This year I decided to write a short summary for each module I decided to put in the xmas calendar. The idea was that I get to give people some kind of rationale behind my selection process - basically why I chose this module and why I think it's so good. Quite a few people say this new feature is the best bit of the calendar.
Of course, the major drawback is I have to write the things. It's not that easy coming up with a summary of a module that explains why a module is so important. Some modules are just inherently cool...and actually trying to explain why this is is really difficult. I mean, take Acme::Pony as an example. How cool is that? Very. How difficult is it to explain why it's cool? Very.
The worst thing is though that I've got to do one of these for each day before I can regenerate the calendar. Of course, I could write them all in advance...but as it takes twenty minutes or so to write each one (depending on how many rewrites I do and how hungover I am,) that's a long time to be sitting in front emacs when I'm not actually writing code. So I write them last minute. It's kinda odd having to remember to do this before midnight (or there abouts) each day. But you know what's odd? I think I'm really going to miss doing it after Xmas.
This whole process has given me new found respect for all the cartoonists who slave away every day in their spare time to get a new strip up, and gives me greater understanding when they occasionally miss a deadline and I'm deprived a little of my mirth content for the day. So..in tribute to them, here's a list of my favourite cartoons, not in any particular order (not all work safe):
