BJ Not BK

We are now entering into the final weeks of the Christmas season.  Instead of peace on earth we now find ourselves running the gauntlet of shopping, gift wrapping, errand running, card mailing, bill paying, house decoration, and party going.  Oh, the parties!

There is the office party for you and the office party for the spouse.  There is your family’s party and your wife’s family party.  With the split family the schedule becomes more hectic with parties at Dad’s new home and Mom’s new home.  Not to mention visits to the grandparents and great grandparents for those of you who still have them with you.   

What is odd is that most people dread these gatherings.  Take the office party for example.  The office party use to be the time of year when everyone let lose and got really crazy, or so I am told.  You know what I mean?  The zeroxing of the be-hind, drinking too much eggnog, dancing, telling the boss what you really think.  All of these antics dated 1990 pre. P.C. (political correctness).  Now office parties are more like mandatory meetings devoid of life, sucked dry of any fun or danger.

Family get togethers are also becoming more dreaded as we continue to drift apart.  Small talk and football fills the gaps between gluttony and opening unwanted gifts, “Oh look!  Another dancing Santa doll.  How did you know?  Thanks uncle….what’s your name again?”

How do we put the life back into the parties?  How can we begin to bridge the gap between what once was and what is?  Or have we gone too far to turn back?

Either way I will see you at the annual bjnotbk black tie affair next Tuesday night.  I will be the one wearing the Tux, drinking eggnog, and holding a dancing Santa doll.