Holiday Gatherings - full of warmth and laughter
Dec. 14 - Systems Dept. party at Marco's Supper Club - Marco's shut the place down for our annual lunch (far more outsiders wandering in, looking for a table - guess business is up at Marco's - good for them) . We had mussels, spring rolls and (staff fave) fried sage leaves as appetizers. Then a range of choices for main course - I went with corn & cheese stuffed poblanos. And a range of desserts (tiramisu, chocolate cake, flan, etc.) - we just had 'em bring one of each and everyone passed 'em around the table. We also did our annual White Elephant exchange - being the "Ethel Merman voice" of the group, I acted as fearless leader to keep the exchange moving along. Many of the annual horrors (the dancing flowers; the scary lamp) along with new crap . . . er, choices. I ended up with an Alex Rodriguez doll that brought many boos and hisses - gave it to one of my staff to give her son. Problem solved - much laughter and silliness by all.
Dec. 17 - Firm party - Benaroya Hall and after-party at Kell's Pub - My day actually started much earlier with the firm's Choir - 9:00 am, to be precise. It's a firm tradition to carol on each floor as Santa and his elves (three newer attorneys enduring a type of hazing ritual) pass out pins to commemorate this year's charitable giving project. We started on the 49th floor and worked our way down (about 4 songs per floor) to 36 . . . then across the street to the group in the Galland Building. Finally finished around 11:30 am - by the last three floor, we'd told the choral director "no quiet-type songs, e.g., Silent Night" - our voices were already too far gone. But for only a single run-through (well, at least on my part - people keep scheduling meetings right over choir rehearsal), the harmonies sounded damn fine. Thank gawd I decided to sing tenor for the day - if I'd gone with alto, my voice woulda given out even sooner.
The main party at Benaroya beginning at noon with great catering, two bars and the firm's House Band playing Christmas tunes in a rocking sort of way. Never really got to eat as I spent so much time introducing newer employees to longtime firm folks (it's a dauntingly large group of folks when you're new, and everyone knows me - they spend their first day with my training staff). Still managed a few dances, including the annual spin with the Exec Director - gives people a chance to mock both of us (grin). The new lawyers did their annual "oooooh, I have to humiliate myself in front of you?" hazing ritual - not the most memorable firm skit ever, but certainly not the most embarrassing. Party wrapped up around 3:00 pm with a final glass of wine back in the lobby.
I had chance discussion with Elva (our previous party organizer having left the firm to move to another state) who was wondering where she could get some mix CDs for the after-party. I offered to let her look at the playlists I put together for Kate's wedding reception and suddenly found myself in the role of firm D.J. Thus, I spent most of the previous evening (Thurs. night) uploading a gig or so of CD tunes (and purchasing a few via iTunes). Although Elva loved the playlists, I wasn't so sure the Sinatra, Judy Garland and Fred Astaire would go over big with a holiday after-party crowd (although I remain quite proud of the Prince-to-Four Tops-to-Astaire transition on the original playlist). (grin) So I uploaded, deleted and remixed - eventually coming up with four playlists for her (each CD about 18 songs - what will comfortably burn to a single CD). So there was music a'plenty.
A new venue this year - instead of Noc Noc Club again, Elva made the executive decision to try a new place. So Kell's Irish Pub in Pike Place Market (down Post Alley) it was - their back room is large, has its own bar area (so they could focus on our folks) and is walking distance from the building. The owner was hesitant to let us play our own CDs (quote "I don't want any rap in here" unquote, said with an Irish accent). Elva convinced him to just start Disc 1 . . . and at the end, he hunted her down, complaining that he needed the next one and wanting to know if he could keep a copy of 'em. (preening) Why, yes - I do appreciate the affirmation. And the legal messengers now greet me in the hall with a shoutout, "Hey, D.J. H!" (grin) I cut out early-ish (around 7:30) in utter exhaustion and with drink starting to catch up (that's what happens when you don't eat enough throughout the day - next year, regardless of the caroling commitment, I'm eating breakfast - if I don't sing as well on a full stomach, well, too bad). Thus, I had to bow out of meeting friends at 9:00 pm at Highway 99 Blues Club to celebrate Crystal's birthday - sorry, it was just too much full-day partying for this gal!
