Here’s a guy who feels the way I do about Christmas (except the part about being Jewish):
The Christmas things all around build on one another. Christmas seems to be trying so hard for me to like it that I can’t help but hate it, as though it were an ad campaign that was constantly in your face. I wish for a time machine that could take me to my in-laws’ house on Christmas Eve, where family, good cheer, and good food really are the most important things. Because then the Christmas carols on the stereo there wouldn’t make me want to put on headphones and listen to my iPod, and I wouldn’t have to force myself to smile every time someone says “Merry Christmas.” I love watching my kids enjoy Christmas, and I don’t want to hate it. But I do.One GeekDad’s Lament: Why I Hate Christmas (and Why I Hate That I Do), Dec 2008
You’ll see what I mean if you read the whole article.
Oh! And lest you think that I’ve gone completely apolitical, dear reader, perish the thought. I found the above linked article when some random surfing around led me to this story about Steven Chu, Obama’s pick for Secretary of Energy.
Most scientists consider the last eight years a tough era in Washington. But President-elect Barack Obama’s reported picks for Secretary of Energy and EPA administrator and the creation of an “energy czar” signal a return to scientific principles in the decision-making process at the federal level.
And it’s about time.
One of the biggest reasons to fill the scientific vacuum in Washington is the pressing need to find new sources of sustainable energy. For this to become reality, Washington needs to step up and support science when industry and academia are unwilling or unable.
Anyone who’s talked to me about this in the last six years or so knows how pissed off I’ve been at Bush’s cabinet appointments, particularly those with any connection to science. He’s had a progression of stooges and cronies, anti-Science types all of them, and it’s seriously hurt our competitiveness in science and technology development. Just when we can least afford it, that idiot managed to take a bad situation and make it worse.
Anyway, thank God that loser only has 36 days left in office. I only wish it was 36 hours.
Christmas…it is what you make of it.
Someone should sell a coffee mug with that on it. In a special collectors-edition cardboard box, wrapped in foil paper with a beautifully curled ribbon on top. Pair it with gourmet hot cocoa mix and some crushed peppermint. All for just $7.95 this weekend, only at Kohl’s.
You missed the Kohl’s super-employee-discount-lowest-prices-of -the-season-sale…..for a limited time only this fabulous mug…which would make a super gift for teachers, bus drivers, neighbors, mailman, Sunday school teachers, stylist, the kid who shovels your drive, babysitters or your secretary…. is only $2.49.
BTW, should we be returning your Christmas gift?
oh that would suck Dave, it’s a REAL good gift.
It’s the movie SIGNS. Yep.
whoops I ruined Christmas.
And don’t be hatin’ on the hot cocoa with crushed peppermint.
That’s right P, it’s the movie Signs, on DVD, complete with hilarious alien outtakes and extended corn field scene.
And Dave, I believe you will be receiving a visit from 3 spirits………
Sorry, that last comment was me.
If you’re so bummed on Christmas, why not join us in Orlando?
:D
I’m assuming Dave didn’t like Signs?
I’m with you on finding Christmas in September thru November annoying. By December I don’t want to even hear Christmas music.
I prefer to hear Christmas music from my CDs. Then I don’t have to hear the ‘tear jerker’ Christmas music.
Although, I have found a new favorite Christmas album. Holiday Spirits by Straight No Chaser is awesome! I even love their version of Auld Lang Syne, and I have always hated that song. (I’ve avoided the radio for weeks, so I’m not sick of Christmas music.)
Joe: Lord, how I wish we were heading to Orlando. I need a vacation!
Lorraine: I prefer movies not have plot holes one could drive a truck through. I mean, I don’t mind a little suspension of disbelief, but they don’t have to be insulting about it, sheesh.
I’m just sick and tired of people insisting on Christmas being a religious holiday. Where in the bible does it mention Christmas or Santa Claus?
I do hope you are joking about the bible not mentioning Christmas.
“Lorraine: I prefer movies not have plot holes one could drive a truck through. I mean, I don’t mind a little suspension of disbelief, but they don’t have to be insulting about it, sheesh.”
I don’t even remember Signs. I’m not even sure if I watched it. If I did, it apparently didn’t impress me.
Sorry, completely serious. Find me the word “Christmas” in the bible.
or rather, the comment was a joke with shades of seriousness.
Another bible question: How come the Corithians, Thessalonians, etc. never wrote back to Paul? Seems a tad rude.
Dear Paul,
Please stop writing. You are getting the populace all in a tither. Any more letters from you will result in a restraining order.
Respectfully yours,
The Corinthians
Mr. Apostle:
We are in receipt of your letter dated March 13, 65. While we are fascinated with the tale of a man supposedly “risen from the dead,” we can’t help but wonder how stiff his back was after having slept for three days straight on a bed of stone. Oh, and how was he able to roll that stone door out of the way? Were there handles on the inside and if so, why?
By the way, “Thessalonians” has two S’s there in the middle, not one.
Resspectfully,
Thes and the Lonians.
You’re all going to imaginary hell.
I don’t think a stone door would pose much of a problem once the raising from the dead was accomplished. Just a thought.
and I agree with Joe, ya’ll are goin’ to hell….no passin’ “go” no collecting $200.
……because……handles on the multi-ton stone door would help? None of those National Treasure, Mummy or Indiana Jones people could ever open the stone doors, so good luck with that, Jesus, especially with a sore back.
Sorry — I wanted to go to imaginary hell, but not have to wait in line.
Best Christmas line so far:
“I need Christmas if only to calm me down after Halloween….those ghosts are scary.”
Steven Colbert
Perhaps there was a lever or fulcrum He was able to manipulate that triggered a mechanism that moved the door. Hmmm…
Probably some overly large creepy crawly bugs in the fulcrum lever hidden hole. Bet there was dripping water too. Probably some annoying blonde yelling “Jesus, HURRY! THE WALLS ARE MOVING!!”
