Thursday 31 December 2020

a pat in the back...

If you allow me a... small transgression, I would like to dedicate this post to me. I mean, I rarely find myself worthy of a post in this blog... life has given me, over the years, amazing things to write about, things far better than “yours truly”... but tonight, as this strange year ends, I would like to say a couple of things to myself. So, here goes:

“Dear self,

Looks like you made it to the end of 2020!! Ok, another couple of hours to go but, fingers crossed you will be (alive...) on the sofa come midnight... as if there’s a plethora of choices of places to be... let’s see...the sofa, the home office, the kitchen table, the bed, the loo... our 2020 tiny universe... But, so, yeah, you made it!

What if your health (both physical and mental) was tested quite a few times, you are still alive (and relatively sane...)! What if some dreams were shattered, you found new ones on the way! What if you experienced loss and death and deep sadness and loneliness like never before... you also laughed out loud many times!

Yeah, you made it, girl! You are here in one piece (a somewhat larger piece than this time last year, admittedly...), tougher, wiser, not just older... and you found pure love in the eyes of a little fur ball named Lucifer! Against all odds, you survived and not only: you lived! Because life is the good and the bad alike! So, be proud, be joyful and while you give you a pat in the back, make a wish that next year is a tad easier than this one... and brace yourself because, no matter what, here we go!!! No backsies, we are here for the long run, come rain or come shine!! 

And... I promise to take better care of you next year... you deserve all my love!”

There. That’s it. That’s what I had to say to me and I thank you for your patience. Perhaps you would like to give you a pat in the back too?... just saying... Anyway, another year starts tonight, one that hopefully will be full of “better than shoes” things to write about. I give you my word that I will keep looking out for them and sharing them with you.

Happy New Year to everyone! 🍾πŸ₯‚


Friday 25 December 2020

a very merry Christmas...

This year has been... different (let’s leave it to that...) and Christmas felt like it was cancelled due to the strict measures most European countries have enforced in order to contain the spreading of this bug that’s been going around, killing people and all... damned thing... Everybody was rather gloomy/angry/anxious about things having to be so out of the ordinary this year... so restricted... I guess mostly because people have missed their loved ones terribly and Christmas is the definitive time of the year to get together with them but... Covid!

Personally, I felt... well, the only thing that made me sad was not being able to be with my brother, first Christmas without our mom, especially because I thought it would be heavier on him. As for the rest, I have spent Christmas alone many times, the past two years also under rather grim conditions, so to be alone again this time of the year neither scared nor saddened me. Been there, done that. Besides, I now have Lucifer so I’m never alone! And then, a few weeks back, as I had already come to terms with this reality, my adopted big brother S and his partner K invited me to spend Christmas Day with them! Yes we would keep our distances, so our hugs and kisses had to be imaginary, but we would be together! I accepted the invitation right away and with the greatest joy!

And what a Christmas Day it has been! A six course meal for three arrived in a box, from a restaurant we really like (the chef of which is, incidentally, Greek) with all the instructions how to warm up and plate! And in the talented hands of my darling S it was transformed into an amazing culinary experience, perfectly presented, tasting deliciously! A bottle of pink champagne to start in a festive note, and accompany the savoury starter that S had prepared himself, and wonderful wines to continue with our meal, made it all exceptional! Even their gorgeous cat, G, who’s 12 days older than my Luci, behaved impeccably for a kitten! 

Everything was perfect! And this will be a Christmas I will always remember! I was with family, having a great meal and a lovely conversation! Which, all things considered this year, was something to be grateful of! And I am! It was “better than shoes”! Plus, it was a great opportunity to wear my hot pink Balenciaga knife boots! I mean, I made an effort, people!... I can only hope and wish that you all had  the best Christmas Day possible under the circumstances and that you are reading this with a smile on your face and a big, happy tummy! 

Wednesday 23 December 2020

pyjamas...

