Well, it took six hours, four shopping centres & a whole lot of swearing to finish Christmas 2007.

It's actually quite an achievement. Much to my sister's disgust, I am normally searching for a gift into the final hours of Christmas Eve. (I managed to finish last year's within that final hour! There was panic involved!)

First stop was Centro Colonnades & I ended up driving through the car park & back out again, as did everyone who drove in before & after me. Complete chaos! Next was Westfield Marion & with the queues of cars in sight leading up to it, I drove right by as well. The next sure bet, was the city centre. Thanks to work & a permanent parking spot, I couldn't go wrong. Yes, the city was busy, but you could still get around & pick up what you wanted, but getting out was a problem. Checkout lines lasted forever & simply didn't move. I joined a few with my desired items in hand, but it seems like there was a problem with every transaction which required a supervisor to run around & fix something. The queue may not have moved, but I did, away... & empty handed.

In a last shot, I drove to West Lakes & car parks everywhere. it was totally unexpected & I'd already given up hope, so it was a huge relief. Sure, the place was busy, but in a very short time, my mission was complete. I should have applied some logic & realised that rich people out at West Lakes don't go "shopping". They order stuff & then get it delivered!

By the way, the swearing, it was done from the confines of my car & was not discriminatory in any way. All religions, races, creeds, etc all got the same fucking treatment!

On that note, Merry Christmas everyone!