Sunday and why I don't like big dinners

Why yes, it happens to be Sunday here in America on this day. And I was very busy this particular Sunday.

I got my Christmas tree. And apparently, everyone else in the world was also buying their Christmas tree at Home Depot too. One of my friends, who I don't feel like naming, was there with her family. And my math teacher was there. That was kind of awkward. Whenever you see a teacher out of school is a bit awkward.

And I had my piano recital today. I didn't do badly, but I didn't do very well either. And the last person to go did amazingly. It was just awesome. And I really need to play the song he played now, just to prove that I can do it better.

And then my grandparents, both sets, came and had dinner with us. I don't really like big dinners. I never really have, especially with my grandparents for many reasons.

Reason 1: Waiting.

I prefer eating whatever is in front of me as quickly as possible then going back to what I was doing previously. But with big dinners, you have to sit at the table until everyone finishes. And most people don't eat as quickly as I do for some reason. They think it's fun to sit and talk while they eat, which is crazy if you ask me. You're forced to sit at the table for possibly hours on end.

Reason 2: They try to talk to you.

I'm not always a very social person. I often prefer listening over talking. And most of the time with your grandparents, you can listen, or pretend to listen and just zone out, to them talking about their childhood or when your parents were kids and stuff like that. But sometimes they'll ask you questions. Not just 'active listening' questions, where you can just say yes or no, or nod your head, but something like "What have you been doing lately?" or "How many words do you have yet [from NaNo]?". If you just nod your head, they'll be pretty confused. You actually have to come out of your zoning out and think and then answer the questions. And many times they'll ask you at the most awkward times, like when you just shoved a ton of mashed potatoes in your mouth. You're forced to either talk with your mouth full, or make them wait until you swallow, which depending on how much you took, could take a very long time.

Reason 3: They try to make jokes.

Personally, I think jokes are pretty funny sometimes. But jokes that your grandparents tell? No. Of course not. They're usually really corny, have some sort of reference to something from 20 years ago, or totally confusing. So you're forced to give a fake laugh. Or smile. Or they're making fun of someone at the table. Most of the time with your grandparents, unless you're really close to them, it is not fun when they make fun of someone at the table. It's even worse when it's you. They try to make it funny, but it's really not. It can be like that with other people too.

Reason 4: They're forgetful.

Yes, Alzheimer's. It's a horrible disease. In the beginning, you just start becoming forgetful. I personally know what that's like. I sometimes find myself somewhere not knowing how I got there or what happened before. It's pretty much terrifying. And I forget stuff too and ask the same thing twice on occasion. But when your grandmother asks you 4 times in a row what grade your in, realizes that your sister isn't playing in the recital 5 times, and discovers that her jacket is navy blue and doesn't match her black pants (The jacket was actually black. She's probably colorblind too.) and that she's not wearing any lipstick 6 times, I think that is a little much. I wish I had been exagerating right there, but I wasn't.


So that is why I do not like big dinners with my grandparents.