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January 8, 2007
Old Acquaintance Is Unforgettably Late
Christmas dinner went about as well as was expected. I went to the home of my friend's boyfriend's family. His ex-girlfriend from many years back was there with a date, although she arrived several hours late. I thought my pal was going to blow a gasket from what I took to be a slightly passive-aggressive move on the part of her man's ex. It simply reminded me of home, since my eldest sister never arrives on time. It's her unsubtle sign of spite for my sister whom she considers mother's favorite.
My mom, of course, claims that she has no preferred offspring and I believe her. Nevertheless, I've never understood how a seeming lack of consideration for a houseful of people waiting to eat is supposed to be an endearing action. I am the most patient in my clan but even I'm no fan of waiting to chow down on dinner. Luckily, my mother no longer attempts turkey and instead makes roast of pork that usually isn't dried out from the overtime in the oven.
My friend asked me afterwards if I felt she hid her disdain for this chick being a good couple of hours late. I had to be honest it wasn't exactly a mystery how she was feeling unimpressed. It didn't help that her boyfriend's family opens gifts one by one while everyone else watches. All the other gifts had been opened so we had to sit and watch the latecomer open all of hers, while everyone else only had the few to do that she had brought in exchange.
I thought after meeting the ex that my friend was a far better match. Obviously, I'm biased but I'm also impressed that my friend's beau had the sense to know that just because he and the other girl had lived together since high school they weren't destined to last forever. I have a cousin whose boyfriend moved in with my aunt and uncle during his late teens when he couldn't get along with his own parents. Those two got married and frankly, no one in the rest of the extended family thinks it was for the best.
For myself, I went out on Saturday night and Christmas Eve for the first time in weeks. I had a good time. I even managed to meet someone new that I'll probably see again. Although judging from the other people I talked to over the weekend out, I'm not completely convinced that holiday hookups are a great way to find someone for the long term. It's as if everybody is toting some gift-wrapped emotional baggage around and that's not something I like to unwrap too soon.
Anyway, less than three days and I have no concrete New Year's Eve plans!
Posted by Will at January 8, 2007 12:46 PM
