It is obviously the act of a deluded mind. Not because of the shell, or the pencil. The word "Jesus" gives away his (or her) insanity!. I won't elaborate, or i will get accused of going on about religion again, but hey, it was you who brought it up first Moata, you can take the blame! haha

Jesus On The Half-Shell?

Sounds like a cool band name.

Stealing a wheel is just dumb. Might as well take the whole bike so she can claim decent insurance.

As for the shell... um, I know there are a lot of christians who like to "remind" people what Xmas is all about, so maybe it's just a really weird way of doing that?? Pure speculation of course.

The crazies are getting to me at the moment. Im heavily pregnant yet people will actually push me out of the way in the malls to get to what they want. And a lot of drivers appear to have forgotten the road code.

Having gone out of my way to avoid the greatest concentration points of seasonal craziness (ie malls), I haven't spotted much. I did witness a shop manager in Riccarton going absolutely nato at a security guard because of the Sallies brass band playing outside her shop. Fair enough - it must be stressful enough to be running a retail shop at the moment, and then to have to listen to Xmas carols on horns & tubas for 8 hours would send anybody over the edge.

When I was 14 I started work at a supermarket. On my first day I locked my bike to the bike stand & 3 hours later I went out to find that someone had nicked both my wheels. The look on people's faces when I walked back in & asked the supervisor if I could call home on the service desk phone because my bike had no wheels - priceless! Since then I've never left bike wheels unlocked. Is there a self-perpetuating black market in bike wheels? Wheels get stolen, sold to underhanded bike shop as spares, person without wheel comes in & buys replacement.

Like Alice, I have also avoided the malls. Town, however, is full of gleeful schoolkids, high on early release, and they make me pretty narky with their 10 cells, plugs in ears ... here's a heads-up kids, try actually unplugging for a while and actually talk to someone, engage in social intercourse (ha ha). You might even like it.

You know, Moata, I read your whole blog and the only thing that is really stuck in my mind is your mention of Vivid markers. I am a stationery fiend, although my preference is for a Sharpie. You can even get Super Sharpies now. I am also a sucker for a Pritt glue roller. Those things rock (well, roll really). Anyhow, now I've gone into some sort of stationery daze.

I'm pretty sure they put Jesus on a cross, not a toheroa shell.

I got one of those shells as well. I live opposite a church so assumed it was some eager young parishioner spreading the word...its just that I'm not quite sure what the word is :) Maybe its part of a longer term plan where the clues will be sent out over time?

Humans do seem to go utterly insane at Xmas time. Perhaps it's the unrelenting marketing that begins in mid-November. Perhaps it's the incessant playing of Xmas carols and Xmas "favourites" (it's not that I don't like "Snoopy's Xmas", but does it really need to be on the A-list rotation?). Perhaps it's the hand-cream stall folk chasing you in the mall.

But it seems to me that Xmas is by far the most stressful time of year. You've got relatives to deal with, presents to purchase and wrap (where I'm always trying to purchase a surprise the other person will actually want), and if you're hosting on the day, the stress of all the food preparation, cleaning, looking after those staying with you, etc. Or, if you're away from home, the packing, the travelling, the stress of staying at another person's home (when in Rome...).

So it's not surprising that we tend to go a little stir-crazy. This is why I had all my presents bought and wrapped two weeks ago. Organised? No. Just a burning desire not to have to deal with malls of thick crowds (in both senses of the word) where all I'm trying to do is get from A to B but can't because people: 1. Can't walk in a straight line, 2. Stop randomly, and 3. Are slower than Paris Hilton trying to add one plus one.

My shopping is done, I have enough supplies to last for the next two weeks (including everything I need for the day), and I don't have to go anywhere I don't want to. I am going to relax, dammit!

Hmmm, I can hear carollers. Now where did I leave my shot-gun...?

And the moral of the story: Thou shell not steal...

Okay, okay, pretty lame I know.

MT, could you mention your beautiful bust just once more before Xmas - I think Wingman is having withdrawl panic attacks ever since you put a stop mentioning your lovelies. That's all he wants Santa to bring him- my gift to him, is in fact, your gift to us all :)

@Paul #2 - Good call!

Jesus in a half shell, turtle power!