The Biggest Game Ever

Our entire family watched the Super Bowl this year for the first time.

<pause for effect>

I know this comes as a shock to most of you… since our family is decidedly “un-sport.” We don’t play sports, we don’t watch sports, we don’t know sports terminology, we don’t know sports teams. It’s just not a big deal. Never has been.

It’s not that we object to sports. In concept, at least. Violent, boring, or perhaps a waste of time are some of the objections raised on occasion by the Squicciarini females.

Ironically, the US Open normally coincides with our annual beach trip, and since everyone knows that TV is an integral part of beach vacations (to watch while recovering from the exertion of lying on the sand, or waiting a few hours for sunburn to fade), we have seen more of tennis than any other sport.

Back to this year… I don’t really know what was the deciding factor. I have a strong suspicion that when we heard about a party going on, we were absolutely compelled to crash it. Even the best hosts need a chance to show up at someone else’s door every now and then.

We showed up totally unexpectedly at the Hergenreters’ house Sunday night… except that they seemed to be expecting us. I swear, their ‘intelligence’ is too good! Although I have to admit, in all fairness, that it’s better to know if 7 people are coming over or not.

The game itself was… surprisingly interesting. We were unimpressed with the opening performance of our national anthem (weren’t the vocals too sedate? Where’s the enthusiasm about our country? Vive AMERICA!!), slightly confused by the first half (1st and 10, anyone? What on earth does that mean?), amused and somewhat concerned by Bruce Springsteen’s halftime performance (was he not about to have a coronary?), and definitely excited during the second half (so close!Those poor Cardinals! After all, they are the NC state bird…).

As a family, we had chosen to root for whoever the Hergenreters weren’t… if that makes sense (not being too familiar with the teams, obviously), and since they prominently displayed their Cardinals preference, we became Steelers fans for the evening. Thus, it is true so far that whoever (or whomever) the Squicciarini family supports always wins the Super Bowl.

And G-d Was Watching: Top 7 Games We Learned in 2008

By Julianna Squicciarini

Note: the strategic tips mentioned in this list are specifically meant for those who have played the game; if you haven’t, and therefore don’t “get it”, that’s your problem.  Let’s have a game night!

1. Apples to Apples
Who taught us: The Hergenreter Family
Strategic tip: Actually, what makes this game great is the fact that there really isn’t any strategy; basically, the most important thing to remember is to always play to the judge.
What we’ve learned: That Greenpeace is saintly, spit is sensual, & Celine Dion is emotional.

2. Canasta
Who taught us: Uncle Fred & Aunt Stephanie
Strategic tip: Don’t lay everything down at once; save some surprises for later.
What we’ve learned: That it’s nearly impossible to go out with hidden canastas when playing with only two players :-S

3. Racko
Who taught us: The Atkinson Family
Strategic tip: Set proper boundaries on both ends before you start replacing tiles.  Don’t start putting in numbers willy-nilly.
What we’ve learned: That there actually is some strategy to this game – who knew?!

4. Respond
Who taught us: The Hergenreter Family
Strategic tip: Start thinking (right now) of all the animals, ways to travel, and bugs you know of that start with the letter “N”.  It’s important.
What we’ve learned: Jeremy Wright is far too good at this game.  Never play with him unless you want to get ground into the dust multiple times.

5. Ladderball
Who taught us: The Hergenreter Family
Strategic tip: Aim small, miss small.
What we’ve learned: If you’re good at horseshoes, you will probably excel at this game.  If not, you won’t.

6. Animal Game
Who taught us: The Hergenreter Family
Strategic tip: Memorize your sign and one other person’s, and you’ll be fine.  Who cares if you always pick on the rat?!
What we’ve learned: Never play this game with bare legs (e.g., in a bathing suit) – you will regret it.

7. Golf
Who taught us: The Hergenreter Family
Strategic tip: Flip over two cards on top of one another when you start.
What we’ve learned: That the Hergenreters know a LOT of games, and if you ever are at a loss for what to play on a Saturday night, give them a call.

Invitations Galore

Although our house doesn’t often lack company, it’s rare for our family to be invited over someone else’s home. Rare is a slight understatement… let me illustrate the point: from January to July of 2008, we were invited to exactly 1 home for dinner (an invitation which, incidentally, came as a total shock, and resulted in a very nice time).

Now that you have the appropriate background, imagine how amazed we were to receive two such dinner invitations recently, back-to-back! In one weekend we enjoyed two extremely different but equally delicious dinners in the company of two extremely different but equally delightful families.

We know it’s not easy to have 7 people over, but most friends probably don’t realize how easygoing we are. We will invariably offer to bring food with us, we don’t inspect the surfaces for dust or the floors for dirt, and we can be easily entertained by a good conversation. Having the Squicciarini family over should be simplicity itself. Essentially, no house is too small, no table too limited, no (kosher) menu too varied for us. We will fit anywhere and eat almost anything.

With that said, I expect to see the invitations flooding in.

Returning to last weekend… the main difference would be the food, I suppose. One night we had a traditional Russian festival dinner, the next night we were served “American” cuisine. One meal took place with everyone grouped around a large formal dining table, the other had a more casual layout with several smaller tables. One family served hot tea after dinner, the other made coffee.

These two evenings also had some elements in common. Both times included at least one fun group game. Peter played a musical instrument at both homes (first it was The Old Gray Goose performed on the banjo; the next night he gave a rousing rendition of Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis). Both served cake and fruit for dessert.

The most significant thing in common with our two “nights out on the town” is that we are very grateful to both of these families for their generous hospitality… for adventurously opening their homes to the Squicciarini crowd… and for being our friends. We love you guys.

Life’s Acceleration

As the summer begins, our posts seem to have slowed down – not for lack of material, simply lack of time!

Here’s a quick summary of what went on last week:

Monday 5/26 was our first Mysteries al Fresco soiree, with a sparkling performance by David Suchet as Hercule Poirot solving The Dream. Guests included Meredith Miller, Christina Cleveland, Hannah Willingham, and the Huffman girls, Emilie and Noelle.

My father and I attended an ethics class, by special invitation of our friend Eugene Zilber, on Tuesday 5/27. This was Part 3 in a 6-part series, and the topic was abortion. I was fascinated with the viewpoint presented and impressed by the teacher, a Jewish rabbi.

We finished the month of May on a triumphant note professionally, and entered June ready for a change of pace. This past Wednesday, 5/28, was a long-overdue business meeting to discuss responsibilities and schedules. The lengthy meeting didn’t finish until after 9pm, but we agreed on a few changes to make – most of which will be tested this week. Our goal was to even out the work distribution among our staff, particularly over the summer when everyone wants to be outside in the pool.

As mentioned in the previous post, Thursday 5/29 was Julianna’s student recital. Our family always enjoys the chance to meet the kids she’s been talking about all year, as well as their parents. The performances were mercifully brief —no, just kidding! The performances were lovely, with some excellent work from some very small children! We even had the chance to sit down and catch up with our friends the Hergenreters.

Friday 5/30 brought Shabbat, and the last Musical Heirs choir concert, directed by Barbara Van Patter. We dropped Peter and Mary off at Ascension Lutheran Church uptown to rehearse while we had an early dinner at the nearby Pewter Rose Bistro in South End (what a treat!). After dinner we arrived back at Ascension Lutheran for the concert, an unusual combination of sacred choral pieces and Gershwin songs.