The fact that I get a few weeks off at Christmas to spend with family and friends makes it a 10 for me. The pomp an ceremony that surounds the season isn't really important to me, but it's nice to see relatives every now and again (just not too often) . I certainly won't besmirch anybody for their religious feelings around this holiday but that aspect of the season isn't important for me.
Dear Santa,
How are you? How is Mrs. Claus? I hope everyone, from the reindeer to the elves, is fine. I have been a very good boy this year. I would like an X-Box 360 with Call of Duty - Black Ops II and an iPhone 5 for Christmas. I hope you remember that come Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas,
Timmy Jones
* *
Dear Timmy,
Thank you for your letter. Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the elves are all fine and thank you for asking about them. Santa is a little worried about all the time you spend playing video games and texting. Santa wouldn’t want you to get fat. Since you have indeed been a good boy, I think I’ll bring you something you can go outside and play with.
Merry Christmas,
Santa Claus
* *
Mr. Claus,
Seeing that I have fulfilled the “Naughty vs. Nice” contract, set by you I might add, I feel confident that you can see your way clear to granting me what I have asked for. I certainly wouldn’t want to turn this joyous season into one of litigation. Also, don’t you think that a jab at my weight coming from an overweight man who goes out once a year is a bit trite?
Respectfully,
Tim Jones
* *
Mr. Jones,
While I have acknowledged you have met the “nice” criteria, need I remind you that your Christmas list is a request and in no way is it a guarantee of services provided. Should you wish to pursue legal action, well that is your right. Please know, however, that my attorneys have been on retainer ever since the “Burgermeister-Meisterburger” incident and will be more than happy to take you on in open court. Additionally, the exercise I alluded to will not only improve your health, but also improve your social skills and potentially help clear up a complexion that looks like the bottom of the Burger King fry bin most days.
Very Truly Yours,
S Claus
* *
Now look here Fat Man,
I told you what I want and I expect you to bring it. I was attempting to be polite about this but you brought my looks and my friends into this. Now you just be disrespecting me. I’m about to tweet my boys and we’re gonna be waiting for your fat ass and I’m taking my game console, my game, my phone, and whatever else I want. WHAT EVER I WANT, MAN!
T-Bone
* *
Listen Pizza Face,
Seriously??? You think a dude that breaks into every house in the world on one night and never gets caught sweats a skinny G-banger wannabe? “He sees you when you’re sleeping; He knows when you’re awake”. Sound familiar, genius? You know what kind of resources I have at my disposal. I got your sh_t wired, Jack. I go all around the world and see ways to hurt people that if I described them right now, you’d throw up your Totino’s pizza roll all over the carpet of your mom’s basement. You’re not getting what you asked for, but I’m still stopping by your crib to stomp a mud hole in you’re a_ _ and then walk it dry. Chew on that, Petunia.
S Clizzy
* *
Dear Santa,
Bring me whatever you see fit. I’ll appreciate anything.
1, my family is very tiny, don't need a special occasion to gather ourselves up, we see each other on a daily basis, for better or worst, most worst lately, all raised as catholic, none of us gives a damn about religion, christ and the such, it's only about the presents, which I hate, and in my country, xmas is during the summer, I hate the hot weather, and I hate the xmas food, basically, because is a tradition taken from the people of the northern hemisphere, so all the food contains many calories and is prepared and aimed for cold weather... I ain't no grinch but give me a break...
... I am not in the business of being liked anymore ...
I was thinking about this on the way to work this morning. Where does Christmas fall on the scale of dumbness, with 1 being completely dumb and pointless, and 10 being smart and meaningful?
I mean, I'm not completely adverse to Christmas and thought cincybearcat made a pretty good case for it in this post: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=177410&start=195#p4144310, but the way I see it, it's mostly just a Capitalist greed-fest that has nothing to do with Christ at all. Apart from it being a good time for the kids, It's basically just a corporate, glutinous gang-bang, that pours money into coffers of the fat-bellies.
You mean "Giftmas"?
If Christmas had more to do with it's pagan roots, and involved some respect for the Earth, then I'd be all for it. But instead, it's the opposite. We stuff our greedy faces, buy a ton of shit that we don't need, and plunder the Earth in the process.
Yeah, there is a different holiday for that, it's called Winter Solstice or Yule. It's Friday, the 21st. I'll be celebrating.
