Um...phew.....

Well, I heroically pushed myself through the madding and maddening throngs at the mall, and bought bags and oodles and pockets full of gifts....with barely a mop in the bunch.

Mind you, they're probably lousy gifts, but Christmas is not about giving your loved ones what they most desire; it's about getting the damn job done so you can go have a brew.

Which I heroically did. The beer was pretty damn heroic, too.