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Showing posts with the label christmas

Have you ever wondered?

Lots of things have kept me busy the last little while, so I haven't had a chance to write about something that has been on my mind of late. It is that season once more, when fat men in red suits and excuses to make merry come together to have a go at making the ailing retail market better by buying loved ones things they likely don't need because some guy was allegedly born in a manger in a land far, far away... Aside from getting that Lexus with the ridiculous red bow tied around it in honour of Jesus' birthday, there are well meaning people out there collecting unwrapped toys for children or money so toys and things can be bought for needy children. And it is a beautiful thing I must say. Local celebrities, the average bloke in the suit and tie, all come out to do their bit.  I was watching the news the other day and one of this city's more venerable events was on at the local hotel. Apparently, last year, they raised more than 26,000 toys and $25,000 for the kids...

What I would like to do for Christmas

I've railed about Christmas before ( here and here ) and what I think is wrong with the way it is celebrated in this part of the world... so let me try and explain what I would really like to do for Christmas this time around. Its Boxing Day already in DC and I don't have to go to work because of the generosity of our company (they said... no work this (and only this) December 26 for US employees... and that is awesome). If I could, some day, I would like to be in Bethlehem on Christmas. I would like to see what the modern day people of Bethlehem celebrate the birth of the son of god, a prophet, someone perhaps hundreds of millions believe in to be their lord and saviour, I would like to see how they celebrate that most blessed of events in the city where he is purported to have been born. I hope that they do not have to worry about sweaters for great-aunt Susan or diamonds for your wife because every kiss begins with the letter 'k' or why they should buy a car with a...

Christmas Eve

Why, its Christmas Eve already! A couple of things that stand out for me this year. I still don't have a TV. No this isn't a message to jolly old St. Nick telling him that I want a 50" plasma TV. I'll buy it myself. Besides, I have no chimney. The reason I put the TV bit here is to express the joy of not being bombarded by annoying Christmas advertisements. No more, jesus was born a couple of millennia ago and now you need to buy this cell phone with this amazing feature at a price that can't be beaten... no more you need to buy this car (a Japanese luxury one) so you can wrap it with these ugly bows and surprise your significant other... none of that bollocks. Why? Because I have not a TV, nor do I have a functioning radio! Just the blessed Interweb thingy. I've had to do very little if any Christmas shopping. I am staying in DC. I am spending Christmas alone. I am sure there will be many emails forwarded and sent, facebook wall postings etc on the blessed day...