Monday, December 08, 2003

Office Christmas Parties Always Suck But surprisingly, the one I went to last Friday night didn't. Of all the years I taught in Eagle Pass, I only went to one staff Christmas party.  I couldn't stand the awkwardness of standing around with people I really don't know that well, trying to have a good time in spite of the fact that we would hardly speak to each other at work.  Plus morale was usually so bad that turn-out was horrible at these things anyway.  Nothing says Christmas spirit more than less than ten percent of the staff bothering to show up. So with some reservations, I decided to attend The Baumholder American High School Staff Christmas Party (wow, doesn't that sound formal?) held at the restaurant up at Burg Lichtenberg last Friday night.  Nothing like having a meal in a German fortress.  Bonus for it being a damn good meal.  I think I've finally found a place I can take folks to who come visit.  So if you do decide to ever trek out here and see Germany, I have this great place to show you. Mainly we had dinner.  Mine was a really good steak with baked potatoes.  Not one baked potato, but two mini ones.  Never had something like that before.  Also had a fantastic bowl of onion soup and ice cream with hot cherries for dessert.  Oh, and there was a beer or two involved in there somewhere. We also had a gift exchange.  One of those deals where you go and pick a present off a table or take a present that someone else has already chosen before you.  I think we had the rules screwed up because it took way longer than it should have, though it was great fun.  I never would have guessed what the most sought after gift would be:  a tool set.  That tool set changed hands more often than a joint at a Bob Marley concert.  Here are a few other pictures from that night, showing myself and some of the other folks I work with.  They're a great group of people and I really did enjoy spending a few hours with them on a cold night up at the fort on the hill. Walking up to the fortress. Another shot of the fortress at night. Me chatting with Melody and Rod. Radley and Andrea, who is hiding a kid in there somewhere. My boss, Mr. Calabria, arrives and takes a number for the gift exchange. Maybe someone's hands were cold... Joy, Shirley, and Terri get into the Christmas spirit...or spirits. Meg and Heidi show up and get photographed before they even have a chance to get settled in. The big guy decided to sit next to the new guy. Rod lost in thought -- or trying to decide whether to order another beer or not. Rod is the first to hold the tools.  He wouldn't hold them for long. Decisions, decisions. Related Sites: Burg Lichtenberg:  official site with info on the burg and the restaurant Who to avoid at the office Christmas party 9:48:06 PM     |

© Copyright 2005 Alex L. Mauldin.