In Which We Have A Party

Shabbat was quiet- the parents forgot to wake me, so I was about 20 minutes late to shul- really, a bit more, since it took me a while to find the current entrace, as there is all sorts of construction going on, so all that is open is the sanctuary. But I'm glad I went, even late- next week davening is at the local Unitarian society, and if I hadn't gone I'd never have thought of that on my own. Really, we didn't do anything particular for New Years Eve, unless you count a crossword puzzle. I feel sort of bad- my family spent the day running around to prepare for tonight's party, while I went to shul, read and napped.

The party turned out very well, somehow. Even over our age range of 19 to somewhere-over-65, it somehow worked out. The alcohol smoothed things over a bit, somehow, even though no one got really drunk as far as I can tell, which isn't very far. Em made me something pleasant without any alcohol, so I was happy, and still got a nice glass. And we had munchies galore, which is always useful: fancy goat cheese on crackers with scallions and cilantro; corn chips and salsa; cookies; stuffed mushrooms; rock candy; Asian nut-snacks; Indian fried bread with potato and onions (conveniently made by Em's friend who is Indian and therefore knows what she's doing making said food); assorted dried fruit; and chocolate covered strawberries.

I think that deserved a paragraph break, especially since there's another list coming up, of the guests... So, here goes: my best friend; Em's best high school friend and another friend of hers from high school, also the best friend's boyfriend (Em's best friend, not mine: he's straight); our next-door neighbors, an older Polish couple; Dad's friend from work, whose real name is indeed Steve; and Mom's friend from dancing, who's a Polish nanny and her boyfriend (American). There was interesting discussion of Polish names and generally about accents and that sort of thing, which I almost always find pleasing.

I realized that I do much better in party contexts with people I'm not incredibly close to, or who are of a different generation than I, unless it's a context I'm used to seeing those people in. Of all the people, I had one of the hardest times interacting with my best friend in that context, because it's so different from our usual contexts, which are usually one-on-one or in small, relaxed groups. I did well with Em's friend, whom I know, but not intensely well, and also with our neighbors and the parental friends (who yes, I did know before: one I worked in the office across from for a summer a few years ago, the other of whom I see at dancing when I'm home, sometimes). It was a very pleasant event, all told. Really quite impressive for an event we planned in three or so days.

Tomorrow Em's off to CHicago ridiculously early in the morning (they're leaving the house at 6am). So I'll be up briefly when she gets up, and then immediately back to sleep. Still, I should really go to bed...

In Which We Have A Party

Shabbat was quiet- the parents forgot to wake me, so I was about 20 minutes late to shul- really, a bit more, since it took me a while to find the current entrace, as there is all sorts of construction going on, so all that is open is the sanctuary. But I'm glad I went, even late- next week davening is at the local Unitarian society, and if I hadn't gone I'd never have thought of that on my own. Really, we didn't do anything particular for New Years Eve, unless you count a crossword puzzle. I feel sort of bad- my family spent the day running around to prepare for tonight's party, while I went to shul, read and napped.

The party turned out very well, somehow. Even over our age range of 19 to somewhere-over-65, it somehow worked out. The alcohol smoothed things over a bit, somehow, even though no one got really drunk as far as I can tell, which isn't very far. Em made me something pleasant without any alcohol, so I was happy, and still got a nice glass. And we had munchies galore, which is always useful: fancy goat cheese on crackers with scallions and cilantro; corn chips and salsa; cookies; stuffed mushrooms; rock candy; Asian nut-snacks; Indian fried bread with potato and onions (conveniently made by Em's friend who is Indian and therefore knows what she's doing making said food); assorted dried fruit; and chocolate covered strawberries.

I think that deserved a paragraph break, especially since there's another list coming up, of the guests... So, here goes: my best friend; Em's best high school friend and another friend of hers from high school, also the best friend's boyfriend (Em's best friend, not mine: he's straight); our next-door neighbors, an older Polish couple; Dad's friend from work, whose real name is indeed Steve; and Mom's friend from dancing, who's a Polish nanny and her boyfriend (American). There was interesting discussion of Polish names and generally about accents and that sort of thing, which I almost always find pleasing.

I realized that I do much better in party contexts with people I'm not incredibly close to, or who are of a different generation than I, unless it's a context I'm used to seeing those people in. Of all the people, I had one of the hardest times interacting with my best friend in that context, because it's so different from our usual contexts, which are usually one-on-one or in small, relaxed groups. I did well with Em's friend, whom I know, but not intensely well, and also with our neighbors and the parental friends (who yes, I did know before: one I worked in the office across from for a summer a few years ago, the other of whom I see at dancing when I'm home, sometimes). It was a very pleasant event, all told. Really quite impressive for an event we planned in three or so days.

Tomorrow Em's off to CHicago ridiculously early in the morning (they're leaving the house at 6am). So I'll be up briefly when she gets up, and then immediately back to sleep. Still, I should really go to bed...