Getting in the Holiday Mood

My roommie gave me tickets to a great concert yesterday at Lincoln Center. It was part of the Chamber Music Society Baroque Series and featured an amazing Recorder player. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy listening to Baroque music, especially this time of the year. It definitely puts me in the holiday mood. Perhaps it's listening to Handel every Christmas Eve, or to chamber music from Vivaldi or Bach like I did last night, but I just don't think it's Christmas without some nod to the Renaissance. I was never one for a Victorian Christmas, but I can definitely jive with a Renaissance one. Hmmm...that gives me an idea...

Audible

So, I'm trying the free trial of Audible, which btw isn't all that free...I've never been one to listen to audiobooks - I think I had one cassette collection of a Star Wars book when I was 10 - so this is like venturing into a brave new world for me. My "free" book was The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. I've been wanting to read this book for a while (it's been on my Amazon Wish List for some time, I just haven't purchased it yet) so I thought, "why not?"


I must say, this is a weird experience. There are so many variables to enjoying a good audiobook! What if the reader is boring? What if the audio is too low and I can't hear over the din of city life? And what's up with only getting one free book a month and having to pay exorbitant amounts of money for any additional books I want? I might as well just buy the book and enjoy that new/old book smell and have the luxury of reading over the same passage multiple times if I didn't get something. I guess I'm paying for the weightlessness...


This particular audiobook has its definite pros and cons. I can't say I'm happy with the narrator: he's a bit monotinous. But then again, maybe this isn't the best of books to listen to. It's sort of deep and satiric; I often felt like I could have "read" over the last few paragraphs again.


I'm trying one more...a novel this time. Maybe it'll be a better read/listen!

The Road to Christmas

Long time no posting...again. That will be a New Year's Resolution, I'm sure...

Anyhow. I'm working furiously to get all of my Christmas gifts done and sent out before the holidays. I decided again this year to attempt to make most if not all of my gifts. I think it makes things more personal and special, but it certainly takes up a lot of time! I finished one scarf for a co-worker, but I have four more work-related projects to go, plus gifts for family and friends. I wish I could take off for like two weeks before the holidays just to get everything done! I mean, I don't have time to do anything else, like Simming, playing Assassin's Creed 2 or writing. And not to mention my personal knitting projects which have been put indefinately on hold, like my sweater, hood, and first (real) pair of gloves.

As this is a recession holiday, my decorating has become a lot more creative. Due to a work-realted event, I re-introduced myself to origami. I thought, "hey this could be pretty cool for the holidays!" So this year I'll be boasting origami christmas decorations made with gift wrap paper. So far, my ideas include a garland of cranes and a bowl filled with miniature gift boxes. (Pictures to come soon!) My roommie suggested putting origami on the tree, which could also be quite nice. Since I have a nice collection of christmas gift wrap, this is a no-expense way of decorating!

Here's to the beginning of my favorite time of year!