Christmas / Holiday season '08 thoughts

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Nicksfix

Nicksfix

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Let me start by saying Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all the members / non-members reading this.


As we are all well aware of the world economic situation is in a whirlwind. Nobody knows what is going to happen with their job situations,people losing their homes at a record setting pace,retail business is slow,auto manufacturers about to go belly up,banks (who can trust them anymore ?) , people are just at a standstill wondering what will or can hit them next , times are rough out there.

I just want to say , hang in there people , there is a new horizon coming , it may not be tomorrow , the next day , or the next after that , but it can only get better.This is supossed to be a Holiday " lifter upper " to try to keep a positive mindset on the up and coming season even with the economics the way they are.

This Holiday season I want to dedicate it to :

1. My mother , and my family
2. My wife , and family
3. My friends
4. The military from all countries who are fighting

Also , thoughts and Holiday cheer go out to :

1. This forum. Thank you Mods for running a great site , and for letting us
come in here to chit chat , rant and rave , vent our frustrations out.

2. Fellow GTP's, thanks for the good times out there on the track.

3. Fellow non-GTP's again thanks for the good times out there

Here's wishing each and every one of you out there a great Holiday Season , may it bring you lots of cheer , please keep your heads up , maintain a positive attitude , and make the best out of all life has to offer. Good luck in '09 , looking forward to being there with all of you again on the track and in real life.

I am thankful that I have a good family , job , friends , a home. Sure economics are hitting everyone , I have even cut back some , but I do deal with the cards life gives me and play each day accordingly, Just remember to be thankful for all you do have , remember there are people in this world who have NOTHING at all
 
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You're living in a dream world if you think it can only get better. But I hope it does.
 
If having a positive attitude is living in a Dream World,well then call me one too.Nothing worthwhile is accomplished by being negitave,Things are bad right now could,get a lot worse.So I agree with you whole heartedly Jim keep a positive outlook do the best we can,and be thankful for all that we enjoy on a daily basis.I just spent the evening with my 2 month old Grand Daughter Emily she put the positive in me. TO Everyone on GTP HAPPY HOLIDAYS.:)
 
Omnis
You're living in a dream world if you think it can only get better. But I hope it does.
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You're forgetting, Omnis; Obama is "The One!"
 
It can only get better. Eventually.

Merry Christmas. And bah humbug to you if you muck up this thread with nonsense.
 
Christmas is great. I love the commercialism and consumerism. I hope everyone goes out and buys lots of presents this year. The movies, songs, lights, family - everything most people hate about Christmas is what I like.
 
I like all that stuff, too. I like buying gifts for people.

I hate Christmas music in October, though.
 
As long as your dedicated and work hard you'll come through the bad times. If I lost my job tomorrow, I would be out the same day posting CV's. Even if I had to work three jobs I would make sure everything is paid for.

Enough of that, Christmas is a good time to put your feet up, eat, drink and just generally be merry. Also a good time to reflect on the fact that things could be alot worse.
 
I hate xmas. It's not because of the commercialism or consumerism either, by all means buy stuff. It's that the holiday is stuck in the middle of one of the worst possible months. How can I be holly and jolly when it's 7 outside with a brisk 20mph wind and 10-12" of snow on the ground? Why the church thought that winter was a good time to do this is beyond me. If xmas would have been in July or something it would have been an awesome holiday.
 
Joey D
I hate xmas. It's not because of the commercialism or consumerism either, by all means buy stuff. It's that the holiday is stuck in the middle of one of the worst possible months. How can I be holly and jolly when it's 7 outside with a brisk 20mph wind and 10-12" of snow on the ground? Why the church thought that winter was a good time to do this is beyond me. If xmas would have been in July or something it would have been an awesome holiday.
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I like Christmas to be cold, I don't think I could handle a scorching Christmas like they have in Australia. Wouldn't feel right.
 
Mark T
I like Christmas to be cold, I don't think I could handle a scorching Christmas like they have in Australia. Wouldn't feel right.
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It's because that is what you are used to, you've never experienced anything different.
 
Mark T
I like Christmas to be cold, I don't think I could handle a scorching Christmas like they have in Australia. Wouldn't feel right.
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It's nice roasting your dinner outside on Christmas day..... without fire!

:p
 
Christmas this year for me sucks.

Last year at this time I had a steady job, lived on my own in a nice house and had a wonderful girlfriend.

