First day of the Gregorian calendar year. For me, a snow day, baking day, sleeping-in day, rest day.

New Year's Day is not about productivity for me. Things usually get done, many things actually, usually enjoyable ones, but it's rarely focused goal-targeted labor or anything society recognizes as Useful -- not because I have a superstition about the day setting the tone for the rest of the year, no.

No, I avoid being productive on NYD because it's a day off. Luckily, having a cat means I have help remembering days off are for relaxing now. Pippin has been sleeping like a champ all day today.

I don't do New Year's resolutions (pointless to give extra weight to an arbitrary annual calendar changeover date, resolutions should be meaningful and embraced whenever a need for one is identified, blahblahblah) but if I DID do them, I would resolve to pitch the word (indeed, the entire concept of productivity) into the trash bin of reality where I would burn it with the fiery destructive force of a thousand flaming suns.

Since I've been resolved on that point for years already, it doesn't count against my "no New Year's resolutions" resolution, right? (Is that a paradox, to have a resolution about not having resolutions? ANYway. It's definitely a digression.)

After being awake until 3 AM, we rsolved to wake up whenever and successfully enticed Mister Pips into snoozing with us until nearly 11 AM. Fancy brunch was had here at home, courtesy of frozen foods purchased back when the world wasn't so viciously contagious. There was lounging, and reading, and a long walk in the falling snow. Napping happened. Also a teeny little bit of writing, (in addition to this, I mean. Serena and Parker are walking puppies and not talking. It's fun. And funny.)

In fits and starts between other activities I made split pea soup, no-rise bread, and baked apples. We're now enjoying the feast with a split of Sauterne (yummy sweet French white wine) while watching Jungle Cruise. Which is much better than I expected. Perplexing and occasionally bizarre, but fun.

Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Paul Giamatti, and a bunch of other people who look vaguely familiar navigate a convoluted screenplay that has some major African Queen meets The Mummy vibes. Good actors chewing up scenery through a quip-heavy actionfest with some pleasnat surprises? Yes, thanks!

This one has some extra fun running gags and better than average dialogue, too. So I'm happy.

Back when my dad took my to Disneyland for my birthday, ( we lived in SoCal at the time) I would ask to go on the Jungle Cruise multiple times because I loved it. I also loved the Undersea adventure, the Pirate Island, and the Haunted Mansion. And yes, It's A Small World.

BTW, a father who's willing to go through It's A Small World multiple times a visit multiple times a year is a parent who truly loves his daughters. (My younger sister used to alternate between IaSW and the Mad Hatter's Teacups all day long on her birthday trip, or so the family story goes)

A second digression! And it's only the first day of the year. Go, me.

My other not resolution for the year is to be Very Direct and Talkative about my projects and how proud I am of my existing books. So. Please buy my books, read my books, review my books, recommend my books if you love them--and I'll keep writing books regardless.

That's all for now, until later!