a remarkable amount of bank customers have been traipsing in bearing gifts for the holidays, most of them homemade treats. we've got christmas cookies, muffins, gingerbread men, pastries from every part of europe, and i think one elderly gentleman even brought in some pasta. pasta for the holidays! what a guy!

i am sometimes amazed by small acts of kindness. who would think to bake goodies for their bank? who are these people that remember not only to do stuff for their family, but to also run out and drop off gifts for their financial institution? who else are they giving these food items to? the post office? local car dealership? the girls in the denim section at sears? i find it incredible.

this just in: greg, who sits right next to me, just got a christmas card full of cash. cash! granted, we're talking ten dollars, not ten thousand dollars, but still. who gives ten dollars to their banker with the explicit instructions to "go buy yourself a drink?"

there are people who do this. and god bless them.

i think i shall make it my new year's resolution to really go out of my way to be one of those people who bring little rays of light into the lives of near strangers. i suppose i'll have to take up baking. this may be tough, considering how strongly i feel against baking. i can't explain why i hate the idea of baking so much, especially considering that i've grown to somewhat enjoy cooking. cooking a meal seems productive; baking deserts seems like a big waste of time. i don't know- i just form my opinions, i don't bother to explain them or think them through.

2005 will be my year to go out of my way for people i hardly know. and the people that i do know? well, screw it, they're already used to my ways. and they love me for them!