(’tis the season…)
So our season of festivity rolls round again. I have a few days off before I return to the coalface to labour alongside Santa and his elves; – moving, bar, restraunt, hotel, hospital and emergency staff, too and fro in the wee small hours, and tying to get “great Aunt Sally” home after one too many egg-nogs at her sisters house…
It’s a job; and one of the things shift work teaches, is that morning/night, breakfast/supper, and all high or holy days, are flexible institutions. Constructs of mind and attitude.
I am an unrepentant fan of Christmas, and you may rest assured that at 4am I will be there with tinsle hat on, outrageous shirt and tie, and plenty of “Ho! ho! ho!” to inspire my colleagues, any drivers who can bear the jolity, and whatever members of the public insist on speaking with a manager. I consider it, not so much “part of the job” as , part of this life. It’s my turn to work, so I shall try to spread as much genuine Christmas spirit as I can.
In another life I once appeared as a childrens magician, with cloak, pointy hat and giant magic wand , – “the Wizard Wilson”- a supervisor from the magic toy division of the North Pole factory. I suspect I’ve never really moved on.
However, for all my commitment to the day, I feel that I have already celebrated some of my own Christmas. With the flexibility of shift work, I regard an annual get-together in the lakes (techincally November, but what’s a few days?) as a big part of my seasonal festivity (did I mention there was singing and dancing?), and the extra (Christmas) icing on the cake was early December’s “Clubhouse Jam Session” featuring even more of my extended family (and singing, and dancing).
If it’s not about time with loved ones, what value does the season have?
Next week on IaDL : I’m not promising a Christmas special, but I will be back before ’24.
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 