Holiday...from the holidays

Figures that it's Christmas Eve before I get half a second to myself on the computer. As it is I don't have a lot of time...we're going to a Christmas Eve service tonight, for the first time in I-don't-even-know-how-long. Usually we go over to my mother's best friend's house for dinner on this night, but she's in Texas visiting her son and daughter-in-law this holiday, so...church. The eternal backup plan. (No, I'm actually looking forward to it.)

Since exams ended on Thursday (and THOSE are now but a distant memory) I've been busy with lots of fun things. Julie and I were at a Sarah Slean concert on the 21st. Sarah is so lovely live -- she makes all kinds of weird, dreamy, funny comments and has a great rapport with the audience. And she played some new songs from her forthcoming album, which were gorgeous. I also saw Sweeney Todd, and was actually fairly impressed with Johnny Depp's singing voice. :D I thought it was a great time. A bloody, macabre, over-the-top, unsettling great time. I've also been catching up with friends from undergrad and high school, in addition to a trip to the theatre with my parents. All in all I don't think I've been home for more than a few hours (except to sleep).

In all of this I haven't had much time to get sad or depressed, even though I normally catch the holiday blues at this season. I'm cooking tomorrow, which should keep me busy...other than that, Christmas has snuck up on me, somehow, and I should be able to get through it without even realizing that it's really here. I'm not sure how appropriate that is as an approach to Christmas. But there you go.

In closing, I leave you with a taste of my mother's own particular brand of whimsical thought.
I have Kyasuriin's and my betta fish, Spike, at home for the holidays. However, I forgot to bring home his food (even though feeding him is the entire reason I brought him home in the first place). Wen I told my mom this, the conversation went something like this:
Mom: "Oh no! And all the stores are closed now! We'll have to go out FIRST THING tomorrow and buy more food."
Me: "I'll be at the mall later anyway...I'll just pick it up then."
Mom: "I know, but the poor thing will be hungry."
Me: "All I'm saying is, he's been left over weekends plenty of times, and been fine."
Mom: "Yes, Susan, but...it's Christmas, and he's a guest in our home!"

My mother, the very heart and soul of hospitality. Even to fish.

A merry Christmas and happy holidays to one and all!

~Isolde

Labels: catch-up, family gems, holidays