Also... While we're at it...
PIP is not an out-of-work benefit. Cut PIP, and many disabled people will actually not be able to work or do their job effectively.
Make no mistake. The UK government want disabled people gone.
Managed to lock myself out again. Honestly, me and technology are not always friends!
Been a heckin' week or two. Still mad af. BUT! I do have a great idea for my new burlesque act. Swings and roundabouts, eh?
Ooops... Not me accidentally logging out of Bluesky for three months and not noticing...and then not being able to remember how to log back in...
OK, yeah, I did. :/
I tried making some recently. Just about edible but not quite right...
Stares in coeliac disease... Damn, I miss croissants. And custard doughnuts.
Just remembered that it's January. And it would have been my dad's 86th birthday today. And because it's January it's heckin' cold, icy, possibly also wet, and it's dark and generally a bit miserable outside.
And now I'm sad. I don't like winter.
Alcohol is a depressant - and it can make things feel much worse. Also, waking up with a hangover is no fun at all.
Be kind to yourself, and remember that I love you.
8) You do not have to drink alcohol. You do NOT have to drink alcohol. Drinking alone can seem like a good idea, but, from experience, it usually isn’t. Especially if you didn’t plan to be alone.
7) Phone some people. Talk to *somebody* at least once on Christmas Day. Don’t feel like actually talking? A wee text or message will do. Connect with another human. Or several. If you have a working camera wear a festive jumper and a daft Christmas hat - even a paper hat from a cracker will do.
You don’t have to go overboard spending money on things but do treat yourself to something nice. You deserve it.
It could be something you need (like slippers or maybe some cosy pyjamas) or just something nice that you fancy (like that book that just came out, or perhaps tickets for a day out somewhere). I often buy myself some new art supplies and maybe a book or something.
6) Buy yourself presents - and wrap them. If you’re anything like me, once you can’t actually see it you’ll forget what it is anyway, so it’ll still be a nice surprise. I’m serious about this one. There’s something fun about unwrapping a gift, however ‘old’ you are. Treat yourself.
If you have a TV or a nice collection of DVDs and something to play them on, do that. If you have a Twitch account, I can guarantee someone somewhere will be live-streaming on Christmas Day. I personally love the Art category, but I do also enjoy watching someone yell at a game of something.
5) Make the most of the internet. I am usually found - at some point during Christmas Day - under a blanket, a tub of chocolates within very easy reach and a nice cup of tea while watching a variety of films on whatever streaming platform has what I want to watch.
4) Buy a whole dessert for Christmas Day supper. Again, if you want to eat the entire thing - go for it. It’s your Christmas! Enjoy as much of your pudding-supper as you want. Just don’t make yourself ill. It’s not actually worth it.
3) Buy your favourite foods. I do love the festive foodstuffs. I even once ate a whole plate of Just Vegetables and Gravy for Christmas dinner one year. Do you fancy chicken nuggets? Get some chicken nuggets. If you wanna eat a whole cheeseboard or three between Christmas and New Year - do it!
I also highly recommend Arthur Christmas (always the first one I watch), The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Santa Claus: The Movie - the one with Dudley Moore as Patch the Elf in it. Hot chocolate suggested. With cream (vegan, in my case. Cream decided it hated me when I turned 40. Rude.)
2) At some point in December, I highly recommend watching Scrooge (the 1970 musical version with Albert Finney) and eating cheese and crackers. In fact, throughout December, watch all the Christmas films you can.
I might put some wee lights up around the flat but it’s nothing massive or over the top. Just enough to brighten the place and chase away some of the Seasonal Affective Disorder/winter depression.
Here’s how to survive a Solo Christmas, Spencer-style!
1) Put up a tree. It doesn’t have to be a huge one. Mine is really quite small compared to some that you can get. Obviously, mine is a Rainbow Tree. If that’s all you have space for, that’s cool.
Anyway, almost 8 years of practice has meant that I have actually found a few ways to cope with the boredom of a solo Christmas. Please don’t misunderstand me. I actually quite like my own company - I always have. It’s not a bad feeling to be bored. Some folk just handle it better than others.
I love Christmas Eve...
But then comes Christmas Day… I really do find it all kind of boring. I don’t really know why, but, like I said, since official adulthood, I’m just not that into it. And don’t get me started on how much I loathe New Year’s Eve/Hogmanay…
For some of you (or perhaps people you know) this may well just be the first time you’re on your own for Christmas.
Those of you who know me in the ‘real world’ will probably know that since I became an official ‘grown-up’, Christmas Day is actually quite boring for me.
Solo Christmas Spencer-style.
This year - 2024 - will be my 8th consecutive Solo Christmas. And my 2nd official Sober Christmas. Since 2017 I have ‘done’ Christmas by myself and, while I’m still figuring out a few things here and there, I have sort of found my groove, so to speak.
Well, that's incredibly cute!
I'm trying to hold off until the 1st December (first Sunday of Advent) but my S.A.D. self is kind of itching to put the "Festive Pride Tree" up.
It's a rainbow tree with accidentally appropriate trans pride baubles.
And I'm cold and wet.
I very strongly dislike snow. I was promised rain by the Met Office.
On my way to Edinburgh. I forgot my headphones... And then remembered they need replacing anyway. I've not had breakfast or lunch. I haven't taken my meds yet. I'm basically running on coffee and spite right now.
Pray for the people of Edinburgh. I'm definitely in Chaos Demon mode.
I'm sorry.
687 days sober today.
Very nearly almost 2 years.
It's heckin' cold. I don't want to get up or out from under the blankets.
Nobody needs me today, do they?
I haven't properly introduced myself, have I?
My name is Toni (most folks call me Spencer, though). I'm an artist, music journalist, actor and performer, and a bit of a chaos demon. I am riddled with ADHD. Just so you know.
I like cats, cheese, coffee, and getting lost in art galleries.
