Picture post!

Yes, that's right! But first, let's get through the texty parts of it. This post is mostly about the perils of xmas shopping.

Let's start with the shop sign proudly declaring that there's 23 shopping days until xmas. 23!

I'll give you all a moment, and...

EXTRA DAYS! First you give 'em Sunday trading, and then they start trying to slip whole extra days into the calendar. We won't stand for it!

Or they'll invest in more chalk. One of the two. I'm betting on the chalk.

In other news, Westfield signs still offend me with their inconsistent spacing and punctuation. There's another serious issue that they've inspired me to write things about, but that's for Another Post.

Next! The aforementioned part of the dreaded Westfield chain has decided to put Santa right next to Muffin Break.

That'll do wonders for their advertising. "Look, kiddies, if you sit around with a workforce of elvish slaves and then get pulled about by reindeer all year, then that's what muffins do to you."

But there's more news than a muffin addict in unseasonal clothes today, such as people who think it's intelligent to stand in thoroughfares and converse loudly. If you feel the need for some conversatin', then you have two options. One is to do it in any of a million out-of-the-way spots cunningly provided by the architect, builders and centre management.

The other option is DEATH BY SLAYING.

One of these is more fun for me, and provides much-needed exercise. The other keeps you happy and healthy, and keeps me out of gaol. Got it?

And now, pictures!

Imagine, if you will...

( Pictures! )

And that's it for this post. Yay!

The Second Post

This is the second of three posts scheduled for this... um... morning, now.

And so!

Some people want me to read HP. I want people to read a certain selection of books which I very much like. And so, I was considering making up a kind of fandom exchange thingy, where I read the six published HP books in return for a number of other people reading a selection of works by an author of my choice; in this case, Garth Nix.

The six books would be, in order, Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorsen, Mister Monday, Grim Tuesday and Drowned Wednesday. And then, it'd be a race for whichever is first out of HP7 and Sir Thursday.

Since there's six books, I'd be after a minimum of six LJers who have read, or are prepared to read, Mr Nix's works. Of course, I'm open to the idea of more. Those who have already read any or all of those of Nix's works can come and play, and you can use this kind of fandom bribery to lure other people into reading what I consider to be some of the best books in my bookcase.

There would be a comm, and people could expect to see me post some kind of commentaries on the HP books on the way through, as well as playing in discussiony stuff for the Nixfans-to-be.

Also, people signing up for this would be under absolutely no obligation to go all the way through if they don't like Garth's style. I'm not going to force people who don't like him to read his books.

[Poll #627121]

The Sign

This entry is about the sign that I saw, which was advertising Westfield gift vouchers. It's last so that it's higher up on your friends pages, because I'm sneaky like that.

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On the poster, there was a listing for 'pets'. Seemingly, this refers to the presence of pet shops in a number of Westfield stores. Someone buying a pet for themselves with a gift voucher is, in my opinion, fair enough - it's likely to be a decision they've come to themselves, after appropriate consideration.

That said, on first reading the sign looked to me like a list of gift ideas - which is why I'm posting this.

Friends, lurkers, other readers: Pets are never any kind of casual gift idea.

While I very much hope that most of you already firmly believe this, it deserves to be restated as we approach xmas; a time when, traditionally, irresponsible people see the cuteness but not the commitment and love that are due to any pet - a comitment to provide food, to look after their health, to play and interact every day, to provide access to shelter, to provide adequate space, and to provide an interesting environment for when there's no people to play with.

Don't give pets as gifts, suggest pets as gifts, or sit idly by if you know someone who thinks animals can or should be wrapped up with pretty bows, given away, and then put away and neglected after a week or two like a salad bowl or a robot dinosaur. It's not fair and it's not right for anyone to let it happen.

Also, consider adopting a pet from a shelter or similar, rather than buying from a pet shop or breeder. Not only do they take care of desexing your pet and ensuring they've had all their shots, you get to give an animal the kind of life they deserve but missed out on the first time - and for that, they'll love you more than you'll ever know.

A meme!

From... well... everyone, pretty much.

Dear Santa... Dear Santa, This year I've been busy! In July I ruled Duluth, Minnesota as a kind and benevolent dictator (700 points). Last Monday I gave ianthefira a life-saving blood transfusion (50 points). In November I helped ryttu3k see the light (8 points). Last Saturday I stole stray_curse's purse (-30 points). Last Sunday I bought porn for crzydemona (-10 points). Overall, I've been nice (718 points). For Christmas I deserve a pony! And a plastic rocket. Sincerely, active_apathy

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