Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Seeing things.

No I haven’t lost my mind (it was already gone before I started this post).

Now that the holidays are officially over (I’m not undermining New Years, I just consider it to be a 2011 event) I’ve started to settle into the way of the world.

Now I’m getting back to life, getting back to writing, getting back to avidly blogging. It feels right, so normal, so… so… so good.

With getting back into writing I’ve come across the realization that things change, people have new agendas, new plans.

Here’s what I’ve noticed:

1. New Year’s Resolutions are being planned (what’s yours?)
Christmas drinks are being forgotten (see ya next year apple cider, hot cocoa, pumpkin spice latte)

2. The nice is wearing off (that’s right, holiday cheer is past due)
Greediness comes on stronger (returning gifts can get ugly. I prefer to keep my gifts in hopes to one day love it, all to avoid the crowd)

3. Stores are emptying (Unless you have a gift card the hustle and bustle starts to die down from the last minute items needed for the holidays)

4. Gift wrapping no longer available (what about birthdays?)

What have you noticed? Give you something to write about? I know I have a ton of fresh new ideas flowing!

30 comments:

Natasha said...

You have a point there. What if someone has a birthday in the last week of December or the first week of January- do you give them an unwrapped birthday present, or do you wrap it in X-mas patterened paper?

Jerry Carlin said...

Hi, Jennifer, you have like a million followers, and now me! I am relearning how to write and my New Year Resolution is to work at it, and read. I will follow you like a hawk!

Theresa Milstein said...

I've noticed they didn't pave the streets in Cambridge as well as they did where I was staying on Long Island.

I'm not a new year's resolution person. Too much to live up to. Right now I'm focusing on immediate stuff - clean my house, get some school work done, and write.

Happy 2011, Jen!

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

People around here are driving crazier than ever. It's like dodge-em at the amusement park.
Each day brings its own resolutions.

Vicki Rocho said...

Working out my resolutions still. Some combination of exercise-writing-family-friends.

Creepy Query Girl said...

Yes, I do notice the 'wind down' period, it's sad but inevitable. I hate january through may, although I do chipper up a bit for easter- the weather here during those months blows. Yes! Finally sat down and started planning a new book today:) Feels good:)

Melissa Gill said...

I always feel a bit down at this time of year. Especially when the Christmas lights start to come down. Then it just goes back to being cold, drab, winter. But that makes me even more determined to be able to write full time so I can winter in New Orleans.

fakesteph said...

For me the holidays don't end until around the 3rd when I have to go back to work. :) The tree is coming down today, which is sad, but then we'll start celebrating the New Year so they'll go back up.

When I get back home to LA I'll feel really productive and committed for a few months. I have a few projects planned and all ready to go so I can take advantage of that after new year feeling of sticking to your resolutions.

I'm glad you're back to writing again! As much as I'm enjoying myself on the East Coast, I'm itching to get back! :)

Jillian said...

Today was the first day in quite some time that I did not wake up with a Christmas song stuck in my head....

happy almost New year Jen!

Diane said...

Stores were empty today! Creepy! :O)

Anonymous said...

At my job, I've noticed that the people who come through our doors don't quite have the same spark they had before Christmas. It's like they'd been able to ignore the things that troubled them for a couple weeks and they've just come back full-force. It's definitely much sadder around here since Christmas has gone.

The Words Crafter said...

I'm off this week and living like a hermit. Reality will sink in tomorrow when I have to go out. Not looking forward to the long lines!

I have goodies for you on my blog!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I notice I get a lot of reading and writing during this week between Christmas and New Years because all my favorite TV shows are reruns so I'm not tempted.

Heather said...

I've definitely noticed the cheer is fading for a lot of people. I'm determined to keep it going though! I just posted my resolutions today. Here's hoping I can combine the continued cheer with those!

Lisa Gail Green said...

Well here's my New Year's toast then; let's keep the greediness to a minimum, and the ideas flowing! *clinks glass*

Laura Darling said...

I went to the mall the day after CHristmas...and people were hauling in BAGS of gifts they didn't want! I was shocked! I always keep everything...even if I don't like it. I'm always afriad the gift-giver will find out about a return! Ha! Happy 2011!

Misha Gerrick said...

Well... I noticed that I like my new-found solitude...

bliss.

:-)

Colene Murphy said...

Love that stores are settling down. Glad to have you back on your regular schedule!

Jolene Perry said...

Mostly I've noticed that it's too cold to leave my house. Below zero is not for wimps.

Dianne K. Salerni said...

I've noticed that just because I have a week off from teaching doesn't mean I can fill those days with writing. I've been singularly uninspired and I was blaming my WIP, thinking it really stinks. But it suddenly occurs to me that Christmas, houseguests, and the temptation of a new Kindle might just be too distracting to promote good writing.

I think maybe it's nice to take a break sometimes!

Krispy said...

I am not over the holiday drinks yet! Starbucks don't you dare change your menu yet!

The malls were still pretty full this weekend, but I think that was the returners and the sale-shoppers.

Mimi said...

Sales have just started here, so shops are full of people who couldn't get out before Christmas cos of the snow.
But there are bargains, oh yes there are!
New Year's resolutions? I steer clear of them. My new year is September, I prefer it that way.Won't stop me raising a glass to wave goodbye to 2010 and welcome in 2011 though!

Carolyn V. said...

I'm always so happy when the stores are empty again!

I love New Years and always look forward to making plans for the new year! Can't wait to start writing again!

Eva said...

I'm really bad at making resolutions. I never seem to do it because I feel like if I do then I'm setting myself up to fail. I think last year I just said that I was going to make 2010 different.

And you know what, I think I've managed to do that :)

Anonymous said...

Glad to know you're back in the swing of things and feeling great :-)

Jayne said...

*returns from putting mulled wine back in the cupboard*

I like the idea of gift-wrapping being available all year-around. I've noticed adults look a little tired and children have bright white shiny trainers. Also the trains are empty - hooray!

Chris Phillips said...

I'm glad the stores are clearing out a bit.

Kristin Rae said...

Oh I'll be drinking hot chocolate as long as it's cold out!!

And I'm scared of making resolutions because I never follow through!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I've noticed that all this time off has made it difficult to get back in the groove. We go back to school on Monday, so I'll be back to my regular routine then, but I'm slowly working my way back. :-)

erica and christy said...

hehe. unfortunately i had to brave the returns line...my hubby already loved the pairs of shoes my mother i bought him, however his feet will not grow no matter how long he waits. (why did i listen to the size he told me rather than checking the bottoms of the ones he owned prior to christmas shopping?) (and is it terrible that i didn't know his shoe size in the first place?) :0) christy