Holiday hangover

16 Jan, 2024

A conversation overheard at work:
"No, you’re like an explainator, someone who is like a tank when explaining something to business.”
"As long as it isn't mansplainator, haha."
"I don't even think there are enough women in our department for that.".
"..."

…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

The new year has kicked off, and luckily, the period where everyone is forced to ask how everyone's holidays went is coming to an end. I started to avoid group calls, certainly after someone had just come back from vacation, simply to not have to join the mandatory round of Holiday Happenings ©. Call me a scrooge if you must, but it's just not for me.

The past few weeks have been mostly rainy and wet. When talking to family and colleagues, a lot of people struggle with a bit of a holiday hangover. It is best to be described as "I had expectations and was looking forward to the holiday week, but it has flown by in a second and I have not felt the holiday cheer as much as I needed, so I return to work tired and ready to fight the PM.".

…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ

Though my holidays were mostly calm, I went on a day trip to Paris (three cheers for easy European travel) with my two best friends in between Christmas and New Year. We had promised to go together on this 'unexpected adventure'.
Though big cities are not really my thing, I still had a lot of fun creating memories with them.

Since it was a daytrip, on the return home, I stayed at Kevin's (not their real name but the second option of their parents, a name we have been mocking them with endlessly)¹, who lives closest to the border. This way, I didn't have to ride the many hours back to my house in one day.
We had bought presents for each other and exchanged them. Kevin simply said, while handing it over, "I had to think of you." I smiled, and with a bit of trepidation, I ripped the wrapping paper. Inside was a poster; on top, it read "the F*ck it bucket list". Kevin explained, "I saw this, and I knew this was something for you. Not only can I, knowing you, only imagine you actually achieving some of these things, but it also serves as inspiration for that heartbeat you have been chasing."
A warm wave of appreciation almost floored me, as I realized my best friend had actually listened to all my sad ramblings and had made the effort to find a fitting present. I hugged them tightly, thanking them profusely. I then started scanning the challenges.
"Hey Kevin?"
"Hmmm?"
"How the hell can I ever set a world record?"
"You'll manage."

…ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