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Is it just me?

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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Andyp » 06 Dec 2021, 08:24

If christmas is just for kids then I hope I never grow up. :)
I do not think therefore I do not am.

cheers
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Doug » 06 Dec 2021, 08:52

:text-+1:

Especially if the other option is to become a miserable old curmudgeon :lol:
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Andy Kev. » 06 Dec 2021, 09:05

It's not so much that I dislike Christmas but rather the media hype which is constantly telling me how wonderful it all is. Unfortunately in the modern world, that hype is difficult to avoid. The number of times I've wished I had a flame thrower when I've gone into a supermarket where W*nking In A Winter Wonderland is blaring out!

An enjoyable Christmas would be, I think, a good dinner in good company with exceptional wine. (Mind you there's no chance of that this year as I am still sorting out my new flat and apart from a couple of colleagues, I know nobody in my new area. But there's still the wine ...!)

FWIW real Christmas for me is about yule logs, holly, mistletoe, ivy, robins and non-disruptive levels of snow. In fact a Christmas card ain't a Christmas card if it hasn't got a robin on it.

Yours with the most cheerful of "bah humbugs".
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby novocaine » 06 Dec 2021, 09:26

We (me and few mates) play a game.
The rules are simply.
How far in to December can you get without hearing fairytale in new york by the pogues and some blond.
I lost this year on the 1st when I arrived home to my wife listening to Christmas music.
the record is something like 21 days, which was last year when I single friend was on lockdown for most of the month.

As soon as you hear it, you have to text the rest that you've lost. that its. nothing else, just "I've lost".
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Andy Kev. » 06 Dec 2021, 10:15

Ahhh! The small matter of Christmas songs. There are three that I can happily hear, although I suspect that even they could become tedious if too often repeated. They are - and it's a three way tie for first place:

Run, Run Rudolph The Keith Richards version (I think it's a Chuck Berry original).

The Greg Lake one - can't remember the title but it is rather good.

The Jonah Lewie one - The word "cavalry" (Send For The Cavalry?) is in the title but who cares, cos it's hummable.

All other Christmas records should be melted down / deleted.
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Doug71 » 06 Dec 2021, 10:22

I love Christmas, I have 2 boys and despite them getting a bit older now (9yr & 12yr) it still seems like a magical time for them.

The build up is the best part, I used to work like mad up until the last minute but now I'm a bit older and a bit wiser I don't take on as much work in the lead up and try and avoid the "Must be done for Christmas" deadlines.

I take a good couple of weeks off work, spend some quality time with the kids and have a few nights out with friends, what's not to like?

It's like a big reset button for me, I always return to work in January feeling chilled out and ready to take on whatever challenges the new year brings.
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Woodbloke » 06 Dec 2021, 11:25

Andy Kev. wrote:All other Christmas records should be melted down / deleted.


Would you include carols from Kings College, Cambridge? It's the only CD in this house that gets onto the Naim at Christmas - Rob
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby droogs » 06 Dec 2021, 11:27

The song is "Stop the Cavalry" and was written as a pro CND anti war protest song in support of the women at Greenham Common. It was meant to be released in summer but was delayed by the record company because of the line "wish I was at home for Christmas" and this meant it came out in November and became a Xmas hit.
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Andy Kev. » 06 Dec 2021, 11:43

droogs wrote:The song is "Stop the Cavalry" and was written as a pro CND anti war protest song in support of the women at Greenham Common. It was meant to be released in summer but was delayed by the record company because of the line "wish I was at home for Christmas" and this meant it came out in November and became a Xmas hit.

Now that is interesting, thanks.

I remember when I was posted to Bulford that we sometimes had to go past Greenham Common on our way to somewhere else and we used to make very rude gestures to the ladies camped outside.

It's still a good tune though and I still like it.
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Andy Kev. » 06 Dec 2021, 11:45

Woodbloke wrote:
Andy Kev. wrote:All other Christmas records should be melted down / deleted.


Would you include carols from Kings College, Cambridge? It's the only CD in this house that gets onto the Naim at Christmas - Rob

Possibly not. Although I can't stand the noise that opera singers make, I can usually tolerate a bit of classical choral work. I was mostly thinking of Christmas pop.
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby 9fingers » 06 Dec 2021, 11:48

Woodbloke wrote:
Andy Kev. wrote:All other Christmas records should be melted down / deleted.


