So That Was Christmas

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It’s the gap between Christmas and New Year and all over Scotland people are gearing up for the big celebration. Very soon, we shall turn 2010 over to the bucket of history and make the leap into the future – 2011 is almost upon us and a new year beckons.

Rather exciting is the disappearance of all the snow! Today is the first day I’ve opened the curtains to see concrete and grass since the last week in November. The mounds of snow and scatterings of ice and slush patches have finally succumbed to the milder temperatures; white Christmases are one thing but when you’ve had it for a month, had to treck for miles to and from work in it, and suffered mild concussion on the resulting ice, it stops being funny.

Christmas Fun
We had a fabulous family Christmas. From that ecstatic moment I left work at 5pm on Thursday 23rd right up to yesterday’s trip into town for a long lunch and movie with my daughter, it’s been a great Christmas and it’s still only half done (for me). Due to scheduling difficulties, we’ve still to go west to have Christmas with my parents, but that will be happening very soon once a suitable date can be arranged.

Santa was very good to me this year. I got a number of new books that I’m aching to get into already and a rare Linton Kwesi Johnson album that I’ve been after for years finally fell into my possession. I also received a new moon calendar for the up-coming year, lots of chocolate, new pyjamas, a towel with “face” displayed at one end and “arse” at the other(!) and the full DVD box set of all the James Bond movies. Lovely jubbly!

After a busy but relaxed Christmas morning, we spent the rest of the day at my in-laws. My MIL put on a wonderful spread consisting of two warm up courses, a turkey dinner with all the trimmings and three desserts! The following day we had them round to ours for nibbles and drinks, where due to the presence of a certain amount of alcohol, we ended up playing Charades and Trivial Pursuit well into the evening.

Daddy Daughter Day
Monday was a day off while yesterday, as I already mentioned, I spent a lovely day in town with my daughter. We went shopping, had a long lunch together at Pizza Hut (the queue was half an hour long for Frankie & Benny’s 😦 ) then went to see a movie (Little Fockers) at Ocean Terminal. It was the kind of day that I imagine (hope) to be having with my daughter in ten years time, but she’s mature and balanced enough that we seem to be able to get on at an easy/adult level just now. She’s only 13 for heaven’s sake!

Writing
On the writing front I have absolutely no idea where December has gone. I’ve been able to do some reading but time itself seems to have simply vanished before my eyes. It’s hard to fathom because I’ve been able to work on a lot of my GDRs, but writing… it’s a mystery.

Duran Duran on Itunes
26 years after Santa left it for me on Christmas morning, the Arena album by Duran Duran is still a treat to listen to. It’s not really a “live” album – it’s way too produced for that – but the quality of the songs, no matter where or how they were laid down, are superb. It still makes me feel good inside and brings back a chunk load of memories.

It also highlights one of the great things about my iPhone/iPod, is that I’m able to get my hands on albums from my vinyl days and be listening to them in seconds after downloading from iTunes. Superb!

Just Giving
A short FYI for all my readers out there who I know don’t mind giving small amounts to charity every now and then. Just Giving have created a Facebook app through which you can send Facebook gifts to friends, family and loved ones whilst at the same time donating £2 to a selected charity. There are a range of charities and personalised gifts to be chosen from including a virtual gift for the charity, Marie Curie Cancer Care.

I know it’s a bit late for Christmas – my fault, I really need to get on top of the email streaming into my inbox – but it’s not too late to send someone you love a small gift for the new year, a birthday, Valentine’s Day, which is just around the corner or even just to say you love them. Head on over to http://bit.ly/justgivinggiftapp and check it out. There’s no pressure and it’s a cool project.

Until tomorrow people, have a good one!

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