Hauntings and Parties

Christmas madness has officially begun and I'm already exhausted just thinking about all the things I need to do before the big day; presents to buy, cards to get, wrapping to be done, food to buy, parties and dinners to attend, and public transport to contend with. I don't know why all that stresses me out, as there are countless people in this world who would be more than happy to swap with me, and yet I feel my brain about to pop if I think about it all too much. A part of it is that when December starts rolling by I can't help assessing my life and thinking about 'where I am' versus 'where I want to be'. Inevitably there's a gaping chasm between the two, and the December depression begins. So instead I focus on action and what I have coming up and then I wonder when I'll find time to work on the life goals, and the whole sorry cycle starts again. As much as I love Christmas, I can't wait for January.

The last week has been easing me into the month of activity; the flat is now decorated (sorta) and the tree is up and pretty, if I do say so myself. Last Friday I went to see The Woman in Black at Fortune theatre in London and was totally blown away. The original book relies on the fact that the main character, Arthur Kipps, is reciting his experiences in a novel he's written for his family. The play has him do this through the form of a screenplay, which he has taken to an actor to be taught how to perform it for his family. It's a little change but one that has incredible consequences as the story unfolds. I highly recommend it and it was perfect for my taste in spooky stories around Christmas time. Maybe it's the pagan ancestry in me but I love ghost stories at this time of year. And yes, I've already read Christmas Carol this festive season, and will be watching both Scrooged and the Muppet Christmas Carol at some point too. Christmas wouldn't be the same without them.

The other notable event was the second 30th birthday party in my circle of close friends, and it was a blast. It amazes me to think that (a) we're all turning 30 within the next 10 months, and (b) we've all been and stayed friends since high school (and, in some cases, even longer than that). The road of life may have taken us all in surprising directions but we've somehow all managed to stay in touch and to stay good friends throughout the intervening years. Here's hoping it will continue for the next thirty, and beyond. I can't even imagine where we'll all be in the future. No doubt I'll still be doing my yearly assessments of my "progress" - and though it can get me down I'm not sure what I'd do with myself if I ever think "Oh, I actually am exactly where I want to be." Now that's a scary thought...