Christmas Giving

As you might already know or suspect, I decorated my cubicle to the nines for Christmas.  Trees, snowflakes, twinkle lights, garland, and ornaments abound.  I've even got a laptop dedicated solely to playing a fireplace DVD and snow in the corners of the cubicle wall window panes that otherwise look like a prison visiting room.  It's my little 5x5 winter wonderland.  As a part of this celebratory setup, I switched out my usual coffee mug for a Christmas mug with which to sip my seasonal teas and coffees.

On this, the morning of our last day at work before Christmas, I was walking with my usual balancing act to the kitchen and I accidentally dropped my Christmas mug.  It actually flew out of my hand and shattered quite dramatically on the concrete floor.  All I could do was stand and watch.  There were four or five people standing behind me watching my mug (and heart) break.  Of all the mornings, it happens on the last one, the pinnacle of the holiday season at work?  Word spread quickly amongst my coworkers, many offering me their condolences.  Then, about an hour later, as I finished my last sips of holiday chai out of an impersonal and wasteful paper cup, a new offering appeared on my desk.

I looked over to find a red and gold cube-shaped box and a small brown paper bag.  As I turned, I saw one of my coworkers, Michelle, standing there.

"Now you don't have to drink out of a paper cup," she said. "And I got you a muffin too."

With those two sentences, my day (and season?) was effectively made.  I opened the box to find a beautiful, brand new creme and gold Starbucks Christmas mug.  I'm no Grinch so it's not like I was sitting there pouting and decrying Christmas, but even with my holiday engine running on a full tank, I was truly touched by this thoughtful, surprising gesture.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Hola

Wow, over two months and nary a post.  I'd give you the full boring rundown of what I've been doing while NOT blogging, but to share my reasons would be to make excuses out of them.  I will say I've been in a creative drought of cracked-earth proportions.  Last night, however, I was dancing in my living room and I don't know if it was the caffeine, the Christmas spirit, or both, but I heard the hushed roar of a flash flood of inspiration approaching.  I don't want to get ahead of myself though so I think I will post someone else's thoughts before proclaiming to have any more of my own.  At least the subject is topical.

Leisure

By W.H. Davies


What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait til her mouth can
Enrich that smiler her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have to time to stand and stare.