we celebrated christmas eve eve eve eve eve eve eve last night at my aunt's house. my sister's new boyfriend was there, and, let me tell you, it has never been so much of a pleasure to meet one individual. he is the polar opposite of her ex-boyfriend mitch. he was social, funny, respectful, gentlemanly, and good with the kids. he knew how to make conversation with my father, and he was totally at ease with the family, which is a feat to be applauded. my mother's family is insane. she and her four sisters are the five of the six most dysfunctional women in the entire world, the sixth being my grandmother, who is indeed the most self-centered, obnoxious, ignorant woman on the entire planet. how can i say these things about my own grandmother, you ask? well, it's simple. i hate her.

anyhow, after the family party, chris and i went out with my cousin lisa and a few of her friends. marcia and her boyfriend came along as well. my underage sister handled herself quite well at the bar, and i got to talk to her boyfriend a little more. i just can't sing his praises loud enough; it's such a relief to know that my sister has finally found someone who not only treats her well, but can get along so swimmingly with her family. my sister deserves the best. maybe this dude's not the best, but he's certainly in the running.

chris and i spent the night at my cousin's townhome, which is exactly one block from my parent's house. you stand outside on the second floor balcony, and, bam, there's my parent's yard. it's a little disconcerting. i slept surprisingly well on the couch after nearly having a stroke when the dog wouldn't get off my comforter. i like to pet dogs in, say, the park. i don't like dogs around me in living areas. is it the smell, the barking, the wet tongue, the puddles of urine and barf? can't say. what i can say, though, is that i had a very nice evening. even though i have an unnatural, unhealthy hatred towards my grandmother. if i could further explain why without having a nervous breakdown, i would. instead, i will say that as years go on, i understand my own mother more and more. and it makes my heart hurt.