Merry Christmas

Last night was one of the better evenings of the year.
My four roommates and I cooked a huge feast together.
We made a Turkey with a fantastic citrus herb basting, Sauteed Potato, Onion, and Mushroom in an extraordinary Garlic, Herb, and butter sauce. Sesame Ginger Broccoli from scratch, Cranberry Sauce, and Fresh Baked Rolls topped it off. We shared the meal over a nice bottle of wine or sparkling grape juice depending upon age or conviction.

After dinner we exchanged gifts by the Christmas tree and each guy got a gift that specifically fit him. Nate E. received wind pants for his attempt to run a 26 mile marathon. Nate Y. received a new golf glove and 15 Top Flight Balls, Jim Bartley took home a new ping pong paddle, Diddy got Johnny Cash's greatest hits and a Star Wars Action figure battle set, and I picked up "Unleashed," featuring Jet Li and 75 extra long golf tees. It was a sweet time.

Following the gift giving we set up around the kitchen table and played poker together for 5 hours. Sadly, Diddy took us to town and went to bed $50.00 richer. He paid back Nate E. for beating him up in a wrestling match earlier that night by going all in without ever looking at his hand and beat Nate's Jack pair with a 2 pair of 7's and 2's. Later Diddy outwitted me and got the best of my temper, it was a fiery game. Definitely a good time had by all, and a fantstic Christmas tradition to begin.

Oh yeah, keeping in line with the bittersweet reality of life, Nate Young's axle broke as he was pulling out of our driveway to go get Matt Hamp's poker chips. You can be praying that Nate can get it fixed soon and cheap. He had just taken it into the shop for front end work and they said it was fine. He's heading down there to let them know what's up today.