Christmas Shopping

Lori & I kinda tore it up this weekend doing the annually gutting of the wallet. I always try and spend my money at the smaller non-chain stores. You know the Ma and Pa places locally owned and hopefully carrying local products. No reason to give more money to 'The Man'

Sadly this year I found two of my best Christmas present sources gone, closed and not to be found on the web as having relocated. I realize this is partly my fault for not having patronized them since last Christmas but it left me a little sad. We need to do more for our independent retailers.

We hit Broadway on Capital hill and had good luck at Urban Outfitters, which is a chain but very cool and then headed down to Pioneer Square. It was really kinda strange. It's normally packed down there. I realize I'm shopping early for me since it's not Christmas Eve, but the place was practically deserted. I found street parking a block away from the main shopping area. Unheard of.

I like the stuff that you can find at these places because it's not the same merchandise that can be found at any mall from Seattle to Paramus, NJ.

I'm blessed with well too do Parents and Sibling, dam them. Anything they could possibly want or need they already have. Let's just say that Mom will have to enjoy her copper cat statue and sis will have to love her ceramic frog this year. That will teach them.

The niece however is totally getting a Ben Franklin in her stocking.