J is for Jacked Up on Meds, and also for Jingle Bells

Yeah, I realize it doesn't go with the rest of the alphabet entries, but cut me some slack, I've been sick.

That is in fact why I've been absent from the blogosphere--right about my birthday I began to develop what turned into a massive sinus infection and I've been sick as a dog since then.  I've missed a lot of work in the last two weeks and my Thanksgiving was kind of a bust; the infection has been extremely painful and debilitating so I haven't been in very good mental shape to write.  I'm on my second round of antibiotics now and slowly mending.  Very slowly.

Meanwhile the holiday season has officially brow-beaten its way into the world again, and again I find myself thankful I don't have cable so I don't have to deal with the constant bombardment of compulsory "holiday spirit" which basically equals profligate spending.  Of course, I still can't walk into a store without the red and green assault.  I find the whole thing utterly distasteful and stressful.  Santa Claus can bite my jolly white ass.

Someone recently pointed out to me that the whole Christmas industry has basically turned the season into the opposite of what it should be, going by the Wheel of the Year.  We're encouraged to get out and shop, shop, shop, and attend lots of parties and crowded events full of bright lights and loud noise (sorry, but Mariah Carey singing "All I Want for Christmas is You" is noise).  The commercials try to emphasize the family aspect of the season but what they really want is for us to leave the house and go to the mall with hundreds of other people.  TV, radio, print, and Internet all lambast us with the same messages. 

Winter isn't an extroverted time of year.  Back in the much-vaunted Days of Yore, people didn't go abroad during Yuletide, they gathered close and stayed inside so they wouldn't die.  The traditions we're used to were started to celebrate that survival and people's interdependence, and the waxing of the light after the Solstice that ensured Winter would eventually end.  It was a hard time of year when people were stuck indoors.  The Earth itself turns inward this time of year, plants dying back to the roots, trees exposing their skeletons while their energy is conserved.  It's an introspective season when we feel called to hibernate and contemplate, but the urging of our culture compels us to be sociable now that we have the freedom to drive around in the cold instead of being trapped in the house (except in case of blizzard).  Because we're not allowed to do what's natural, and the commercial juggernaut of Christmas is so pervasive with its depiction of the perfect family gathering and the perfect gifts, it's really no wonder people are depressed and angry this time of year.  In fact very few people I know in the real world actually like Christmas, and even the ones who do get stressed out about money and family drama.

Personally this year I feel absolutely no connection to any of the celebrated holidays or traditions.  Even the Pagan Sabbat of Yule is tainted for me by the tasteless flash and ca-ching of Christmas. 

The timing of my illness amuses me.  I've been couch-bound for half the holiday season already, physically unable to shop or spend frigid evenings out.  My body has one hell of a sick sense of humor.

Perhaps next year I'll feel called to create some new traditions for myself or explore some of the old ones (none of which have ever appealed to me even as a Pagan), but this year I feel rather like one of the ancient tribespeople--that this season is something to endure. 

I'm reminded of a bit of silliness I wrote a couple of years ago:

Deck the halls with all our issues,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Don't forget Xanax and tissues,
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Hide the bong and light the Yule log,
Fa la la la la la la la la
Aren't you glad you spiked the eggnog?
Fa la la la la, la la la la!

Comments

[Thalia]

I'm becoming convinced that the celebration and lights stuff this time of year is sheer denial of the dark. This year and the last right after December first hits I find myself craving the color black. Black black black black black, oh my God it's so beautiful.

[Jason]

I don't *think* we have met IRL, but this is a small town so who knows. In any case, I love Christmas. Partially because Christmas comes with cold - or at least tends to as much as Austin ever gets it, and my Scottish and German bones do love a bitter chill in the air. Generally I tend to relate to the season more as Yule with Jupiter bringing gifts, and I have even had a Santa tree-topper I kept out year-round as a tribute to the Jolly Bearer of Fortune; for some reason the wife was less appreciative. Of course, looking at our situation, maybe I should break him back out - if things turn around maybe she'll learn. :) I also think that needing to huddle together often makes a great occassion for a celebration, so it makes perfect sense to me that even in times when winter travel was hard, in the coldest days anyone lucky enough to still be alive might see fit to celebrate and give thanks.

But I totally agree that I abhor the crass materialism that a lot of people revert to in the season. Fortunately I think most of us spend at least *some* time considering the deeper spiritual meanings, and if it only happens once a year, at least that's better than not at all.

[Mary]

I'm so sorry to hear you've been down with a sinus infection. I spent most of the first half of my life (I'm in my 50s), dealing with them. And now I'm paying the price for all that with a nose that bleeds all winter.