Dec. 23 - Parade of Boats - Jesse and I attended a party at our friends Hosie and V's house on Lake Union. Their home has a wide balcony that overlooks the lake, providing a wonderful venue to watch the annual Parade of Boats. It is truly something to see 70 or more boats stream onto Lake Union through the Montlake Cut, all brightly lit up with Christmas lights. You can hear the choir from the large Argosy Tour Boat, their voices floating across the water to those of us on land. It was beautiful and peaceful and full of good friends, food and laughter. See post below (Holiday Baking) for food Jesse and I brought - highlights from others included Deviled Eggs, my friend Ann's gingerbread, and tons of other cookies and baked goods.
December 24 - annual "Christmas Eve for Jews and Orphans" at Debi and Mike's. Debi, Ann and I cooked blissfully together for three hours (no small feat for three control freaks) - prime rib, two kinds of roast vegetables, rice pilaf, and more. Apple pie, pumpkin pie, chocolate mousse tart (vegan - made with silken tofu) and more . . . . Then the dozen or so guests settled in to watch Porky's and Napolean Dynamite - quite irreverent and warm and lovely.
Christmas Day was Jesse and I at home with the annual "Wandering To and From the Neighbors" - we had delivered the loaves of cranberry-orange bread we bake each year over the previous couple of days, so those who still had some left were able to enjoy that for Christmas Breakfast. Jesse and I had planned a frittata, but got lazy. So plain scrambled eggs with onions and corn (her favorite) along with Yukon Gold potatoes. Yummm . . .
We opened gifts with her dad Albert on speaker phone from California and the "Blue Yule" and "Women sing Holiday Tunes" CDs on in the background - it was good family time. We then had Grandma on speaker phone to discuss said gifts and hear about Christmas Eve in CA at George and LeeAnn's. I'm glad to hear everyone liked the gifts we sent. Then Jesse was off to visit neighbors and hear what everyone else got.
We watched more movies and made a huge Christmas feast (far more than two can eat, but that's okay - we "ate from the pot" for the next 3-4 from the leftovers).
More posts to follow about my week off leading up to New Year's, plus summary and reviews of all the movies watched this holiday season. Hope everyone had many loving friends and family with whom to share their holidays.
Dec. 17 - Firm party - Benaroya Hall and after-party at Kell's Pub - My day actually started much earlier with the firm's Choir - 9:00 am, to be precise. It's a firm tradition to carol on each floor as Santa and his elves (three newer attorneys enduring a type of hazing ritual) pass out pins to commemorate this year's charitable giving project. We started on the 49th floor and worked our way down (about 4 songs per floor) to 36 . . . then across the street to the group in the Galland Building. Finally finished around 11:30 am - by the last three floor, we'd told the choral director "no quiet-type songs, e.g., Silent Night" - our voices were already too far gone. But for only a single run-through (well, at least on my part - people keep scheduling meetings right over choir rehearsal), the harmonies sounded damn fine. Thank gawd I decided to sing tenor for the day - if I'd gone with alto, my voice woulda given out even sooner.
The main party at Benaroya beginning at noon with great catering, two bars and the firm's House Band playing Christmas tunes in a rocking sort of way. Never really got to eat as I spent so much time introducing newer employees to longtime firm folks (it's a dauntingly large group of folks when you're new, and everyone knows me - they spend their first day with my training staff). Still managed a few dances, including the annual spin with the Exec Director - gives people a chance to mock both of us (grin). The new lawyers did their annual "oooooh, I have to humiliate myself in front of you?" hazing ritual - not the most memorable firm skit ever, but certainly not the most embarrassing. Party wrapped up around 3:00 pm with a final glass of wine back in the lobby.
