They're odd, aren't they? These few days between Christmas and the New Year? I don't quite know what to think about or what to do with myself, it's frought with contradictions and opposites! I mean, for example, it's the BIG sales in the shops, Boxing Day sales are the big thing these days of course and after a trip to the Trafford Centre yesterday the people were out in their hundreds (thousands?!) to pick up the savings on offer and hit each other about the calves with bulging bags.....but, is it just me, or is the day after Christmas the last day you feel you can go shopping? Don't get me wrong, I'd love to - but Christmas itself is such a strain on the old purse strings there is no way in the world I could go on a spending spree on Boxing Day! Maybe after the next payday, if I'm lucky....though after being paid early for Christmas that seems a very long way away at the moment!
And then there's the more emotional, spiritual limbo.........it's a fantastic time to look forward to the New Year of course and consider what changes you may like to make to life.... Again, this year, for the (enter x here)th time, my resolutions include losing weight. To be fair, I'm not doing badly but I have further to go..(enter shameless plug for my blog on http://www.weightwatchers.co.uk/). But, do I start now, or do I wait for the 1st Jan 2010 and play a silent fanfare to myself before filling up the fruit bowl? I mean, I'm still surrounded by non weight loss food....still at least half a Christmas cake to finish, the mince pies are only half eaten and the Christmas pudding we couldn't face on the day is still still in the wrapper.... so do I somehow get rid of all this and start the diet properly again now? Or do I eat all the fatty stuff and give myself more work to do in the New Year? Decisions, decisions eh?
As for my writing....well, I'm determined to crack on in 2010, it's been too long. I have short stories written that I have done nothing with and my novel has been sitting at a little under 9000 words now for over a year. No more. I'm going to re read it in the next day or so and hope some inspiration hits me as I do. This is my first novel and so it's like starting a drive to Africa, without a map. I'm hoping there will be some signposts along the way! Needless to say, if anyone has a spare hour and would like to read it so far then please let me know. I am going through a stage of wondering whether it's any good and worth carrying on with! Insecure? Me? Never! lol
9 comments:
enjoyed your post - you are right that C'mas can be too much shopipping and very little spirit of caring. Thank goodness, C'mas is not a big event here so there is no mad scramble for sales on Boxing day. Good luck in your writing for 201o
Thank you Kestrel, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Christmas can indeed be wonderful but the financial spirit of capitalism certainly can take the edge of it :(
I'm not a shopper - unless you count shopping for books - so have no trouble ignoring the Christmas sales.
I have a lengthy list of short stories to work on, at least three competitions I want to enter in January and a new book to plan, so am happy to spend these limbo days trying to work my way through my list.
Nice blog read as ever, and I totally agree with the days betwixt Xmas and the New Year; somehow lost in time, some form of limbo, except for maybe spending some time with various family elements and simply having the time to think, which in itself, can be a dangerous thing!
Great post and a lovely photo.
I loathe crowds, so it would take a lot to tempt me to go to the sales.
Personally, I'd eat the cake etc now and start anew in January - everyone needs a bit of a treat at Christmas.
Good luck with the writing in 2010.
XX
Nice blog, I'd love to read your novel if you're willing to pass to a complete stranger! For the first Christmas ever I didn't get any books to read.... :-)
Debs - wow! SOunds like you have a lot to keep you busy! :)
Paul - I love time to think, it can be dangerous but on the whole it's one of my favourite pastimes!
Suzanne - Thank you! I've taken your advice and had more cake! lol
Beingmumbeingme - I didn't get any books this year either! I'm going to read through it again in the next few days but I may well take you up on your offer! Thank you :)
Just found your blog - I would be most interested to read your novel if you felt happy to do that; and I would willingly give you my feelings about it.
Every story takes on a life of its own though and I often wonder if we are really do have the control we imagine we have!
Nearbytree - thank you for stopping by, you are very welcome here. And thanks too for your kind offer. Your words make sense though, maybe I should stop worrying and just let the story go where it wants to :)
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