the stuff in the from the car. Loot included two sets of tools & a kick-ass, 18-volt cordless drill; one of those portable air compressor/battery jumper things; and a freakin’ huge King-sized down comforter (oh yeah). The ‘rents got everything they asked for, as is the custom.

X-Mas #2 is happening Saturday about 135 miles south of here. Since I am such a good cousin/nephew, and haven’t seen most of that group of relatives in about a decade, _and_ since one Uncle gets me something every year — despite me being 36 now — I bought payback gifts to the tune of “a couple hundred bucks” for the four cousins and four aunts and uncles that will be there. Just finished wrapping all of that stuff… only used three different wrapping papers for 10 boxes ‘cuz I’m a slacker. (I had Amazon wrap all my Dad’s stuff so I only had to wrap two boxes for X-Mas #1, that was saweet!)

I’ve got a vague idea of how to get to my uncle’s place. Mapquest says 2 1/2 hours for 145 miles (135 south, 10 “left”). I say I can do it faster. I’m going down and coming right back, and the _other_ relatives can just deal with me not being there on Sunday for X-Mas #3.