Fresh Snowfall

Parties tire me out - there is no purpose to focus on and you are expected to smile a lot.  However, another library volunteer Dee reminded me of the Friends of the Library Christmas party this week.  I tried to beg out but she promised me - promised me - that I'd have a good time.  This particular party has the added requirement of bringing a finger food to pass and a generic $10 gift to give.   Dee happily greeted me when I walked in for the party.    Before the festivities begin, the Friends hold a perfunctory meeting.  Something must have occurred before the meeting because the president, treasurer, and clerk were angry w/ each other.  They even snapped at the rest of us if we asked anything.  Dee looked over at me and  buried her head in her hands.  I knew what she was pantomiming - this uncomfortable situation was not what she'd promised.  After the meeting we moved tables around to eat.  Sitting next to the elected officials seemed like a bad idea so I chose a back table.  Unfortunately the conversation there quickly turned to twisted bowels and recent operations for same.  Great dining convsation.  Heard a choke and looked over at Dee.  She was at the next table stifling a laugh.  For games we moved tables again: end to end.  Everyone sat w/ a wrapped present on the table in front of them.   The game was to shake a die and, dependent on the number, everyone passed their present left, right, or you could steal another's present.  We went around the table each shaking the die.  By the time we'd gone around once, the same gift I had started with was in front of me again (a fun little exercise in probability).  We went around again shaking the die.  Following rules can be boring so I shook the die but instead of announcing the number said "Everyone trade with the person across from you."  That was not one of the options but everyone did as they were told.  Two more times around the circle (each time I just created my own rule when it was my turn) and it was time to open up the gift in front of you.   The librarian, who sat across from me, ended up with the same present she brought so we just traded packages.   I lucked out: a windshield snow brush!   I'm not sure where my old one is and when I walked out my car was covered in snow.