Christmas Shopping!

Today was such a busy day.

I had my hair cut. I'm thinking of shaving it all off again, but for the time being I will keep it.

I had a pair of trousers professionally altered (because I have tiny legs and can't take up a hem to save my life).

I bought cat litter, cat food and cat worm & flea treatments.

I bought some general groceries.

I got a paper cut on my nose...don't ask!

Then I took a deep breath, and waded in among the thronging masses of fellow shoppers.

There were groups of people talking in the middle of every aisle I headed down. Kids throwing tantrums. Molten lava ran across the emergency exits. Fire and brimstone hailed down upon us. Okay, not really, but Christmas Shopping feels like it is the forgotten biblical torment visited upon people as punishment...for something.

Every time I entered a shop, I was surrounded by sales people looking to earn their commission off my purchases.

I find it all very claustrophobic.

I wanted to run out, arms and legs flailing around, and scream "Leave me alone!"

I like to have a look around, and then, if I am interested in an item, or would like more information or help, I will approach those very same sales people and make myself known to them. I am aware some people like to have that feeling of being attended to, but I don't.

I like my space.

I am a secure shopper.

So secure, in fact, that I know to check packaging to ensure the item is actually there...because, today, one such item was NOT there. Being obsessive definitely has an upside.

The assistant was appropriately apologetic, but she wasn't horrified. Being horrified would have been more appropriate. Especially as it was a relatively BIG ticket item. I suppose these things happen. But when they do they simply feed my already growing neurotic behaviour.

I finally managed to successfully purchase some gifts, and escape from the madness with my life.

But not before an odd thing happened.

I was walking through the shopping mall, and something caught my attention from the corner of my eye. I looked over, and two men were walking past. One was looking right at me and laughing. I stared at him for a minute, thinking "What are you laughing at?!", and then it dawned on me.

His friend was dressed exactly like me. He had the same striped shirt I was wearing, and blue jeans, just like me. He was a bit taller than me, but didn't look dis-similar to me, facially. It was very strange indeed. I suppose we really do all have a doppelganger.

After all this excitement, I went straight home, and I wrapped all the gifts. My wrapping leaves a lot to be desired, but they are covered in paper, and you can't see what's inside. So that's a bonus! Ha!

Some home made madras curry for dinner, and then I finally got the opportunity to relax.

I still have some bits and pieces to get for Christmas, but I am fairly organised.

How about you?