Now that you've made his acquaintance...I decided that after a loooong day at work I'd go get some coffee and then come home and work on my NaNo book. I stepped outside and was greeted by this cold, crisp night air and it suddenly felt like Christmas time. It could be Nymeth's Blogger Christmas Exchange or it could be Kailana's Advent Calendar, but I'm in the mood early this year. I love Christmas, but there's a bit of melancholy that goes along with it. I went and looked up the word "melancholy" on dictionary.com and found this as one of it's definitions, which I like best:"sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness."
It's not so much that this time of the year is depressing, because it's not at all for me...it's a very odd feeling, hard to describe. A mixture of warm feelings, yet a yearning for something missing. I think of Megan a lot when holidays come around. Especially Christmas. This year should be good though because it's looking like she's flying in for Christmas and then I'm driving her back up to Texas and staying for New Years. I'm sure everyone has someone that they're reminded of around the holidays who's either no longer with us or is miles away, yet it's still a happy time to be celebrated with those who are with us. A conflict of emotions. Which leads me to Christmas music...yes this is a very schizophrenic post...
So I got in my car and wanted to listen to Christmas music because of the weather, but of course I didn't have any Christmas CDs in my car yet...so it was between Norah Jones or The Fray...so you might ask, "why Norah Jones or The Fray?" Both artists' music remind me of Christmas music. Norah Jones has an inherent quality to her music that induces a sense of happiness, peace, warmth, yet it's very nostalgic in a way. Listening to Norah Jones album can take you back to times that happened way before her albums were ever released and every time I make a Christmas mix CD I want to put one of her songs on it even though she doesn't have a Christmas album (not that I know of at least). Now The Fray is a slightly different story. First of all, I'm embarrassed to admit that I own a Fray CD, but it is indeed what I chose to listen to tonight. When The Fray writes their songs, I think they aim for this quality to their music. I think they studied what makes a Christmas song a Christmas song and the feelings that go along with it and tried to put it in every song they wrote which is why EVERY SINGLE TV DRAMA uses their music. As an aside, I think the lead singer of the band would do a much better job of being the voice of Kermit the Frog than the jackass that does it now. So The Fray actually worked very well as Christmas music tonight accompanied by a nice chill in the air and a hot mocha from the coffee shop. I'm happy and a little nostalgic and wishing I could talk to Megan.
I've also had a long day and obviously need sleep otherwise I wouldn't have written such a ridiculous post that probably doesn't make sense to anyone but me. But instead of going to sleep, I'm pumping my veins with caffeine and writing a book! This is what the rest of my night looks like:
29 comments:
Don't think that you have written a ridiculous post. We all write to express our feelings and opinions, however incoherent may be, and you have done just the same. I liked reading it as I share some similarity with you.
I like Norah Jones too. Christmas is also a time of jubiliation for me but there is a feeling of nostalgia and yearning. Christmas reminds me of my childhood fun and I miss it. I miss my childhood pals most of whom are far away now.
Can't wait 'til you come up! It'll be great to visit--too bad it's not until after Christmas. We really will have to visit this time, though! ;) Not Christmas-y here yet... I do want to shop, though!!
Dave, I think that's sort of a universal thing...the whole nostalgia and yearning at Christmas time. Especially with childhood...that's a whole different can of worms I could get into! Glad I didn't sound too off my box here :p Thanks for stopping by!
N, I know! At least we got to do lunch last time. I'm looking forward to visiting too! I've been in the shopping mood too. I've started a little bit, but not much at all. A couple of little things for Megan and a toy for Buddy :p That's it! How's Santa coming along over there?
oh man, are you going to make me write a holiday post? sigh..
well, at least you did good on the writing last night!.. I was a bit upset when I checked nano a few times yesterday and those numbers didn't move! I'm glad you got to it .. got to keep that Queen doing good things ya know! *snort*.. oh excuse me, do queens snort? heh..
I hope you have a good weekend! I will finish the Beekeepers apprentice today.. maybe write on it tomorrow.. Hey don't forget you have 2 short chapters I sent you from kesterwood.. you can always read them if you get too bored !
Deslily, Sure, queens can snort ;) I was so busy yesterday that I didn't have time to write! So I figured that I better get some done before I went to bed! I probably won't get much done today either until late tonight. Oh yeah! I actually did forget that I had 2 Kesterwood chapters :/ That makes me happy :) You have a good weekend too!!
