I really hate birthdays. I don't really like my own, but I hate other peoples. Its not the day itself, but the run up to it. Firstly I have no memory for information like dates. I have to be reminded by either relatives or my computer of up-and-coming anniversaries.

So I was reminded on Saturday that its my Dads Birthday tomorrow. I'd already arranged to go round on Sunday to see him. So I needed to take something. It turned out not as bad as it could have been. I bought a number of different gifts which made up a reasonable present.

The reason I am mentioning this is the anger that builds up in me buying presents and cards. I hate buying greeting cards. Every single card is horrible. Humorous cards aren't funny, cute cards make me sick, floral cards are boring, and blank cards are dull. I don't send Christmas cards because they're utterly pointless, and do nothing but create revenue for card companies, and royal mail. On Saturday I spent about 15 minutes looking at different cards in my local independent card shop. Every single one was crap. I wouldn't go to the Clintons as I prefer to support local business. So eventually I left with a picture of a sunset in a desert, with some folk on camels.

At this point I popped into Woolworths (only place to buy CD's in town) to buy a CD for my Dad. My annoyance increased ten fold at this point. I was looking at various compilations. My local woolworths has just been refurb'ed, they have a new security device at the door. The security sticker they use is massive. They place one of these stickers on the back of every CD, preventing the customer to see half the tracks on the CD! How can you buy a compilation CD without seeing what’s on the chuffing thing?

I asked the lady scanning things next to me, why they decided to put the sticker over the track listing, "Where do you suggest we put it?" she said. Now, I thought I would much prefer the sticker to be on the front. I don't need to see the picture on the front, but I do need to see the track listing. "I can remove it for you if you like."
"Thanks, but I am browsing a few of them, are you going to take them off everyone?"
I think she presumed at this point that I didn't really want the help she offered.

You know, I would gladly forgo all my presents and cards if I could stop sending them out. Its just the hassle of it all. If I was any good at picking presents I wouldn't mind. What age do you get to, when you can just send a twenty pound note or a voucher, and leave it at that?

Right now I have got that off my chest... You will be glad to know that 'The Domain Registry of America' have sent me a letter reminding me that AdamWelch.Com is coming up for renewal. They kindly offer to renew this domain for me, at the cost of £18/year. That’s nice isn't it. I think I may stick to my other domain registrar though, who merely charge about a fiver. Scamming blighters.