Already?

I stopped into our local Dick's Sporting Goods to see if they carried backpacker's candle lanterns because I've decided that I want to have one again. No, they're certainly not medieval looking and I won't be leaving it out for people to see when my tent is open but they DO cast enough light for me to read by (or they did back when I owned one) and if that holds true for the oil lantern inserts that can be easily packed and give 6 hours of light each, well... I prefer to relax in my tent with firelight and my regular "Pennsic" lamps don't travel well enough for weekend events. So candles while I'm not alone and candle-lantern when I'm settling for sleep (i.e. reading in bed) works for me.

And oddly, the price doesn't seem to have changed since I bought my last one, lo these 20 years ago.

But that isn't what this post is about. What it is about is that I was subjected, already, to the most inane and stupid Christmas season 'alternative version' music that I have ever heard. The argument for wearing earplugs while shopping until December 26th just got stronger.

Don't get me wrong - I love a lot of holdicay music and usually am impatient for Thanksgiving to be past so I can play it. I appreciate the self-imposed rule of waiting - it enhances my enjoyment and makes listening to the old favorites a real treat. But this, this was horrible music, much less "horrible music being played far too early and the worst possible warped versions I've been subjected to".

I'd rather listen to Spock sing about hobbits. No, really. It was that bad.