A humorous interlude from Bruce at Stuff on Brusimm:
Ah, tis the time of year. We’re all out and about scurrying from sale table to sale table. Or maybe even going online to Amazon to get our Christmas shopping done.
I think by now the shopping to get things shipped in a timely fashion has come and gone but we’re still scurrying like ants to snag inventory from shelves for our local present delivery. Inventory that isn’t as fruitfully stocked as years past… and rightfully, understood with these economic times.
Then there’s the shopping likes of me.
I’m out there with ya, looking like I’m scurrying. Picking up that last item on the sale table, looking it over. Looking like I’m pondering a purchase. All the while there’s a small group of fretful, wishful shoppers standing at the ready… ready to pounce if I put that precious last sale item down.
You see, I’m done with my Christmas shopping. Right now I’m just playing with one of my hobbies… that of which I have no name for. To be honest with you, it’s fun to “window shop” when you don’t have to buy anything. Every now and then you see something and go, “Oh! Hey, that looks cool for someone I know.”
It’s an odd mindset, shopping without having to. It does take a bit of patience with the parking, but if you live within walking distance to a mall it’s just a fun, watch the people kind of experience.
Parking is another fascinating shoppers mindset! I watch drivers take 10 minutes looking for a closer spot rather than park in that last row and take 3 minutes to walk it. Eh, we all have our priorities!
Back to the thought…. As far as that insidious habit of pretending to want that last item on the sale table goes, that came about from an experience years ago.
I was one of those last minute shoppers. I saw a sale item on a table. As I was reaching for it, I was bowled over by this 4-ft tall 70 year old who shot in under my extended arm, body slamming me enough to jostle my balance, which in turn, interrupted my package grab. She snagged the item, gave me a sneer and a snort I’ll never forget and bolted for the next table. She didn’t even inspect the item to make sure it was OK. I won’t repeat the word / name I thought of at the moment but there ya have it.
Sigh. Yes, the little old lady from Pasadena had just trounced me on a present that would have been perfect for whoever it was destined for.
Hence, the creation of my hobby, of sorts.
I don’t do it as much as I used to. I now have different obligations these days, but ah, the memories.
Happy Holidays everyone.
