I have made like a genius and made a whole bunch of Amazon orders... mere days before Christmas. Consequently, my inbox has been quiet these past few days, save for the odd bit of spam e-mail here and there. The only e-mail from Amazon is one that begins with 'due to the adverse weather conditions...' yadda yadda. You can pretty much write the rest yourself.

Where have I been, this past week or so? Well, I was stranded in Lowton for the first three days, Due to the Adverse Weather Conditions. The rest of it I've spent working at the shop, watching Bleach, attempting to write... and generally doing anything but writing on here.

So here I am. Back. With a vengeance? No. More like with a slightly sore stomach.

The shop's been closed for the past couple of days, for obvious reasons. But in the week running up to the holiday closure, a new guy's started volunteering and someone has left.

The one who left was a girl who I'd already known too well prior to meeting; I'd heard a lot about her from my friend Mike, who'd had the misfortune of going to school with her. She was the staring, creepy-eyed classical chavette who was only working there because she had to, on orders from a training agency. On several days she confused her bed for the workplace and was, in simplest terms, told where to go. The new guy's pretty fun; a fan of Top Gear and Family Guy, and a bloke who didn't leave after the first day (as every bloke prior to him has done)! His name is Chris. Apparently he's pretty quiet but the way we gabbed I'd never have thought it. Plus, his Mum works in the Waterfields down the street so he supplies us with half-price cake.

So, all is well in the World of Work. I'm starting to really get into the swing of things - I don't even feel as socially awkward anymore! I feel like I could just stroll up to some total stranger and strike up a conversation - not that I would. I'd probably be arrested.

Now then, as I'm sure you're all aware, it's Christmas. Well, it was yesterday, at least. I got £10 from Mum, a set of paints from Sian and a drawing set from Holly. And you know what? It was bloody brilliant! Not because of the presents I received; because of what I've given.

I made Sian's day by popping round for her movie night on Christmas Eve (after fibbing and saying I wouldn't!) and giving her a present that she wanted, and one that was personal. When Mum phoned up and apologised that she'd given so little, I assured her that if anything, £10 was too much; I didn't want her to worry about us when she's having financial troubles of her own. I've got Laura's present sorted, Holly's on its way, Zurie's ready for wrapping, I've bought Mum some things that I'm sure she'll love, and in the shop I went out of my way to wish everyone a genuine, heartfelt Happy Christmas.

So sod receiving presents. This Christmas was brilliant because of what I gave.

I don't think it's over, yet, either. I'm going to scrape together a little something for my younger sisters, nephew and niece, and I think I might go back to Liverpool to seek out Bishie, the ex-military beggar who I met and had a two hour conversation with whilst seeking out the NaNoWriMo Kick-Off Party. I want to see how he's doing, and see if there's anything I can do to help.

As for money, now that Christmas is done I'll be saving up for Ireland, with the exception of essentials and people's birthdays. I get just over £100 every fortnight, so if I save up, there should easily be enough for a car and one passenger there, and a car and two passengers back. Plus, Mum may begin to find mysterious £20 notes appearing in her purse during the rough times. I can't offer her money openly because she'd be stubborn and refuse, so it's probably best if it's a sneaky anonymous ninja job.

And, of course, what would a post on Kelza's journal be without some mention of writing? 'The Timeshare Presentation of Death', as I have finally decided it will be called, is coming along alright. It's creeping along at an average of about two pages a day, but little progress is better than no progress. I'm hoping to have it finished on New Year's Eve. So while the lot of you are all up watching a dramatisation of the Blitz, I'll most likely be at my desk, scribbling the final words of what has been a very fun half-book to write.

After that, there'll be two books left to scribble in 'The Chronicles of Stan'. The Sixth Form one, and the University one. And I'm starting to think that my University one could find its origins in this sketch; the one that might have got me into QUB. This idea seems to have been pestering me a little while... I think that I should change Pete for Stan and roll with it. Robert was too much of a pain in the arse to just leave at a two-side sketch.

Anywho, other than that, the past two days have been thoroughly uneventful. I still have a post in the works about my rather entertaining stranding in Lowton, so I'll have to get that up some time.

Right, people! Now that I'm done waffling about myself, what can I do for you lot this Christmas? Would you like to see some artwork up here (as it's been literally years since I've done anything worth posting)? Would you like to see more writing being posted, perhaps? Tales of my musical conquests? Anything else? Harass me. You have my permission.