The First Day of Christmas

I woke up at 3a this morning with a splitting headache and no idea where I was. Once I figured out the where, I tried concentrating on the how. That proved pointless, so I fell back to sleep instead.

Yes, my first day of Christmas had happened. I was home in Wisconsin to spend a week with the family, and all the delightful ridiculousness that they have to offer. And of course I was already suffering for it.

As the story goes, I basically needed to be carried to bed. By my father. Now, another person might be completely mortified by this; I of course think it is hysterical. Apparently I did last night too, as my mom says, "I went laughing all the way".

So let's back up a bit. I landed in Appleton-ton around 11a and was whisked around the area by my dad. We ran errands and had lunch, and just had a nice time catching up. Then home to spend a few hours with my mom before my siblings and their kids descended.

Instead of a nap, I ran a couple miles on their treadmill. That may have been grave mistake number one. You see, I had only slept for about 90 minutes the evening before. Of course I was unconscious for both my flights, but the distance from Raleigh doesn't provide a great opportunity to actually "sleep". With that said, I should have napped. I should have napped. I should have napped.

By 7p, all but one of my fabulous siblings were over. We drank, we ate, we laughed, we talked about my crazy life, and then we drank some more. We started with the requisite old fashioneds and then evolved into the Goose. There is at least one more grave error in here somewhere.

Fast forward...I am running through the cold...alone...from my brother's house. Now curled up in a chair with a glass of wine by my side (most grave of the grave mistakes), and completely asleep. I am told that even tickling didn't make me move, so my dad basically just hauled me up out of the chair and put my laughing, smiling, laughing self to bed.

When I awoke at 3a, I seriously had no idea where I was. For starters I was on the wrong side of the bed, I was surrounded by pillows and a stuffed scary Santa Claus, and I was hot. Then panicked. Then I simply started laughing again and figured someone dear to me would fill me in during the daylight.

Thanks family. Christmas 2009 has officially, delightfully, painfully, begun.

Slice me in Half

Is it fine to steal the words and feelings that are evoked from your friends and call them your own? Let's just say...yes. Yes, it is. Ah, the amazing power of friends in faraway places, and the freaking annoying spirit of Christmas. Makes my judgement a little less clear and my person a little more visceral.

I am coming off the heels of some amazing days, and I keep catching myself being a little happy, drunk, and sentimental. Possibly due to the upcoming holiday, perhaps leftover festive debauchery, or probably some combination which also includes a touch of remorse and nostalgia.

My dearest and "secret" friend in the Philippines sent me an email that was part update and part reminiscent. It sent me into simultaneous laughter and hysterical tears as it made me miss her painfully and wish for things I am not certain I want.

I won't divulge all our secrets but here are some passages that hit me hardest. I apologize in advance if she wants me to be less transparent, but the images were just too "present" not to share. It thrust me back into my former life like a sudden punch to the sternum.

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I am keeping myself awake for the next few hours so that I can sleep at the appropriate time, so that I can wake up when I'm supposed to. (You remember how that works.)

Last night, I had dinner with friends. We laughed so much, the kind that catches you by surprise and slices you in half. We went to this old house converted to a restaurant in Quezon City, alien territory. You would have liked it, it was full of kitchy Filipino mementos from the 1940's and paintings by local artists. I woke up this morning still chuckling. Shaking my head over how crazy my life is now and how crazy my friends have always been.

My dad got a book published - a collection of poetry. It is disturbingly brilliant and profound. I have a copy for you. You will get it when I see you next.

I ended up sorting through drawers and found your name plate, the one my team had stolen from your former office and given me.

I'm babbling, I know. I guess these are random things I would tell you if you were sitting next to me and we were having a bottle (or three) of wine. I just wanted to drop you a note to tell you that you are missed and thought of often.
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I have had more than a few moments lately where laughter has "sliced me in half". I am so grateful for those people than have that affect on me. I am also grateful to those that can make my heart skip...those across the country, around the world, and more than a few right here in my own city.

Let the slicing commence.