Green Room - Break - Day 3

[clauderainsrm.livejournal.com]

I just posted a few Free Topics http://therealljidol.livejournal.com/511799.html - hopefully, that will give you something to do. Because I'm sure that you are sitting around in front of your computer, without anything else to do, waiting for them to show up!

The thing is, in previous years, I was doing exactly that for most of our breaks. I knew that I had to give people the time off, due to their schedules, but knowing that I wouldn't be doing much of anything. I did get quite a bit of catching up on television in though. Which wasn't the worst possible thing.

This year is different. I have one of those "lives" people have been talking about! It's weird! :)

So, I know from experience, that this isn't the easiest time of year for everyone. Especially when there so many people in a much better place. Who don't always seem to grasp that not everyone doesn't have the tough choices of where to go and which expensive gift to get their SO! But you know what - it's good that they don't understand that. I'm sure the people who do, would trade that understanding in a heart beat. Because there is always something out there, someone out there, that is in such a worse situation. Regardless of how bad it seems at the time.

That's not always easy to remember. Because all we have is the sum of our own experiences. Experiences that can make "what would have happened if" and "where I should be in life" into things that crush you underneath their weight.

Finding that one good thing, that spark of something that makes you happy - something that makes "Christmas" or any other day, special. That's the trick. Can you do it? I know there were certainly days when I couldn't.

There are still days when I find it extremely difficult, and certainly times when I fall short of that goal. But try. There's something good going on in your life. Right now. Regardless of how it may seem.

Remember that.

Or I'll kick you like the emo damn foreigner hippy that you are! :)

Comments

[rt-sparrow.livejournal.com]

First?

[noodledays.livejournal.com]

yay, yes! :)

[rt-sparrow.livejournal.com]

Heh. See, I have no life so I can make the first comment on the Christmas Eve GR.

[tigrkittn.livejournal.com]

Yay for first!!! Go, you!

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

WOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

Santa came early to your place! :-)

This Christma I'm Happy For

[whipchick.livejournal.com]

1) There was hot water in the bucket shower this morning

2) The guys in the hotel front desk let me use the internet

3) I had an omelet with ginger and cilantro cooked on the street in front of me, and then an awesome samosa, and it all together cost less than a dollar.

Merry Christmas from Forbesganj, India!

Re: This Christma I'm Happy For

[noodledays.livejournal.com]

that all sounds great but especially #3! :p

[noodledays.livejournal.com]

I'm happy to say my kids remind me of something good just about every day. :D

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

I dispatched SO to get the remainder of what I need for holiday edibles. I'm not even dressed yet. I've got one batch of mini pumpkin cheesecakes in the oven, another batch to bake after this one, laundry to do, a shower to take, Kidz to walk, and swap gifts to wrap. And I'm supposed to be down at my SIL's by 5PM :boggle:

I would have done all this last night but I was still in zombie mode from my overnight shift. I was up 25 hours straight, got 6 hours of sleep, and I'm still in zombie mode :p

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

MMMMMMM... pumpkin cheesecakes. Yummy. :-)

I can't blame you for being in zombie mode. Yikes. You have a great day and I hope you can squeeze some rest in there sometime!

[nyxocity.livejournal.com]

Today what is making my day special is my brand new Kindle Fire that I got for my birthday! Which is today! \o/ This thing freaking ROCKS!!!

So I turned 40, and we also did our Christmas this morning, which was pretty awesome. Tonight we are going to have Christmas dinner with a few of our friends at their place, and then tomorrow me and my husband marathon all three of the director's cuts of LoTR. This is one of the best weekends of the year, period! :D

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! I hope your Christmas Eve is very special indeed. :)

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Ooooooooohhhh... Kindle Fire. *droooools*

Have a great birthday and a fantastic Christmas!!!

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

There's definitely a lot of crap in my own life that I'm still trying to sift through and let go of. But there is a lot of amazing stuff too. That's what I try to focus on and keep reminding myself of. It's not always easy and I too fall short of that goal often. But eventually, I do come back around to remembering exactly who and what I'm most thankful for in my world.

Today I just have to run out to pick up one or two small things... and the ingredients I need for the dish I'm making tomorrow... and because I had a moment of complete idiocy, I'll be running by pixie117's place to check on Miss Kitty and make sure she has fresh litter, food and all. I would have gone last night but I didn't want to bust in on her roommate at night... I may have been forever scarred by what I saw! lol...

After that, the day is mine to do with as I please! Which means, I'll be hunkering down and trying to get Project O' Doom II really underway. Isn't *starting* a project always the most difficult step???

Hope everybody is having a fantastic Christmas Eve!!!

[drjeff.livejournal.com]

Back at you, man.

Just keep in mind how much love you've got in your life. The rest of it is just surface noise.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Feliz Everything.

[vaudy.livejournal.com]

Christmas is hard. My dad died just before Christmas a few years ago, and this year is the first Christmas without my stepdad, who's been gone three months as of Thursday. (I am totally in that "Three months? How did that happen?" place, though I have gotten used to the fact that time did not actually stop for me.)

But I have the rest of my family, and we all love and support each other, and I have a job, so I have money to give nice gifts to the people I love--especially my mother, who's going to have a rough day tomorrow. And I have Chrismas cookies and reindeer antlers that make people laugh at work, and it's enough. The sadness has to be acknowledged, but the good things do, too.

