it's beginning to look a lot like Advent...

     Of course the stores put out their Advent displays way too early - I mean, we aren't even out of Ordinary Time. O well. I could complain all day about the commercialization of Advent, but that would dilute my happy sense of anticipation.

AAAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!

     Good God, the 'Christmas Songs' are here!  Make 'em stop!  I don't want to pretend a Snowman is Parson Brown!  'And don't forget to hang up your sock' - don't play that song! in the name of all that's good and holy don't do it!  Thanksgiving ain't even here, and I've had to endure the ringing of Sleigh Bells in a Land That Is Glistening...the torment! the emptiness!  For the love of...God...save us...