invisible strings

The other night, after we arrived back from J's mom's house, I found myself happily stuffing Mint Meltaways into my mouth and listening to highlights from Les Miz, which we had seen an amazing performance of the night before downtown amid the twinkling lights. Suddenly, I realized there was one of those weird connection points in the universe I like to talk about. Mostly because more than three decades ago (Christmas 1991), after having just seen Les Miz right before Thanksgiving, I had asked my mom for the soundtrack, which she had gifted me, along with a box of Mint Meltaways (these were her favorite chocolates to buy for us then, they got Fannie Mae at a  discount through her job during the holidays.) Since we always opened presents on Christmas Eve, I recall spending several more hours in the living room after everyone had gone to bed, headphones plugged into my boombox, cross legged in front of the tree, listening to it over and over and eating those very same chocolates. Granted this time, I was playing YouTube videos on my computer and the box of chocolates was a little larger, but the sense memory zinged to life. 

These connections points happen frequently, though usually maybe not this specific or tied to a certain date. I will be reading something or writing something and it pings a memory of doing something similar, almost like some strange hyperlink to the past. This seems especially deep at Christmas,  which is something so memory laden, especially in light of recent years as traditions change and shift since my parents have been gone. But this small thing felt a little magical and auspicious, despite a holiday that has been less than sparkly this year.  We've had some fun nevertheless, and presents were awesome (including a new tv for the living room and said chocolates from J ,as well an adorable facehugger velvet plushie and an HR Giger book (the artist behind the visual look of everything from the Alien franchise) from his mom. My gift to myself was my new gingko tattoo procured Christmas Eve morning on my upper arm and an assortment of odds and ends, including some new hair rosemary mint deep conditioner, a woven throw blanket, citrusy bath gel, a couple dresses, and a new black midi skirt. On actual Christmas, we caught a screening of The Holdovers at Alamo (which came out last year, but we'd missed it then) and then later, a Chinese feast and Rare Exports. These holidays are certainly more laid back and relaxing than I how I used to spend them, but then they also feel a little less like the big deal they used to be. J did make some turkey thighs and stuffing on Christmas Eve, the remnants of which we will be making sandwiches with tonight as our Christmas horror watching continues. 

I've also been working a bit early in the day, so its not really a break (trying to recoup money I spent lavishly on tattoos and theater ticket of late and set myself in a good place for January.)  I've also been working on a short little series to accompany the images I've been making for the art advent (installment above), and though I am not sure if I will have it all ready to go before December runs out, it will definitely be coming your way in January as a little wintry woodland zine. 

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