Christmas = mango-covered fingers

Ahh, Christmas. Mangoes. Cards in the post. Presents. Family. A new straw hat. Surprisingly cool weather. And then back to work.
I was reduced to re-reading books off the shelves at Christmas, a terrible state of affairs, so I was happily surprised to find that the public library was [...]

Rigours of office life

“Would you like a Leatherman for Christmas, dear?”
“What’s a Leatherman?”
“You know, one of those fold-up things you carry on your belt, with a knife and things. My uncle has one that he carries around all the time - I think it’s really cool.”
“Yes, pretty cool. But unfortunately I haven’t found that the rigours [...]

In case of office enemies

I really hate office Secret Santa exchanges, particularly when you don’t really know the name you pulled out of the hat. My random pick was male, and not a chocolate eater, which precluded my usual fallback gifts of chocolates or scented bath things. “Er, he likes cars,” I was told when I asked [...]

Attempts at decoration

I never thought that I would love being interrupted from my reading by a small kitten practicing her tight-rope walking along the back of a couch that is far too high for her. And then have to put my book down to haul her off only to discover she has dug [...]

Christmas cards

I’m making my own Christmas cards this year, as I generally do, but I’m approaching it a bit differently to usual. I used to buy a whole pile of paper and ribbon and glittery things and get all creative with collages. This year, I’m being technological. Go on, say “oooh”.
Step 1: Select 4 digital photos [...]

Christmas thinking

Now that we’re nearly in December, I’ve begun thinking about Christmas and presents and decorations and trees. (Atheists like presents and excuses to celebrate too!) I have a genetic aversion to plastic Christmas trees, and unfortunately I also have one against paying enormous amounts of money for a live and very unnative pine tree. I’m [...]

And the frogs begin to call

I am sleeping in a small apartment - bedroom and bathroom - attached to a storage shed; a corrugated iron roof, held up by exposed wooden beams and concrete floor covered with a bright rug. The bed faces two large windows looking out into the garden, an expanse of different shades of green. During the [...]

I’ve been trying to be discreet about it

I received a phone call yesterday informing me that my camera had arrived, and lo, there was much rejoicing. I charged up the battery last night and spent far too brief a time playing around with it before going to bed. I have been sitting at work all day wondering why on earth I’m here [...]

I even enjoy traditional carols

I have started my preparations for Christmas, which has consisted mostly of making lists. People Receiving Cards. People Receiving Presents. Present Ideas. I make very boring lists.
I’m not a big fan of the whole Christmas hysteria that shopping centres descend into, but there are certain things I like to do at [...]

Murder under the tree

I work in an offshoot of my firm - the six people of our team are on a different floor to everyone else, which I rather like. It was easier to get to know everyone when I started, and the small size tends to prevent personal problems developing between people.
Both the secretaries in [...]