Why is there pressure to buy stuff? Only you do that to yourself. I do participate in the "commercialism," but to me that's not Christmas (and believe me, I'm no defender of religion). But, I don't feel pressure to do so. I like doing that. So, if one feels pressure to buy stuff, that's on them, not the holiday. The holiday is the 10 you put there. The rest is just noise.
... i did say that we do have the free will to participate or not ... but you can't deny that there is a societal pressure to participate - however light or heavy one may perceive it, it's still there ...
It's become obligatory to give your kids' teachers gifts. Obligatory to give your parents gifts. Obligatory to make sure that Santa visited your kids. Obligatory when you receive a gift to give one in return from friends. It it was strictly out of love and in the spirit of giving, then perhaps a hug and truly listening to one another and actually being there for people rather than just a day (Dec. 25) would suffice.
And to those who get (paid) time off at Christmas? Well, of course you see that as a reason to celebrate. Cherish that your company gives you paid time off. Because not everyone gets it off.
I'll give it a 5 mainly because I have the time to do some volunteer work of various kinds to help others. No need for vacations during this time the children much older now and there's no need to have to go somewhere. We will stay home and chill well not so much here in South Florida.
Peace
*We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
Yeah, for sure... you can say all that... and I agree. It's a time corporations can make some big money...
And...
It's also a time I get to see my parents where, unless my dad is out flying, we are all together. It's a nice break from the University and a time to relax and get ready for the next semester.
It's a time where I get to make some extra money at work...
I give it a 4
Yeah, I'm all for holidays that involve time off work. I also like eating nice food, and drinking beer, wine, and baileys - not always in that order. It's also good to give the kids a time to get excited and have fun. But the rest of it I find pretty irritating, and dumb.
shouldnt this be what ones birthday is all about.. the getting kids excited part.. eating nice food and drinking should be an everyday pursuit as far as im concerned.
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
I give it a five as an average. The great parts are a 10, the rest are a one.
I've shared before that I sat out a couple of Christmases with my family, because it got out of control and I was completely overwhelmed. My mom and her then husband were competing with who could give us (very adult) kids the most gifts. And, they were doing it all on credit. It freaked me the fuck out and I couldn't do it.
I suggested drawing names or adopting a needy family for Christmas, but my ideas were met with protest. So, I quit.
My mom has since divorced and now checks with me before giving me anything extravagant. I'm typing on the notebook she just gave me - not purchased on credit.
I love the time off and any day I get to spend with my mom and sister together is special. My mom just moved from WA State to Louisiana for work, but she is flying up for Christmas. Our Christmas won't technically be on Christmas day, since my mom flies back home that day. This is fine with me, 'cause that means I get to keep the tradition I started when I skipped Christmas. That day I'll be enjoying a couple of cocktails at a local hotel lobby with a nice view of a seriously tall Christmas tree.
I give it a five as an average. The great parts are a 10, the rest are a one.
I've shared before that I sat out a couple of Christmases with my family, because it got out of control and I was completely overwhelmed. My mom and her then husband were competing with who could give us (very adult) kids the most gifts. And, they were doing it all on credit. It freaked me the fuck out and I couldn't do it.
I suggested drawing names or adopting a needy family for Christmas, but my ideas were met with protest. So, I quit.
My mom has since divorced and now checks with me before giving me anything extravagant. I'm typing on the notebook she just gave me - not purchased on credit.
I love the time off and any day I get to spend with my mom and sister together is special. My mom just moved from WA State to Louisiana for work, but she is flying up for Christmas. Our Christmas won't technically be on Christmas day, since my mom flies back home that day. This is fine with me, 'cause that means I get to keep the tradition I started when I skipped Christmas. That day I'll be enjoying a couple of cocktails at a local hotel lobby with a nice view of a seriously tall Christmas tree.
I had a similar thing. My Mum kept splurging on me every year. I told her to stop it, as there's nothing I need. This year she just sent me some small boxes of chocolates and a few sweaters.
shouldnt this be what ones birthday is all about.. the getting kids excited part.. eating nice food and drinking should be an everyday pursuit as far as im concerned.
Hell yeah. This is what my sister says - "My birthday should be treated as a national fucking holiday!"
And, sometimes it literally is, because it falls on Thanksgiving.
I had a similar thing. My Mum kept splurging on me every year. I told her to stop it, as there's nothing I need. This year she just sent me some small boxes of chocolates and a few sweaters.
