Usually the holidays are the busiest time of year. For everyone, yes–but for me especially. Choral music concerts are a lot of it. The Messiah, the Pacific Chorale’s annual Christmas concert, the annual Candlelight concert at the Performing Arts Center, caroling, opera rehearsals, etc. It all adds up.
But this year was going to be different. I skipped all the concerts, despite the fact that it’s just not Christmas for me unless I’m singing. This year I was going to cut way back and take time to enjoy the season. Do the Norman Rockwell thing, hang out with friends, call all the people I’ve callously ignored throughout the year, write personal Christmas cards to everyone. You get the sickeningly syrupy picture.
Well, Christmas is eight days away I just realized that my well-laid plans haven’t amounted to “jack squat”, as Chris Farley might say. In fact, I’m busier than I’ve ever been. And holiday shopping? Haven’t even started yet. I know a lot of other people feel this way. The holidays come and go, and by the time January arrives you’re exhausted and left with a scorching case of the flu, laid up in bed and wondering where all the time went.
Is there no way around it?
Maybe not. Perhaps the problem is that the holidays start earlier and earlier every year. I do believe that I actually saw Christmas decorations in some stores as early as mid-August.
I’m not going to give up, though. Some close friends are coming over next week for dinner and a casual evening; perhaps that will get me into the spirit.