Pyjamas got a bad reputation this year, I fear... they were associated with being stuck at home, in quarantine or while being in a bubble/social distancing. They became the trademark attire of 2020, not by choice but by necessity and, from being the symbol of “finally, I get to relax and not bother getting dressed” to the symbol of “crap... I’ve been in my pyjamas for four days now... help”! But, I’m here to set the record straight. Pyjamas are not the enemy, dear people, the damn virus is and that’s that. Pyjamas are “better than shoes”! And here’s why:

First point: we are f@cking lucky to be able to be at home, even stuck at home, in our pyjamas! They do symbolise our privilege in a world of inequality and suffering. Think about it. Warm and dry and fed and in front of a TV of wonderful series and films, under a blanket and, for the even luckier amongst us, in good company! But even if alone, still, pretty damn lucky! And yes, now it is the moment to think of everyone who’s not as lucky, who has no home and must sleep at a bench outside tonight! Think and help! So, stop whining and smile and be grateful! And helpful!

Second point: nothing stretches as well as a pyjama trousers! And, with Christmas and all, whether alone or in company, we must indulge! It’s tradition! We must overeat! Even if it’s just pizza we ordered in! (keep supporting your local restaurants, we want to go back to them when this is over!) So, going back to my first point, be grateful for your full tummy, help others be fed if you can, and tell your pyjama trousers “thank you” for managing to fit your ever increasing belly! Because your belly will increase and the time for a diet is after New Year’s Day and your faithful friend, the pyjama, will gracefully accommodate your misbehaving. Be thankful!

Third point: they are so amazingly comfy! Nothing like taking a shower (or bath, even better), putting on your clean pyjamas and crashing on the sofa in every weird position you can possibly stretch your imagination (and your limbs)! Yeah, yeah, I know, you have been living on your sofa for 9 months! Well, I have been doing it for more than a year, as fate had it, and yes, I would have loved to have traveled away from it but, screw this, I have a sofa! So, stop bitching about it, put on your comfy pyjamas, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate (a splash of Kahlua is a must if you are over 18... or 21... oh, you get it) and just relax! Watch a good film, let your worries fade away and think of better days that will surely come! Nothing lasts forever, dearies, both the good and the bad. And if now we are in the “bad”, it will soon be replaced by the “good”! Hang in there! Be hopeful! Be kind! Wear your pyjamas and have a lovely holiday!! πŸŽ„

Thursday 3 December 2020

my special Xmas tree

Those of you who have been reading this blog over the years know that setting up the Christmas tree is a big deal for me! I mean, you can’t have Christmas without a Christmas tree! And it has become my tradition to set it up early, so that I can enjoy it for the longest possible, and celebrate the event with a seasonally appropriate film (I have been known to watch “Love Actually” almost every year on “tree day”) and hot chocolate. You see, I’m an alien (I’m a legal alien... in the words of the mighty Sting) and since I left my home country, it has been these little new traditions that I have created that have given me a sense of home no matter where I am and no matter if I’m alone. 

This year the tradition has not been followed... this is Luci’s first Christmas and since he is still a very curious and hyperactive kitten, compromises had to be made. So, I set up the tree this past Monday, thankfully right on time, while he was at the vet’s (yes, the time had come for him to part with his testicles... I mean, since he won’t be dating, ever, it’s only the right thing to do... otherwise it’s just cruel to leave him full of hormones and no girlfriend!) and I could open up boxes without him jumping in and making a complete mess! When he came home, all drowsy poor thing, it was all done... but there was no time for a Christmas movie, I just wanted to be with him and cuddle him and make sure he was alright. 

And this year there are no glass ornaments on the tree. In fact all my usual ornaments stayed in the boxes... the internet wise people all advised against them and understandably so... nothing appealing about a glass bauble shattered on the floor after having been attacked by a kitten! And what if it were my favourite ones from Liberty’s?!... Disaster! No! Instead, this year, my tree is decorated with felt hearts and stars and angels and gnomes and letters for all the members of my extended family (yes, my friends are my family too) with of course a nice red “L” for the light of my life! This year my tree (more correctly, our tree, I have a housemate now...) is special! “Better than shoes” special! And it marks Lucifer’s arrival in my life! Because, no matter how s**tty this year has been, it has brought little Luci into my life! And for this I will always be grateful! 

Ps. So far the tree is still standing... the little fur ball steals an ornament every now and then and I find it on the floor but after he brought me a heart in bed this morning, I’m willing to let it go... Ok, truth be told, I got all misty eyed when he jumped on the bed and left the red heart next to my face... ❤️