Aww - see, that's sweet. If everyone could keep it all very simple, I would give Christmas a seven, at least.
I wish I could get my mom to give me more socks, but I think she thinks I add them to my list as a joke. She won't buy me the print of a unicorn getting beamed up by a spaceship either. :think:
I had a similar thing. My Mum kept splurging on me every year. I told her to stop it, as there's nothing I need. This year she just sent me some small boxes of chocolates and a few sweaters.
...not that I've opened my presents yet or anything. :oops:
Why is there pressure to buy stuff? Only you do that to yourself. I do participate in the "commercialism," but to me that's not Christmas (and believe me, I'm no defender of religion). But, I don't feel pressure to do so. I like doing that. So, if one feels pressure to buy stuff, that's on them, not the holiday. The holiday is the 10 you put there. The rest is just noise.
I disagree that people put the pressure to buy stuff on themselves. We are social beings who are expected to behave as prescribed by our culture. Choosing not to do so is choosing to be (at least a little bit of) an outcast.
I just started a new job this year and, though I won't be buying a bunch of crap for people, I am watching to see what the gift exchange expectations are with this group. I am really hoping that they all don't buy the boss a gift.
Watch 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'. It says what Christmas is supposed to be... and what Christmas has become so simply and eloquently.
I actually watched most of this a couple weeks ago. This scene brought back some of the sweetest memories (and for whatever reason, George - our cat - was fixated on Snoopy).
well..ill be at my sis...and cos ill have the chance to hug a nd kiss my nephews,while some other people like those parents at CT cant do that to their children anymore,ill put to Christmas 100!
"...Dimitri...He talks to me...'.."The Ghost of Greece..".
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
I just got back from my daughter's Christmas concert. What a clarinet player!
I dig this time of year. It seems as if this is the time of year when a lot of people 'reset' themselves and remember to treat everyone with kindness. I thought Christmas was awesome when I was a kid. It'll always carry significance for me- especially when I see the joy in my children (and the others for that matter).
I get the consumerism thing... but I think that's something you can't get hung up on. Admittedly, I'm great at finding the worst in something, but this is one time of the year when I think you have to accept the 'less than ideal' things attached to the time.
Oh, and as to the OP - I forgot to mention the music! Not into some of it, but I just listened to Etta James' White Christmas for the first time.
Like aural alcohol
Phil Spector's 'A Christmas Gift For You' is not bad, if that's your cup of tea.
1. White Christmas - Darlene Love
2. Frosty The Snowman - Ronettes
3. The Bells Of St. Mary - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans
4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Crystals
5. Sleigh Ride - Ronettes
6. Marshmallow World - Darlene Love
7. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Ronettes
8. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Crystals
9. Winter Wonderland - Darlene Love
10. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers - Crystals
11. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love
12. Here Comes Santa Claus - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans
13. Silent Night - Phil Spector And Artists
previously I would have given it a 2 or 3. Its great because I get to see my sister that one time a year but that was it. But this year we adopted a 3 year old and now it all makes sense so in terms of awesome family excited-ness its easily an 8 (not a 10 yet as he is only starting to understand santa a little bit)....
previously I would have given it a 2 or 3. Its great because I get to see my sister that one time a year but that was it. But this year we adopted a 3 year old and now it all makes sense so in terms of awesome family excited-ness its easily an 8 (not a 10 yet as he is only starting to understand santa a little bit)....
Congrats!!! Best age for a kid, imo. Enjoy the wonder they bring back to your life, especially during christmas.
Oh, and as to the OP - I forgot to mention the music! Not into some of it, but I just listened to Etta James' White Christmas for the first time.
Like aural alcohol
Phil Spector's 'A Christmas Gift For You' is not bad, if that's your cup of tea.
1. White Christmas - Darlene Love
2. Frosty The Snowman - Ronettes
3. The Bells Of St. Mary - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans
4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Crystals
5. Sleigh Ride - Ronettes
6. Marshmallow World - Darlene Love
7. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Ronettes
8. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Crystals
9. Winter Wonderland - Darlene Love
10. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers - Crystals
11. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love
12. Here Comes Santa Claus - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans
13. Silent Night - Phil Spector And Artists
I'll check it out, thanks! Love the old-school stuff.
