CBMused

Yes, it means I’ve been writing. And words have been floating in a bubble above my head, circling me like bees on a lazy hot summer’s day. Here are the top 5 in each category:

Words I Like
Fall – as in the season, what North Americans call autumn
Autumnal – the adjective of what the rest of us call fall
Vitriol – for it sounds as strong as what it means
Sentiments – has a romantic flair
Arse – I love pronouncing it, writing it, grabbing it…
Gorgeous – need I explain?

Words I Don’t Like
Toe/toes – blech, and not just because I dislike feet
Baby – call me ‘baby’ and I’ll rip your bollocks off (see below).
Ma’am – reserve that word for the military else you’ve told me I’m 100+ years old.
Connoisseur - an English word with Latin origins that sounds French but appears bastardised by having an oi instead of ai.
Incredulous – sounds a bit pretentious
Awesome – a highly overused word on its own, even by me

Words That Make Me Giggle
Bollocks – when said as an interjection, perfect with a British accent.
Ass – as pronounced by North Americans as Opposed to the word ‘arse’
Bosom – anyone familiar with that Simpsons episode where Ned Flanders writes Homer a letter would understand
Brouhaha – try saying it without laughing
Z – when pronounced Zee by North Americans as opposed to Zed for the rest of us.

Now tell me yours.

Undoubtedly what is coined as the ‘silly season’ brings out the worst of people. With all the hype and the steep build up to a crescendo of one festive day or two, consumerism and commercialism are rife with the mad rush to buy last minute gifts, plan celebratory menus and stock up on accompaniment beverages; a task more pertinent to a two-hatted chef with a dégustation menu than a home prepared dinner.

Then it passes.

After the gifts have been unwrapped, the seafood has been consumed and washed down by copious amounts of alcohol, the turkey and ham divided up amongst the family members, left-overs rationed over the next few days, the essence of the holiday season unravels itself.

My Christmas was a joyous celebration, and admittedly, I received some gifts that blew me away. Yet there was one that touched me and embodied the spirit of the season. The gift itself was nothing fancy. It was given to me by one of my team members on her last day at work. It came with a card, one which I did not open until Christmas Eve, because I was far too emotional at the time. Among a heartfelt message that expressed professional and personality admiration, three words struck me with such emotion that tears immediately welled in my eyes: best leader ever.

Admittedly, I am not accustomed to the receiving end, being rather modest in my acceptance, and more at home with giving others the gift of praise and gratitude. Then I realised I had done the same this Christmas to some unsuspecting individuals, when I thanked them for something they had done but not realised the wonderful implications. And I left them as flustered as I was. Maybe what goes around comes around.

Sometimes we get a thrill from a gift that comes wrapped with a lot of thought and effort, or one with a substantial monetary value. Other times, intangible gifts, like that of simple words and sincere gestures echo long past the fading jingling bells.

If the silly season is a catalyst to expressing deep thoughts and emotions not otherwise stated to those individuals who obviously matter to us, then I embrace all the hype of the season.

Because that kind of giving embodies the true spirit of Christmas.

The smell of the earth just before the rain.
The thrill of unwrapping the thread of a personal email.
The anticipation of the first crack of thunder.
The surprising taste of a familiar kiss.
The cooling drop of summer rain on steamy skin.
The unexpected shiver that words elicit…