- What is that? - It's one of those indoor shopping malls.

Got the majority of my Christmas shopping done. I don't know why I've been whining so much about it, considering I am really only buying for my parents, nieces and nephews, and a couple of my siblings. Not buying for friends or co-workers, which makes me a bad person. A long time ago we made a rule in our family that only the kids get presents. For a while there, I was included in that equation, which was kind of ridiculous and made me feel on a par with six-year-olds. Nevertheless, it was a good rule. Our family is an intimidating size.

Yesterday afternoon we were in Barnes & Noble. I went to the bathroom, locked the stall door, started to do my thing, and this woman carrying multiple shopping bags burst in. I made that feeble attempt to cover myself (you know... pull the waist of your pants up so that your knees are nice and covered) and laughed nervously. The woman looked embarrassed, apologized, and closed the door quickly enough (although she fumbled with it a little, considering she had all those bags in her hands). Then she called, from her new stall, You should have locked the door.

I was silent for a moment, but I really couldn't let this woman place the blame on me. So I called back, It was locked.

No, it wasn't, she replied.

I decided to leave it at that. No point arguing with her. It was clearly my fault for locking the door.