Not doing anything for the new year?

I will tell you, after two thousand years of New Years, the scene starts to get a bit old. I have done the Vegas, Rome, Greece (both of these last two are pretty obvious), New York, Rio, Omaha (our car broke down), Paris, Amsterdam, Shanghai etc. thing. What I guess I am trying to say is it is time for a change. This year I am staying home!!!!! I am soooo sick of those cheesy noise makers, hats, and the always-annoying, not-drunk-but- just-enjoying-himself-too-much guy. (Between you and me, the super cheesy guy is usually Dionysus … it is his time of year and everything) It is probably better that I stay home for my mental health anyway. Every year I go out, Hera is all concerned with who is going to be there. What other gods and all (Us Pagans know how to do it right you know). Inevitably it hurts more than not because she has to get a new dress which costs money (the coffers aren’t as full as they used to be) and she always gets upset when I disappear with my friends. What is the big deal if you want to celebrate the New Year in every time zone on Earth? Anyway, sorry Hera, I am just staying home this year. Go out and have fun without me. No worries.

(Dionysus you reading this) Ok, I think I fooled Hera. She doesn’t have a clue. Let’s meet in Tokyo first at 11pm next to the Hot Soup stand where you did that samurai impression then we can do the party/time zone hopping thing. I love this time of year!!!!!!!!

'Tis the Season!

Hi, friends! Hera here! Well, it’s that time of year again. Christmas trees are decorated, cheeks are rosy and snow is glistening on the ground. Spirits are up, bells are ringing and fires are crackling. My nose is running, my head is aching and my lungs feel like they’re full of eggnog. That’s right; ‘tis the season to be sick.

It’s so frustrating that I can’t ever get sick, say, at the end of February, when there’s nothing else going on. The weather is still cold and gloomy, but everything fun is over. Christmas, New Year’s and (my personal favorite) Valentine’s Day have come and gone. By this time, being sick feels like a chance to curl up under a blanket and complain – but you don’t really mind cozying up, watching TV and sleeping all day, because you aren’t missing out on anything else.

Last Wednesday, however, when I woke up with clammy hands, cold sweat dripping down my forehead and the bedroom swimming in front of my eyes, I panicked. My immune system must realize that this is the WORST POSSIBLE TIME to shut down, right? Apparently not. Apparently, my immune system doesn’t give a single roasted chestnut about my plans for the next month.

I didn’t want to take my much-anticipated ski trip while doped up on Triaminic. I don’t want to sleep through my finals next week. I don’t want to Christmas shop and feel like I’m going to keel over from the hustle and bustle. I don’t want to go to my sorority formal with a red, raw Rudolph nose and bags under my eyes. I don’t want to hold back on Christmas brunch because there’s a snowball fight in my tummy.

But all these things will probably happen, just like they have before, because this time of year gives absolutely no room for rest or recuperation. You just have to battle through, faking the holiday jollies, because you don’t want to miss out on any of the seasonal activities. This, come to think of it, is probably why we stay sick…

Oh well! A headache and 102 degree fever can’t stop me from shakin’ my jingle bells all December! However, please don’t take my attitude as advice. I’m immortal, after all. What’s the worst that could happen?