Sunday 30 December 2007

Christmas Crackers







Oh, the pain!

Day after day of talking and socialising has taken its toll. If my family were smaller, or had less time off work, or if they didn’t throw themselves so completely into Christmas…

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day were fantastic. But then it went on…

It feels like I’ve toured the whole of Northern England. A car sped through a red light and almost ploughed into the side of my car. I drove through a flood that appeared without warning in the dark on a country road. It continued for quarter of a mile! I’ve taken crowded trains to shopping centres on the outskirts of soulless industrial towns. (That was just one trip, but it felt plural!)

I haven’t read anything (apart from a two chapter sampler of The Hard Way by Lee Child), and that’s now all I want to do. After I’ve watched J.K. Rowling: A Year in the Life, which starts in five minutes, on ITV.

And tomorrow -- is New Year’s Eve! Will I be a party-pooper? Probably not, but it is a nice thought.

4 comments:

John said...

It can be more relaxing to go away for Christmas. That's what I did.

Happy New Year!

Mary said...

John,

Glad you had a relaxing Christmas!

I might go away next year -- if only to escape the chain-smokers!!!

Happy New Year! :)

Anonymous said...

It feels like I’ve toured the whole of Northern England . . . I drove through a flood that appeared without warning in the dark on a country road . . . I’ve taken crowded trains to shopping centres on the outskirts of soulless industrial towns.

It all sounds exotic and exciting to me! Happy New Year! On my side too much white wine and then of course, the champagne. Ooh, I've got a headache. New Year's Rez: finish the screenplay. I'm trying, but I'm having trouble hitting the right keys!

Mary said...

Nona -- Though I grew up in this area, I was away for so long that it’s slightly exotic to me too. I’m a hybrid: half-local, half-alien. The place is charming, surprising, infuriating -- and inspiring.

Lots of luck with your screenplay!

2008 is going to be great!!!