Would you include carols from Kings College, Cambridge? It's the only CD in this house that gets onto the Naim at Christmas - Rob


Melting would not be energy efficient in these green conscious days but certainly re-purposed for bird (or heron?) scaring duties :lol:

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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Woodbloke » 06 Dec 2021, 12:08

9fingers wrote:Melting would not be energy efficient in these green conscious days but certainly re-purposed for bird (or heron?) scaring duties :lol:

Bob


No need for that Bob; I now have a 25,000V 'lecky fence to give Mr.H a tingle should he fancy a fishy morsel for his brekki! :lol: - Rob
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Sheffield Tony » 06 Dec 2021, 12:42

Steve Maskery wrote:A more ungrateful, selfish, entitled bunch of old people I have never before met. I came out thinking, "My God, is that what I have to look forward to in 20 years time? No thanks." What is it that makes some old people so difficult, crotchety and miserable even when people are being good to them?


For many, dementia. Really. I have seen more of it than I ever want to, and it seems to trigger in many a sort of paranoia that makes them distrustful and ungrateful, of those nearest and dearest to them above all.

Steve Maskery wrote:Apparently, our local primary school are putting on a play featuring a Middle Eastern family who are seeking shelter after a long and arduous journey.


Clearly not a true story; they were offered a modicum of hospitality when they arrived.

Back to Christmas - for me, the true meaning of Christmas is Christmas pudding. definitely the highlight. DW loves it more than I do - I quite enjoy the day, but find the build up stressful. UKW Secret Santa is something I will miss this year. It was a nice idea, a shame we on here are to grumpy to do the same.
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby TrimTheKing » 06 Dec 2021, 12:52

Doug71 wrote:I love Christmas, I have 2 boys and despite them getting a bit older now (9yr & 12yr) it still seems like a magical time for them.

The build up is the best part, I used to work like mad up until the last minute but now I'm a bit older and a bit wiser I don't take on as much work in the lead up and try and avoid the "Must be done for Christmas" deadlines.

I take a good couple of weeks off work, spend some quality time with the kids and have a few nights out with friends, what's not to like?

It's like a big reset button for me, I always return to work in January feeling chilled out and ready to take on whatever challenges the new year brings.


:text-+1:

I like Christmas. Kids love it, I like decorating the house, always get a nice big tree, love the social aspect (not that I'm short of that the rest of the year but still, I'll take any excuse for more socialising), love how excited the kids are for it and like to join in with that because fun and happiness can be infectious!

Love buying presents for people and seeing how happy they are with them, don't mind receiving the odd gift but admit that there's not really much that I want so my Christmas gifts largely consist of bottles of various spirits.

I don't even mind the Christmas songs. Genuinely, there's so much in this world and this life to be upset or irritated by I genuinely think that although I'm not clamouring to join in with every Christmas offering from mid October, I really don't have the energy or desire to be bothered if other people want to.

Live and let live chaps.

Merry Christmas to to all you festive lovers and Grinches alike!
:obscene-drinkingcheers:
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Woodbloke » 06 Dec 2021, 13:02

Sheffield Tony wrote: UKW Secret Santa is something I will miss this year. It was a nice idea, a shame we on here are to grumpy to do the same.


I don't mind having a crack at organising a 'Secret Santa' event next year, provided it's not too onerous and some kind soul(s) will let me know how the thing is supposed to operate. Personally, I think it's quite a 'good thing' and gives a little bit an extra 'zingle' to the contents of the Christmas stocking.

I remember one from years ago on 'the other place' and I still have on the 'Tool Wall' a rather pleasing confection in brass and Indian Rosewood that 'Tiddles' made for me.

What say ye? - Rob
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby wallace » 06 Dec 2021, 13:21

My daughter when young was so unphased by christmas, we had to wake her up on christmas day.
She did get really excited one night when it was snowing and I'd got off work early and ran around the garden shaking a bell whilst wearing a santa suit. :D
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Lons » 06 Dec 2021, 13:31

I used to love Christmas with the kids but find it all a bit of a chore these days except for the bit's that include our 8 year old granddaughter, sadly they are going away to a cottage in the Borders this year so that time will be limited.
What does irritate me a little is that it all kicks off in November and it's difficult to escape, I don't want to think about getting into Christmas mode earlier than a week before the 25th but accept that businesses must capitalize on the festive spirit as much as possible so it's tolerable.