This year I've lost my job, I'm back living with my parents and I've been single for 11 months. I have no money either so I can't afford to buy my family decent presents until my wages come through from my last job, but that will probably end up being after Christmas anyway.

But at least I do have a family to celebrate with and they're all in good health. :)
 
Joey D
It's that the holiday is stuck in the middle of one of the worst possible months. How can I be holly and jolly when it's 7 outside with a brisk 20mph wind and 10-12" of snow on the ground? Why the church thought that winter was a good time to do this is beyond me. If xmas would have been in July or something it would have been an awesome holiday.
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Don't ask me, ask the pagans.

As it's a European invention, I've always imagined it had to do with making people feel better about the cold months when there is no harvest, you can't farm much, and so it seemed like a good time to bring people together. Even in the deepest cold and darkest of days, there was this little child that you awaken to in your hearts.

I've heard that the "commercialism" started in the mid-19th century, when there was a tradition of giving a simple gift to someone; apparently the well-to-do bought a book for each other. Of course, some people wanted to appear to be well-to-do, but really weren't, but it was the thought that counted. Apparently, someone then thought, "Oh great, another book...why not something different this year", and that's where we are today.

Not everyone could afford a feast, especially the lower classes of people, but you'd save up and enjoy one big spread to celebrate the fact the days suddenly got longer, and you could think about planting crops again. College football bowl games came a few millenniums later.

The basics have been around for years, decades, and centuries. Families make their own traditions, and people get nostalgic. It give people comfort as they get older that some things never barely change.

A South Floridian Christmas is just like the rest, except we have no harvest anymore, just more air and road traffic, the same crowded stores, and the same dysfunctional families. It's typically warm enough to wear shorts and T-shirts, although I usually dress a little nicer for the photos.

One last thing...No more Mannheim Steamroller! Christmas is stressful enough without their bombastically loud, angry, and soul-less adaptations of holiday music produced with early-1980's-era electronic instruments.
 
I've always detested Christmas. Resented the fact that I have to be nice to family whom I'd rather avoid. How it always involves travelling places I don't want to go, and buying presents I can ill afford to people who probably won't appreciate the effort.

Its status as a cash cow for everyone makes it all the more ridiculous. There's very little in the way of spiritual celebration of any kind. It's become a mockery of itself. And I hate it.

But each year I try. I really do. I try to be nice to people. To buy nice gifts. To not be obvious about the fact that I'd rather hole up in the study with several beers and a nice juicy coding problem to overcome.

Some years I'm more successful than others. Certainly, having my own children has made for new pleasures, vicarious of course, but new pleasures nonetheless. The travelling's stopped, but people come to us now, which poses its own challenges.

I'll try to be nice. I really will. I'll try to overcome my natural sociopathy and misanthropy.

And I'll be back at work on 29th, joyous that I've made it through another year.
 
I agree with Giles, but I have my own little twist. My family lives 1500 miles away, so no chance of seeing them. My wife's family lives in town, but as my wife works the Thursday through Sunday night shift, I won't be seeing them (or her 👎), either. Just me at home with my boys, like usual. With a few new toys and/or movies.
 
GilesGuthrie
I've always detested Christmas. Resented the fact that I have to be nice to family whom I'd rather avoid. How it always involves travelling places I don't want to go, and buying presents I can ill afford to people who probably won't appreciate the effort.

Its status as a cash cow for everyone makes it all the more ridiculous. There's very little in the way of spiritual celebration of any kind. It's become a mockery of itself. And I hate it.

But each year I try. I really do. I try to be nice to people. To buy nice gifts. To not be obvious about the fact that I'd rather hole up in the study with several beers and a nice juicy coding problem to overcome.

Some years I'm more successful than others. Certainly, having my own children has made for new pleasures, vicarious of course, but new pleasures nonetheless. The travelling's stopped, but people come to us now, which poses its own challenges.

I'll try to be nice. I really will. I'll try to overcome my natural sociopathy and misanthropy.

And I'll be back at work on 29th, joyous that I've made it through another year.
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I don't like to leave the house Christmas day, and I usually make one trip to my Mum & Dads Christmas day which I always enjoy as my Mum prepares the best buffet. I have two brothers and two sisters with two nieces and two nephews so it's always good to see them.

My family don't buy presents for everyone, we do a secret santa so that everyone gets a present on the day. We all buy presents for the kids as we were all spoilt when we were growing up and it also means I get to play with some of the kiddies toys.
 
