Y'all have given me a bit to think about, which is what I was looking for. Thanx, everyone.

Upon reflection, my anti-Christmas feelings stem more from the percieved obligation, the thoughtless/worthless gifts, the extreme overcommercialization, and the way that one religeon's holiday is crammed down our throats.

When I wrote that message earlier today, I was seeing this gift from that viewpoint. What's she's given me the past two days obviously doesn't fit any of that description. She and I are constantly giving each other gifts, from little things (last night when we were out I took the plastic ring off the lid of a bottle of water, folded and twisted it up into a star, and handed it to her. Tonight I see that she's brought it home and it's now in her jewelry box) to much larger or more expensive things (right now I'm working on a crochet shawl because she always wears sweaters at work and mentioned in passing at the store that she really liked a particular yarn. While I don't think I can crochet a sweater, I think a shawl should be within my meager abilities). It was just that she had mentioned it being the first day of Christmas that was bothering me. And yes, we both know that those 12 days are the days following the holiday, not preceding it, but she prefers to lead up to it.

Yesterday when I saw the CD she was sitting here in the office. I kind of went pokerfaced, which she noticed right away. Later in the day she asked if I was annoyed at her giving me a gift, and told me it wasn't for Xmas, it was just because she wanted to give me something, which I knew was an offer of compromise. It's been a little uncomfortable for both of us, because we both know of the belief conflict, but it hasn't caused any real problems.

Yes, I saw it as a no-win situation, and knew that I was being an ass to come from my viewpoint, but there I was. I just needed a little kick in order to see things another way. So tomorrow, if she gives me something else, I'll try my best to accept it gracefully and joyfully. Good enough?

Amos - funny you should mention Thor and Wodin...
Spaw - sure, I've wanted a kangaroo scrotum pouch for years. But it just doesn't seem like the kind of thing you'd get for yourself. And anytime I've tried to drop a hint to someone they always look at me like I'm crazy.
gnu - yeah, I'm staying at her place. But hell, if it ain't gonna work I just as soon get out now, damn the weather. Wouldn't be the first time I've woken up with frost in my beard.
Paul - yeah, I think she's much nicer than I am.
Clinton - and if the ghosts did show up I'd more than likely tell 'em to go piss up a rope and that I'd rather talk to my grandad and to please send him this way.
Biscuitless Regular - While I'm not so conversant in threads anymore, I've had PM or e-mail conversations with lots of these people, so they know me well enough to give me a hard time. And besides, I think that's what I was looking for.

So thanx for straightening me out, y'all. I (we) appreciate it.

Oh, and after listening to that Troubadours CD a few times, I beginning to think that you folkies might have something worth paying attention to after all. *bseg*

Homeless.