As the long busy Fall quarter drew to a close, meetings were cancelled, tasks put off to the new year, everybody was just knackered. It was like the staff of the whole campus really needed a break more than ever. This past week we were still working, most people remotely, but things were definitely finally winding down. I took an early lunch one day and went downtown, and grabbed a sketch on D Street looking out at The Wardrobe. As I write it’s practically Christmas Eve already; still a couple of big presents to wrap, and all the shopping for all the family and friends back in London is long done; I know I don’t really need to, but it’s my way of staying connected with ‘back home’, letting them know I miss them all and still think of them. Christmas is the time to get soppy isn’t it. Now Christmas Eve, the whole day we like to spend at home watching all the old classics we always watch, playing a bit of music, making a big roast dinner, finishing off with It’s A Wonderful Life. It is, when you think about it. It can be a shit world, but life is good. I could probably do with eating a few fewer Christmas choccies and mince pies, but I’ll leave that to the new year when I start getting fit again. Also, the sketchbook is nearly done. A couple of pages left! I’m looking forward to carrying a slightly lighter sketchbook about with me in 2024.