Seriously, Where Did it Go?
The time, it has vanished. I look up and it’s the holidays again. Happily, the local CVS drug store started selling gift cards for other stores. I bought a shitload of Barnes and Nobles giftcards because, with my family, the deafult “I don’t know what to get you but I know you’ll like and use this” gift is the Barnes and Noble giftcard. And given that my family is just as bad at giving gift ideas as I am, this ability to get everyone the same gift card is an excellent out. Being able to dodge the malls and strip-malls in favor of the CVS down the street from my office is a giant bonus as well. All other presents were online, so ever better.
My brother was able to give me some suggestions (three out of four were Barnes and Noble’s gift cards…I shit you not) so I went to a blessedly under-populated KB Toys tonight and purchased some Legos for my nephew. It was during this purchase that I understood that I’ve officially become old. When I said to myself, “I don’t remember Legos being like this at all”, I knew that I’d gone over the proverbial hill. Is it just me? It used to be you’d buy a Lego set and you’d get a bunch of multi-colored, multi-shaped pieces that could be put together however you wanted. I remember kits for specific things as well, but they still used mostly generic Legos and gave you instructions as to how to put them together to mimic the picture on the box. I couldn’t find a box of generic Legos to save my life and all the kits are designed so that they only go together one way. My nephew is quite inventive (and forceful) so I’m sure he’ll make them fit his will, but it still seems like half the fun of Legos is dead. If I can’t just randomly put the pieces together to make what I want, what’s the point? There’s no creativity, there’s only instructions to be followed. One way, the right way, and no other. Lame.
So this Christmas I’ve resigned myself that I’m old. For real. No more joking. Midlife crisis time, if I’m lucky. For fuck’s sake, I’ve had a heart attack and complained that they don’t make toys like they used to all in the same year. I’m fucking old!
Well, regardless, you all have a happy holiday season. For my friends (both in person and all my online buddies) and my family, I love you peoples and hope you all have a great end-of-year and a great next-year.
