A day redeemed

I did, of course, end up having a fabulous day yesterday, in complete disregard of my initial pissiness. I just let people irritate me too much and take things way too personally. Slights, imagined or otherwise, are always made into a less-than-flattering reflection of how people feel about me … yeah, I take them too personally. And then there’s that whole “age” thing which you might have guessed from my choice of Sylvia’s poems yesterday. Each year is a heavier version of “ah shit, not another one”. They are bound to be maudlin days in a way and each year I swear I don’t want another one – quoth the Julia “nevermore”.

I had a bbq thrown for me at my parents’ place, as my sister Christine and my niece Natasha, goddaughter, daughter-of-my-soul (and my no. 1 on here) were visiting from Western Australia – which is clear over the other side of the country – same distance approx as from NY to LA – this past week. So a family gathering was in order and my birthday was a good excuse. My sister Natalie and her two boys were there, as were two favourite aunties .. one who lives with my parents in a granny flat, and another who just happened to pop by unannounced.

At our family bbq’s and gatherings it is de rigeur for everyone to contribute – byo meat and a dish of some sort, usually various salads, potato bakes, french bread sticks … the usual. But yesterday I didn’t nave to provide anything which makes everything taste so much better lol. The food was beautiful (my family are darn good cooks), I imbibed in a little more chilled lambrusco than I normally would (meaning two glasses instead of one lol), there was cake, but best of all was just having loved ones together like that. It was a lovely sunny day spent on the big back verandah that was mostly out of reach of the cold winter wind. It was a lovely lovely day. Begone pissiness.

Prezzie wise – it was a day for lots of little gifts, which I like. Little things like books, music or movies are my faves. I didn’t get any books or music (probably a good thing really haha) but I did get a 2-disc version of “The Party” – a 60’s bit of grooviness staring Peter Sellers, which has long been one of my favourites. My only copy was a vhs I had taped off free-to-air tv complete with ads. So I’m loving this. My parents gave me an expensive gift voucher too so I can replace my gym shoes which have given me shinsplints … they are walkers and I need cross-trainers. So that was a big boon.

The day wound down perfectly with a quick and unexpected message exchange from a special friend. Followed by a night alone with me finishing off a bottle of wine I had opened the previous night (I had Chris & Tash over for dinner), turning off the lights and lighting my new huge scented candle, and watching “Most Haunted” – a British show that investigates paranormal activity in supposedly haunted locations. Whether or not this show is for real or not I guess I’ll never know. I am sceptical because series one had hardly anything happen except a bump and a knock here and there, but now in series whatever, there is always poltergeist activity and plenty of doors opening and closing, and noise … so you have to wonder. But hey, it’s spooky fun. And a total secret guilty pleasure.

Today I’m spending lazily and being a little self-indulgent – it’s cold outside. I am supposed to go spend some time somewhere this afternoon to collect another present and a cake (how lovely – a 2 day birthday), after which I might come home, watch my new dvds, and indulge in good coffee and cake. So I’d better get my arse off here and out into the real world. Hope everyone else is having as nice a weekend as I am.