Traffic was merciful today and I arrived home early. I was very happy to find two packages waiting for me.

My SS learned me well. The first package, an envelope, was fully customized. Personalized Reddit label, sneaking ninja aliens, and a message at bottom of the envelope. Apparently Santa is named Mr. Cloud Lion and he lives at 555 Reddit Ave (somewhere in Texas). We'll return to the envelope in a moment.

The second package was a box shipped from Colorado. Inside was a wonderful Glencairn glass with an inscribed Reddit alien. The glass is made specifically for drinking whiskey. I love Scotch. Scotchy, Scotch, Scotch. My previous Glencairn glass was destroyed. This is a fantastic gift. Thank you very much.

Back to the envelope. Inside, true to his word, was a feline holiday greeting card. Like any good stalker, Mr. Cloud Lion learned a couple of things about me. First, that I'm a 'Narutard' -- I've been following it for many years. Second, he learned who my favorite character is, probably from my flair. Finally he discovered that the air conditioning in my 1992 Honda Civic had failed. Living with Florida's SWELTERING and OPPRESSIVE heat is brutal and so Santa chipped in a couple of bucks to help me on my way. Santa you have done more than enough. Thank you for all the wonderful gifts. You really made my day.

There was a promise of ONE MORE GIFT! Stay tuned.

PS -- I couldn't have asked for a better Santa.

Update 12.16.11

Yes! Yes! Yes! Thats what I'm talking about SANTA!

I got home today, exhausted from work but I had a feeling Santa would be coming through today.

It was a Christmas wrapped box, with the usual trimmings. Reddit ALIENS all around, sneaking like ninjas. I took care not to rip the wrapping, if my SS and his wonderful GF took the time to do a good job then I will preserve it.

I opened the box from the bottom, I hope to extract the address from the box at a later time. Santa & his helper will receive their just desserts. Because I took the back door I ruined what I assume was a surprise.

Inside was an awesome Jiraiya t-shirt that I can't read ;D Santa knew me well enough to pick out my favorite character. Underneath and hidden at the bottom (would have been) was a tiny box. Everything on the box is written in what I assume is Japanese. Inspecting the box I figured it contained a random Naruto figurine. If it's random then I'm VERY fortunate -- it was a very detailed big headed figurine of JIRAIYA! I almost flipped.

Such simple gifts that mean so much. Participating in this Secret Santa event was a fantastic decision. I'm grateful for my match; thank you MrCloudLion and Clouds-Rach. You guys are amazing. Your gifts and efforts were thoughtful and touching. You identified my love for whiskey, my Naruto obsession and my hatred of Florida's heat.

People like you two will break the cycle of hate in this accursed ninja world. Stay classy San Diego.

--Reyniel