A few things almost knocked the Christmas spirit right out of me today...

This really raised my hackles. O'Connor's has been an institution in these parts for as long as I can remember. Tonight should have been a sentimental farewell for a place that served the local community for almost 35 years (a place, it's worth mentioning, that doesn't want to close but is being forced out of business because the landlord wants to build high-priced townhouses on the land).

To quote Otter from Animal House, "what a shame that a few bad apples had to spoil a good time for everyone."

Next...

I've got no problem with nuns. On general principle, I love nuns. How can anyone harbor ill will towards nuns? However, I don't think many people will argue with my assertion that nuns should not be allowed to drive in the left lane of NJ's highways during the height of the holiday shopping season.

Then, speaking of shopping, my brother and I braved the local Toys "R" Us this afternoon, after Crazy Nephew #2 announced his allegiances were wavering from Elmo to Ernie. We found an appropriate item and arrived at the cashier, where we were the second customers in line. The man in front of us wanted to buy two gift cards, which seemed easy enough. But not for 'Adam' of Toys "R" Us. He was simply unable to complete the transaction and finally the man indicated, nicely enough, that he'd just come back another time. My brother then handed over his intended purchase, and Adam immediately apologized for the delay, offering the following words: "I'm so sorry. It's my first day."

Who puts someone working their first day at Toys "R" Us on the cash register two days before Christmas? We expressed our sympathies and surprise to Adam about his predicament, and he seemed a bit dismayed to be at the register. As he said: "I thought I'd be stocking shelves or something."

Fortunately, I rallied thanks to a terrific dinner outing with my parents and my oldest and dearest friend. And not to mention no traffic whatsoever on 287 and the Parkway during rush hour on a Friday, which is like a Christmas miracle in itself.

In the quite-likely event that I don't post for the new few days, I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas, or whatever holiday you may celebrate. May everyone's holidays be filled with family, friends and goo times.