First of all, I absolutely love the shirt!
Secondly, like Dave said, the post is not ridiculously at all. I know just what you mean about Christmas. I'm in the mood early this year too. It helps that when I went to the city centre yesterday and saw all the Christmas decorations being put up, and an ice-skating ring being built in the main square.
I love Christmas, but there's definitely something nostalgic about it. Normally I really miss my boyfriend. This year we'll be spending Christmas together for the first time even though we've been together for over 3 years. It's great that you're spending the holidays with Megan too! But yeah, around Christmas I normally feel very aware of the passage of time, and while time passing is not necessarily a bad thing, it also reminds me of all the things that have come and gone in my life.
Nymeth, Isn't the shirt cool? NaNo does a new one every year and I love their designs. And all the money raised from buying the shirts goes to the young writers program since they're a not for profit organization. So I actually felt good spending the money :)
That's great that you and your boyfriend get to spend Christmas together this year! It really is a great feeling. I guess it's an inherent quality of the holidays to have that bit of yearning for the past since we have so many memories attached to them. But they're wonderful times as well!
Very cool that they're building an ice skating rink! I've never been ice skating, definitely no where to do that in New Orleans :p I'd love to try it some time though. I'd probably fall on my ass and break every bone in my body but it seems like a very Christmas-y thing!
I loved your post....although I have to say, it really is too early for me to be thinking about Christmas!! Not that I don't love the holidays, but I have to get through Thanksgiving first!!
Congrats on the writing - sounds like your book is really coming along.
I'm not a huge Norah Jones fan, but I happen to love the Fray. I am not at all embarrassed to admit that I have lots of their songs on my iPod!
Chris -
I think your post makes all kinds of sense. I love the shirt (but have never bought one) and Norah Jones. Her voice is amazing and it'd be great if she did a Christmas album. She'd be amazing singing The Christmas Song, wouldn't she?
And you and I seem to have the same reaction to Christmas. It is, by far, my favorite time of the year. I love everything about it and yet... I find myself wistful. The best way I can explain it is to say I have that Charlie Brown feeling. It's too commercial. The real meaning is missing and I find myself wanting to go back to those magical days of childhood. *sigh*
Not a bad post at all.
cjh
I like Norah Jones too -- even when my friends complain that they found her voice, "crass".
I'm also wondering what to send out for the Santa Secret Exchange. But I guess I'll worry about that when I find out who it will be.
The past few years, Christmas has been pretty reflective for me. So, I look forward to it this year. It's always a good time to take stock, as we approach the end of the year.
And sometimes, we need a soundtrack to Christmas!
And while I'm not around, keep working on your novel. You obviously have something going for you.
Are you joining my calendar? You better be :P
and I have been listening to Christmas music already...
Stephanie, I think it's too early for anyone to think about Christmas, but it has it's way of working it's way in there earlier each year! I remember last year I actually bought my first gift in August!! Isn't that ridiculous??
Susan, I guess it's coming along :/ The word count's there, but I feel a little stuck with the plot...it'll get there though. The Fray is one of those bands that you really can't help but like. I tried to not like them (isn't that horrible, lol) but they're so damn catchy :p
CJ, I've ALWAYS thought Norah Jones should release a Christmas album. I'd buy it in a heartbeat. It would be beautiful I'm sure. And I couldn't have put it any better if I tried CJ...you summed up my thoughts perfectly in saying "I have that Charlie Brown feeling." That's exactly what it is :)
D-O, I can't tell you how excited I am about the Christmas Exchange, lol. I can't wait to find out who my blogger is! It'll be fun. I'll keep plugging away at the book. Have a great time in Hanoi!! We'll miss you, but we'll expect lots of great posts when you return ;)
Kailana, I'm trying to think of what I can contribute to the calendar! I went and wasted a perfectly good post like this way too early, lol! And um...I started listening to Christmas music in my car today too :p
Shopping is inching along here... You know, not enough money, not enough time! :P
I love that shirt! I love that so many people spend so much time and effort each year participating in the process. I love that they contribute the profit to the young writers' program.
Your entire post is a winner!
