in review

2008 has got 7 hours left to play so,  taking inspiration from P, this year I have..

- worked in South Africa and at Greenbelt

- visited Paris and Switzerland

- got promoted

- attempted snowboarding and surfing

- been to more weddings (can't remember how many and don't want to forget anyone)

- met my first nearly-nephew Z

- avoided driving all year

- bought a shiny new computer

- been to gigs by matthew herbert, foo fighters, n.e.r.d, seth lakeman, portishead, roisin murphy, sigur ros, coldplay, justice, hot chip and more...

that's all I can think of for now. 

roll on 2009.

listening to:

fleet foxes by fleet foxes

we sing, we dance, we steal things by jason mraz

drop by cornelius

dream cars by neon neon

12 hours to go...

Films watched = 1 (24 hour party people - good)

Films edited = 0

Books read = 1/2 (Crossword ends in violence (5) by the very nice Jam Cary)

Hours spent knitting = 7

Hours spent watching Come Dine With Me = 4

fami-lee

As we all know, Jesus is the reason for the season. But family's a pretty big reason too. 

If you know my family, you know they are brilliant and I love them to pieces, but they have moments of being wacky. Main point in question is when my dad put a mini christmas tree on the roof of our car, complete with flashing lights, when I was in high school. My friends have NEVER forgotten that (they'll be pleased to know the lights are now on the fir tree in the front garden.)

Anyway, this year, immediate family are great and lovely, but extended are going through a tough time - physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually - it's a rocky, rocky ride. And i've never really noticed that side of my relatives before. I'm feeling very grateful for the luxury of time off,  the generosity of family and the ability to be here and used when needed in what could well be an unusual Christmas. 

3 days to go

So I'm now at home, in the countryside for about a week over the festive season. I've been feeling pretty rubbish, like the rest of the population, so am hoping a few days of doing absolutely nothing will cure my coughs and colds. Then I have knitting, writing, walking, lots of reading, lots of movie editing, watching 6 dvd's I haven't got around to seeing yet, and playing with what Santa brings me. I can't wait.

Dear God

I was shown this website the other day - www.dear-god.net - which is a website full of people's prayers to a God who they believe may or may not exist. It's like the post secret way of counselling, where if you share your innermost confessions, regardless of if anyone is listening, you feel easier for getting something off your chest. 

I do agree, but wonder in these times of therapy whether we are far too self indulgent. It's a very modern phenomenon to share everything with everyone and I don't always think it's a particularly healthy way to be. Where is our stoicism of yesteryear?

However the saddest thing I find about Dear God is that there is actually a real, living, loving God, who is desperate to heal the wounds of these people. But they don't know that, and their only salvation is posting anonymous letters on a website.

old women are annoying

It's been a nice weekend so far. Starting to feel very Christmassy, despite not doing any shopping. I think I might be bad this year and leave it all until Christmas Eve. 

S and I checked out the BFI last night which was brilliant - it's a really nice building with loads of interesting films and seasons and stuff to do. We tried to get tickets to see Burn After Reading but it had all sold out so we just enjoyed wine in the lovely cafe there. 

I also had an encounter with an annoying old woman who pushed in front of me at Woolworths. It is never ok to queue jump, especially if:

1. you are old

2. the shop is closing down, therefore the queues are about two miles long

3. you are only buying one item ( in this case a tiny and pointless china cup)

4. you pretend ( she was definately pretending) to be old and feeble and weak and forgetful and therefore don't remember the laws of queueing

I was fraught and harassed so I very nearly kicked off. I didn't though, you'll be pleased to hear. I just got on with buying Christmas cards which I should be writing about now.