This week was an oddly busy week at work. I say oddly because, as a big part of me had already happily embraced the forthcoming juggernaut that is Christmas, my expectations for the workplace this week were that they would be more festive and relaxed rather than business as usual. I forgot I worked in science. Researchers, as a whole, seem not to welcome and become mellowed by any given holiday, but panicked by it. It’s merely a barrier for their ever continuing research, an annoyance to get through, and as their support staff (myself included) will be away for the Christmas/New Year break they usually double down on the workload prior so that our selfish instance to take time off during public holidays won’t hinder them to greatly. Part of me in impressed by their commitment to their work but another, much larger, part of me is just ready to get his damn Christmas on.
Work stuff aside I’m really looking forward to Christmas this year. I have a good line up that will allow me to spend time with friends and family and hopefully won’t tip into the whole ‘I’m feel like I’ve eaten an entire ham, don’t want to move, and yet we still have five more groups of people to visit,’ phase. A number get knocked off this weekend, which should keep me merry enough to get through the week of work that follows it. Then Christmas Eve day will be spent with the Lady Holly’s family and the Christmas Eve night spent with just the Lady Holly (and probably Moriarty – our rabbit) eating chocolate and reading books. Last year, prior going to Scandinavia, Holly found out it was the Icelandic tradition to give each other books and eat chocolate on Christmas Eve and, as this will be the second year we’ve partaken, I think I can say it’s now our tradition too. There’s something very charming and relaxing to quietly eating chocolate and reading books the night before the rushed chaos of Christmas. Plus, I’ll take any excuse to read books and eat chocolate. Christmas day itself will be spent with my family in the house I grew up in and haven’t been back to for some time (we already have a Christmas themed audiobook loaded up for the drive down there), before spending boxing day with my gang to close out the festivities. Like I said, it should be quite a time.
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I’ve mentioned previously how I occasionally take part in a podcast called Movie Maintenance. It’s a fun listen where one of us takes a movie, explains where we think it could be improved, and then fixes the problems of the film; if not re-pitch a whole new story for it altogether. I’ve done a number of them throughout the year and they’ve always been a quality time, 1) because I get to spend time with some clever and witty champions, and 2) because it’s a good way to improve my writing. This second part is due to the critiquing aspect of the endeavour, which helps me to analyse my own work, as well as the pitching side of it, which forces me to tell a story quickly but in a way that still hits all the necessary elements and is hopefully entertaining. It’s good stuff. So good in fact that last week we did a live show. We filled fifty seats in a upstairs theatre in North Melbourne and to be honest it went really well. The place was packed, the audience were responsive, and there was just an overall good feel in the room of people who love talking movies. We signed a few autographs after the show and then even got to have some good chats with a few of the fans who happily joined us at the pub. A good night and one we’re likely to repeat in the new year.
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In writing news things have been going pretty well. After the whirlwind of words that was NaNoWriMo I’ve slowed things down a bit for the end of the year. Not slowed down completely, NaNoWriMo taught me to much to allow that to happen, but enough to take a deep breath before I kick off 2017, which I’m planning to be a big year writing wise. In the meantime I’m currently working on a new short story that is so far coming along really well and that I’ll hopefully get done over the Christmas break, and I also have an idea for a TV show that I think could have some legs and so will get stuck into that soon too. So, plenty to keep me busy. Yay, writing!
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That’s it from me for now and, as the work week is now done, we’re only six more sleeps away from Christmas. Bring it on.
Remember: worrying if you’re happy, definitely doesn’t make you happy.
Talk soon,
Damian
Damian Robb 
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