What’s on the iPod: Wishing Well by The Airborne Toxic Event
It was one of those weekends where I’m glad to be sitting here working today. Mind you, it was full of fun, but it was full. We met friends for dinner Friday night. Then we went out Saturday to the annual Firebird Festival to celebrate winter solstice. It sneaked up on me this year – I had it pegged for at least another week or so away. There were so many people I wanted to invite. Alas.
This year’s “sacrificial” bird was another work of art. And once again, it drew thousands who wanted to watch and chant “Burn that bird!” while the drums played and the fire dancers swirled around it at a safe distance. If you have a few minutes, watch the video below. The excitement in the kids’ voices is priceless.
We then spent the rest of the night listening to an amazing little band, apropos of the evening – Burning Bridget Cleary. Superb musicians. Those girls can fiddle with the best of them.
Amid all this I’m trying to decorate the house, the tree, finish a few last shopping details, watch football, and make our Christmas cards. He took over the cards, and I’m glad he did. They turned out beautifully. They’ll go out today, along with some gifts, after the termite inspector is here and gone. Odd time for that to be scheduled, but they chose the time – we didn’t.
Today I have some projects to finish. I finished one last week, and the client was happy with it, amen. It has to pass muster with an editor yet, but I think I’ve kept it general enough. The two remaining projects are a small one I get nearly every day and another article, due the 1st of January, but I know what it’s like when the family comes home. No time to think. Get it done now.
The rest of the day’s time, if there is any left, will be spent marketing and wrapping more gifts. I have one more item to buy – that’s it – and I’m finished. I wanted to be done by December 10th, but there are always little things you forget, aren’t there?
And I’m taking time for me. I received a bonus from a long-time client (a Starbucks card), so I’m going to get some liquid tranquility later.
How is your work day looking?
Sorry I couldn't get there this year — hopefully I can next. It looks fabulous!
I wish you could have been, Devon! Definitely next year. Sorry, it all came up so quickly this year.
My weekend was equally as nuts-makes you wonder why we do this to ourselves each year. My body aches far worse than when I walked 60 miles for 3 days.
I hauled out all the Christmas decorations-my Mom & I tend to go nuts with those. To decorate my office meant I first had to clean it out – hate when that happens. 🙂
I finally got the last of my thank-yous done for my 3-Day contributors (yours is in the mail, Lori-really!) 🙂
I got my Christmas/holiday cards done & in the mail. I still have some gifts to buy. I am really looking forward to that madness. Last year I did most of it online. I got all the ones that needed to be mailed somewhere, but have some family ones left.
Love the Firebird Festival-that's definitely something you wouldn't see in CA – the whole state would go up in flames.
You did ask about work-it's mostly admin time, although I am working on a ghostwritten article.
I decided I'm taking off the second week of January — I'll have the house to myself and will take down the decor slowly, and the only thing on the schedule, so far, is teaching. I'm going to try to keep it that way.
I'm sure Paula and I celebrated winter solstice the same way-by shoveling, shoveling and more shoveling. (Why lift weights to get muscles when you can just shovel?-LOL!)
The blizzard hit Sat. and pretty much closed every road in southern mn. Of course, there were still hundreds of cars, trucks and big rigs stuck on those roads. Yesterday was a busy and profitable day for the tow trucks.
Today will spent with the last bit of shoveling that needs to get done and then I think I will do some shopping online as I still have a few gifts to get and I don't feel like driving anywhere today.
Cathy, I wonder why we do it, too. Ever since I divorced, I can't get into the holidays. It's just like a big-assed chore instead of anything wonderful. I used to have a tree in every room. Now it hurries me to slap one together.
Devon, I don't blame you. If I can hoard a week to myself, by God, I do it. It's great that you do that for yourself.
Wendy, I'd love to shovel. I'd love to be snowed in (seriously). I remember it fondly as a child, and as an adult. I want that again. Not getting the snow here so much (last year being the exception!).
Oh sugar. I wanted to do the festival for the first time too. But sadly it was the only weekend to host my yearly holiday dinner party (not enough Saturdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year). 🙁 So thanks for posting the video. At least I finally got a glimpse of it. 🙂
Jenn, next year I'll remind you. I was going to anyway, but it came up on me much faster than I expected.
We had the high winds and blizzard conditions that you had Wendy, but it rained before it snowed, so we have a solid inch of ice covering the pavement. Love snow. Hate ice.Today the temps are too cold for the salt to really activate. When the snow finally accumulated (all 2.1 inches of it) it was the fluffy stuff. Weather geeks know the water-to-fluffy snow ratio is usually 1-to-10, so if it had been all snow we would have had at least a foot. I'd rather have a foot of fluffy snow than an inch of ice hidden beneath a thinner blanket of snow.
Funny thing, Wendy. The first time I shoveled this year I felt it in my forearms. Yesterday I pushed more than anything in a valiant effort to remove ice from the pavement. Last night I felt it in my thighs. Why is it that the neighbors with the snowblowers only decide to go up and down the public sidewalk *after* I've already cleared it?
Lori, you'll be glad to know I didn't even turn on the computer Sunday. Saturday morning I had to, just to get the Santa letters out. (Last year I did enough Santa letters to cover probably half my Christmas shopping. This year: three letters.) Then I put up the tree – as keeper of three-generations worth of ornaments it's an all-day effort. Sunday I shoveled and put out a few more decorations (have a lot more left to bring up – the entire village, stuff for the mantel, and about four more boxes), made the chocolate-almond toffee and cleaned the guest room, which somehow had been invaded by several huge boxes of yarn. I have no idea how that happened, LOL.
Wow, you took a day off? Really? It must have been Festivus! LOL
Hi Lori.
I baked homemade cookies on Saturday for two of my big local clients' staffs–and they're all sending emails today telling me, "Yum!" I hope to do the same for another local client this week.
It's just a little holiday goodwill that I'm hoping will make them remember me when they have work that needs to be done!
Then, sadly, I wrote yesterday because I've got a bunch of articles due before Dec. 23. Oh, well. One of my friends reminded me that I'm taking the last week of December off, so I only have another week and a half of busy-ness. True, true. Friends can be helpful in making you see the bigger picture.
This morning, an article I was rushing to finish got spiked because the main source was acting fishy, and it made the editor uncomfortable. So half the fee as a kill fee (fine with me) and one less assignment to rush to finish before the holiday.
I know what you mean about the holidays. In my case, I don't have kids, which I think is why I don't have that joy. I don't hate the holidays, but I don't happily decorate and listen to carols, either. I'll be glad when it's over!
Exactly, Gabriella! I'm looking for that Linus moment. 🙂
I love that you gave them cookies! Hey, everyone loves a plate of cookies. What a great idea! I wish my clients were local – I'd do the same.
Saturday was busy… Sunday was relaxed and today I'm as tired as you are… no clue why… maybe weather changes?
If you can figure out how to haul snow that far, you can have all the snow you want. Feel free to take it away- really, I mean it. Consider it a donation for the needy.
I think perhaps weather, Anne. Or too close to the solstice – not enough sun.
Wendy, given the havoc it created on your dome, I can see why you don't love it. LOL
Next year, maybe Jenn and I can both partake and we can all enjoy the festival together.
Oh PLEASE partake! I'd love to hang out with you guys again!