The holidays can be a very stressful time. For those of us without friends and relatives around whom we can show our real selves, it can be tough to live up to the images of people on television who are smiling and laughing around a fabulous table spread. What if you are poor and have no fabulous spread? What if you have a fabulous spread, but everyone around your table is so intoxicated or consumed with substances (including food) that you may as well be in a room by yourself? What if your uncle is hitting on you and the whole day is an exercise in situational extrication?

Do we all take naps after the meal from the triptophane, or is it just a way to get out of the room?

Just for today, I can keep it real on the holidays.