Yesterday, we spent Thanksgiving with ellipticcurve and her family, including her folks, her sister and brother-in-law, and his family. This entry is a collection of unordered thoughts about the day, some thankfuls and thankyous, and some forward-looking statements1.
First and foremost, a gigantic Thank You to ellipticcurve‘s family, who are wonderful people. We truly felt like part of the family, and would love to have these folks over to our house to entertain. You can’t always say that about friend’s parents. We can see where ellipticcurve gets it from.
One thing we did yesterday that I could never get my family to do is board gaming (well, perhaps now I could since I’ve introduced a few younger cousins to it). Over the day yesterday, we played 10 Days in Africa, Carcassone, Power Grid, Ticket to Ride, Coloretto, Metro, and Chez Geek. Loads ‘o fun.
It’s amazing how circles connect with circles. We had some friends up here Wednesday night that went to school with my wife back when she went to Santa Clara University. Yesterday, we mentioned their names to ellipticcurve‘s sister’s in-laws. Turns out they know them and live near them!
The food yesterday was delightful. ellipticcurve and S&F made two pies: apple and pumpkin. Her folks make a variety of goodies, including a wild turkey from their own property. There was also a delightful very-garlicky prime rib.
So, if you couldn’t tell by now, my family is very thankful that the fates have brought ellipticcurve into our lives. In a year and a half, she has become a truly close friend and part of our family. Although there is an age difference, she has help my family open up and meet new people (we had tended to be isolating within the same set of friends for a long time); and in return, I believe, she has also acquired new friends. A true win-win.
A few other “thankfuls”:
- I’m thankful that I grew closer to my father over the last year, and that I had made the decision to spend time with him in early October. That day will be my last memory of spending time with him. I’m thankful that he was there for me all of my life.
- I’m thankful that through this process I have grown closer to my stepmother (who I can now call that, instead of my father’s wife). As many of you will not understand why I say that, you need to know that my father remarried when I was 31, out of town, with no real ceremony. Thus, I never knew her as a mother, but as my father’s wife.
- I’m thankful for my my lovely wife and my daughter. Even though both can be pains at times (and I’m sure they will say the same about me), they understand my foibles and ideosynchracies, and we are truly there for each other when we need it. They do truly enrich my life.
- I’m thankful for my family: I’ve gotten to know them better through this year. There are quite a few good people out there.
- I’m thankful for my friends: both the ones I have known for ages (and see far too rarely), and the ones I’m rapidly acquiring. Without friends, one isolates, inducing depression. Being out there with people is one of the best therapies around.
- I’m thankful for my job, and the people there. I’ve been with the same company for 19 years as of December 8th. Although at times the job is frustrating, I work with the best group of people around. I have an understanding manager, which is great. Recently, I did my performance evaluation. Readers of this blog may know that this year I’ve had a little loss of focus. Although I had my typical good review, I mentioned this to my manager. He said that he understands that this periodically happens to people, and I’m still there whenever they need me to do reliably something in a crisis or to save a program. Where else can one find such management that are mensches?
Are there things I’m not thankful for? We’ll, I’m neutral on material things: I’ve earned them, so they really fall under the last thank you. Health is a mixed bag this year: I’ve had more headaches and I’ve got this d*** irritated nerve, but I’m getting closer to getting them fixed. But all and all, things are good.
Today is something I’m looking forward to. I’m going to be meeting a bunch of folks I’ve only met over LJ, starting with mertuil, who we’ll visit on our way up to Davis. We’ll be meeting a mixed bunch of friends for lunch; by mixed, I mean a variety of roadgeeks from my hobby (two folks with highway pages plus the Caltrans History librarian (perhaps)) and a bunch of ellipticcurve‘s friends from Davis and Pranksters. Dinner tonight will be a Shabbat Dinner with Rabbi Nosan-Blank, Mr. Lucky2, and their new little one. Saturday is meeting even more folks at Dickens Faire.
Well, it will shortly be time to go start waking folks up (I’m the early riser), so I think I’ll sign off.
1. Certain sections of this blog contain forward-looking statements that are based on management’s expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “scheduled,” “estimates” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which include but are not limited to projections of revenues, earnings, segment performance, cash flows, contract awards, aircraft production, deliveries and backlog stability. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results and trends may differ materially from what is forecast in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors.
2. Why “Mr. Lucky”? When Sheryl got married, we said to her: “We know that normally a Rabbi’s wife is called a rebbetzin. So what do you call a Rabbi’s husband. Her reply was, “Lucky”. Hence the name!.
Note: This entry was originally posted on Observations Along The Road (on cahighways.org) as this entry by California Highway Guy. You may comment either here or there (where there are 
