• My aunt Michelle giving my mother’s girlfriend Tere a small beaver figurine, and explaining, “…because I know you like nature!” Tere replied, “Oh, I thought it was because you knew I like beaver.”
• The entire family (aunts, cousins, parents, all of us) gathered around the computer to watch “Dick in a box” — three times in a row.
• My mother explaining that her girlfriend burps really loudly “because she’s an air sign.”
• My cousins hamming it up.
• Visiting Susannah, Michael and their son four-year-old son Hank. Hank farted and then tried to deny it was him by saying, “I think it smells like shoes.” He was also wearing an awesome denim overall dress, and took the time to point out to me that his favorite part was the pink flowers embroidered along the bottom hem.
• Lots of time hanging out at my dad’s house.
• The joys of Claritin. I am so glad I can take a little pill and enjoy cats without getting all mucusy!
• My aunt singing, “One, cut a hole in the box!”
• Playing Abounding River, which has become a family tradition and is actually a pretty cool way to take discussions to a different level. It’s sort of silly, but it’s also cool to hear your family members go around the circle and say what one thing about themselves they’re most grateful for. That said, some of the game cards (which are the core of the whole thing!) are terribly written, and I think for next Christmas I’m going to encourage each family member to make five new cards for the game.
Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, was published last year.
You're reading a page from the archives. Check the homepage for current content.
Jodi
December 26th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
There’s no way little Hank is FOUR now!
chasmyn
December 26th, 2006 at 12:43 pm
I’m very intrigued by this game! How do you mean the cards are poorly written? What are some ideas for better ones? (I ask never having seen the cards or the game before.)
Ariel
December 26th, 2006 at 12:51 pm
Chasmyn, Abounding River is cool! I recommend it.
Basically the game is just about doing discussion exercises written on these different cards. It’s like trivial pursuit in that the cards are EVERYTHING, and they’re poorly written in terms of just plain English.
For instance, there was one that said something like “Have each player share what aspect of their life is most joyful with you.” What do they mean “joyful with you”? Well, what they really meant of course was “Have each player share WITH YOU what aspect of their life is most joyful,” but lots of little errors like this make things confusing, especially when combined with the components of new agey gobbledeegook. I mean, the new agey-ness is part of what makes the game interesting, but the language can be sort of like bad marketing writing … ie, it SOUNDS good (in this case, deep), but what does it actually MEAN?
In addition, the cards are focused on rethinking your relationships to abundance, which is cool but I want cards that ask questions about other aspects of people’s lives, like their relationships to their health, their spirituality, their intellectual curiosities, family, sexuality, ambitions, etc etc. The cards delve into some of these things, but I want more.
One thing: Abounding River was developed by some folks who’d just done Landmark’s Forum. (Which I find creepy, but I can’t deny that it’s done cool things for many friends.) The gamemakers were obviously quite inspired (they also opened a restaurant in SF) but that inspiration didn’t always translate into articulate writing.
lily
December 27th, 2006 at 1:46 pm
God I love your family.
Dawn
December 27th, 2006 at 6:20 pm
LMAO about the beaver and the air sign comments. Too funny. I miss your mom and Tere.
It sounds like you had a great holiday. I’m glad to hear it.
erica zappy wainer
December 28th, 2006 at 11:50 am
hey ariel! i haven’t posted in a while but i thought you might find it amusing that on christmas eve at my husband’s house, we all watched Dick in a Box and i said, “I wonder how many families will be celebrating Christmas by watching a song about a Christmas dick.” I guess that makes it at least two!!!
Merry christmas, hope you are well!!!