Parties and Jobs

I often think when we're trying to celebrate something with more than four people that regular jobs certainly get in the way of having fun.

Due to various commitments, my family had Christmas Eve last night -- the only time every single one of us could be there. We had great food (my contribution was chips, crackers and a block of softened cream cheese with Meg's red pepper jelly poured over it -- delicious!), and the kids were a hoot. While they were opening gifts, we somehow broke into a group chorus of "Soft Kitty" from The Big Bang Theory. My niece Kate commented, "Some families sing Christmas carols. We sing 'Soft Kitty.'"

Nephew #1 is at the age that his gifts aren't much fun in the moment -- video games, gift cards, cash. My grandson and Nephew #2 were thrilled with every package they ripped open -- lots of squeals, wows, and requests to take items out of their packages. (Have you ever noticed that toys have enough plastic ties, wires and packaging to make removing them a major ordeal?) Baby Nephew is ten months -- just old enough to like the wrapping as much as the gifts. The ornament with his initial went into his mouth every time his mom wasn't looking.

I'm still ready to see the last of the this holiday season, but for all of you out there who are feeling more elfish than I am, may you have a "Soft Kitty" Christmas.

I Love Amy Farrah Fowler

If you've been around me long, you know I'm a big Big Bang Theory fan. Not only is it the funniest show on television in a long time, it's taught me more about physics than all my years in school. (Okay, in defense of my schools, I avoided science classes like the plague. I was forced to take an intro biology class in college. I dropped out mid-semester to avoid failing, took it again, hired a tutor and squeaked out a passing grade -- barely.) Still, not only has TBBT taught me a few things, it's made me actually go out and look for physics stuff to read.

It took me a while to warm up to the character of Amy Farrah Fowler, played by Mayim Bialik, but she's a hoot. That deadpan expression, the way her character interacts with the others, the lack of emotion most of the time . . . she's just so funny.

 

And these days we need all the laughter we can get, right?