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Christmas always seemed like one of those immutable things, like a once-annual Groundhog Day... but times change and people die divorce leave go nuts get incarcerated change too, and so this year will be pretty different :D

I love Christmas, and got into the spirit of things last night by getting a real Xmas tree - I got more than I bargained for, though. I had to carry it home (granted only about 500 yards) but the bloody thing is almost as heavy as my ex-girlfriend :sick: Still, I did eventually get it over the threshold and tarted up nice. Cost me more than I thought it would, too... (jess, this is uncanny!)
 
Pupik
Don't ask me, ask the pagans.

As it's a European invention, I've always imagined it had to do with making people feel better about the cold months when there is no harvest, you can't farm much, and so it seemed like a good time to bring people together. Even in the deepest cold and darkest of days, there was this little child that you awaken to in your hearts.
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I understand why it's when it is as it was used as a conversion mechanism. The church put their holidays near pagan holidays to bring people over to or from the dark side (however you look at it).

I still can't believe the church still tries to pass it off as Jesus's birthday as 25 of December is more then likely not the day he was born. They really should research it better move that celebration elsewhere in the calendar.
 
GilesGuthrie
I've always detested Christmas. Resented the fact that I have to be nice to family whom I'd rather avoid. How it always involves travelling places I don't want to go, and buying presents I can ill afford to people who probably won't appreciate the effort.

Its status as a cash cow for everyone makes it all the more ridiculous. There's very little in the way of spiritual celebration of any kind. It's become a mockery of itself. And I hate it.

But each year I try. I really do. I try to be nice to people. To buy nice gifts. To not be obvious about the fact that I'd rather hole up in the study with several beers and a nice juicy coding problem to overcome.

Some years I'm more successful than others. Certainly, having my own children has made for new pleasures, vicarious of course, but new pleasures nonetheless. The travelling's stopped, but people come to us now, which poses its own challenges.

I'll try to be nice. I really will. I'll try to overcome my natural sociopathy and misanthropy.

And I'll be back at work on 29th, joyous that I've made it through another year.
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There's nothing spiritual about Christmas. We celebrate when we do for the reasons Pupik outlines - it's a traditional West/North European event marking the turning of Winter - and it was co-opted by religionista in the Roman Empire, first as Saturnalia, then Sol Invictus and, finally, under Constantine, Christmas.

Yule dates back thousands of years and was always marked by feasting (usually a meal not had at any other time of year), drinking, family gatherings and the exchange of gifts.


So in many respects how we celebrate today really is the true meaning of Christmas. Though the incessant advertisements through October can take a walk.
 
Don't count your eggs too soon. January or February would be a worse time to have Christmas.

Am I also the only one who enjoys going to see family for Christmas?

Christmas is the celebration of winter? That's reason enough to celebrate for me...
 
Joey D
I hate xmas. It's not because of the commercialism or consumerism either, by all means buy stuff. It's that the holiday is stuck in the middle of one of the worst possible months. How can I be holly and jolly when it's 7 outside with a brisk 20mph wind and 10-12" of snow on the ground? Why the church thought that winter was a good time to do this is beyond me. If xmas would have been in July or something it would have been an awesome holiday.
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You're doing it wrong. Just think about these lyrics,

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of Pausing,
And I've bought some corn for popping,
The lights are turned way down low,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight,
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight,
All the way home I'll be warm.

The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we're still good-bying,
But as long as you love me so,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
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Cold weather and Christmas cheer is a great recipe for getting close and staying warm.



Moglet
But at least I do have a family to celebrate with and they're all in good health. :)
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And that is the most important thing.

Pupik
Don't ask me, ask the pagans.

As it's a European invention, I've always imagined it had to do with making people feel better about the cold months when there is no harvest, you can't farm much, and so it seemed like a good time to bring people together. Even in the deepest cold and darkest of days, there was this little child that you awaken to in your hearts.
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Wasn't it the winter solstice celebration for the pagans? At least that is what the self-proclaimed wiccan lady in my department says. But, how wiccan can you be when you think Harry Potter is awesome?

No more Mannheim Steamroller! Christmas is stressful enough without their bombastically loud, angry, and soul-less adaptations of holiday music produced with early-1980's-era electronic instruments.
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You have just disappointed every middle-aged woman on the planet.



Anyway, for me, I love Christmas. My tree is already up (but not until after Thanksgiving) and I found the 24/7 Christmas music station. I have already watched two Christmas movies, as well as three TV Christmas shows (I own both volumes of them on DVD). I own pretty much every traditional Christmas movie made, as well as a few non-traditional ones like Scrooged, and I also like to include Die Hard in there.


