Christmas is of course approaching. It marches onward like a big... red... commericial juggonaut...

No wait, that whole similie is too appropriate. It ruined itself. Why? Because christmas IS a big, red, commercial juggonaut. It's right there in the Always Coca Cola advert, you know the one, with the lorries and all. And coca cola invented father christmas and he's what caused the end of going to church and the beginning of Jewish people participating whilst avoiding confused looks from Christians. And until I see that commercial on TV, it's not christmas, in my opinion.

Whatever, all this proves is that Coca Cola's advertising strategy has aroused some sort of deep assosciation in my subconcious.

What I was actually going to blog about is how for the first time in years I'm actually looking forward to christmas this time. Obviously it's the first time in years. I couldn't say "the first time in days" now could I. But anyway, I actually want it to be christmas now - whereas in 2004, 2005 and 2006 I was quite put out that it had to happen. All the gift giving was the first problem.

Personally I don't like mandatory gifts. I think gifts should be made on a random impulse of generosity, but I guess the number of people that applies to is severely limited. Add to that the fact that 90% of the population are mentally incapable of a random impulse of anything more sophisticated than "get food" and "go to sleep now". So we have to have calendar days that are specifically FOR giving gifts. We have conventions to determine what to buy each other, and how to dispose of said gifts.

No, if everybody was like me, we wouldn't give gifts at christmas. We'd just randomly give eachother stuff whenever it felt right to do so, with no regard to the relative value. Then it really would be the thought that counts, because if there was no thought, there'd be no gift. At the moment it's the date that counts.

Which brings me to the problem I had in recent years: no actual desire to buy anything for certain people I was expected to buy for.

That problem needs no further explanation. As I'm sure you'll agree.

Another problem is the being with family bit.

At christmas, people who are related are expected to spend time together. And that's fine but it doesn't need to be all day surely? And then there's the inevitable boredom. I mean, some people have hilarious uncles or grandparents with mansions full of giant TVs and stuff. But not everybody, for them it's tedious. Then someone has the wise idea to break out a board game.

Board games are stupid relics of a simpler (darker) time.

In computer and video games, there's winners and losers still. But crucially, there's often "winners" - plural. Only some of the players are losers. And even then, in computer games, it's the taking part that counts! Which is ironic in that that's a phrase usually assosciated with traditonal games, but it's completely innapropriate for them. In computer games, playing the game is where you get the fun. In board games, you have to roll dice and exchange fake money, which let's face it, isn't as fun as it looks in TV commercials. The fun part is when you win and are able to gloat to the losers. But only one person wins! And the only fun they get is at the expense of the other players.

Anyway, despite the arguments I make against christmas, I think this year it will be better.

*waves hand dismissively* I hope you weren't expecting something of substance from my meagre blog.

Tata! and Merry Christmas! Last year I said humbug repeatedly! (seriously :|.)