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Post by dyertribe on Dec 24, 2019 23:08:27 GMT
Friends arriving 10:30am sharp, presents opened, restaurant booked for 1pm, back home, daughter driving then picking up her boyfriend, drinkie, board games and indulgent party food with a pause for Gavin & Stacey, more drinkies, possible hot tub session, weather dependant, Boxing day breakfast with black pudding and fried bread then friends slowly dispersing and relax!!!
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Post by Clinton Cool on Dec 24, 2019 23:20:51 GMT
Thing is: During the long prelude to Christmas (starting around August) folk are encouraged by large scale advertising to buy expensive presents for dear family members. Whether they love them or loathe them; it's expected. To hell with the fact that many can't afford this and may risk foregoing their rent payments and be evicted from their homes, it's Christmas, innit? Next: a bit closer to the time people are encouraged to eat as much as possible. Go to any supermarket and see the poor workers slaving away trying to keep those shelves stacked. Forget that a large percentage of the population are obese; the last thing they need to do is to exhibit gluttony on a grand scale. But it's Christmas, innit? Next, folk suddenly like foods that they wouldn't even consider eating for the rest of the year. Nobody would choose turkey over chicken, how many 'sunday roasts' include sprouts and as for Christmas pudding, there's a good reason folk only eat it once a year. I'm pretty sure not many folk would choose a mince pie over virtually any sweet or cake that's available. But it's Christmas, one should eat mince pies, at any time of the day, whenever we're offered them, right? And then, the Samaritans have a field day and there are more suicides than at any other time of the year. All this, to celebrate the son of a mythical god, with a huge percentage of the 'revellers' believing in neither the god, nor his son.
Merry Christmas.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2019 23:41:28 GMT
I love turkey and sprouts.
I see nothing wrong with expressing love for family and friends with a gift .
Family and friends will understand if you cannot afford to buy gifts.
But our views are always shaped by our experiences.
I am willing to accept my experiences have not jaundiced me, and I appreciate that good fortune.
I hope you have a good day with your family.
Rog
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Post by Telemachus on Dec 25, 2019 0:18:27 GMT
Thing is: During the long prelude to Christmas (starting around August) folk are encouraged by large scale advertising to buy expensive presents for dear family members. Whether they love them or loathe them; it's expected. To hell with the fact that many can't afford this and may risk foregoing their rent payments and be evicted from their homes, it's Christmas, innit? Next: a bit closer to the time people are encouraged to eat as much as possible. Go to any supermarket and see the poor workers slaving away trying to keep those shelves stacked. Forget that a large percentage of the population are obese; the last thing they need to do is to exhibit gluttony on a grand scale. But it's Christmas, innit? Next, folk suddenly like foods that they wouldn't even consider eating for the rest of the year. Nobody would choose turkey over chicken, how many 'sunday roasts' include sprouts and as for Christmas pudding, there's a good reason folk only eat it once a year. I'm pretty sure not many folk would choose a mince pie over virtually any sweet or cake that's available. But it's Christmas, one should eat mince pies, at any time of the day, whenever we're offered them, right? And then, the Samaritans have a field day and there are more suicides than at any other time of the year. All this, to celebrate the son of a mythical god, with a huge percentage of the 'revellers' believing in neither the god, nor his son. Merry Christmas. Yes obviously christmas has been totally stolen by commercial interest. Which is just as well, because the god-bothering bit leaves me cold. But I don’t think it follows that one must believe in the religion to enjoy the social side of a religious festival. One of my great life experiences was spending a few days in a remote Iban longhouse (Sarawak) courtesy of an invite from our Amah (maid), celebrating Gawai (their main festival). We were the first white people in living memory to stay there. Ok there was an element of Christianity to it (bloody missionaries) but mostly pagan. We had a great and memorable time, aided by copious amounts of Tuak (rice wine). As to presents we always try to buy something useful. I’m getting a new lithium battery drill for the boat. Jeff is getting a leather-working course. My mum is getting a cashmere cardigan, sister is getting a new and robust iPhone lead (her fingers don’t really work and she tends to pull it out and insert it with her teeth) and a Bluetooth speaker. None of which will end up in landfill in the next year or so. And yes I like mince pies and sprouts, we often have both, not just at Christmas. And I wish I could have Christmas pud more often. I do however tend to agree about turkey!
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Post by Telemachus on Dec 25, 2019 0:19:11 GMT
Oh, just noticed it’s after midnight so Happy Christmas one and all, and I’m off to bed before Santa arrives!
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Post by Mr Stabby on Dec 25, 2019 0:29:27 GMT
Nobody would choose turkey over chicken, Yes, somehow I don't think Colonel Sanders will be unduly worried about the rise of the Bernard Matthews Norfolk Fried Turkey franchise.
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Post by kris on Dec 25, 2019 0:40:40 GMT
Yes happy christmas even to the two nay sayers. I think celebrating making it paet mid winter is sensible.yes the commercialisation of it is crass and offensive but which aspect of our culture hasnt beem comercialised?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2019 7:50:15 GMT
Yes after 4 days it's just about noticeable that the days are getting longer that is certainly something to celebrate.
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Post by lollygagger on Dec 25, 2019 8:10:09 GMT
It's all harmless bollocks. We stocked our Fridge with a large haul of meat fruit and veg yesterday evening. I like it when the bill is £10 and the receipt says I saved £35. Happy Christmas and thanks for the predicted over consuming that left all that stuff on the shelves. I don't drink as a rule but as it's Christmas I've got a large slosh of brandy in my coffee this morning. I think less mince pie negativity would be good, I'd choose a mince pie over just about everything.
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Post by mouse on Dec 25, 2019 9:59:11 GMT
Any excuse for a good drink. One can always celebrate the commissioning of Lots Road Power Station in February 1905 as well! Have not got a closer date so we can use the whole month to celebrate.
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Post by phil70 on Dec 25, 2019 10:09:17 GMT
Any excuse for a good drink. One can always celebrate the commissioning of Lots Road Power Station in February 1905 as well! Have not got a closer date so we can use the whole month to celebrate. But there is Metal Ladys birthday on 24th Dec plus mine on 20th Jan so the calendar is not devoid of excuses to celebrate albeit only minor ones. ( but important to Met and me) Phil
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Post by JohnV on Dec 25, 2019 11:41:43 GMT
Any excuse for a good drink. One can always celebrate the commissioning of Lots Road Power Station in February 1905 as well! Have not got a closer date so we can use the whole month to celebrate. consecration of Westminster Abbey 28/12/1065 or a nice boaty one .... launch of HMS Warrior 29/12/1860 05/01/1066 Harold Godwinson crowned the last Saxon king of England all worth a good booze up
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2019 11:52:03 GMT
Can we skip the January one's please ... I'm going for dry January.
I know ... I know ...
Rog
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Post by JohnV on Dec 25, 2019 12:02:27 GMT
Can we skip the January one's please ... I'm going for dry January. I know ... I know ... Rog Ah well, at least there is a couple for this year still
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Post by Mr Stabby on Dec 25, 2019 13:00:39 GMT
Well, so far today I have dismantled and chopped up a pallet to use as kindling (I consider shop-bought kindling to be the biggest waste of money imaginable), emptied the bog and binned my rubbish at Rose Narrowboats, filled the water tank and rubbed down the roof hatch ready for some paint. So it's been a productive day off work so far if totally un-festive.
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