I've been having a bit of trouble with the holiday blues this year, as I have to spend another Christmas away from my family in Ohio, but I can't stay sad for long. It's just not in my nature. I always try to find things to be happy about … and since the number 12 and Christmas seem to go together pretty well, here are a few things that remind me it is a time for cheer.
1. The weather.
I might complain that there's a lack of snow and the possibility for a white Christmas, but who am I kidding … the weather has been pretty amazing the past few weeks. It's been so tolerably mild, that I'm not sure what to do with myself. I feel like I've barely turned on the heat in my house, and with no need for the air conditioner, you know what that means … money is being saved. HAHA ENTERGY SUCK IT.
2. Elections are over.
I don't have to see Bill Cassidy's face on my Facebook page every day in some stupid ad. I don't have to watch those damn commericals anymore. Hey, did you know that Mary Landrieu agrees with Obama on everything? Why, yes, Bill. Yes, I do. Thanks. And now I don't have to listen to you say it over and over anymore. Thank you, Baby Jesus.
3. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
I am both insanely happy and incredibly sad about the last Hobbit film being released on Wednesday, as this is it. No more Hobbit/Lord of the Rings movies and I'm not sure what can replace the void that the promise of more movies will leave. New Star Wars movies? Perhaps. I'll take it.
4. Amazon Prime.
Specifically 2-day shipping. It's the best thing ever invented, especially for someone who detests shopping as much as I do. Seriously, even just thinking about going to the mall right now sends me into panic attack-mode.
5. The Ohio State Buckeyes.
It was announced that the Buckeyes will be playing in the Sugar Bowl at the Superdome on my birthday. BEST PRESENT EVER. The streets of New Orleans will be filled with my people on New Year's Eve/New Year's Day. Buckeye fans. Scarlet and Grey, baby! Pretty much, all of my pals down here keep telling me, "So you're playing Alabama … good luck with that!" But I don't care. Just let me be happy for a few weeks!
6. Buckeyes. As in, the candy.
For those of you who don't know, a buckeye is a poisonous nut … and in Ohio, we turn that nut into a glorious candy made of peanut butter and chocolate. I will be making these over the next few weeks, and every time one of my NOLA friends eats one, I'll be like "hahahaha, you're a Buckeye fan now!"
7. Christmas music.
If the holiday blues have me down, all I do is play "Last Christmas" by Wham on one of my Spotify playlists. It's impossible to be sad after listening to that song. And you can email me to tell me how bad my taste in music is, I don't care. George Michael is my homeboy.
8. Husband.
I make him take me to Crescent City Comics every few weeks to feed my comic habit, and one day he saw me staring at an action figure from The Walking Deadthey had on display. It was Daryl Dixon complete with crossbow and poncho. I passed it by and went on to pick up the new lady Thor comics. On my birthday, I found Daryl Dixon sitting on my desk. It was way better than jewelry, you guys. Best husband ever.
9. Mickey's Christmas Carol.
It's just not Christmas unless I watch it. My brother and I used to watch it together every Christmas Eve. He got me a copy. Best brother ever.
10. Step kids.
They are a constant source of entertainment.
That's my step son with a "sea dog" from Dat Dog. It's a giant fish stick inside of a hot dog bun … and he ate the whole thing. He's always telling me that he was "born to break dance". He's always trying to figure out who would win in a fight … Star Lord, Aragorn, or Iron Man. The kid is just constantly cracking me up.
11. Cats.
How can you be sad when you have a cat that refuses to let you put your clothes away in your drawers? Look at him, he thinks he's the Godfather.
12. New Orleans.
I've always said that one of the best things about living in this city is the fact that post-holiday blues do not exist. After New Year's, every other region of the country looks forward to … what? Valentine's Day? Ha! Pretty soon, Twelfth Night will be upon us, and the ushering in of Carnival Season. Mardi Gras. That's happiness, right there.
Merry Christmas everyone!
