On the Eve of the New Year

So…here we are again. Moving from one year into another. All over the world people are celebrating, even those who don’t share the Western calendar. And all over the world people are making resolutions - pacts to improve themselves in the coming year. Sometimes I wonder what rituals like this really achieve. Are they merely some kind of ancient myth that we desperately cling to - the hope that with the promise of a new year we can be reborn ourselves?

I actually had this whole resolution post planned myself. I had this Santa sized list of things I wanted to achieve in the coming year, everything from going to the gym regularly to limiting my dairy intake. But as I thought about it further, I realized that I shouldn’t need to use a new year as an excuse to better myself. This should be something that I want to do every single day, be it January 1st or August 20th.

So, while I do have things I want to accomplish this year, I don’t really consider them resolutions. This isn’t Lent and I’m certainly not Catholic. One might observe that it doesn’t really matter how I wrap the package, it all amounts to the same thing, but hey, it’s my blog and my delusions.

Here are three things I plan to be more considerate of in the future:

1. Spend more time with my friends and family. I can be pretty introverted and fairly happy to spend time alone. But I want to spend more time with those I love - after all, you never know how long you have with those close to your heart.

2. Be healthy. This is especially important now that I’ll be spending most of my time in the pestilence ridden elementary schools. So, more exercise, better foods - no fast food!

3. Indulge in my hobbies: writing, photography, cooking, music, reading, etc. Turn off the television and concentrate on these things instead.

This post, at least to me, seems a bit more melancholy in tone than I really meant for it to be. I think this is because I’ve been under the weather for the last few days and am just sick of having no energy. And now it is time for me to go get ready for a New Year’s celebration with friends - see? I’m already working on Non Resolution #1!!

This just in: Shiny to take over the world, one person at a time!

This post goes out to my good friend K. Marie:

We’ve done it, my friend…we’re taking over the world! How, you ask? It’s simple, really. We have, between us, created a concept that is spreading like wildfire. Shiny, the idea, the dream…LIVES!

A few days ago, I went to my hair appointment (to get it cut and colored, if it matters). The girl that does my hair happens to be one of my best friends. We went to NAU together, lived together for a time, she was one of my bridesmaid’s and I was one of hers. She’s done my hair forever, in fact I was her guinea pig when she was attending a design school. After all these years, she’s family.

But I digress, I was getting my hair done and we were talking about whatever we talk about. She happened to be at my mom’s house with me when the “Shiny” shirt was created. She liked the idea so much my mom made her a dishtowel that said “Shiny” on it. She told me that everyone who sees the towel falls in love with it. So now, one of her friends who loved the towel, has converted to Shiny-speak.

We are taking over the world, my friend. One person at a–ooh! Shiny!

Meet Buckface

Once upon a time, in a dry and dusty land, there lived a girl. Every winter in this particular land where this particular girl lived, there was a festive celebration known as Christmas or Yule. The girl especially loved this holiday, for it was filled with much merry-making, festive decorations and blessedly wonderful weather. During this time of year, the townspeople would decorate their houses with lights and animated representations of favorite symbols of the season.

The girl and her mate would join in this tradition, for the most part. They covered the outside of their dwelling with sparkly lights and placed a glowing tree in their front window. But never, in all the years of the girl’s life, had she been able to put an animated creature in her front yard. She had always longed to do so, had even begged her mate to purchase her one. But, what with one thing or another, the girl and her mate had been unable to fulfill this lifelong dream.

This holiday season began, for the girl, like so many others. She began decorating her holiday tree, she even made a new wreath with with to decorate the entrance to their home. Her mate decorated the outside of their home with lights, like every other year. But suddenly, what appeared before the girl’s eyes but a 48″ animated standing buck! The girl danced with joy and designated a place of honor for the beautiful animated creature.

She bestowed upon him the name of Buckface…and he was glorious.

Meet Buckface: