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Jim Garten ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Retired Admin & Razor Guru Joined: February 02 2004 Location: South England Status: Offline Points: 14693 |
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I know exactly what you mean - I used to work in a bank many years ago & from 1st december, we'd have a video loop tape playing Christmas carols in the banking hall - repetitively - ALL DAY; the customers would come in, say "how lovely" & go all dewy eyed, completely ignoring the fact all the staff were becoming more & more borderline psychotic as the days went past.
![]() Eeerm - maybe not... |
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![]() Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
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Vibrationbaby ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898 |
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Seriously this stupid holiday is outdated. Has been for eons.Fortunately I work for myself and avoid having to go to office Christmas parties and socialize with people you hate. As for this Christmas music it's perhaps the most depressing music. And artists like Ozzy, Judas Priest and Marylin Manson have had to put up with stupid lawsuits from stupid parents of stupid kids who have committed suicide because of their music. What about this Christmas music? And all the decorations that make it even more superficial and dreary. Where I live in Montreal, Canada before all this global warming there used to be at least a couple of feet of snow on the ground by this time that at least gave some spirit. This morning it's raining . Soaked Christmas decorations hanging everywhere. Sometimes it looks like Whoville here after the Grinch was finished with it.
And all the sales. It used to be boxing day and that was it! I remember lining up at Sam The Record Man on the 26th because EVERYTHING was half price. Now it's boxing month which starts about a week BEFORE the big day and there aren't really any good deals. It's all about money which nobody has like they used to. Welcome to the new era.
Edited by Vibrationbaby - December 05 2008 at 22:45 |
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someone_else ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() ![]() VIP Member Joined: May 02 2008 Location: Going Bananas Status: Offline Points: 24638 |
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Being blessed with a native dislike of any commercial utterance, Christmas does not mean that much to me. To me Christmas is for the religious (and for some people commerce may be a religion) whereas Easter is for the true believers. But I gave up the major part of my resistance to Christmas because it feels like kicking against a mammoth with my mice feet. I've taken my due place as a familyman who celebrates Christmas with his family. Besides this, I like a few days-off now and then.
And I never buy christmas albums for my own pleasure, neither from a christian artist like Neal Morse, nor from a heathen like Ian Anderson. There's lots of good muic for all seasons...
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Jim Garten ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Retired Admin & Razor Guru Joined: February 02 2004 Location: South England Status: Offline Points: 14693 |
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OK - coming out of the closet moment:
I love Christmas - I hate all the run-up to it, the tacky adverts on TV, the hopelessly crammed shops, but once all the organisation & buying is over and done with, I love it - I fully intend, gods willing, for the Christmas period to be spent with as many of my family and friends as possible, and yes, there will probably be an element of over-indulgence too; possibly a tad too much watching rubbish TV in a post port haze as well. Of course we see our friends & family all through the year as much as possible, but not to the soundtrack of Bing Crosby & The Sound Of Music. If you all want to hate public holidays, go ahead & good luck to you - personally I shall wend my hypocritical way through the back end of December with all the grace I can muster & do my level best to enjoy myself as 2008 draws to a close. +++ahem+++ HAPPY CHRISTMAS ALL! ![]() |
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![]() Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
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Vibrationbaby ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898 |
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I hate most everything but I have this special vengeance for Christmas in my cold heart.
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Jim Garten ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Retired Admin & Razor Guru Joined: February 02 2004 Location: South England Status: Offline Points: 14693 |
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In which case Ian, I shall send a special Christmas wish couriered by a cute elf to thaw that frozen heart:
![]() Look - she's even brought you presents - Aaaaaahhhh! |
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![]() Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
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limeyrob ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() VIP Member Joined: January 15 2005 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 1402 |
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Well now that it is December I am starting to think about Christmas. I do like some aspects of Christmas especially the social side but I think the whole issue of Christmas has been lost in the stampede to get the latest must-have toy. Back in my youth when brass was tight we seemed to have more enjoyable Christmases that the credit fuelled over indulgence we have these days.
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Peter ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: January 31 2004 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 9669 |
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I like Christmas -- I find it in my heart, my memories, and in my home -- not in stores.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Quoth Dickens' cheery Nephew Fred:
"And therefore uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold
or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!" ![]() Edited by Peter - December 05 2008 at 21:23 |
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"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
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Jim Garten ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Retired Admin & Razor Guru Joined: February 02 2004 Location: South England Status: Offline Points: 14693 |
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The first CD played every Xmas day in our house:
![]() Gets me in the mood... ![]() |
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![]() Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
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mystic fred ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: March 13 2006 Location: Londinium Status: Offline Points: 4252 |
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you only have to mention the 'C' word these days and people roll their eyes and make a face - the main problems seem to be -
a) the shops stock Christmas goods too early
this is a good thing, it avoids having to visit the shops when they are busy the weekend before the big day
b) we are saturated by television ads for toys, toiletries and food
simple - just watch the BBC channels
c) people think they have to get blind drunk and collapse into a pool of sick to enjoy christmas eve
i stopped going to the pub on christmas eve years ago - it took too long to get to the beer soaked bar anyway
d) everybody hates the shops being so crowded
simple - see problem a)
e) running out of money
get a credit card and pay it back next year (oops better not..
![]() f) boring time with relatives, when you would rather be with that smashing bird you got off with at the office party
pretend you have a cold, have a peaceful time at home then ring that smashing bird you met at the office party to come round for the evening
g) putting up decorations
don't put any up - then after christmas you won't have any to take down, the place won't look so gloomy and you won't be accursed with pine needles sticking in your foot all year
MERRRY CHRISTMAS!
