Today marks the last day of my sanity, most likely.
Or at least, if you saw me this weekend, count yourself lucky. Aside from Amoreena’s birthday on the 21st (which I work, but hope to meet up with her later) and Friendsgiving on the 29th, I imagine my social calendar will not be very full for the next six weeks. It’s that time of year again: the holidays.
For many, the holiday season means family get-togethers, great food, lots of parties, presents and celebrations. For me it means lots of stress, long work hours, lots of people (some angry, some kind, some indifferent) to deal with, tons of product to find room for, and an enormous volume of paperwork. I’m not really complaining– I’m warning you.
You’re not really going to see me.
If you invite me over and I say no, don’t take it personally- I’m fucking exhausted. If you invite me out and I say no, don’t take it personally- I’ve gone into hibernation mode. Ask me again on December 26th.
This holiday season is going to be particularly trying because it has so much importance- retail sucked this year. People don’t have money. Or at least, as many people don’t have money. (Obviously people have money- I saw the evidence this weekend- it’s just that they haven’t been spending it…) For retailers big and small, survival hinges on the success of this season- that’s why you’re already seeing (and have been since Labor Day) holiday ads on television and holiday shit in stores. Because it usually proves to be such a lucrative time, retailers are stretching it out as far as they can. We even caved and put out a small selection of holiday stuff in the store on November 3rd. NOVEMBER THIRD. Jesus. The ghosts and spirits barely had time to return to the netherworld before Santa popped his head out of the hole like a deranged groundhog with a beard.
This weekend was my last “weekend” off until January. I’ll have Sundays (unless it gets crazy crazy busy) and Mondays, but Tuesday through Saturday you can find me at the store. Come visit me there and do your Christmas shopping! (I’ll probably only be able to offer a brief wave, especially if it’s a Saturday, but it’s the thought that counts.) Starting after Thanksgiving our hours extend, and I can guarantee I’ll probably be there until at least 7 every night.
But given that it’s the tail-end of my last weekend (and a long one at that, thank goodness) I plan on doing absolutely nothing today. (Aside from laundry, a visit to the grocery store, and balancing my budget.) I’m looking forward to a day of re-charging before the madness. Maybe I’ll even take a bath. You never know.
My point? It’s about to be a rough month and a half. See you on the other side.
the adventures of elizabeth ann 