The Stars and the Cookie Jar

Those of you who think I never get anything for myself --

ahem! darthrami

-- will be pleased to know that this morning, for my self-Christmas present, I purchased socks. And other stuff, yes. I spent $40, as follows:

$11 in LJ candy, including the extra userpics I swore I'd never, ever want, and two months' paid time just because I will forget about it during the move

$7 over my gift card at Borders.com (bought The Vintner's Luck again, Mixed Magic: Four Tales of Chrestomanci, and The PowerBook for me, and H.D.'s Helen In Egypt for my fiancee)

$20 in license for a computer game to which I am, sadly, entirely addicted when I'm supposed to be writing (but only then. I don't play computer games in the airport, or on the train, or anything like that, oh no. Just when I'm meant to be doing something useful)

and $2 for socks, yay socks!

And now I have to get ready for work, like a good heathen.

I had a very nice shift at a store at which I am glad I do not work daily (and to think, I almost ASM'd there). Every Bux has its own particular peculiarities, and things they care about and things they don't, and times when 100% standard is enforced with flaming whips, and times when no one gives two shits as long as you make it look good in the end. This store's blend of those factors just didn't sit easily with me, so it's lucky the people I worked with were so great, as they made it a good Christmas. And I have washed dishes and I have mopped floors, and I have hauled trash and I have done markouts, and now I collapse in a happy heap.

And there were three hours this afternoon when the entire floor staff was gay.

*squeals happily*

I had a great time, and I acquired swag for my efforts (a pen and a pin) and today's tips are going to be shared out just among those who worked today. I may even put them in the bank, since I have everything I need or want.

My family surprised me by giving me some small presents this morning specifically for Christmas, as opposed to Belated Chanukah Because We Haven't Seen You! presents (i.e. the gift card of last night, for which I am pathetically grateful). I got lots of socks, some Toblerone chocolate, and a keychain from Sam II that reads 'I Love My Sister'.

As a joint present to N and myself, a large down comforter -- one nobody's used ever -- new in its zippy-up bag thing! I think she will have to get used to my family's odd affection for down comforters, as now I have two, the massive stripey featherbag my mom gave me during college, and this one, which is all hypo-aller-everything for N's sake. My family, they try.

...And there's a flat, wrapped shirt box for N from my aunt Linda. I don't think you can keep pit vipers in shirt boxes under the tree, but... Huh. I do not know.

Everyone else is in New Hampshire, and I have peace and quiet, so I think I'm going to write.

Merry Christmas.