I don't remember if you eat dairy products, but, if you do, my advice is to cut them out - at least while you're so sick. A lot more people are sensitive to dairy than actually know it! It might not work for you, but it's really worth a try.

As to Christmas - for some reason, it's not bothering me quite as much as usual. Of course, I avoid shopping - anywhere - as much as possible! But I do have the radio on an all-holiday station. I guess I just still love the music I grew up with.

I do have the whole "need more sun" thing going this time of year, but, on the other hand, I'm trying to channel the "hunker down and hibernate" reaction into much-needed decluttering and renovating of our home.

We also just installed a pellet-burning fireplace insert (as much to block the chimney with the broken damper as anything else) - and rediscovered the joys of curling up in front of a warm fire on a cold, cold night.

I may make it through this winter, after all.

Blessings - and quick healing!

[Kathryn]

Hello:

I hope that you have healing soon. My suggestion for something to help prevent them is daily cleaning out with a neti pot or some other system such as the Neil Med system (the one I use) at least once a day. You can purchase Neil Med at either Walgree's or CVS and maybe other drug stores. If I feel something coming on, I will up it to twice a day for a short while.

[Danmara]

*hugs* I'm sorry to hear you've been sick. This is, after all, a really sucky time to be sick, not that it doesn't suck to be sick ANY time.

I really do tend to withdraw in the winter. I'm pretty withdrawn anyway, but I'm pretty much housebound in winter. Then again, I live in the mountains of North East Pennsylvania...so I have good reason to stay inside. It's COLD out there. 27* when I got up at 9:30! Yikes! Plus, there's snow on the ground.

I've found myself doing next to no Christmas shopping this year. All of my shopping has been online...so I can have the best of both worlds, but I don't think that's a good thing (let's face it. I can spend thousands of dollars that I don't actually have, just sitting on my couch, from an almost infinite number of stores, without having to even go through the 'hassle' of entering my credit card number thanks to PayPal and "one click ordering". At least if you go out shopping you have to, you know, go out.)

I honestly think my favorite Christmas gifts this year are going to be a couple of things I bought for myself. :) (and that I wouldn't dream of asking family for. LOL)

[Michelle]

I hope you feel better soon. I've always enjoyed holiday time, but it's probably because I pick and choose what I'll spend my time doing. Riding around the neighborhood on my bike checking out Christmas lights, putting greens and a few decorations up, lots of baking and treat making are all a go. Everything else, forget about it! I suppose like anything else, the season is what you make of it. Truth be told though, it is easier when you opt out of shopping and don't watch too much TV, that always helps.

[bohemiangirlpdx]

Feel better, Dianne! I completely share your sentiments about the get-of-the-house-and-shop/celebrate mentality that society (especially retailers) imposes during this time of year. After years of flogging myself for not feeling up to bundling up and heading out into the cold, I realized that embracing my desire to stay home, snuggle up in quilts and drink cocoa was not reflective of seasonal depression and instead was a perfectly natural response to the cold and dark--one that our ancestors "got" for centuries.

I do really appreciate the decorative lights this time of year, however. My spirits lifted immensely when my boyfriend wrapped our garlands with white lights and hung them over our front windows.

[Renee]

I really hope that you get to feeling better soon. Sucks to be sick. As for the Christmas fiasco that is going on, i could certainly do without it. I like the fall and the spring but leave me out of the cold of the winter and the hot of the summer. we did put up a tree this year, a small table top tree, it's something at least. I do that much for my son. Otherwise, Christmas is just another day to me, except I get to stay home from work! Anyway, feel better soon and try and rest as much as possible!

[TinkTheTank]

I actually really like this time of year, with the family and the Christmas and such. I enjoy the family, the food, the celebrations, and as Jason mentioned, the Santa worship. Hail Santa! Santa is lord.

I even like Christmas and holiday music. I know all the words and I can sing along with them.

[Pax]

This time of year is tricky and strange for me. I miss my friends and family back in Alaska. At the same time I am still, after 3 years, trying to figure out what Yule means to me in a land where it's finally decent weather to go outside again...

I moved from Anchorage, AK., to Orlando, FL. 3 years ago... strange subtropical wonderland that it is...

There is a wonderful coffee and tea and sweets shop in Anchorage, AK. called Kobuk Coffee Co. and they are online...

http://www.kobukcoffee.com/

Their Samovar tea is a sovereign remedy for many an ick! Strong black tea with cinnamon oil, cloves, lemon and orange peel... many an Alaskan has survived Winter with the help of a little Samovar tea!

Hugs, and I hope you feel better!

Pax