I had chance discussion with Elva (our previous party organizer having left the firm to move to another state) who was wondering where she could get some mix CDs for the after-party. I offered to let her look at the playlists I put together for Kate's wedding reception and suddenly found myself in the role of firm D.J. Thus, I spent most of the previous evening (Thurs. night) uploading a gig or so of CD tunes (and purchasing a few via iTunes). Although Elva loved the playlists, I wasn't so sure the Sinatra, Judy Garland and Fred Astaire would go over big with a holiday after-party crowd (although I remain quite proud of the Prince-to-Four Tops-to-Astaire transition on the original playlist). (grin) So I uploaded, deleted and remixed - eventually coming up with four playlists for her (each CD about 18 songs - what will comfortably burn to a single CD). So there was music a'plenty.
A new venue this year - instead of Noc Noc Club again, Elva made the executive decision to try a new place. So Kell's Irish Pub in Pike Place Market (down Post Alley) it was - their back room is large, has its own bar area (so they could focus on our folks) and is walking distance from the building. The owner was hesitant to let us play our own CDs (quote "I don't want any rap in here" unquote, said with an Irish accent). Elva convinced him to just start Disc 1 . . . and at the end, he hunted her down, complaining that he needed the next one and wanting to know if he could keep a copy of 'em. (preening) Why, yes - I do appreciate the affirmation. And the legal messengers now greet me in the hall with a shoutout, "Hey, D.J. H!" (grin) I cut out early-ish (around 7:30) in utter exhaustion and with drink starting to catch up (that's what happens when you don't eat enough throughout the day - next year, regardless of the caroling commitment, I'm eating breakfast - if I don't sing as well on a full stomach, well, too bad). Thus, I had to bow out of meeting friends at 9:00 pm at Highway 99 Blues Club to celebrate Crystal's birthday - sorry, it was just too much full-day partying for this gal!
Dec. 23 - Parade of Boats - Jesse and I attended a party at our friends Hosie and V's house on Lake Union. Their home has a wide balcony that overlooks the lake, providing a wonderful venue to watch the annual Parade of Boats. It is truly something to see 70 or more boats stream onto Lake Union through the Montlake Cut, all brightly lit up with Christmas lights. You can hear the choir from the large Argosy Tour Boat, their voices floating across the water to those of us on land. It was beautiful and peaceful and full of good friends, food and laughter. See post below (Holiday Baking) for food Jesse and I brought - highlights from others included Deviled Eggs, my friend Ann's gingerbread, and tons of other cookies and baked goods.
December 24 - annual "Christmas Eve for Jews and Orphans" at Debi and Mike's. Debi, Ann and I cooked blissfully together for three hours (no small feat for three control freaks) - prime rib, two kinds of roast vegetables, rice pilaf, and more. Apple pie, pumpkin pie, chocolate mousse tart (vegan - made with silken tofu) and more . . . . Then the dozen or so guests settled in to watch Porky's and Napolean Dynamite - quite irreverent and warm and lovely.
Christmas Day was Jesse and I at home with the annual "Wandering To and From the Neighbors" - we had delivered the loaves of cranberry-orange bread we bake each year over the previous couple of days, so those who still had some left were able to enjoy that for Christmas Breakfast. Jesse and I had planned a frittata, but got lazy. So plain scrambled eggs with onions and corn (her favorite) along with Yukon Gold potatoes. Yummm . . .
We opened gifts with her dad Albert on speaker phone from California and the "Blue Yule" and "Women sing Holiday Tunes" CDs on in the background - it was good family time. We then had Grandma on speaker phone to discuss said gifts and hear about Christmas Eve in CA at George and LeeAnn's. I'm glad to hear everyone liked the gifts we sent. Then Jesse was off to visit neighbors and hear what everyone else got.
We watched more movies and made a huge Christmas feast (far more than two can eat, but that's okay - we "ate from the pot" for the next 3-4 from the leftovers).
More posts to follow about my week off leading up to New Year's, plus summary and reviews of all the movies watched this holiday season. Hope everyone had many loving friends and family with whom to share their holidays.
posted by honora | 9:02 AM
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