Okay, maybe slightly schizophrenic, but somehow you made it work, Chris! Seriously, it really made all kinds of sense! I'm so glad you're going to spending the holidays with Megan!
Love your shirt! You should feel very proud to wear it!
And Chris, now that I've got myself caught up on your life, I wanted to say thanks. Thanks for worrying about me, and thanks for all the kind words and condolences. Truly means a lot!
Jenclair, Isn't the shirt great? Their designs are really cool. The whole young writer's program is great! If I had the extra money, I'd donate more. It's awesome that they get whole schools involved in that. I wish more schools would do it.
Debi, My posts tend to be a little schizophrenic here and there ;) But I'm glad they work! I am indeed proudly wearing my NaNo shirt...almost daily...Now I just need to remember that it does in fact need to be washed occasionally :p And you're crazy thanking me for worrying about y'all. No thanks are needed. I knew that something had to be up, I'm just sorry to hear that it was that. I can tell how much he meant to you all.
OMG! CC's coffee! i haven't thought of that in years and haven't had any since the fall of 1998 when i graduated. *sigh* now I am going to be nostalgic and melancholy.
That being said, i am one of the ones who's dreading all things holiday this year. Personal problems suck. :(
more good wishes on the book!
Melanie, I forgot that you're from New Orleans :) or Baton rouge? I go back and forth between CC's and PJ's I worked at PJ's for 5 years so I'm really partial to them, though I love CC's too!
Personal problems do indeed suck and they can make for pesky holidays sometimes. I'm sorry that you're going through some rough stuff :( Megan and I were having a rough time last Christmas and it was the hardest ever for me. I hope you have friends and family that can help you get through it! All the best!
I love the shift in seasons... almost any shift in seasons feels magical, but particularly when it grows cold and crisp.
Same here Heather...I'm not a big fan of the shift into Summer, but aside from that, there is definitely something exciting about the shift into a new season. I think my favorite is that change in weather from Summer into Fall. It's always so nice and welcomed!
I actually went to LSU from 1994-1998. My family still lives in Breaux Bridge so i do get down there from time to time. that is one of my holiday problems, not sure i'll be able to get there for Christmas :( ah well.
Great shirt! You should be proud to wear it considering the work you are doing.
I'm never embarrassed to admit what music I like. And I like The Fray just fine.
I got into the Christmas mood last week as well, oddly enough it was an evening meal at a burger joint with my folks when they were in town that somehow made me feel Christmasy...something about eating out with them and it being dark so early. Today it is butt cold with possible snow, so I'm full on in the Christmas mode now!
I always feel melancholy during these months and I love it. I don't define melancholy as depressed, I define it much more in tune with the definition you've found. I consider it to be 'delicious melancholy' this time of year. I love the pensiveness that this time of year brings.
Good post!!!
Carl, I can picture that meal at the burger joint perfectly :) I can see how that put you in the Christmas mood! You and I seem to be on the same wavelength. I enjoy that melancholy feeling as well. It's part of the Christmas spirit. It's a sort of happy longing for days past. You'll never have that same experience again, but you'll always have those wonderful memories. Each Christmas I sort of think "I wish it could be like it was a few years ago" and then realize that in a few years I'll have fond memories of this year!
christ, it took me 3 goes to read this post. i kept having to stop reading it as work got hectic!
i love the post! i found it quite profound, actually. thanks for sharing it with us!
JP, Glad you enjoyed it and finally got to read it ;) I didn't know I had it in me to write something profound!
You've described it really well. I think part of the melancholy for me is also the knowing how soon it will be over and how soon everything will be 'back to normal'. It is ridiculous in some ways to see an arbitrary thing like a date on a calendar as a true ending and beginning, but I am always sad to let the last quarter of the year slip away, partly because that time of year has always been so special to me. I love this time of the year especially because decorating the house always makes it seem like an even more comfy, cozy, warm place and I miss that when its time to take the decorations down. All that being said, I revel in the melancholy and enjoy every minute of it.
Carl, You had me in tears with that one "I revel in the melancholy and enjoy every minute of it." That's such a goth statement ;)
You hit the nail on the head though with the statement about how sad it is when the holidays are over. Everything looks so plain when the decorations come down. I always want to put the Christmas decorations right back up when they come down...I'll be the crazy old man on the block who never takes his lights down...I can see it now ;)
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