My wife and I don't buy Christmas presents for each other as we get what we want at other times, the kids insist on buying for us but these days it's vouchers and while I'd rather they didn't it's better than something I don't want to be shoved away and forgotten, buying for them is easy, we just ask for a wish list and make suitable choices.
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Sheffield Tony » 06 Dec 2021, 13:35

Lons wrote:What does irritate me a little is that it all kicks off in November and it's difficult to escape, I don't want to think about getting into Christmas mode earlier than a week before the 25th but accept that businesses must capitalize on the festive spirit as much as possible so it's tolerable.

It seems to have crept up on me this year - I think not having a school aged offspring at home makes a difference. School became demob-happy and started winding them up from sometime in November, which was really unhelpful.
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Blackswanwood » 06 Dec 2021, 13:43

Woodbloke wrote:
I don't mind having a crack at organising a 'Secret Santa' event next year, provided it's not too onerous and some kind soul(s) will let me know how the thing is supposed to operate. Personally, I think it's quite a 'good thing' and gives a little bit an extra 'zingle' to the contents of the Christmas stocking.

I remember one from years ago on 'the other place' and I still have on the 'Tool Wall' a rather pleasing confection in brass and Indian Rosewood that 'Tiddles' made for me.

What say ye? - Rob


I'd be up for it Rob.
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Woodbloke » 06 Dec 2021, 13:57

Blackswanwood wrote:
Woodbloke wrote:
I don't mind having a crack at organising a 'Secret Santa' event next year, provided it's not too onerous and some kind soul(s) will let me know how the thing is supposed to operate. Personally, I think it's quite a 'good thing' and gives a little bit an extra 'zingle' to the contents of the Christmas stocking.

I remember one from years ago on 'the other place' and I still have on the 'Tool Wall' a rather pleasing confection in brass and Indian Rosewood that 'Tiddles' made for me.

What say ye? - Rob


I'd be up for it Rob.

That's a good start :D - Rob
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby DaveL » 06 Dec 2021, 14:15

Woodbloke wrote:
Blackswanwood wrote:
Woodbloke wrote:
I don't mind having a crack at organising a 'Secret Santa' event next year, provided it's not too onerous and some kind soul(s) will let me know how the thing is supposed to operate. Personally, I think it's quite a 'good thing' and gives a little bit an extra 'zingle' to the contents of the Christmas stocking.

I remember one from years ago on 'the other place' and I still have on the 'Tool Wall' a rather pleasing confection in brass and Indian Rosewood that 'Tiddles' made for me.

What say ye? - Rob


I'd be up for it Rob.

That's a good start :D - Rob
I will give it a go too.
Regards,
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby flying haggis » 06 Dec 2021, 15:22

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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Lurker » 06 Dec 2021, 15:34

Doug wrote::text-+1:

Especially if the other option is to become a miserable old curmudgeon :lol:


Why should that be the (only available) option?
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Re: Is it just me

Postby Lurker » 06 Dec 2021, 15:39

Sheffield Tony wrote:[


Back to Christmas - for me, the true meaning of Christmas is Christmas pudding. definitely the highlight. .


So why only have it once a year?
Come Boxing Day they will be discounted.
They should store fine for months
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Re: Is it just me?

Postby Tiresias » 06 Dec 2021, 15:56

Lurker wrote:Roll on 2nd January!!


Just for the sake of completeness I should point out that 2nd January is a public holiday in Scotland and still part of our Hogmanay. Actually, 2022 I think we have 3rd and 4th January as substitute days.

For a long time Christmas wasn't much celebrated in Scotland. Certainly my parents have told me that Boxing Day was not a holiday, and I'm not even sure Christmas day was until 1960 or so.

Or perhaps your objection to Christmas do not extend to Hogmanay?

For what it’s worth I’m indifferent to Christmas, but my partner isn’t. Which is good enough for me, even if it does include hoisting a 14 foot dead tree onto the top of the Landy. Funny place to put it I know.
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