Mug Shots

Once upon a time, (10 years ago, this Christmas) there was this heroine. We'll call her Trish and her super human older brother, we will call Peej. During the course of events that transpired that year they became the most unlikely roommates while attending college. I say unlikely because their lives were pretty different. I...I mean she, was pining over a recently returned missionary, haphazardly attempting to stay focused on school while he honed in on his skill for internal motivation that kept him focused and productive in his studies.

This brother and sister team had rather different schedules but sometimes were able to stop and chat over late night cups of chocolate milk and Oreos or dig into their aunt's painstakingly prepared tuna casserole designated solely for an office party the next day. By the time they would end the evening it was almost certain that the bag of Oreos was completely consumed or that delicious tuna delight was mostly scarfed down.


When Christmas came that year, they found themselves surrounded by dearly loved cousins, aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents at the annual family party. Their sweet grandma, never, ever allowing anyone at the party to go without a present from Santa's sack, gave each person a gift. As fate would have it, that year, Peej received the gift that keeps on giving. Longer than fruitcake, more durable than a necktie, he got a mug. It was filled with hot chocolate packets.

Okay, enough with the third person.

I remember mentioning something about how it was 'cute'...not that I wanted to take it home with me but it was certainly a thoughtful gift for a guy who could, I don't know, hold it in his hands as he waited at the bus stop to keep them warm...or keep it with him at school, just in case he got thirsty and a few sips at the drinking fountain just weren't enough.

Much to my utter surprise that Christmas morning many moons ago, I discovered the Mug among my gifts. The rest has been made hazy with time. For just about every major event the mug has been passed back and forth to herald happy tidings of whatever good fortune gave us cause to celebrate.

He perpetrated a whammy when we drove up to Seattle. Peej and his wife were studying an opera and we met them for the weekend. It was an amazingly delightful trip. Sometime between Pike Place Market and the exploration of downtown the thought crossed my mind that he would try to pull a fast one on me, but I brushed it aside thinking he wouldn't be hard core enough to actually take the mug on vacation with him. Alas, I took my eyes of my opponent and as we drove home I reached down to pick something up, there it was. Mug. In all it's Christmasy, happy little penguin glory.

Another time I received a delightful package in the mail from the "Spot Spots Company". Who me? A package? How wonderful! Could it be stamps for scrap booking? Some delicious chocolate decorated in polka dots? Nope. It was the mug, coming at me when I least expected it. "Spot Spots" was a pseudo name for "genius older brother".

Most recently, on a lovely April evening, we were entertaining guests...which I love to do. We were fully immersed in conversation when the doorbell rang. Not wanting to blow off our guests, it took a minute to get to the door. When I did, the MUG was there again. I had just gotten rid of the thing!! The amazing feat of freakish brilliance was that Peej was across the country....probably laughing maniacally at that moment. After wrapping my brain around the fact that my brother was an evil genius, I came to the conclusion that he has strategically placed operatives planted around me. Hmmmm. Two can play at this game.

That is when I decided to pull of a well made plan of my own.

He was relocating to another school across the country (closer to us this time). How brilliant would it be to pull of gathering intel for my covert mission?! I started asking questions like, "So what's your boss's name" and "What department are you working in"? He took the bait. After ever so casually gaining top security classified information, I was ready to make my first strike.

I emailed his boss. I was so scared. My cover could be blown with one false move. Lucky for me, his future co-wokers were all willing to help. I began emailing those who were connected to the plan. I sent his office the mug. It was now in their possession, ready to be presented to him as a "Welcome Home" gift for his new work place. There were nights I lost sleep from anticipation and excitement. Oh! If only I could have been a fly on the wall.

The week Peej started work, I was anxious, knowing the call could come at any time. After a few days, it finally did. I picked up the receiver and heard the words, "What is wrong with you?!" He was totally caught off his guard and knock off his King-of-Mug-Hijinks throne. I perpetuated a huge whammy! I am terrible about keeping happy secrets like this because I'm so excited I just burst...but I actually kept my lips zipped this time.

Who knows where we will be when the mug pops up next. All I know is it's going to take a lot to top my mad-scientist like plan. So, to my fabulous brother, Peej, bring it on! To all of my blogging friends, a toast of sparkling cider. Bottoms up!