Does anyone out there actually enjoy this?

A little off-topic perhaps, although perhaps not, as it's the reason I've not had as much time on the bike as I would have liked this weekend. But seriously, if I hear one more thing about Christmas, I'm just about going to puke violently. It seems that everyone out there is happy to nag me for things, but it's just about impossible to get anyone to co-operate. Yes, I know this is an exaggeration, but right now it's just how I feel. I've been trying to get a bed moved from Brisbane to the Gold Coast all week, and all I'm getting from the so-called removalists in this area is short shrift. Even those who claim they can do it are asking ridiculous prices, or worse, making promises and not keeping them (I'm glad I didn't rely on that lot who promised to call me back).

Then there's all the other rubbish with regard to family get togethers. Now I have nothing against my family at all. However, is all the other rubbish really necessary? Is it really that important that I spend all afternoon tomorrow (after a near full day at work mind you) pushing through the last minute shopper crowds trying to find a heap of ingredients to some salad, most of which (the ingredients) will end up going to waste because they can't be purchased in the exact quantities required, and because they're unlikely to have any other use?

Then there are the hours of preparation in what will undoubtedly be oppressive heat (this is summer in Queensland after all), and the hours of cleaning up (ditto), which usually falls to whomever gets bored first and is still sufficiently coherent to do it (i.e. me). Forget about looking forward to the "holidays" -- I think I'd rather still be at work.

I'm planning to head for Hinze Dam tomorrow morning regardless, just for a bit of relief. A quick 4.15am ride out there isn't quite a rainforest-filled night at Austinville, but at least it might take my mind off things for a while. At least the sunset this evening was nice.