Holly Hippodays and a Hoppy New Deer

It's that time of year when my family gets on each other's nerves -- until Christmas Day, where, if we're lucky, we have a bubble of peace. This year, we're trekking to visit the relatives, which, frankly, will add to the strain. (My grandfather's 100. How could we not visit him?)

So, in short, it's the time of year I get testy and need a break. I usually take 2 weeks off over the holidays, but for the first time I can remember I've been forced to cancel my vacation due to work. In fact, instead of taking Monday off pre-Christmas, I'm working OT all day Sunday. And then there's the (regrettably true) chorus of "At least you have a job." A large portion of my group's received layoff notices, and their last day is at the end of the month.

Anyway, with all of this, I'm not in a place to look to next year and figure out what I'm doing on dA. I'll either reinvest by getting involved again or maybe take the opportunity to get off dA more completely (I haven't been here much for the last several months).

Anyway, work calls and I have to run. (That was a short break.) Hippo Hoppydays or something. And happy New Year.