Cleaning up

X-mas celebrations have come to a close. Much fun and merriment was had with family and friends. We went with a minimalist gift theme this year as we suspect in future years we will feel obligated to spoil. Of course with the celebrations over, and guests departed, we are nearly finished with the clean up process.

Fortunately, we are not Andy, who, in anticipation of his girlfriend visiting, cleaned his bathroom and bedroom. Phil (Andy's old roommate and former st. kate's housekeeper) came to visit on the same day and inquired as to how long Andy's bathroom has been so clean. We informed him that this was the first time the bathroom had been cleaned since before Phil moved in (which I would guesstimate at around 1997). As a result, guests at Andy's annual party didn't get nearly as drunk as usual for fear that they would be the first to vomit in, on, or about Andy's freshly cleaned bathroom.

[edit] The unfortunate thing about using 'cleaning' as a theme for subject transitions is that it doesn't clarify the distinction between the end of humor, and the beginning of somber. [/edit]

Speaking of St. Kate's housekeepers, on Tuesday Heather and I attended the visitation for Dale Mrnak, a 10 year veteran of the St. Kate's housekeeping dept. It was clear by the numbers present that we won't be the only ones missing Dale. We were reassured of good things by Dale's brother who mentioned that Dale had peacefully went just in time to spend Christmas with his daughter and wife. Dale was silently honored in at least one toast (if not three) when Heather and I, Phil, Andy & Co. went to dinner at the Triple Rock Wednesday night.

Tune in next week for something more cheerful...