Happy Holidays!

Well – I guess it’s time to get back to a life that doesn’t involve consuming large amounts of chocolate before 10 a.m.

I always find the Holidays a bit difficult. I think it may be just the change in routine. I have handed money to a cashier pretty much every day (the 25^th being the lone exception) since the beginning of December. I have baked a variety of goodies on a bi-weekly basis, and felt genuine concern over running out of condensed milk. I have examined weekly flyers as if they contained the hidden, long-awaited confession from OJ. I no longer recognize myself.

It all made for a wonderful holiday with a comfortable amount of palpable family tension. It is never like the movies though, is it? Not once has my family convened on the front lawn to gaze upon our decorations while breaking into spirited carolling. Maybe next year!

It’s time for all things to revert back to normal. I love my husband, truly and completely, but the cats and I really need him to go back to work! We have a routine based largely on quiet contemplation, and 4 continuous hours of Mario Galaxy simply doesn’t fit in. I have tried to convince him that showing up unexpectedly at the office is just the kind of self-starter initiative that is going to take him places. He chuckled and ate a cookie. The man will clearly be defending the Universe from the couch in his Blue Bomber pyjama pants until the New Year. The cats and I will just have to be happy with shooting each other knowing glances and keeping one eye on the calendar.

I hope Christmas found you warm, happy and surrounded by chocolate. Oh yeah – and loved ones.

C.

Welcome to Chuntertime!

Thoughts about changing my professional life have dominated my mind for as long as I can recall. Something strange happens to you when you have done something over and over again for many years. You forget it is an option. Perhaps this is only my journey, but I can’t help but think it must be a somewhat shared experience. The great majority of my adult life I have woken up before dawn, and headed out to assist others in starting their day.

I can still remember when it felt like a privilege. Of course there were moments right up until the end when it still did. In the beginning though, I was excited all the time. As the microphone light went red my heart skipped a little faster. I couldn’t wait to share, to assist, to connect. It’s kind of like the first year of loving someone.  Maybe it’s true of all beginnings. They are so innocent, so unscathed. Everything promises to never get old – and then…..Well as I have learned, then, if we are very, very lucky, it lasts long enough to get old.

Is there a more salacious story behind my departure from QX? I think you can always find one if you want to look. There are episodes and characters that definitely contributed to me pulling the pin. In the end though, does it really matter? Imagine how boring life would be if everything ended up working out exactly as you’d imagined it would? A little sandpaper is sometimes just what you need to find a better place to stand.  

These last few weeks have been so very interesting. I was surprised by many of the people I heard from, and also surprised by many of the people I didn’t. You never get the list exactly right do you? It was a bit troubling at first to realize that some people I spoke to on a daily basis for years couldn’t find the time to wish me well. Conversely, there were those that I never really considered, who reached out with great kindness and heartfelt wishes. It’s all part of the education of life I suppose.  I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

I have been asked a few times if I am done with the business of radio or just looking for a different view out the window? I’m not sure that I have an answer just yet.  I hope to pursue my first true love – writing. I am not sure what form that will take, or if that will be more hobby than profession. I am excited to find out.

Thanks for being interested enough to click the link and follow along. My career has long depended on the kindness of others, and I am grateful always to have you on board.