(and hostis, congratulations from here too - to both you and the new addition to your family)
Rating Xmas? Hmm, seems weird, but I'll give it a shot.
Every year I start thinking about getting shopping done around october. What a great idea! then I can relax in december. It never happens. Then I try to catch my family around thanksgiving and tell them to save their money and that Im not getting them gifts this year. Then lo-and-behold, I hear peeps that they are getting me this or that...then I forget about my cousin and uncle who send me stuff in the mail...then I have to scurry out and buy stuff for them...and although I DESPISE shopping and malls and whatnot, I try to get it all on amazon or online...never on time... then my wife...uhh, I got her a ton of awesome stuff for her birthday in Septmeber...Im all out of ideas! Fuck! Maybe she'll enjoy a facial my mom tells me...dont google that! So we finally have the conversation that we shouldnt buy gifts for each other and that we should save money for a trip
And i'm not religious, but I LOVE to eat and I LOVE my family and friends, so its a fucking 10. Forget the stress and enjoy it, I say.
Oh, Im getting my wife a hammock...you know, something I can use too :P
Comments
How are you? How is Mrs. Claus? I hope everyone, from the reindeer to the elves, is fine. I have been a very good boy this year. I would like an X-Box 360 with Call of Duty - Black Ops II and an iPhone 5 for Christmas. I hope you remember that come Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas,
Timmy Jones
* *
Dear Timmy,
Thank you for your letter. Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the elves are all fine and thank you for asking about them. Santa is a little worried about all the time you spend playing video games and texting. Santa wouldn’t want you to get fat. Since you have indeed been a good boy, I think I’ll bring you something you can go outside and play with.
Merry Christmas,
Santa Claus
* *
Mr. Claus,
Seeing that I have fulfilled the “Naughty vs. Nice” contract, set by you I might add, I feel confident that you can see your way clear to granting me what I have asked for. I certainly wouldn’t want to turn this joyous season into one of litigation. Also, don’t you think that a jab at my weight coming from an overweight man who goes out once a year is a bit trite?
Respectfully,
Tim Jones
* *
Mr. Jones,
While I have acknowledged you have met the “nice” criteria, need I remind you that your Christmas list is a request and in no way is it a guarantee of services provided. Should you wish to pursue legal action, well that is your right. Please know, however, that my attorneys have been on retainer ever since the “Burgermeister-Meisterburger” incident and will be more than happy to take you on in open court. Additionally, the exercise I alluded to will not only improve your health, but also improve your social skills and potentially help clear up a complexion that looks like the bottom of the Burger King fry bin most days.
Very Truly Yours,
S Claus
* *
Now look here Fat Man,
I told you what I want and I expect you to bring it. I was attempting to be polite about this but you brought my looks and my friends into this. Now you just be disrespecting me. I’m about to tweet my boys and we’re gonna be waiting for your fat ass and I’m taking my game console, my game, my phone, and whatever else I want. WHAT EVER I WANT, MAN!
T-Bone
* *
Listen Pizza Face,
Seriously??? You think a dude that breaks into every house in the world on one night and never gets caught sweats a skinny G-banger wannabe? “He sees you when you’re sleeping; He knows when you’re awake”. Sound familiar, genius? You know what kind of resources I have at my disposal. I got your sh_t wired, Jack. I go all around the world and see ways to hurt people that if I described them right now, you’d throw up your Totino’s pizza roll all over the carpet of your mom’s basement. You’re not getting what you asked for, but I’m still stopping by your crib to stomp a mud hole in you’re a_ _ and then walk it dry. Chew on that, Petunia.
S Clizzy
* *
Dear Santa,
Bring me whatever you see fit. I’ll appreciate anything.
Timmy
* *
Timmy,
That’s what I thought .
Santa
You mean "Giftmas"?
Yeah, there is a different holiday for that, it's called Winter Solstice or Yule. It's Friday, the 21st. I'll be celebrating.
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yulethe ... t_Yule.htm
It's become obligatory to give your kids' teachers gifts. Obligatory to give your parents gifts. Obligatory to make sure that Santa visited your kids. Obligatory when you receive a gift to give one in return from friends. It it was strictly out of love and in the spirit of giving, then perhaps a hug and truly listening to one another and actually being there for people rather than just a day (Dec. 25) would suffice.
Peace
*MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
.....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti
*The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)
shouldnt this be what ones birthday is all about.. the getting kids excited part.. eating nice food and drinking should be an everyday pursuit as far as im concerned.
