Yep. It’s Clementine oranges. Love them love them love them love them! 

I love the little wooden crates they come in. I love how easy they are to peel. I love how sweet and juicy they are. Love, love, LOVE! But you know what I love most? I love knowing I don’t have “manage” my Clementine consumption. I love knowing that I can indulge in Clementine orange gluttony with complete abandon.

Here’s why.

Where we live Clementines cost between $5-$10/box. At that price, and given our family income, if Clementines were available year round, my unbridled Clementine lust could easily put a dent in our household budget. Each individual Clementine would have to considered. Have I earned this Clementine? Can I afford this Clementine? Could I put off eating this Clementine till tomorrow?

Now mostly I don’t mind thinking this way; in fact, I take pride in being able to divine value, defer pleasure, and make rational decisions. But at times it seems as if my mind is a constantly running cost/benefit analysis spreadsheet.

If the newer car gets 25mpg, but costs $5K more than the 19mpg option, which should we buy? Do the benefits of shooting film instead of video offset the added risk, effort, and expense? Does the cost of paying my own way to a festival where our films are playing meaningfully enhance the publicity value of the event?

Hundreds, even thousands of dollars lie the balance of these questions; questions that don’t have clear cut answer. This sort of best-guess calculus is the nuts and bolts of being an independent filmmaker (or any small business owner for that matter.) It’s what I signed on for, and I’m not complaining.

But when you get in the habit of thinking this way, it can be hard to stop. We rarely eat dinner out, even when we feel like we can afford it. We’re weeks away from taking our first non-DIY vacation ever (a cruise), and even though it’s already paid for, I still feel vaguely uneasy. Spending money, even money we can afford – to make things easier, or just to buy something just because it’s nice makes – make me uncomfortable. I’m still not quite sure how you ledger pleasure in a cost/benefit spreadsheet.

But I know how to run the calculus for Clementine oranges! They won’t be here for long, so eat as many as you want for as long as they last! In fact, ever Clementine not eaten is a Clementine gone forever! A minor tragedy! If anything, enjoying Clementines while you can is practically a moral imperative!

As to all that other Christmas stuff; family, friends, good tidings and season’s greetings? I try my best to enjoy that stuff all year ’round.