"Do you know what they're calling the mulattoes now? Halfricans."

That comment pretty much sums up why I hate visiting. (And people, in general.)

I only have to do it once a year. I make my holiday rounds and then I barely see any of these people over the next 365 days. And truth be told, the amount of requisite visiting has been whittled down considerably since my mom's last divorce and the loss of all my grandparents. Neither side of my family is particularly close. I can't remember the last time I saw my aunts and uncle on my dad's side. But nevertheless. Too much visiting.

I don't bother to fight. There is no point. I would never laugh good-naturedly in the interests of "making nice," but neither would I attempt to correct such idiocy and ignorance. Maybe that's wrong of me. But I prefer to find others who are like-minded rather than trying to sway the profoundly stupid. Yes, I'd leave that fucking cave and never look back, if it were me.

But altogether, not a bad holiday season. Last night we did the traditional gathering at Pat & Rick's -- I decided this year I did not want to get into a metaphysical discussion with Uncle Rick, because I didn't want to come back wanting to tell someone they'd love my Uncle Rick; and I decided I was over that teenage thing of wanting to fit in with the adults, and spent most of the night playing video games with my cousins. They're a lot more fun anyway.

Aside from the asshole who made the comment (and countless like it) which started us off, Christmas with Dad was wonderful, as well. Everyone seemed less than disgusted with my vegan cranberry-orange bread; I received, among other things, a Laverne cardigan on the plus side, and a velour sweatsuit on the how-old-do-they-think-I-am?? side; my dad made me a white Russian. Doesn't get much better, really.

We didn't exchange any presents with Mom this year, per her request. So we slept in until about 1pm Christmas day. Mom decided she wasn't in the mood to make lasagna, so we had Chinese take-out for dinner. I kid you not. The vegetable lo mein was excellent.

Anyway, I hope your holiday celebrations were wonderful and not too marred by hopelessly ignorant relatives. Joy to the world, peace on Earth &c, though that goes every day of the year.

<3 Lauren