On progress and slacking off

On Tuesday this week I finally had my project proposal committee meeting. It generally went well with a few minor additions and changes. The deadline for revised submission: today. With it all ready to sign off, my head space is very definitely moving into the summer Christmas holiday frame. The vibe everywhere is tangible: as the ambient temperatures increase, road traffic frays tempers, heart-rates thunder as shopping is done at the last minute in crowded malls. With all the people flocking from inland to the coast for their summer hols, you'd think things up here on the Highveld would calm down. But alas we have to wait for Christmas day for true peace.

As if you didn't know, Christmas holidays here in South Africa coincide with possibly the hottest month of the year. Yet we continue, in many respects, to emblazen shop windows and Christmas cards with all the European traditional pictures of Christmas with an evergeen conifer and plenty of snow. It's not like that at all! It's all about summer beach holidays, cold beers and watermelons, lazying by the pool and opening pressies in your shorty-summer jammies.

What this all means is that I'm taking a break for a few weeks. Whether you're drinking hot chocolate in front of a fire or sunning off at the beach, have a blessed Christmas! Chat again in the new year.