Holidays are boring

Observation: Everyone looks forward to Christmas. Some have even began the countdown til next Christmas

But not me.... Because Christmas is boring.
Even if it is also my birthday

Here's why:
You spend so much time in anticipation. School is let out and you sit at home all day, shaking presents, watching TV, and reflecting on the big day to come. Sometimes it snows, and we have a white Christmas, which is only good in the romanticist thoughts of it. And then it arrives. All the wrapping is removed and we revel in the received gifts.

And then its over.
There are no more gifts to open, family leaves, and the left-overs are put away.
And the only thing left is a gaping void that cannot be filled by your new toys.

And so, Christmas is boring.
After the hour of opening gifts and the amazing lunchtime meal with family, there is nothing left to do.
Everything is closed and suddenly the excitement that exuded your house as gifts were unwrapped dissipates
and your house turns into a confined prison cell.
TV is monotonous. You can only watch Its a Wonderful Life and The Christmas Story so many times.
And there is some unwritten rule that the entirety of Christmas is family time, leaving the option of company unacceptable.

Call me a Grump, or a Scrooge, or whatever term you want,
but the fact remains that modern Christmas is as boring as watching the snow melt.
So, i wouldn't mind if the Grinch stole Christmas. It would only be a punishment.
In fact, I hope Santa gifts it to him.
Ho, Ho, Ho!

The Issue of Environment

Environment, or Inherited?

I choose environment. (Choose or Chose?)
Environment dictates behavior.
Simply look at the floater friend who has no home.
or the trend follower
or the phenomenon of the mob mentality
or athletic events, plays, and dances.
Environment is the rudder to behavior, directing action to reflect the surrounding sea.
It can make you look like an incapable idiot, or a sophisticated savant.
And i refuse to acknowledge ADD or serotonin or the hypothalamus as the route of cultural issues.

So, i am at Panera because of my inability to function in the comfort of my house.
And for that, i blame environment.
I blame the fact that i have had a TV in my room since 14.
I blame the fact that i have not had a TV in my room since 2006.
And i blame the fact that i am home on Christmas Break.
Which brings me to Panera, residing in the aura of coffee and seniors stuck in a routine.

Environment may direct behavior.
But i can choose (choose or chose? ugh, i hate that word)
my surroundings.

A month in abscence

Christmas break is here.
Which actually means a break.
It's not like Thanksgiving break where assignments, family gatherings, and traveling hang over your head.
Outside of work, there is nothing to get done.
So here is my Christmas Break Agenda:

1. Eat Taco Bueno. For the west-coasters, this is like Oklahoma's Tex-Mex version of In-and-Out. It is what i crave.
2. Sleep till 10:00.
3. Watch Bowl Games. Specifically the Cotton Bowl (January 2nd).
4. Read for Fun. I have been pretend reading Pilgrims Progress for months now.
5. Go to real coffee shops. Joplin seems to have destroyed anything not Starbucks.
6. Clean my guitar so i can think about playing it.
7. Spend Money.
8. Whatever i want. Because it is Christmas Break.

boo-yah.