I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack.
As I detailed last month, I found myself with a severe case of the Wintertime Blahs as 2014 segued into 2015. This condition, which is not to be confused with the Summertime Blues, means that I'm unusually tired, unusually apathetic, and not good for much beyond going to work, coming home, rewatching movies I've seen several times, and heading down to New York for what is becoming an annual foray to the lights, the museums, and the action of the Queen of Cities. Being in Manhattan rejuvenates me, and by the time I'm back in the Last Homely Shack being ignored swarmed by the Double Felinoid as they punish me for going out of town beg for food and affection, I feel much more like myself.
This year the trip to New York was doubly special. Not only did I do some excellent research at the Met and the newly reopened Cooper Hewitt, I got to congratulate my friend Bella, whose boyfriend Ned proposed to her in November. They're a delightful couple and I couldn't be happier for them, so I brought them a gift of a Very Special Box of Chocolates as a hostess/belated Hanukkah gift. Friends are what make this season special, and seeing two people so well suited is a little holiday miracle.
I'm not even going to touch on the books I picked up at the Met, or the holiday windows, or the lights of Manhattan in the winter cold and mist, or the bagels, or the shopping at Lord & Taylor, except to say that New York once again worked her magic on this kid from Pittsburgh. A winter break is always a good thing, and I treasure these visits as a way to alleviate the gloom of the darkest days of the year.
Also lifting my spirits was the New Year's party I attended at Beata and Tom's house. It's always a fancy affair, with guests in suits, cocktail dresses, and even full length formals. I wore a little black dress and a filmy black shawl, we all watched movies in between socializing and eating, and by the time I finally went home, 2015 had been welcomed in style.
It was also welcomed in my Christmas gift to myself, a brand newCaptain Marvel sweater, and if there's a better reason for me to smile for the camera phone, I can't think of it right now.
Warm, soft, comfy, and shows my support for my favorite female superhero - what's not to like?
So! Now that I'm baaaaaack, here is the schedule for the first quarter of this year of grace. As always, please keep a few things in mind:
- All diaries are subject to change, especially the titles, since what seems clever and appropriate right now may seem ridiculous and plain stupid when I'm actually ready to write.
- I may need to take a mental health day once in a while, especially as I begin serious work on my next conference paper. If that happens, I'll make sure to reblog an older diary.
- Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.
Here we go:
January 10 - The Absolutely Untrue Partly Fictionalized 100% Forged Diaries of Mr. A.H.
January 17 - A Field Guide to These Diaries; or, Meet the Parents (And Pets, and Mascots, and Of Course My Aunt)
January 24 - The Serial Killer of the Month Club
January 31 - Tut, Tut, Mr. Tutt!
February 7 - Greetings from Scenic Graustark!
February 14 - Animal Lovers Who Love Their Animals Way, Way Too Much
February 21 - I Was A Non-Existent Teenage Addict/Writer/Media Personality
February 28 - Moonlight, Magnolias, and Bible-Believing Slaves
March 7 - Sweeping Clio Off Her Feet
March 14 - Lil' Orphan Annie and the Conservative Duck
March 21 - The Plagiarized Roots of Roots
March 28 - Manly Men Doing Daring Deeds in Exotic Locales
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So...what about you, my friends? What did you do over the holidays? Did you dance? Sing? Party down? Blog? Read a good book? A lousy one? The floor is open, so come and share!
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Readers & Book Lovers Series Schedule: