Shopping

For someone as opposed to social interactions as myself, you might be surprised to know how infrequently I shop online. Having had my credit card number stolen and abused (repeatedly - that's a tale for another time, however), I tend to limit my online shopping to rarities that cannot be found within a reasonable distance from my home. And yet my habit of collecting things and an impulsive nature lead me down crowded aisles more often than not.

I really like buying things. I'm obsessed with technology - gadgets, toys, electronics. Likely a side effect of growing up in the 80's.

Now, as a relatively responsible adult with a pretty decent credit rating (and the heart of a kid who never really wanted to grow up), I want to buy neat things. It doesn't help that I can walk past a big box electronics store, a huge media store, a 3-floor bookstore, and a comics & collectibles shop on my way home from work.

The problem with all these wonderful stores is the same problem with everything else in my life - they are brimming with people.

When I go to buy a new dvd, I just want to get in and get out. I don't want to have to wait. I don't want to have to fight my way past people clamouring over Larry the Cable Guy or Scary Movie 3. I hate other people's taste in movies!

When I have to brave the comic shop, I don't want to have to wait until other patrons shuffle their huge, Comic Book Guy asses over to the cash register before I can do my shopping! Why did the owners of this store arrange the shelves to make the aisles so narrow anyway? Don't they know who most of their customers are?

And Christmas.

I used to love Christmas. The first year I was employed and driving, able to go off and do all my Christmas shopping on my own was so marvelous. But over the years, my interest in that has declined. Now, living in Vancouver, Christmas shopping is a nightmare - one that I want to wake from and never have again. What was once a glorious experience of gladly giving gifts to my loved ones has collapsed into a hatred of the holiday season and the consumerism that has erroded my very heart.

Once, I took great pleasure in going to a store and casually walking the aisles, looking at all the interesting things to spend my hard-earned money on.

Now, all I can think is how the experience is ruined by the presence of other people. How much happier I would be if I was just at home, shopping online.

As usual, how much better life would be if there was no one else around to spoil it.