Ooop — Hell’s on call waiting, gotta go……
I am getting physically sick over this. I can’t believe you, Dave. I have been saying novenas for you, I guess that now I will double it. I usually don’t write in this blog, but now I am very upset.
I’m sorry. The fake Thessalonians letter was an imagining of what a letter would be like from a skeptic in that time period, not an attempt to be blasphemous.
You’re offended, I apologize. It wasn’t meant to be disrespectful.
Christmas is what you make of it, you guys. I really don’t like hearing how stressed people get during this time of year. I refuse to get all caught up in that stuff. I enjoy Christmas. I enjoy buying gifts for people and really don’t get stressed about it. I ask them what they want and if they tell me, and I can afford it, I will get that. If not, then I give my self plenty of time to shop for them. If I don’t find a good gift the first time I go out, then maybe I will the next time.
I like baking Christmas cookies with the kids, and wrapping the gifts and *gasp* I even like Christmas music. Not in the stores. I just ignore it in the stores. I like what I have on the iPod. I don’t listen to it constantly but I listen to it while baking cookies and we listen to it Christmas morning. And some other times in between. It’s different than the music we hear the other 11 months of the year.
Yes, they do put the stuff out in the stores before Halloween. That’s stupid. But again, I just don’t go to that part of the store unless I need too. Perhaps I’m just too nonchalant about the whole thing.
I see Christmas as a time for giving, (and getting :-) ) and spending time with family and friends and eating lots of good food. I also love seeing the kids get so excited about it all. It’s not just “what did I get?” it’s “is Uncle Dave and Aunt Julie going to be there too?” yeah! And no, i’m not saying that because it’s your blog.
Merry Christmas!
I agree with Patti. You have to take responsibility for your reaction to the season. Really.
I don’t go shopping all that often to be annoyed with Christmas displays in October/November. Who really notices the music playing in the stores at any time of year? Sure, if I concentrate I’ll notice that it is Christmas music….and so?
I’ve always enjoyed this time of year, it isn’t just because of the kids. I love finding something great to give and I do enjoy that more than the getting part. With the kids Christmas time is just “more”, more anticipation, more searching, buying and wrapping and many more reminders of the true meaning of Christmas.
Of course I do enjoy shopping now much more with the internet and being able to shop in the middle of the day (instead of when everyone else is at the stores).
So, yes I still say “Christmas….it is what you make of it”. Put in on a mug or not, it’s true.
Patti, was much more eloquent with expressing her opinion….I should just say ditto.
That must be the very first time I was referred to as eloquent in anything. :-)
I was so proud of Joe today. We were in the car and of course all you hear is “get this in time for Christmas” “get your carpet cleaned in time for Christmas” etc. etc. And Joe just goes “What is wrong with these people? All you hear is Christmas food, do this do that. Don’t they realize that Christmas is about giving and the day baby Jesus was born?
I just turned to him and said “Joe, I am so proud of you”
Out of the mouths of babes!! oh, er, I mean 8 year olds.
And I am proud of my daughters!! (ya, my great sons too)
I think y’all missed something important here. Read the quote I posted; I chose it out of the linked post for a reason. To narrow it further, I’ll repost the most important part:
I love that part about Christmas Eve and Christmas day. It’s the buildup and crass commercialism I can live without. And I don’t have the luxury of insulating myself from the world for two months. :p
I think I’m missing the whole time machine thing. Do you mean you want to skip October – December 24th?
Of course you can’t insulate yourself but your reaction to it is your responsibility. Remember that old song that had the line, “get over it, get over it”? We use to laugh and say that is my type of therapy. Well, it is the truth. Can you change the commercialism? Do you want to try? No? Well then fuck it (excuse me Mom), move on…why would you let outside forces (especially these outside forces) control how you feel about something? Why would you give these external forces that much power over you? For crying out loud this isn’t a matter of life or death we are talking about, yet you tend to get a tad bit worked up about it.
Um, I’m very glad to hear you at least look forward to the togetherness of Christmas and, when I talked to you the other night, it sounds like you get excited about getting special gifts for others.
This was a public service announcement from a licensed, but no longer practicing, clinical counselor.
And my point was to just ignore it. I guess some people just can not do that. I have the gift of not being very observant ;-)….sometimes it’s a gift, sometimes it’s a curse. I guess this time of year it’s a gift. I can somehow just shut out what I don’t really want to hear or see.
LOL Perhaps it comes from being a mom.
Just be happy, now it’s Christmas Eve and all you have to hear about now is the AFTER Christmas sales. ; )
Merno, my reaction to it is venting on this blog. I’m not out machine-gunning the mall or anything. Are you saying that none of it bothers you at all? Because I find that hard to believe.
Gee, thanks.
Oh, and “Get Over It” is an Eagles song.
(the above post should be taken with a large grain of salt. a salt lick, even. like most things on twodinks.)
No it doesn’t really bother me. Heck, I saw a woman literally choking another woman over her place in line (when I worked at Lerners) so early Christmas songs and decorations seems rather silly to get upset about.
Now what pisses me off is the back-to-school stuff that is out at the end of June. Now that is just a bummer.
Oh, and yer welcome.
Have a holly jolly Christmas.
At my house, we’re about to celebrate “Chrisukkah”. We’re hosting Jewish friends over the holiday.
Merry Christmas!!!
We’re getting a visit from the tooth fairy tonight as well, DJ lost his first tooth.
aww, DJ is getting big! Bella lost her first tooth on Christmas morning. I guess although they don’t look it, they really are related ! LOL
I hope Santa and the Tooth Fairy don’t run into each other. :-)
Merry/happy Chrisukkah Larry