Holiday Wrap Up 2018
Every year we forget how much work goes into making Christmas conform to the ideal- the decorations, the tree, gifts, food, friends and family. By the time the kids are asleep on Christmas Eve, it's been weeks of preparation. End of semester activities and the ubiquitous Christmas concerts and plays. Shopping, wrapping and shipping. Coordinating employee schedules for vacation time, and finishing up the last projects that can't wait until after New Years.
And it was a good Christmas for all that. It was worth it. The presents brought delight, the food was exquisite, and much good cheer was shared. My memories of Christmas as a child were always happy and full of the things that we now provide to our children. But now I know how much work my parents went through for us!
My wife gave me a very fine watch, one I had had my eye on for a while, and something I'll make a blog post about soon. In turn, I gave my wife some fancy boots which do not fit, so we'll have to make a trip to exchange them. The kids got Lego and books and Tamagotchi- yes, they still make them and the kids really enjoy taking care of the low-res digital pets. We also got an Instant Pot for fast weeknight meals, and I can confirm that ribs come out quickly and very tender.
The only missing piece was not celebrating with the extended family due to work circumstances. Next year we'll rectify that.
New Years was celebrated quietly in our house as we do every year. Just too worn out from all the Christmas festivities. I did make a ham, which is the ultimate low-effort, high-reward holiday meal. And I learned how to make a Singapore Sling which is worth having to buy a bottle of creme de cassis even though I don't know a single other cocktail that uses it.
I generally don't make resolutions, because if I should be doing something differently but only wait until the New Year to start them, I probably won't do them. But I am going to try to blog more this year, especially my little forays into creative writing. I know they are goofy and forgettable, but they flex my imagination in ways my normal life don't, and I think it helps keep me sharp. So maybe there will be more of that in 2019.
Predictions? Politics will get worse because we as a people are getting worse. Excitement in new technology will continue to turn to fear and dread of the social transformations it brings. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get the gutters fixed. Iowa State will beat University of Iowa. My oldest will get his drivers license and my youngest will pick a strawberry for the first time.
And it was a good Christmas for all that. It was worth it. The presents brought delight, the food was exquisite, and much good cheer was shared. My memories of Christmas as a child were always happy and full of the things that we now provide to our children. But now I know how much work my parents went through for us!
My wife gave me a very fine watch, one I had had my eye on for a while, and something I'll make a blog post about soon. In turn, I gave my wife some fancy boots which do not fit, so we'll have to make a trip to exchange them. The kids got Lego and books and Tamagotchi- yes, they still make them and the kids really enjoy taking care of the low-res digital pets. We also got an Instant Pot for fast weeknight meals, and I can confirm that ribs come out quickly and very tender.
The only missing piece was not celebrating with the extended family due to work circumstances. Next year we'll rectify that.
New Years was celebrated quietly in our house as we do every year. Just too worn out from all the Christmas festivities. I did make a ham, which is the ultimate low-effort, high-reward holiday meal. And I learned how to make a Singapore Sling which is worth having to buy a bottle of creme de cassis even though I don't know a single other cocktail that uses it.
I generally don't make resolutions, because if I should be doing something differently but only wait until the New Year to start them, I probably won't do them. But I am going to try to blog more this year, especially my little forays into creative writing. I know they are goofy and forgettable, but they flex my imagination in ways my normal life don't, and I think it helps keep me sharp. So maybe there will be more of that in 2019.
Predictions? Politics will get worse because we as a people are getting worse. Excitement in new technology will continue to turn to fear and dread of the social transformations it brings. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get the gutters fixed. Iowa State will beat University of Iowa. My oldest will get his drivers license and my youngest will pick a strawberry for the first time.
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