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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2017)
14 // COASTWEEKEND.COM Continued from Page 4 you take would be a good one. Raining? Walk or run on the new track or sweat it out in the cardio and weight rooms at the newly renovated Patriot Hall at Clatsop Community Col- lege, perched above Astoria and replete with glorious views. A punch card costs just $15 and is good for five visits. Then at 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, you can dance it out at Everybody’s Christ- mas Dance Party at the Merry Time Bar and Grill with DJ Kevin Lee. Every- body’s invited. 4.) You are tired Excuse yourself and take a nap. “Sleep is really import- ant,” Baker said. “I fully support a nap in the middle of the day. That’s good self-care, and regenerative. Good sleep has a signifi- cant impact on our sense of well-being and happiness.” The Franklin Apartments Chroma Loft Salon in Gear- hart specializes in outra- geously vibrant hair color, in case you need to really alter your appearance for such oc- casions as, say, the holidays. 5.) You are cranky Wait a minute, are you actually thirsty? For water? You should probably go drink some. There is a natu- ral spring on U.S. Highway 26 at mile marker 28, about 30 minutes from the junction in Seaside. But check road conditions before you go, and don’t forget to bring a jug or two. 6.) You are pressed on your politics “My own personal expe- rience is that the holidays are not the best time to work out relationship difficulties. It’s just too much of an emo- tionally charged time of year to try to resolve conflict. You can’t change people in your family,” Baker said, “so why even bother?” 7.) You are without a car or otherwise can’t escape the house Put in headphones and Providing Elegance & Efficiency to Downtown Astoria for Over 100 Years 1432 Franklin Avenue Easom Property Management, Inc. 503-325-5678 240 11TH STREET ASTORIA, OR 97103 GEORGE VETTER PHOTO/CANNON-BEACH.NET Ebenezer Scrooge and Tiny Tim listen to a podcast. I have a friend who had a particularly bad Christmas last year. She swears by The Moth Radio Hour’s “California Goth- ic” by Taylor Negron. “This wackadoo story is what saved Christmas for me last year,” she said. Then take a bath and lock the door or read a book. I recommend the gorgeous- ly illustrated “The Lost Words: A Spell Book” by Robert Macfarlane, suit- able for all ages. 8.) You forgot a gift If you are given an unexpected gift and have nothing to offer in return, be gracious and genuine. You can always follow up with a gift or card later. Don’t forget The Annual Sparkling Wine Event 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23, at Fresh Foods in Cannon Beach, where you can taste champagne, cavas and Proseccos just in time for the holiday season. 9.) You want to be seen, but not recognized You could alter your appearance entirely with unicorn or mermaid-in- spired locks at the Chroma Loft Salon in Gearhart. Wells Gregory specializes in outrageously vibrant hair color. Then no one will recognize you. In addition, Gregory is having a raffle during December with additional prizes for anyone who picks a winning number and 10 percent off the next visit for those who don’t. 10.) You feel offended Meditate. Perhaps you are too identified with your personhood and out of touch with your real presence? Consider attending Wel- coming the Unpredictable: A New Year’s Retreat for Women at the Great Vow Zen Monastery from Thursday, Dec. 28, through Monday, Jan. 1. Visit their website for cost and other details. Another option: Head- space is a free-to-start app that gently prompts you to take a daily break from any incessant mind chatter. 11.) You feel lonely “Go volunteer. Go help other people who are strug- gling,” Baker said. “It is our connectivity to others that makes life worth living.” So even if you don’t have family in the area, go volunteer at the Food Bank (503-861-3663) or the Asto- ria Warming Center (760- 298-8932). 12.) You feel confused about life Consider walking the labyrinth at Grace Episcopal Church on the first Sunday of January. Perhaps walking that maze-y loop-de-loop will untie some knots in your head. 13.) You feel sad If you can do most of the things on this list, guess what? You are in great shape. Practice gratitude. For classic reminders, go see “Scrooged in Astoria” 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 22 and 23, at the Astor Street Opry Company Play- house; or, at 7:30 p.m. Thurs- day through Saturday, Dec. 21 through 23, “A Christ- mas Carol: The Musical” at the Coaster Theatre. “Surround yourself with happy people as much as possible,” Baker said. Scientists at Yale pub- lished a study that suggests your friends’ friends influ- ence your happiness and vice versa. Those degrees of separation mean we are responsible for the company we keep and for our own emotional hygiene no matter the time of year. If things start to feel too difficult, there’s always help. Please call Lines for Life ho- tline: 1-800-273-8255. CW