Christmas Craziness

One of the things I did not miss while I was living in South Korea was the deluge of ads, carols, and commercialism that comes before Christmas. It used to be that right after Halloween the craziness started. You couldn't go anywhere without seeing Christmas stuff for sale and hearing carols. Usually the switch over would start Halloween night and the stuff would be there on display the next day.

I went to CostCo with my Sister-in-law the first of the month. It was my first ever visit to a non-Korea CostCo. What really stuck in my mind though was the plethora of Christmas crap that was already out. There was more Christmas crap (lights, wreaths, cards, stockings, etc) out than Halloween stuff!!! The first of October? What the hell??!?!?

What the ... nachoes

I want to have chili cheese nachos tomorrow night for the hockey game. Since I already have chili and cheese the hardest part was done. It should have been easy to just pick up some nachos and be good to go. Should being the operative word.

What the hell?!?!? I would never have thought it would be that hard to get normal corn nacho chips at Sobey's or any other big grocery store but it was insane. They had umpteen varieties of nachos but none of them your basic regular nacho. They bite size, multigrain, multi flavour. Someone please explain to me why the fuck I would need salsa "flavoured" nacho chips when one normally dips the fucking things in salsa?!?!?!?!?

I started to feel like Denis Leary trying to get a cup of coffee flavoured coffee. All I wanted was regular flavoured and shaped nachoes. In the end, after 5+ minutes of searching 2 shelves, I ended up with Old Dutch Restaurant Round style but at least they are regular flavour.

I had less trouble getting nachos in South Korea! Indian brand nachos were at every Home Plus and a few other places. There was no other choice but them however they were nachos not the crap multi flavour crap Tostitoes and others put out.

Appointment with Friends

Does the title sound stupid? What would you think if a friend called you up and said "Ok let's make this day at this time the time we regularly meet?" Would you think that was ... strange?

A little background might help you understand where I am coming from. Most of my friends have moved away since I went to Korea. There are really only 3 left, plus family.

My best friend is married and I am godfather to his son. I rarely see them. He is usually busy on weekends with family stuff. Plus he works all week. I can understand, to a point, not hanging out.

Another friend I see usually every weekend. We get together Friday or Saturday's, usually with one of my brothers. Cigars, booze, and talking. It is nice.

The third friend I rarely see. Whether he is employed or not I rarely see him. now when I first got home from Korea this time I saw him quite a bit, and he was working. Then hanging out with him became infrequent to rare. He would cancel at the last minute. I talked with him the Sunday before my birthday never heard from him again until a week after my birthday.

When he called he wanted to set "a day" for us to meet. actually an evening. Every Tuesday evening we would get together after 6. I was a little gobsmacked. He wanted to make an appointment to meet regularly? He was serious. Fine.

It just struck me as incredibly weird. What the hell is wrong with someone if they have to set a weekly time to meet a friend? My time is usually pretty free. The only plans I have made in advance are Saturday nights at my brothers. Sometimes I go Friday.

It is raining now, and it is Tuesday. Since his idea is to come and sit outside and smoke cigars and talk I wonder if he will cancel. I wonder whose cigars he planned on smoking?

Having to make an appointment to see a friend? That just sounds fucked up to me. Am I wrong to think this is strange?