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
I've shared before that I sat out a couple of Christmases with my family, because it got out of control and I was completely overwhelmed. My mom and her then husband were competing with who could give us (very adult) kids the most gifts. And, they were doing it all on credit. It freaked me the fuck out and I couldn't do it.
I suggested drawing names or adopting a needy family for Christmas, but my ideas were met with protest. So, I quit.
My mom has since divorced and now checks with me before giving me anything extravagant. I'm typing on the notebook she just gave me - not purchased on credit.
I love the time off and any day I get to spend with my mom and sister together is special. My mom just moved from WA State to Louisiana for work, but she is flying up for Christmas. Our Christmas won't technically be on Christmas day, since my mom flies back home that day. This is fine with me, 'cause that means I get to keep the tradition I started when I skipped Christmas. That day I'll be enjoying a couple of cocktails at a local hotel lobby with a nice view of a seriously tall Christmas tree.
I had a similar thing. My Mum kept splurging on me every year. I told her to stop it, as there's nothing I need. This year she just sent me some small boxes of chocolates and a few sweaters.
Hell yeah. This is what my sister says - "My birthday should be treated as a national fucking holiday!"
And, sometimes it literally is, because it falls on Thanksgiving.
Aww - see, that's sweet. If everyone could keep it all very simple, I would give Christmas a seven, at least.
I wish I could get my mom to give me more socks, but I think she thinks I add them to my list as a joke. She won't buy me the print of a unicorn getting beamed up by a spaceship either. :think:
...not that I've opened my presents yet or anything. :oops:
I disagree that people put the pressure to buy stuff on themselves. We are social beings who are expected to behave as prescribed by our culture. Choosing not to do so is choosing to be (at least a little bit of) an outcast.
I just started a new job this year and, though I won't be buying a bunch of crap for people, I am watching to see what the gift exchange expectations are with this group. I am really hoping that they all don't buy the boss a gift.
Like aural alcohol
"..That's One Happy Fuckin Ghost.."
“..That came up on the Pillow Case...This is for the Greek, With Our Apologies.....”
I dig this time of year. It seems as if this is the time of year when a lot of people 'reset' themselves and remember to treat everyone with kindness. I thought Christmas was awesome when I was a kid. It'll always carry significance for me- especially when I see the joy in my children (and the others for that matter).
I get the consumerism thing... but I think that's something you can't get hung up on. Admittedly, I'm great at finding the worst in something, but this is one time of the year when I think you have to accept the 'less than ideal' things attached to the time.
Phil Spector's 'A Christmas Gift For You' is not bad, if that's your cup of tea.
1. White Christmas - Darlene Love
2. Frosty The Snowman - Ronettes
3. The Bells Of St. Mary - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans
4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Crystals
5. Sleigh Ride - Ronettes
6. Marshmallow World - Darlene Love
7. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Ronettes
8. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Crystals
9. Winter Wonderland - Darlene Love
10. Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers - Crystals
11. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Darlene Love
12. Here Comes Santa Claus - Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans
13. Silent Night - Phil Spector And Artists
Congrats!!! Best age for a kid, imo. Enjoy the wonder they bring back to your life, especially during christmas.
(and hostis, congratulations from here too - to both you and the new addition to your family)
Every year I start thinking about getting shopping done around october. What a great idea! then I can relax in december. It never happens. Then I try to catch my family around thanksgiving and tell them to save their money and that Im not getting them gifts this year. Then lo-and-behold, I hear peeps that they are getting me this or that...then I forget about my cousin and uncle who send me stuff in the mail...then I have to scurry out and buy stuff for them...and although I DESPISE shopping and malls and whatnot, I try to get it all on amazon or online...never on time... then my wife...uhh, I got her a ton of awesome stuff for her birthday in Septmeber...Im all out of ideas! Fuck! Maybe she'll enjoy a facial my mom tells me...dont google that! So we finally have the conversation that we shouldnt buy gifts for each other and that we should save money for a trip
And i'm not religious, but I LOVE to eat and I LOVE my family and friends, so its a fucking 10. Forget the stress and enjoy it, I say.
Oh, Im getting my wife a hammock...you know, something I can use too :P
doublenest ...
400 lbs when using the pro straps ... btw - it's great for more than resting and relaxing ...