A Man Walks Into a Bar

A man walks into a bar with a roll of tarmac under his arm and says, "Pint please, and one for the road."

It is utterly simple, but it works for me precisely for that reason. I am, of course, partial to things without frills, extraneous explanation or verbiage. I wish, honestly, that everyday life could be so simple. Wouldn't it be charming if, for example, Christmas time could unfold in the same way: plain, honest and with minimum amount of insult or pain? Ah, but we must have the pain. We must, it seems, clamber over one another to get the brightest presents in the store, or the freshest looking ham. It makes me want to stay indoors with my Spouse while the snow falls heavily, having already bought, wrapped and posted our selection of gifts to the immediate family.

At this time of year, as we drive like wild pirates on a mission, as we seek out more material goods for our loved ones, perhaps the road, after all, does need a good pint. Or at the very least, a decent interlude from the non-stop commotion we cause in our never ending quests.