![]() Edited by mystic fred - December 05 2008 at 09:21 |
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harmonium.ro ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin Joined: August 18 2008 Location: Anna Calvi Status: Offline Points: 22989 |
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Several reasons for a beautiful, inspiring Christmas: http://blog.allmusic.com/2008/12/05/holiday-music-2008/
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Raff ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: July 29 2005 Location: None Status: Offline Points: 24429 |
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Bolded the above quote for truth... I really don't get all those people who seem to wallow in misery and/or resentment towards everything and everyone. Personally, this year I am the happiest I ever remember being in a long, long time, and intend keeping that way - even if the over-commercialization of the Xmas season gets on my nerves sometimes. Ah, and if I manage to get my stuff before the big day, we'll be sure to play JT's album too ![]() |
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Vibrationbaby ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898 |
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Vibrationbaby ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898 |
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Edited by Vibrationbaby - December 05 2008 at 15:54 |
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Slartibartfast ![]() Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam Joined: April 29 2006 Location: Atlantais Status: Offline Points: 29630 |
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It's beginning to look a lot like Ian is the central front in the war on Christmas, every where you go. I'm reporting you to Bill Orally (o'reilly, oh really?)
![]() Seriously, these war on christmas folks are really beginning to make me mad. "We can't have retail employees saying "happy holidays" instead of "merry christmas"" as if there isn't Thanksgiving, Chanuka, Kwanzaa, and New Years all happening this time of year. And isn't that just a big "screw you" to all the folks who have holidays this time of year who aren't Christians? ![]() Happy Holidays to all! ![]() ![]() And a bottle of scotch to Ian, it only set me back $2070.99, plus there's a discount on 12 bottles, only $23543.88 (that would be really weird drinking something three years younger than me): ![]()
Edited by Slartibartfast - December 05 2008 at 18:29 |
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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Garion81 ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: May 22 2004 Location: So Cal, USA Status: Offline Points: 4338 |
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HMM I happen to like the season. In So Cal it isn't about snow or cold weather. Quite the contrary it is a beautiful sunny day with the highs in the 78 degree range. Christmas here is usually quite clear warm and sometimes a breezy. So it does look a little crazy when people put the air blown snowmen up on their houses and lawns while they are mowing around them.
![]() On the other side I do like the feeling of Christmas and the end of the year holidays and the time spent with family and friends. It is fun watching the little ones make a mountain of ripped off wrapping paper and getting excited about the loot they have.
As for Holiday music I just went and saw Trans Siberian Orchestra (and took our girls aged 8 an 11 how many shows could you do that with?) and I am telling you it was one of the greatest spectacles I have ever seen in a live format. The special effects had special effects and the music was pretty good and played and sang very well. The play mostly traditional carols and popular classical themes with rock instruments.
You can go here for some samples:
or check them out on you tube
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![]() "What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
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Peter ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: January 31 2004 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 9669 |
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^ Good luck with that positive, "look for the good" approach, Garion -- some people would rather just be miserable, alone, and bitch and moan constantly. They're such very good fun to be around -- everyone loves a cold,wet blanket!
![]() One day, these Debby Downers will be lying on their deathbeds, no doubt thinking "If only I hadn't had so much fun, and smiled so much. Life was too long...."
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I'd love to see the Trans Siberian orchestra, BTW -- hopefully my wife and I will go to a performance of Handel's Messiah, though, played by the local symphony & choir in a big church. Should be nice!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Edited by Peter - December 05 2008 at 21:20 |
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"And, has thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy. |
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Padraic ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: February 16 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Status: Offline Points: 31169 |
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Sorry, I love Christmas, and it's a million times more gratifying now that I have a small child.
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Vibrationbaby ![]() Forum Senior Member ![]() Joined: February 13 2004 Status: Offline Points: 6898 |
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well at least the TSO has performed with Greg Lake. I saw them do Father Christmas with him plus some other ELP stuff. What I like about that song is it's cynical approach. It's brutally frank " A veil of tears for the virgin birth " I like the way he mocks the birth of Christ calling it a "fairy story". my father was deeply religious, not a fanatic mind you, and he told me later one Christmas when I was well into my twenties that when I was very young that I said to him that, if you lied to me about Santa Claus why should I believe in this guy called Jesus. Weird that it reminded me of the ELP composition that I had come to love so much because that's exactly what Lake was saying in the song. That's got to be my favourite Christmas song because it's saying sod religion we've got to love one another unconditionally or we might as well pack it in.
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Garion81 ![]() Special Collaborator ![]() Honorary Collaborator Joined: May 22 2004 Location: So Cal, USA Status: Offline Points: 4338 |
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Hey Peter! That was great post it made me laugh out loud.
![]() My employer is the biggest Debby Downer I have at Christmas time.
![]() Our company seems to cram so much into December to appease the Wall Street crowd it is completely insane. (It only affects two or three departments not the whole company) Outside of Christmas Day and New Years Day I rarely get any time off including working late nights and weekends.
![]() Even still I don't let it get me down too badly and I still love the Christmas festival for what it is. Handle's Messiah would be great. My sister, who has a masters degree in voice, introduced me into all of that kind of music when I was very young. One year I am going to see a first rate performance of it.
TSO was a great treat and the kids absolutely loved it. We may have ruined them on concerts forever as they may expect that kind of visual show everytime! It was a very positive experience without all the Disneyesque cuteness. Plus the music, while maybe being a hair short of prog, is still way better than anything they will hear on the TV or radio. They are already getting too much of that already. I think we will be making that show a holiday tradition now. I was impressed with the quality of the spectacle as well as the musicianship. It would melt the Grinch's heart I think.
![]() I think TSO should be in the archives btw. Compared to some things we have added....
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![]() "What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
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