A Most Peculiar Time of Year

Crowds, shopping, horrible packed trains (which are of course delayed), familial obligations, tinsel, more Only Fools and Horses to avoid, bloody rubbish songs punctuated by the Pogues' "Fairytale of New York", which when heard elicits collective signs of relief, no snow yet again, being fed up by your mum, getting fed up of your mum (Ah, I don't mean it, I love you mum): Christmas 2009.

Nothing that some absinthe and a fair spell in bed couldn't cure. Bah humbug.

Then there's making your own presents and cards for people (and laughing at the attempts), getting the wrapping paper and ribbons exactly right, sitting under the tree playing with the cat, getting a card from someone you didn't expect, the Perfect 12 podcast, being excited about kissing someone you care about on New Year whilst simmulatenously appearing wry about it and pretending you're cool, dark jokes over the dinner table, sitting down and having a really good catch up with a friend, babycham with cherries in, the Killers' "Don't Shoot Me Santa"which is becoming a bit of a festive favourite of mine. The possiblility someone may give you a bottle of absinthe in case it all goes wrong.

Merry Christmas folks, and if you have to travel by train then take a hipflask with you!