It's Christmas 2019!
Hello passers-by. I am back here because it seems like my better writing was done on here.
I got a Facebook memory on 21st and it made me feel awful. We were driving along to Sutton-on-Sea to see N's parents, and a gig came up from last year. One where there was a meal, and poetry, and tired children, and a very tired me. I had anticipated there being a very relaxed mode to the evening, but you can go so far past relaxed you end up straight in the wound up and annoyed mode of a person who is the face of an evening of promised food and entertainment that still hasn't happened by 11pm. And people say it's fine. But it isn't. Anyway, I saw the photo and flipped. I ended up searching on here for a Christmas memory that would make me feel better, and I found it. Back in 2010. I read it out to N as we drove and we laughed at the daft things my Mom had said that year... the last Christmas we would spend with her as it happened. Bittersweet.
Anyway, better memories this year. We've had some excellent Christmas gigs. From the workshoppy nature of the Church Inn in Brum, to the hipster loveliness of Saffron Waldon, and our last trip to Derby, where Al Grant made us balloons. Getting to the point since my return where I'm getting remembered and being recommended, and it finally feels like progress. Of course I now have to watch that I'm not mentally wearing myself out. I can tell Christmas has left me slightly stressed because of all the little naps I've needed. And one more drinking day to end all the drinking days, and a sober Christmas day with the family - my brother's family. Everything is lovely and now I can relax properly. And not think too hard about all the work to come, as there is flipping loads. Again!
Yeah, looking back through past Christmas memories, that has been a theme.
So, the BBC didn't want my Christmas show, but they did love my story of Eric the enormous tumour that marks my 2019, So 2018 was broken bones, 2019 weird growths, and 2020 is going to be about staying very well indeed! You hear me, universe? Well. Very, very well.
Looks like the torrential rain is putting paid to my traditional enormous boxing day walk, for now. And N has been snuffling as if to say, "Don't make me go out in this." Would I? Yes, yes, I would.
But I have a swanky new Fitbit Versa 2 and IT WILL TELL ME OFF UNLESS I GO FOR A WALK, GODDAMMIT.
The day has started well, with smoked salmon and garlic and herb quark for a sumptuously healthy breakfast, and we have spiced duck, and all the cheese...
Yesterday, Annie roasted an enormous goose, only very little of which was eaten by the kids, who were full of marshmallows. Uncle N encouraged the firing of Nerf pellets into my face, but little Belly was full of snotty kisses to say sorry and we played at Lego on fire, and Ocean Bingo, and later Chinese Avengers Monopoly with Bash. A mercifully shortened game, that I successfully lost by a huge margin. Gifts were exchanged, on the whole very much appreciated I think - certainly the Toothless toy went down well with Belly. My brother had got us among other things a cat maze for our - erm, deceased cat. Their faces! Oh my life, they were mortified and it was hilarious.
Yeah, we miss Gandhi too. But we've said no wammals until we move house now. So, shut up universe. We want to be well this year, that's the goal, not fur parents again!
And at some point I will start being creative again, and we have a small break planned at the start of the year to make up for the fact that this year all my holiday was spent between the sofa and the toilet and in various degrees of pain and discomfort. Woo, fun!
As ever, goals for next year include:
A general getting rid of things, hopefully in exchange for money.
A repair to the bits of house that are crumbling away.
Anthologies.
Editing.
Writing.
Performing.