(no subject)

Christmas is coming and I still haven't finished my shopping. I'm always a procrastinator on these things, so it is no surprise. What I usually have is an IDEA of what I'm getting for everyone.

This year I've got something special for my Dad. As I was moving to my new apartment, I opened up one of my Grandmother's hand me down (I guess the word is banquette, but I'll use - for the sake of this-) table, and out falls a black and white picture of Gram, Grandad, Aunt Mary, Uncle Jack and Gigi, my Great Grandmother. All have been gone for some time except for Gram, who past away last year. The picture looks like its from the early '50's. I'm going to go buy a frame and some matting and do it myself. Makes a great gift(R)!

Then there's my sister, her boyfriend, the rest of the management staff at work...etc.

And Mom...I have no earthly idea what to get Mom. All gifts need to be in the $25-30 range, tops. Mom's really hard to shop for. What do you get for the woman who stays at the house most of the day? Isatoner Gloves? Chia Pet? The Ronco Pocket Fisherman?

Mom doesn't do a lot. She's using her Home Economics degree well, staying at home and watching the soaps. What do you get for the woman who bore you, but also drives you crazy? A woman who's worldview is shaped by talk radio, her church, and NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw?

She's going to be tough this year. Any suggestions?

Gatherings of every size

Hi algebear, chicagowoof, enigmacub, vianegativa! Welcome in, the water's fine!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's work team Christmas party. Our resident tech analysis guy, Andy has put his house up, and most of our twenty-three team members will be there, including my manager, Gina, who will be bringing Jello Shots!

Yes, it's a big sloppy drunken office Christmas Party. We had one last year and it went over really well. Marvin plans to bring his homemade beer again. We played a White Elephant Gift Game and them just got toasted. The whole team puts in money for various things - birthday cakes, food days, etc. As the corporate budget for such things has fallen, the team has taken up the slack, and I admire them for that.

Long gone are the days when the company would have grand Holiday galas. The last one, in 2000, was held in a sort of decoration shopping mall that was way too small for 2,500 people. In a way it was good that we did have the economic downturn - I don't think we could have found a place to hold us. Especially at the rate we were growing at that time. The company provided a band, plenty of food and booze and a good time.

Still, I like being in a smaller group of people. Just a group of people who work with each other every day. I hope we don't drive each other crazy - no wonder we need the booze.