The busiest time of the year...

Forgive the lack of blogging around here lately. If you're a retailer, or a moonlighter, or a newlywed, you'll understand.

I'm working on Christmas Eve at the bookstore this year for the first time ever. Somehow, in seven years of working in bookstores in New York, I've always managed to get out of it, because I was flying cross-country to see family. This year it's the ALP and I in the city, so I'm on Christmas Eve shift.

I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it.

Yesterday was nearly eight hours at the cash register, interspersed with running briskly with piles of books to restock in sections and tables. In the last hour and a half I started to droop a bit, but for the most part it was so fun. I've gotten some teasing for my incessant cheeriness, and for being the most "Christmassy" person anyone knows.
Apparently I'm a Christmas nerd as well as a book nerd.

I love looking forward to things. It's part of being an optimist. So Advent, the season of expectation, is my favorite. I'm looking forward to everything:

Today, Christmas shopping and a visit to old friends at Three Lives.

A few more days of chaotic, frenzied, joyful bookselling at McNally Robinson.

Sunday afternoon, talking with my mom and sisters in California, who will be celebrating their Christmas.

Christmas Eve, where we close the bookstore early when J.T. starts wandering the sales floor with a bottle of beer, to subtly give customers the idea that the holiday is beginning.

Christmas Eve service at our little Brooklyn church.

Christmas morning, and Christmas day with my adorable new husband.

Christmas night, joining friends in Harlem for a grown-up Christmas party.

And then a week of sweet nothing -- my first vacation since the wedding. Reading. Seeing movies (many made from books). Maybe even blogging.

What's not to love?

What are you looking forward to this holiday?

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hooray for Christmas nerds!

I'm looking forward to quiet time curled up with books, of course!

Merry merry everything!

---Patty
11:20 AM
Old First said…
God gave you a wonderful spirit.
1:16 PM
Michelle Constantinescu said…
I'm also looking forward to reading! Every year I ask everyone to just PLEASE get me books. I love rectangular packages under the tree with my name on it. My husband is the only one who complies. So I get to spend the week reading whatever I've received. Problem is, I've used up all the new books by the time the New Year rolls around!
2:00 PM
P. J. Grath said…
Having very recently (three days ago) and most unexpectedly added part-time philosophy instructor to my full-time bookselling life, I have to say I'm really looking forward to a day off on Christmas, because the very next day the wonderful, exciting, breakneck up-and-down rollercoaster of my life will be turned back on again!
11:06 AM
lady t said…
Merry Christmas,WN and have a Happy New Year of reading to share with your ALP and friends:)
12:30 PM
jaunty said…
Hey, who's this J.T. yrr talking about?
1:00 AM
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