Oh, and egg nog. That stuff is tasty. I have already been through a gallon of it. They sell a powdered mix you can add to milk, and I think I will store a bunch up so I can have egg nog year round.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
116971_f520.jpg
 
Joey D
I understand why it's when it is as it was used as a conversion mechanism. The church put their holidays near pagan holidays to bring people over to or from the dark side (however you look at it).

I still can't believe the church still tries to pass it off as Jesus's birthday as 25 of December is more then likely not the day he was born. They really should research it better move that celebration elsewhere in the calendar.
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Most reasonable Christians know it is the day chosen to celebrate, not the actual date of his birth. I mean Thanksgiving and Easter even change dates every year, so it is obvious that these are not hard dates to anyone who stops and thinks for it for two seconds.

Moglet
That and getting Band of Brothers on Blu Ray.
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Or Bioshock, Rock Band 2, Rock Band 2 Guitar, Dead Space, Hellboy II, The Dark Knight, Horton Hears a Who, and PlayStation Network cards.

Oh wait, this isn't the Chritsmas list thread.
 
After re-reading my previous post, I should have said I agree with Giles about the family part, not Christmas as a whole. For Christmas itself, I say bring on the eggnog and presents and a long weekend to play with said presents!
 
FoolKiller
Most reasonable Christians know it is the day chosen to celebrate, not the actual date of his birth. I mean Thanksgiving and Easter even change dates every year, so it is obvious that these are not hard dates to anyone who stops and thinks for it for two seconds.
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That's just the thing though, most "reasonable" Christians I know firmly believe Jesus was born on Dec 25, 2008 years ago. It blows my mind. When I try and correct them they tell me I know nothing about Christianity (which is partly true). It is probably a difference in the people we know though.

We have family friends that go around saying all the time "Jesus is the reason for the season" and their church has a Jesus birthday party of sorts. I have no idea what to call it, but that's what it looks like to me. The anthropologist in me wants to check this out in greater detail in me, but my inner soul cringes at the thought.
 
Joey D
That's just the thing though, most "reasonable" Christians I know firmly believe Jesus was born on Dec 25, 2008 years ago. It blows my mind. When I try and correct them they tell me I know nothing about Christianity (which is partly true). It is probably a difference in the people we know though.
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Oh no. I know those people too. They are the ones who don't throw it in your face and can accept that the universe is older than 6,000 years old and men and dinosaurs did not walk around together. I even know one guy who believes that evolution exists, but draws the line at humans from evolution. :confused:

Funny thing is that I know a lot of Catholics who thinks this way when the church itself admits they chose a date to celebrate a birth that they cannot guess to pin down to any closer than five years.

We have family friends that go around saying all the time "Jesus is the reason for the season" and their church has a Jesus birthday party of sorts. I have no idea what to call it, but that's what it looks like to me. The anthropologist in me wants to check this out in greater detail in me, but my inner soul cringes at the thought.
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You do have to realize, that for them, Jesus is the reason for their celebration of the season. And yes, it would be a birthday party for Jesus. That is not uncommon in protestant churches. And when you consider they are using Christmas to celebrate the birth of someone they believe existed then it should make sense.

Honestly, if you get past whatever annoyance you have toward Christians then the anthropologist in you should be able to examine it as easily as the religions of ancient cultures.
 
I've done my fair share of studying some Christian sects, in fact I just turned in one helluva paper on Monday comparing the very liberal sects of the Episcopalian with the very conservative non-denominational fundamentalist groups. It was quite interesting to see how each look at the Christmas time and the celebrations they have. That's a discussion for another time and place though.

I'm more into the archaeological aspect of anthropology but doing a bit of modern, applied stuff is sometime interesting.

But I can understand where they are coming from to a degree but it seems like basing your beliefs off a book that has been changed so much over seems odd. I can fully understand basing your beliefs off the teachings of that book though.
 
Hmmm. Christmas...

Well, I'll say that I'm generally impartial to the holidays as of now. Working in retail warps your view of it just a bit, that, and the whole "not having money, soon, without a job" thing doesn't help either. The fun part is being together with your family, and don't get me wrong, I love my crazy family to death... But there are some that have avoided Christmas for years, and I miss having them around too.

Oh well. I look forward to grabbing a bottle of wine and enjoying the festivities this year.
 
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