One of my favorite aspects of Christmastime is the opportunity to see old friends that are home for the holidays. In that regard, the Sunday before Christmas turned out to be the perfect storm of fun for me. We had an impromptu party that really made my Christmas. All the food, family gatherings and presents after that were gravy.

I got home from a cold, rainy Bills loss to the Giants around 5 PM on Sunday, shivering and ornery. Looking for something to put me in a better mood, I talked to my brother, who lives upstairs from me, to see what he and some of our friends were up to that night. He said a couple of people were probably going to stop by to try Rock Band, the new video game we both chipped in to buy a few weeks earlier. Rock Band is like the better-known game Guitar Hero, only with all instruments in a band instead of just guitar.

Apparently, word got around and a few friends told a few more friends, who told a few more friends. Before I knew what was what, there were 15 people in and around my living room passing around plastic guitars, tapping away on plastic drums and belting out the vocals to “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Highway Star,” and “Dani California,” among other great tunes.

It was outstanding. Every single person got in on the act and gave the game a try. We definitely exploited the social aspects and unifying properties of the game. In the end, I couldn’t have been happier because all the people I wanted to see came right to me. I didn’t even have to leave the comfort of my living room.

The one small hiccup in the fun occurred when I had to run out to the store for more drinks. It was at that moment I wished I took the time to convert the old refrigerator in my garage to a kegerator. The plan was to convert it early in the summer, but I put it off repeatedly and never got around to it. Making a quick run to the store wasn’t a big deal, but it would’ve been easier to relax if I didn’t have to trek out into the cold and leave the fun behind.

All in all, I had a wonderful Christmas and I hope you did to.

TAGS [ KEGERATOR | DRAFT BEER ]