The Journey: Month Twenty-Four.

As another year goes by I have had some time to do some self-reflection. I think this time of year brings lots of aspects of our person to mind. The Christmas season gives us reason to get together with family, the people who have shaped us since before we were born. Often the new year marks the beginnings and endings of opportunities in our work or study. A year is an important amount of time. A lot can change in a year and December leads us to reflect on that, but, also to dream and scheme for the next year. What kind of person do I want to be? Who am I becoming? December is like a spring clean of the soul for many. A taking stock, a good sort through of the things which make up our inner and outer life.

A year is an interesting amount of time, it’s quite long, but in reflection not so long at all. No one ever feels they have too many birthdays, or it has been too long since their last birthday. A year is a perfect measure of time. Enough to forget the forgettable, but short enough to savour the savour-able. As I learn how to adult, I'm realising that I have become accustomed to a certain set of rhythms and patterns that help me inhabit my life. These rhythms are both daily or weekly. Most days I walk into town down Ohiro Road. I cross the roads in the same places and walk on the same route every day. Every Monday I hop in my car and take a drive around the bays to do the shop at Pack’n’Save Kilbirnie. This December I have started to become aware of other longer-term rhythms. For as long as I can remember travel has always been a part of Christmas for me. From the post-church drive to the Marlborough sounds to visit my grandparents. More recently my Christmas Day travel has been a symptom of working Christmas Eve here in Wellington. This Christmas was no different. This year a moment stuck out from my pilgrimage. So for Month Twenty-four, to finish off 2024, here is a fun one, enjoy.

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“Have you been naughty or nice?” He says as he stuffs his ‘belly’ back into his belt. It’s eight o’clock in the morning, I look longingly at the coffee machine. The man who has asked me the question is dressed in a cheap yet recognisable red suit. I look blankly into the budget-friendly Santa's face. Christmas cheer shines through his crooked beard strapped to his young face. The iconic red hat is both too big and too small at the same time. The hat is propped up by the rims of the young man's glasses, causing the hat to sit lower than it should. The pom-pom is standing at attention upright instead of flopping to one side as it should. I manage a reply: “I’m Not sure, I guess we will find out.” He laughed, I thought Santa was meant to chuckle. I am confused as to why two grown men are having a conversation in this manner. Usually, I’m not even out of bed by this time in the morning. I just want a coffee, I don’t really want to be ‘entertained’ like some eight-year-old. The whole situation seems rather surreal. I’m exhausted after having dragged myself out of bed at five-thirty earlier that morning. I think to myself why didn’t I just stretch for flights, is this even worth it? Santa interrupts my thoughts of Lament with: “I don’t remember coming down your chimney last night, so you must have been naughty.” He’s Grinning at the wildly inappropriate statement he has just made to a complete stranger. I give no satisfaction to his witty words and before I can just ask for coffee he buts in again. “What can Santa get for you?” I ask for a flat white I’m visibly pissed off, I’m pissed off that he just referred to himself in the third person. I’m pissed off that even after all this conversation I still haven’t had any coffee yet. The coffee machine itself is one of those gas-station self-serve coffee machines where you press a button. Santa presses the flat white button and like a seagull shitting, the hot white and brown liquid begins to flow. As I watch the coffee pour into the cup Santa and I stand awkwardly waiting. I reflect on our interaction and how essentially it's been mostly pointless as the coffee machine is designed to be self-serve. I am filled with both regret and acceptance about my choice to spend Christmas morning cruising on the inter-islander. I’m not even sure if the boat is going to make it to the other side. But I’m here staring into the eyes of Santa, as a terrible overpriced coffee is being poured. In a moment of weakness and intrigue, I ask Santa how he got landed with being Santa. His response was profound and relatable, “I guess I’m just kind of the eccentric guy at work and they said I had to.” He handed me my coffee and wished me a Merry Christmas.

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A story about a mildly creepy and highly annoying Interislander Santa Claus feels like the right way to sum up 2024. It’s been an interesting year, full of interesting and memorable stories. Thank you for reading about pigeons, soft-toy owners, A Nihilistic Tote bag, and jazz musicians. Thanks for taking the time to slow down. The time to think about the highly notable normal and abnormal things that go on around us every single day. As we look forward to the unknown of 2025 with hopes, dreams, and fears let this Santa be a warning. You never know who or what you're going to face when you wake up in the morning, so why not just take it all in and accept it?

Much love, Be blessed

Jesse.