Another month has blown by. I’ve managed to bury my head in the sand that’s called work as I prepare to execute the move of our data centre into the new facility over new years. I’ve found myself at numerous Christmas parties talking to exciting people with nothing in my head but stats on cooling, power consumption, and racing thoughts of cabling organization structures. To say the least, I haven’t exactly been slaughtering people with my gift for gab ;-)
I have enjoyed losing myself in work – despite the fact that I recognize it as unhealthy, at least in the long term. Otherwise I’ve photographed my flatmate Janet’s Christmas party, gotten out to neighborhood fairs, photographed some music, etc.
It’s half nine on Christmas Eve and I’m snuggled in on my couch looking through our flat window over the lights of the city. I’ve got a great glass of Pinot Noir and Eryka Badu on the stereo, just finished a fantastic day including a big run, great brunch, a birthday party, a movie, and dinner with a friend. I’ve managed to ignore the fact that it’s Christmas until about 30 minutes ago.
I’ve never spent Christmas Eve alone, nor awoken on Christmas in an empty house. It sounds a bit pathetic and I must admit that I intensely miss my family at the moment, but I can’t say that I dislike it. I’m relishing the sense of independent, mid-adulthood. As I am not only fully empowered to do whatever whenever, I am as free of attachment as I believe personally possible. Earlier in life I would always have been with my family, and later in life I expect to have a family of my own. Yet, these are the years of self appointed destiny and I find it critical to step back and truly appreciate it, as it is doubtless ephemeral and will in short time only be the substance of stories with which I attempt to regale grandchildren.
I will wake up to presents though! I’ve got a package from my “mum” as these kiwis say, and my flatmates after deceiving me with stories of “we’re not exchanging gifts this year” left many a treat on the kitchen counter. I’ll spend the morning with some English friends (Sal and Paul) to kick off our fabulous “Orphan’s Christmas” with a collection of expats from around the world throwing a BBQ and getting up to what is sure to go down in the history books as proper shenanigans ;-)
Merry Christmas everyone! (And happy birthday pops!)
