Making Up for Last Year

If you can imagine last Christmas was pretty awful, even with everybody's best intentions. There were people I didn't buy presents for, Christmas cards that didn't get posted. I'm hoping that people understand.

This year I'm trying to make up for all of that.

I've been shopping and knitting like a wild woman. The bargains are just too much to pass up. I'd say more, but then people's presents wouldn't be such a big surprise.

But I can tell you about the presents I bought for myself. It was mostly a lot of music.

Katy Perry - One of the Boys
Of Montreal - Hissing Fawns, Are You The Destroyer
Kaiser Chiefs - Yours Truly, Angry Mob

I've been listening to a lot more music in the past year, because it helps me get through the shitty parts of the year and because it makes my long commute bearable. This is why I refer to my car as the traveling disco, even if I'm the only one dancing.

GG

A First For Me

It's holiday season and for the first time ever I'm just not that into it. Not that I'm against it, or depressed about it or that I don't want to partake in it. I just don't feel it. I'm not in the mood to get all geared up. The holiday shopping, the parties. Albeit I've done quite a bit on the holiday dress front, but as for the actual holiday. I'm just not interested.

Maybe it's because I've had huge Christmases for the last three years. Two at my own house with lots of friends and family and one in Australia with more friends and family. As much as I loved those occasions they kind of wore me out. It's a lot of work this Christmas cheer.

I don't even want to Christmas shop. I'm broke anyway. That's where the working part-time hasn't worked out for me. I honestly do not have the cash to do Christmas I'd normally do. Strangely enough instead of feeling bummed out, I'm actually relieved.

So I'm making lots of holiday gifts. Scarves, sweaters, bags, baby booties etc.

Because you know. I just haven't knitted enough this year.

On the book front I did get a confirmation receipt from the book publishers, which was a victory in itself. They didn't take one look at it and say "Return to sender" Score one for me!

Also I finally watched La Vie En Rose. I'd been wanting to watch this film for ages, but just never got around to it. I'm so glad I waited. You know how you end up seeing things at exactly the right time you're meant to see them? It's a beautiful, untraditional biopic. Some people found the editing to be a bit unsettling, especially the juxtaposition of Edith Piaf's childhood scenes and adulthood scenes. However I felt the whole thing to be so thoroughly French. It wasn't your typical Hollywood biopic and the American audience is so used to seeing stories presented in a cut and dry fashion. A causes B, which causes C, very linear. La Vie En Rose takes a different approach focusing on emotional nuances. Anyway... I found it fascinating. The thing I love about the French is that their national identity is so profoundly human, it comes from a place of universality whereas others can be a bit more "holier than thou" and exclusive. Perhaps that's why so many people wish they could be French.

Anyway it has been a good week. I am thoroughly happy.

GG