Discovering Perspective

No one has expressed preference one way or another so the Latke Party shall be Saturday December 11 around 6pm. Anyone who wants to come before that to assist with potato peeling and to learn the secret of latke making are welcome to do so. Also anyone who wants to bring other snack like food or desserts are welcome to do so but it is not necessary.

Yes, it is once again that time of year where I get to point out to all of my friends who are complaining that they are stuck in Ottawa until a few days before Christmas because of exams that at least they get to go home for their holidays. I get to prepare for final crits, write an exam, prepare for another exam and finish my painting and video during my holiday.

But I'm not bitter.

Of course this news is good for everyone else who patiently await the return of the Latke Party. For those of you who missed it the past two years, the Latke Party is the event where I get to spend all day peeling potatoes so that I can make latkes galore. Still don't know what I am talking about? Look here. But, basically speaking, Jewish holiday equals tasty artery clogging food (except for Yom Kippur that is). And it is a mitzvah (good deed) to invite people into your home to share in the festivities.

The evening of Saturday December 11 appears to be the strongest contender for dates on which to hold this event. Second choice would be Sunday December 12 early afternoon. If people could give me some feedback on what time is most convenient, I will get things organized and let everyone in on the details.

I was at a friend's place for a dinner party last night and I've been a bit grumpy since. The evening was pleasant but it brings up two big contradicting issues.

1. I don't really like social gatherings and having to play nice.
2. I wish I had time to see people more often. I feel kind of lonely.

I think I've come to some sort of reconciliation of these two issues. I need to go out with people in smaller groups. Double-dates for instance. I've only ever done it a few times but really enjoyed them. They're more intimate and actually feel like you're interacting with the other people. You don't usually resort to talking about the weather I find.

I really miss intelligent conversations. I haven't sat down over a cup of tea with someone to talk about anything interesting in a long time. Every conversation seems to be a joke lately. Mostly just filler to pass the time and interrupt the silence. I keep getting inspired to converse but am lacking the opportunity to do anything about it.

During the school term I don't get to see anyone. And when I do, it's back to square one. All the social connections made during the summer to the point of having people say "Oh, Sarah, I've been meaning to ask your opinion about..." or "I heard this the other day and thought it would interest you" are faded away and back to trying to forced conversations about "So, what've you been up to?"

The depressing part is not knowing when I will have the opportunity again. I am stuck in school late this year for exams, including missing all of Hanukkah. By the time I'm done with exams and get to go home, I'll only get to be there for a week which will be spent running around to various family gatherings. Usually I get to be home for at least two weeks, giving me time to settle in and enjoy the hominess. Then back to Ottawa for maybe two or three days before school starts. So I miss out on all the friends' gatherings. Then school for four months and then who knows what happens when I graduate.

Figured I should add my comment to the list. You know, the one that you repeat every time someone else brings up the American election around you. We've all formulated our tape-recorded response and play at each of these occasions.

What do you think about the American election?

*tape recorder rewinds*
>play

"I think that if a) the Americans claim to be the leaders of the free world and b) they believe in the democratic system where the people elect their representatives. . . then all the people of the free world should be allowed to vote for the American President. Right?

But actually, I think the American people should forfeit their votes to Canadians and let us elect their president for them. Or, take the example from when the Americans voted in the Canadian President back in the days of early Confederation. We Canadians should return the favour and vote in an American Prime Minister."

>stop

Entrapta- the evil Villainess from She-ra who would entangle her foe in her long flowing hair.

It's been a long time since I've organized anything for my birthday. Though it wasn't actually my birthday and I probably won't be doing anything special on the actual day, the party last night was fun.

I managed to guilt trip a decent number of people into coming out. And sharing the crowd with another birthday and Mary's usual ability to increase the crowd with her friends made for a pretty good show at Yangtze.

The food was really good. I like the lazy-susan dinner style. I like trying a bit of everything. I did however accidentally spill over into my dessert-stomach because the food was so good. (For those of you who don't know what this is: many humans, especially girls have a stomach specifically reserved for desserts. So they might be full and not finish dinner, but miraculously still want dessert.) Anyways, it was a battle to have my cake (and other cake and giant cookie) and eat it too.

As usual, the party congregated in the kitchen because a) that was where the food was, b) it was not where the computer was. Unfortunately it seemed to push people out in shifts or maybe it's just because it was a) Sunday so buses suck, b) it was a school night. So I'm willing to forgive the short-livedness of the party.

Thanks for coming everyone.

Thanks to those who wore costumes so I didn't have to be too embarrassed, though nothing stopped me from being too cold. I need to live in a warmer climate if I'm going to agree to scantily clad costumes. Brrr...