I don’t understand why people like Chipotle. Many individuals think it’s wonderful, fantastic, stupendous … and I just don’t get it. Today I read an article on msn in which the author said chipotle ” specializes in creating flavorful, healthy burritos made from high-quality meats and veggies at a bar within view of customers. Upbeat music, hip decor and well-trained staff make it feel more like a high-end local hangout than a fast-service shop.” I laughed and then gravely shook my head.

I have to disagree with the author. I have dined at two different locations, and each time the only flavor I tasted was SALT. It didn’t really matter whether the meat was high quality since I couldn’t actually taste it. Sadly the veggies weren’t much better. Instead of being salty, they were bland and there was distressingly little to choose from.

Something else I dislike about Chipotle is that “bar” he mentioned. It reminds me of a school-cafeteria. And that “upbeat music” blares loudly enough that the “well-trained staff” can barely hear what you order. Most of the time you end up repeating yourself. The “hip decor” seems more like it’s designed to be uncomfortable to help shorten your visit. I personally cannot stand the place. I don’t like the food, I don’t like the atmosphere, I don’t like the staff. If I have the deciding vote on where we go to eat, I will vote against Chipotle every time.

Recently Paul told me he didn’t think the place was all that bad. If I didn’t love him so much I would pretend I didn’t know him.

I remember the days when I used to have my all my Christmas shopping done by the middle of November. That’s not going to happen this year though. Paul and I just started doing our seasonal shopping last weekend, and so far we’ve only done things for family and not each other. The good news is that we’ll probably be able to finish most if not all of the family stuff in the next few days.

I hope.

Shopping for Paul may be a little more difficult this year. I’ve already gotten on to him for not having enough choices on his wishlist. I do plan on getting him some things he hasn’t thought to ask for, but would like regardless. Plus, I’m heading to Michigan at the beginning of December to help my mom do some shopping for him. She still finds him a difficult person to shop for even though we’re fast approaching our sixth year of marriage. Paul seems to continue to be a bit of an enigma for my family. No one seems to be able to get a good read on his thoughts, emotional states, likes, and dislikes except me. I find this highly amusing, and slightly distressing because I get pulled aside and asked if Paul is having a good time or not. You’d think that with all his unreadability, he’d be an excellent poker player.

And with all this talk of Christmas I have to go on to say that it looks like we’re the destination-spot for family this year. At least my side of the family. My parents are driving down and now it looks like my brother will be joining us too. Paul’s mom will be dropping in as well (although she has the least distance to travel since we live in the same town). This will be the first time we’ve ever hosted Christmas of any sort. I get to stress out about all sorts of things … my biggest worry will be Christmas dinner. However, I’m sure I’ll find lots of other things to fret about in the next month and a half.

In fact, I’m thinking of something else right now.