Sexeteria

Well, in many places around the world this is a long weekend, whether or not you are celebrating anything specific. And a long weekend is a reason to celebrate just on its own.

I was going to type something about this, but the fine folks at lifehacker have already said what I want to say more eloquently than I could:

Whether or not you celebrate Christmas, most likely you've got the day off this coming Monday. I hope you'll spend it doing as little as possible.

Forget the email, the IM, the RSS feeds, the Google searches, what Wikipedia has to say about the origins of Christmas, installing that latest Firefox update or running a defrag. Unplug and enjoy. You made it through another year and you're wiser, more experienced and best of all - you're alive. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done, spend some good quality face time with the people you love, and have a very merry happy festive unplugged weekend. [Read the entire post here.]

Pretty much sums up how I'm feeling, and what I wish for all of you out there who may be reading.

As such, I will be taking a break from blogging and the computer this long weekend to take some time to focus on the many other things that need looking at, experiencing, and caring for besides a glowing screen and an inbox. I want to relax and renew. And to perhaps experience some of the things on my happy list.

My continually brilliant, adorable, and supafly soul-sistah Hiromi told me this week that in Japan, this period of time leading up to New Year's comes with a tradition called osoji:

Observed during the days leading up to New Year's Eve, osoji ("cleaning") is part of the Oshogatsu ritual -- a Japanese equivalent of "spring cleaning." This is observed near the end of the year because the Japanese believe this is a good time to "purify" one's environment -- allowing for a fresh start for the coming twelve months. Osoji has its origins in the religious significance of purification. In Japan, a great deal of time is often spent cleaning up houses, shops and offices. [more]

This idea really, really appeals to me, more than any traditional American custom for the season. That is where I will be focusing my energies, between periods of relaxing and spoiling myself with nice things to eat and read and smell and touch. I think it will feel really good to purify and get ready to move forward. It's time.

So picture me scouring and scrubbing and organizing and ridding of prettifying while I listen to all my favorite music blasting on the stereo. Dancing and cleaning. When you think of me, if you think of me, think of me doing that.

And then collapsing and sighing contentedly at the end of a good effort.

That's going to feel great. I wish you all similarly great feelings, and I'll see you on Tuesday. If I owe anyone emails, and I do (particularly one particular person who wrote me something really lovely and personal who I've been waiting to get back to until I have real time to write), forgive me if I don't get back to you till then. I'm not sure if I'll turn the computer on at all or not. I need the break.

So, it's off to clean, and of course, to celebrate my annual chance to enjoy ruling the town with my tribe while you Xtians do your thang:

Much love to all of you. Wherever you may be in your life at this time of year, remember, you're here, and I'm glad.

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Photo credits:

DSC00017 - household cleaning products lit up - south bank 09-12-06 by stuartwain01

Cleaning Products In Old Shop by APWaters