The Christmas Thread!

[Krosigrim]

Oh believe you me I understand where you are coming from. Also, I knew long ago that the 25th wasn't Jesus' birthday. Although I didn't know that tidbit, about the converting. I knew early on that Santa didn't exist, and I plan to pass the baton. But I think I found out on my own. People might think that its cute and all, little ones thinking about Santa, but I agree, it's silly. Santa = St. Nicholas: "He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, but is now commonly identified with Santa Claus."

 

Wikipedia: St. Nicholas

In his most famous exploit, a poor man had three daughters but could not afford a proper dowry for them. This meant that they would remain unmarried and probably, in absence of any other possible employment would have to become prostitutes. Hearing of the poor man's plight, Nicholas decided to help him but being too modest (or too shy) to help the man in public, (or knowing the man too proud to accept charity), he went to his house under the cover of night and threw three purses filled with gold coins through the window opening onto the man's floor. One version has him throwing one purse for three consecutive nights. Another has him throw the purses over a period of three years, each time the night before one of the daughters comes "of age". Invariably the third time the father lies in waiting, trying to discover their benefactor. In one version the father confronts the saint, only to have Saint Nicholas say it is not him he should thank, but God alone. In another version, Nicholas learns of the poor man's plan and drops the third bag down the chimney instead; a variant holds that the daughter had washed her stockings that evening and hung them over the embers to dry, and that the bag of gold fell into the stocking. For his help to the poor, Nicholas is the patron saint of pawnbrokers; the three gold balls traditionally hung outside a pawnshop symbolize the three sacks of gold. People then began to suspect that he was behind a large number of other anonymous gifts to the poor, using the inheritance from his wealthy parents. After he died, people in the region continued to give to the poor anonymously, and such gifts were still often attributed to St. Nicholas.

 

Heh, I like Gryphons rant there. It is true for the majority, and that is sad. But its no chore for me. Routine, yea... duh. But whatever.

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

[BlackKnight]

*snip*

...err but why is it a bad thing? Just because it is not the holiday it was millenia ago, or because it isn't what your educated self feels it should be, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it. You bottom line is that is has become a holiday about giving gifts... wow. What a selfless, soulless time of year. Why do people focus on the money changing hands when buying presents and not the joy they end up bringing to people?

 

And as for modern myths like Santa, again, what is the harm? A lot of 'myths,' philosphical mantra and otherwise is just to add some colour to an otherwise mundane and meaningless existence. Having the intelligence to realise this is one thing, but lacking the maturity to understand why they are there is pretty sad. Does it make you a big man for shoving kids headfirst into the bleak realities of the world, just because there is no mystery left for you?

 

Basically your whole preachy negative stance spanks of 'I am so enlightened that I can see through petty social constructions and will therefore reject them.' Well done genius- you've missed the point entirely.

[fumanchu]

*snip*

...err but why is it a bad thing? Just because it is not the holiday it was millenia ago, or because it isn't what your educated self feels it should be, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it. You bottom line is that is has become a holiday about giving gifts... wow. What a selfless, soulless time of year. Why do people focus on the money changing hands when buying presents and not the joy they end up bringing to people?

 

And as for modern myths like Santa, again, what is the harm? A lot of 'myths,' philosphical mantra and otherwise is just to add some colour to an otherwise mundane and meaningless existence. Having the intelligence to realise this is one thing, but lacking the maturity to understand why they are there is pretty sad. Does it make you a big man for shoving kids headfirst into the bleak realities of the world, just because there is no mystery left for you?

 

Basically your whole preachy negative stance spanks of 'I am so enlightened that I can see through petty social constructions and will therefore reject them.' Well done genius- you've missed the point entirely.

i agree with blackknight.take christmas for what it is and enjoy it.

[Krosigrim]

"Christmas spirit" even under any name, is a great thing. I personally like giving gifts, as opposed to getting them. Seeing there faces when they see a gift that I put so much consideration for, is thanks enough. All my mom really wants, is to see me. Thats what it is about, and thats all that matters. ALL THAT MATTERS.

[JKKDARK]

I will be partying

[fumanchu]

I will be partying

what is merry christmas in german.

[ken_cinder]

Reaper Man is the kind of guy that would make me come over and kick him in the bag, for teaching his kids to tell other kids Santa doesn't exist.

You shouldn't breed, you should be sterilized.

 

The whole Santa thing is fun for kids, hasn't "mentally scarred" anyone I know. Give me a break, stop being such a f**king grouch and grow up. It's fine if you aren't fond of the whole Christmas thing, but others are, so STFU with your misfit ideas of ruining the fun for everyone else. I don't like the whole capitalism thing either, but the gift giving thing is fun and doesn't have to be expensive unless you want it to be.

 

If your kid told my kid, Santa doesn't exist and that you told them to tell every other kid, I'd knock you the f**k out on your front lawn and mount a Christmas tree in your ass.

[General Plot]

Well, I've got a bit of a wild holiday planned. As some know (but most don't), I'll be heading to Plymouth, UK on Christmas Eve on an overnight flight and landing in London at roughly 10 AM Christmas morning. I have been talking to PCSX2 developer Refraction's sister now for just a little over 2 months and we've decided to meet over the holiday. The original plan called for her to come to New York to meet me, but it made more sense in the end for me to just head over there. If all works out as I'm hoping it will, she will be coming here during Easter break to meet my family and I'll be returning again to the UK in June on a permanent move.

 

I know it can be a bit hard to understand what we have going on, but I've been married, have had a few serious relationships, and I've just never had the kind of connection I have with her. She just gets me (and not many people do), so it's time to throw caution to the wind and go. Anyone interested in more of the details can check out a thread we have going on at General Emulation where she's actually a registered member (and of course I've since made her an admin since it's only the right thing to do with your lady afterall ). She goes under the name Raefraction (a spoof of her real name, which is Racheal and of Refraction's name of course).

 

England, here I come

 

I'll be sure to let anyone who's interested in knowing how it went. Wish me luck, I really hope this works out.

Edited December 20, 2007 by General Plot

[Fatal Rose]

Good luck mate, really happy for you and I hope it all works out.

[L.S.D]

Good luck, Plot. Go get your lady!

[General Plot]

Thanks guys, I'm really hoping on this one, and knowing there's friends that back me on it helps. Now that it's really happening and so close, I have to say I'm really stoked over the idea and I can't wait to meet this amazing lady who manages to make me feel alive again.

[BlackKnight]

Well there aren't many times in the year that better foster romance than the holidays. Good luck- hope it works out the way you're hoping.

[Fatal Rose]

By the way, Merry Christmas to all.

[Coolguy]

Thanks dude and Same to ya....I am happy I have holidays

[fumanchu]

well not long to go now,1more day and itll be CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

 

best time of the year!