Family!

Yesterday, we hosted a get-together for our son's 1st birthday. It was around 24 people or so and I enjoy hosting, usually.

But let me tell you about my brother's family: yeah the one that ran out of food on Thanksgiving! His wife and his 22-year old son are just friggin' weird. There's no nice way to put it. The kid does not in the slightest grasp social nuances or graces. And his mother's semi-superior attitude has worn me to the bone.

Of course, this is after a history of "issues" with them, so as I tell this tale, bear in mind its not the first such thing.

What was originally an outdoor party became an indoor one because it got cool outside. Lasagna was the main meal and there was a lot of it so it was taking a bit longer to re-heat than expected. The masses were hungry, so I couldn't blame them for being a bit anxious to eat. However, the family I mentioned above all camped out in my 9 x 14 kitchen, getting completely underfoot and doing nothing to expedite things. When the lasagna was close, we set out bread and salad, etc. on the "buffet" table in the adjoining dining room. The son, who now has a girlfriend - how he has one is a mystery of the universe - and said girlfriend start to serve themselves. I mention, "dinner's not quite ready, you guys might want to hold off just now."

"No, we're okay." was his response and they continued to serve themselves and sit down and eat! In normal society, my statement really means "dinner is not ready, please don't start in yet" does it not? But they don't take the clue and his mom comes over and starts helping herself next! What's the proper way to tell people to stop fucking eating! My mom would do it and it would come across as rude. So we said nothing.

Dinner is finally served maybe 20 minutes later and guess who the first three persons were in line? And they ALL grabbed more bread and salad. I mean, really? Really? We had enough food - but not by too much - we expected 17. Mind you, anything that family does frustrates me and I dont' suffer fools well but I bit my tongue. I had no idea until this morning how pissed off the nearly unflappabel Mrs. Nouveau was either.

A little later, my wife asks the mom, out sister in law, if she can get her anything to drink.

"What do you have?" is the response.

My wife responded, "Well, we have beer, all different sorts of wine, margaritas, most mixed drinks, coke, diet coke, root beer, orange soda, lemonade and bottled water." Now, in text I can't do the impression my wife does of my sister-in-law, but think of the whiniest voice you can when you read she answered, "Hmmmm, well, ummmmmm......I don't really want any of that.....I guess just a water then." She seemed completely disappointed.

Unbelievable! I ask this, gentle reader and answer honestly. What is NOT on that list that any reasonable party-goer would expect to be offered? Clamato? Prune juice? Moxie? Seriously, if you're tastes are so off the beaten path for refreshments perhaps you should really bring your own. Am I wrong. Everyone else seemed to find something acceptable.

I am pretty much best friends with my brother so I really try not to say anything, but his family drives me bonkers! In fact, drives everyone bonkers.

Just Trust Me On This One

My daughter wanted to wear a pretty summer dress today with white tights underneath. When she couldn't find any tights, she decided to pull her knee socks up to mid-thigh.

I struggled to explain to her why that's not a good look for an 8-year-old. Needless to say, she did NOT go to school like that.

Blog-It

A bunch of my blogger labels are screwey! I don't need this shit. I barely have/make time to blog as it is, let along fix stuff.

Fans

But my little girl wants to come watch me play softball tonight. That's kind of cool to have her tag along. It'll be fun to show her that her old man's not half bad even if he's not what he once was, you know?

She's in her 2nd year playing and has been progressing leaps and bounds. She's one of the better ones on the team, knows it, yet wants to practice to get even better so I'm helping her with that. She's even slightly interested in watching baseball on TV to learn more about it.

At least the weather's spectacular. Wish me luck.

Hang it Up?

Softball begins tomorrow night. I think for the first time in my life I'm not looking forward to it in the slightest. I know they're going to want me to play outfield and, frankly, my old bones and muscles can't do it anymore. Yet, I seem to be the best option they have.

My mind still harkens back to playing tournament level games where I wasn't sure I belonged and marveled at the talent levels of those around me. In retrospect, I must have belonged because I was asked to play by the team owners and its not like they didn't have choices. For the most part I played quite well. I've also played for many local, talented teams who've gone on to the championship.

Now I'm jaded. I sit and marvel at the inablility of my teamates and their general lack of baseball knowledge as a whole. I've tried ahrd and adapted a bit over the years and try to make it more fun than competitive yet I'm getting to the point where I don't feel I can be competitive. I even fear embarrassing myself out there.

I know I can't do what I could or really even come close to it. I really want to be the guy the team can depend on and I feel I have been to this point. But I'm not sure I can be in the future. Hell, I was sore after practicing with my daughter on Sunday. Practicing!

I'll be 45 this year. I've said it before but have yet to follow through on it, but I think after this year I'm done.