This may be the last blog of the year. Who knows. I will try get in one more next week. I got some lofi Christmas beats playing, the weather is suitably gloomy and tomorrow I fly out to see my brother, his family and my sister. I have not seen my brother in nearly 10 years.
I fucking love Christmas. I've had quite a few memorable ones in my life. Summer time beach side braais in South Africa, or drum accompanied rum and cola street drinking in Uruguay, or Christmas markets, snow and skiing in Austria as a child. My more recent Christmases have been cosy affairs with my ex, my dogs and mountains of food.
This year will a bit different. This year it will be with family I haven't seen in a decade and family I have never even met.
And no dogs.
At least there are the lofi Christmas beats for familiarity. And hopefully Die Hard. There better fucking be Die Hard, or my brother will be seeing the business end of the most profound motherfucker of a hissy fit.
2021 has been a turd and it can go suck a fuck. Seriously, what an absolutely scraped scrotum seasoned with lemon juice and salt of a year.
But it is Christmas in a few days so let us conclude this short post with some positives:
Work
I am enjoying my new job. It is challenging and provides me with a new opportunity to grow as a teacher. There is also the added benefit of actually getting paid more and working less hours. How the fuck does that work? Yes, that is counter balanced by increased living expenditure in the form of having to pay both rent and a mortgage. But you know what, I worked my nuts off and I've managed to survive, save and actually enjoy myself upon occasion.
Then there is the online thing. The income from this has allowed me to live somewhat comfortably. However, the real benefit is the people. In 2021 I have met 1287 different humans from 73 different countries. Each of them wonderfully weird and unique. That has been quite an experience.
Work Out
I have been pretty damned disciplined in terms of working on my physical and mental health. This year of collapse has provided me with the opportunity to grow. And I have certainly grown. These life challenges have been immense and I feel as if I am doing a medium to acceptable job facing up to them. Despite working 7 days a week since September, I have hardly missed any opportunity to work out. Yes, that will not be the case for the rest of this year, but you know what, fuck you 2021.
Write
I am no closer to being published. That does suck. But, I have been writing a lot so, fuck it. That is all there is. I have been most productive with my poetry but I have started on my next novel / short story and it is suitable for self publishing. I will also continue to put together a collection of all the poems I have written over the course of this shit bucket of a year.
The weather is suitably miserable. My tea is getting cold and I need to start packing. The jazzy piano lofi beats a getting me heart warm. I am seeing my family tomorrow and it is so wonderfully bittersweet. 2021 has been a maggot infested and festering wound in the form of 365 days. I am so fucking over it already. When next I write, it will be on the other side of a reunion.
Merry Christmas, and don't forget, Radiate Positivity Motherfucker!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnx08JFs6nQ
