It’s been a busy week so far. Trying to tidy my flat before an inspection next week as well as get some reporting done before a deadline tomorrow (it won’t be done in time but their expectations aren’t particularly reasonable so doing what I can). Got to do a Hackathon today based around a potential new system which was exciting! It’s so much better than what we have at the moment.

Going to Amsterdam on Friday for the weekend, really looking forward to it

That sounds fantastic! I love the idea of progressively decorating, sounds much less daunting

I’ve really enjoyed getting to know more about Krampus over the last few years

Are you in a Nordic country? Sounds nice!

I’m atheist too but spend most of December in cold churches. I like the ritual of it even if I don’t actually believe

Good post, agree with this. I enjoyed playing it a few years ago, don’t let the bastards get you down.

Ashe and Lux ftw.

That sounds beautiful

I live in the UK so tipping thankfully isn’t a thing here as we have minimum wage. I will tip if I’m at a restaurant with a group of people but otherwise I won’t tip at all. Hospitality workers deserve to be paid more but it’s not up to the customers to supplement a dodgy business. I am in a union and will always vote for parties who advocate for employment rights though.

Tipping is very much a cultural thing and I think it’s not wise to treat it like it’s the same everywhere. In the US it sounds like it’s a necessary evil and if I were to visit I would comply, but it’s not the same as in other countries.

Stupid question, but what is a full moon gathering? Like what do you do?

Hope you feel better soon 🙂

Wow that’s definitely an overreaction! If your sister was concerned wouldn’t she just open it first, rather than letting the kids see it/do it? Or message people first to check if anyone sent it?

No good deed goes unpunished I guess! Glad it mostly worked out ok

You have a great way with words!

Sorry to hear you’re going through a tough time. It’s impressive that you’re managing to keep up with things like the gym and guitar though in spite of that.

Glad to hear you’re able to escape through reading. Heard so many good things about Ursula Le Guin but not got around to reading anything yet.

Hope you feel better soon @alyaza!

Been off here for a bit as things got busy with work and choirs, but now things are starting to relax a bit ahead of Christmas which is good.

My niece was born at the end of November, was nice to meet her even if I’m not a baby fan (they’re so warm though! Had no idea). Looking forward to her being out of nappies/able to talk so I can bond with her a bit.

Had the first Christmas concert of the season last week which went well, always in awe of the orchestra we play with, they’re so talented that I forget I’m supposed to be singing. Have two carol concerts week after next which will be fun.

Seeing some comedy this weekend and next week which I’m looking forward to.

UK train companies should use this. So often I ask why my train is delayed and they basically shrug their shoulders

Better than last week in that I feel almost back to normal. Never had a chest infection before (that wasn’t Covid) but it was like being hit by a truck, wonder if having had Covid twice makes me more susceptible to these things now. Or maybe I’m just getting older.

I will know if I have a future at my work by the end of the week which is slightly nerve wracking. My job is safe but due to the restructure my salary is protected only until April, when it decreases by a fair bit. I am handing my notice in after Christmas if management don’t agree to keep my salary at the same level as I’ve worked too long and hard there to be treated like shit salary wise. Hoping it won’t come to that but we’ll see. Meeting management this week and making my case as it’s budget time.

I am hoping to make a baby hat using a knitting loom. Gave up on crochet because I have no coordination so hoping this is an easy first project.

Not had a great week, not been very well. I’ve had what feels like a chest/throat infection and it’s made me knackered. Had hardly any appetite and haven’t felt like going to choir was a good idea (don’t want to infect anyone) so have had barely any good things to get me through it.

I don’t really get sick but when I do it hits me like a truck. Slowly getting better but I’m very impatient.

It depends on where they’re from though. Outside of America we don’t have such a reliance on tipping

I plan my diary a week in advance so I have all my lunch breaks in. I’m terrible at making myself work without breaks so the reminders help me to do it. I also listen to podcasts (or music when I’m working from home) and make myself go and eat lunch by the river so I have a solid hour away from everyone else. I struggle with being around people all day and having to constantly be ‘on’ do that time is precious.

We have dogs in the office semi-regularly and it’s a massive mental health boost! Great for reducing stress

Sting has a lot to answer for