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry that this time of year is so rough on you. Most definitely keeping you and yours in my thoughts. The sadness absolutely has to be acknowledged but I'm glad that there are many good things in your world too.

[myrna-bird.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Gary, for leaving that great list of Free Topics to consider.
I have to admit that I actually have been checking in for the prompts. Even though it is 'break time', my brain is still in Idol mode. I find that the focus on remembering and the writing help to transport me, at least for a little while, from the concerns and problems of RL that we all deal with day to day.
Wishing everyone the happiest of holidays and try to eat healthy and stay well!!

[java-fiend.livejournal.com]

I find that the focus on remembering and the writing help to transport me, at least for a little while, from the concerns and problems of RL that we all deal with day to day.

Absolutely. Writing is definitely magical like that.

Happy Ho Ho to you, myrna_bird

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

Good afternoon GR!

Gary, what you said is so true. For those who don't know, I grew up very poor. Like we didn't have heat in the winter and at times, no running water. My family is still in a bad place and things are actually worse since my mom lost her home in a fire many years ago. Her, my stepdad and brother live in an RV donated to them by a complete stranger. While here, I want to whine and complain that I'm cold or after the water just stopped running in my shower... But then I remember that they live like this every day. I'm just visiting. It makes me very sad. It would blow most people's minds to see the conditions they are living in... And I only have to be here just over a week. Any time I want to feel sorry for myself since I'm not doing so well financially either, I think of my family and how I live like a queen to them.

I have moments where I get bitter that I don't get things like others do. My college wasn't paid for, i have way too many student loans. I wish things could be different and they could be more self sufficient. My mom and sister have mental issues, it's not something I could explain if I tried. They don't think like other people, they don't grasp simple concepts like I do thankfully. They aren't stupid... But they really don't know how to survive. It makes me sad and I hope I can dig myself out of my little hole in time to dig them out too. One day.

So while I won't be getting much for Christmas that I can brag about, I do come away with knowledge that I've worked hard for what I do have. And I appreciate the little things in my life more than ever. I'll be thankful for my shower and things I take for granted in my day to day life once I get home.

End deep thoughts for the day. Sorry guys, staying with my family always brings a mix of emotions. Maybe I'll try to write about it with a free topic if I get the time :)

[rt-sparrow.livejournal.com]

Hugs to you.

[rt-sparrow.livejournal.com]

Ok, some of you know I'm no fan of zombie stories, so I won't be writing a post about zombies, but I just want to say this one thing so I can get it out of my head...


"And there were shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord appeared to them and said, 'Braaaaaains...'"


There. I feel better now.

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

Not even about my zombie Christmas?

:kizzypout:

[pixiebelle.livejournal.com]

Oh how about a happy comment? This GR just hit on the stuff I've been thinking about a lot these days with where I want to be, the things I want in life that I might have to give up and all that stuff that weighs on the mind sometimes.

But it's Christmas Eve! And that means presents tonight! And food! My sister's dad brings a ham for sandwiches and cookies along with his crazy talk about how the Bible says we are all gonna die in the end times soon. He's a bit crazy, but I just avoid talking to him (I'm not a Christian... But I just avoid talking religion with him which means no talking whatsoever).

I love Christmas Eve! It's my favorite day of the year! Christmas dinner is tomorrow and I'm looking forward to home made mashed potatoes and pie!

[xo-kizzy-xo.livejournal.com]

It's taking all my willpower not to dive into these cheesecakes, just in case you're wondering.

:averts eyes:

[noodledays.livejournal.com]

stay strong, you can DO EEET! :D

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

See, this is one of those times when I wished you would allow anonymous comments, just once in a while, and for the right reason, Gary.

Instead, I am just going to have to kick you.

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

And having written a cryptic one, how about a good comment?

Hmm... worked (at home) most of the day, but I have my health (back), I have friends and family who support me, I have a rockin' job, and the sun is starting to shine a little longer each day, here in my part of the world.

That's all gotta be good for something, right?

I've got nothin'.

[ellakite.livejournal.com]

Really. Other than family agita, Xmas is just another day for me this year. And honestly, I don't *WANT* anything "special" or "magical" -- what would make me happy right now is receiving word that the family gathering has been cancelled. I would *LOVE* the opportunity to just lounge around the apartment for a day, and forget the rest of the world exists for just one damned day.

I know that's not festive at all... but it's the truth.

[megmaureen.livejournal.com]

All I want right now is a little direction and a job. I have a feeling one will lead to the other, so either will do. However, I'm not in any grave danger of losing my food, shelter, or clothing, so overall I'm doing quite alright :)

[ashgaelsonaria.livejournal.com]

Happy what ever you are celibrating.
I cross posted the link for the free topics to zombie_survival as I am sure some of the people their will find the one topic of intrest.
got gifts done, santa set up and a head ache.

[poppetawoppet.livejournal.com]

well I take each Christmas right now as one to remember, because my dad is still there, up before everyone else, getting irritated at all the noise, but first to play with the kids, and talking all of our ears off with stories we've heard a million times

<3

[jem0000000.livejournal.com]

*hugs and hot tea*

[iamthesea.livejournal.com]

IL this post :)