Emphasis on Meals

Hello Everyone:

With less than five days to go before the holiday that shall not be named, everything seems peaceful on the home front.  I've pretty much had it with all the badgering about what food items need to be disposed off before it arrives.  I told mom as much today when I was unpacking the groceries I brought home.  If you ask me, the whole thing has really gotten beyond the point of tolerance.  I've had an allergy migraine off and on for the last few days and mom's constant addling about food and meals isn't helping.  In fact I told her that thanks to her holiday that shall not be named-induced mania, she has succeeded in making whatever possible enjoyment I can derive from it impossible.  All she ever talks about is how nothing is ready, what still has to be done, food and meals.  Enough.  You would that's all this holiday that shall not be named is about.  It isn't but that's the impression.  Is it any wonder that I don't want to participate in the Seder.  The real meaning of it, celebrating the birth of a nation, is lost and replaced by menus.  Why not just skip all the ritual and get to the meal?  I mean isn't why people go to these Seders anyway?  Maybe the truly devout still understand the spiritual significance of the holiday that shall not be named but, I believe that the majority could care less.  It sounds like I'm being cynical and, perhaps, I am but I really don't see the beauty about the constant stress and obsessive behavior.  What good does it do to take yourself and others crazy?  It doesn't but apparently some people think it's perfectly fine.  Mom is one of those people.  Sometimes I think I should go on one of the holiday that shall not be named getaways to Italy or Costa Rica.  The only thing is I'd spend more time doing my own thing then participating in the planned activities.  What I really want to do is go see Bryan Ferry next Tuesday.  He's playing in Los Angeles and I'd rather do that then suffer through some long winded Seder and put up with insufferable company.  I did throw sis a bone and tell then that I'd put in an appearance that weekend.  Maybe by then I'll be in a better mood.