Festivus Gathering

We had my brother over last night, along with his kids. 4M, his wife and their wine joined us as well. Since I’ve known 4M for 55 years, and my brother for longer, we had a lot of material for the airing of the grievances. Dinner was two huge pans of lasagna and Caesar salad. We always provide a vegetarian option because we are woke. My brother brought a dessert from a North Beach bakery and my niece, the pastry chef, made a pumpkin cheesecake. The third dessert was a panettone that my sister had express delivered to us from Sleepy Hollow. You are not supposed to eat anything bigger than your head, which the panettone was, but we bucked conventional wisdom.

I missed a call from The Wig yesterday. He was probably just letting me know my Christmas gift was on the way. He got a mention in our annual letter, so he couldn’t be beefing about that.  I’ll give him a shout once I’m done with this post.

Tonight, we have a few members of the FC crew coming over.  For several years we had a large gathering of villagers on Christmas Eve.  I think we peaked at about 28 guests one year, probably back in the mid-2010s. This year The Hoteliers are in Oakhurst and #1 and Barbie are in Houston. It is not really a legit blog post if I don’t mention #1.

Christmas Day will be just the family, including LGMG’s parents and sister. My wife went out to find the most expensive turkey extant and I believe she is under the impression that I am going to help her brine it today. The festivities will continue Thursday night as we head into the city for dinner at the Liholiho Yacht Club. It is nowhere near water, but the food is good.

My pal JB is telling me that she didn’t receive my Christmas letter and is concerned that she has been axed from the list.  Her concern is valid, but she did make the cut this year. Hers should have gone out in the first batch I sent, so I blame the USPS. Plus, she lives in Florida now, so maybe some Florida Man raided her mailbox. I sent her a digital version, so I expect we’ll exchange 10 emails or so today. 

Outgoing Senator Joe Manchin had his own grievances to air, torching the Democratic Party as “toxic”. That’s rich, given its opposition is led by one of the most execrable human beings on the planet. I wonder what he thinks of Dear Leader making noises about taking over the block of ice that is Greenland. I want Agent Orange to focus on bringing grocery prices down, although he has admitted it will be “very hard”. Joe, don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

Kim Kardashian gifted us with her version of Santa Baby, which many people are calling “disturbing” and “demonic”. I’ve decided to keep the vibes positive and stay as far away from it as possible. I’m hoping Khloe and Kourtney will do their version of Jingle Bells to lighten the mood.

I remain in third place in the football pool, which has a $430 payout. 4th place is only one game behind me, so I gotta bring my A game these next two weeks. For your consideration, my week 17 picks.

KC Bal Sea LAC Cin LAR Ind Buf Ten Min NO TB Mia Phi Was Det