Deluged with xmas songs, xmas commercials for shopping, xmas parades, xmas lights,xmas movies, xmas cheer (whether it is sincere or not), packed parking lots, lines everywhere you go, etc.
Retail workers wishing you a merry xmas, so there is NOT really a war on xmas republicans, and there never was!
Yes I do understand that you do not have to be a christian to celebrate it, but it does not make it any less painful when you no longer have any family left. I am grieving and probably will be for quite some time. However this time of year is more of a reminder of what has been lost and what is missing, (family, friends).
So I think to myself, it will all be over in a few weeks, but then what? Cold depressing winter days.
So my dad and best friend, who died four months ago told me that even though we complained about all that is and was xmas, it brought the family together, and for that he accepted it. So people that think gifts can make you happy have it all wrong. Family and friends are everything!
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TheLargerBowl: "It's the most horrible time of the year"
Only if you let them suck you in. Don't get sad, get mad.
Fuck Santa and fuck all his reindeer-buggering elves. Fuck all nativity displays with fucking Joseph and unfuckable Mary and the three fuckheads bearing gifts. Fuck the Archangel Gabriel with his own trumpet, and fuck the shepherds and the little lord Jesus in his manger. When I see Christmas lights I want to electrocute someone. When I hear "Jingle Bells" or "White Christmas" I want to throw up, preferably all over a Santa Claus. Take all the bells, candles, eggnog, holly, etc., and shove them all up the Pope's holy arse.
If you think Christmas is annoying in the cold, you should visit Australia/New Zealand and try it in midsummer. It's bloody lunacy. Sweaty Christmas.
Thank you for this! Reading this just completely made my day. I work in a retail setting, so, thoughts entirely embodying everything in that statement have been rolling around quietly in my mind for the last 2.5 months! Nice to see it so eloquently put into text!
Holy shit, Algebe! You crack me up! *bwaaah-haaaa-haaaa-haaaa* That has got to be one of the best rants I have ever seen! Fantastic!
Hey, Bowl. Yeah, Christmas can be a bitch, especially nowadays when it is almost impossible to get away from it. It pretty much saturates everything everywhere. Annoying. Certainly doesn't help when you have recently lost loved ones. My mother died earlier this year, so this will be my first Christmas without her. My wife's father died a week before Christmas four years ago, and my step-dad died ON Christmas Day that same year. Plainly put, that shit SUCKED. My wife still has trouble dealing with it from time to time even now, but she is a strong woman and has gotten much better with it over time. And, basically, that is pretty much what it takes... Time. And how much time it takes varies from person to person, so don't ever let anybody tell you that you should, "Just get over it. It's been long enough already." Matter of fact, if anybody ever was stupid enough to tell you that, I would hope you would punch that person squarely in the face. Hang in there, my friend. May not seem like it now, but it does get better over time. And, like Algebe suggested, don't get sad, get mad. Nothing wrong with being the Grinch every now and then. Can even be a little fun at times. Take care. And Baah humbug!
Exactly what Al and Tin said. Hang in there. Hugs.
Don't let the bastards cheer you up!
For me the worst part is the short cold days. All the Christmas stuff is like eh, whatever.
try visit philippines, you'll be annoyed by the kids, adults, hags, sods, junkies, choirs (that cant even hit a note)singing out of tune carols, and its not just 1 in one night, they just keep coming, singing their heart out just to make money, that's how filipinos make money every december, it goes on and on until three kings(6th of jan.), hahahah, you'll run out of coins and candies to give away, it's so embarrassing really.
@thelargerbowl "it brought the family together, and for that he accepted it"
I don't see the point in being frustrated, upset or angry. My father was a drunk. Mom divorced him when I was 7 or 8. My brother and sister have been in and out of prison for various felonies. I have not spoken to anyone in my family for a good 20 years now and I have no plans to join that mess at any point in the future. With that said.....
I have two university degrees and a great job that allows me to travel the world. I am packing my bags for the Philippines as I type. There is absolutely nothing at all wrong with setting aside a holiday to appreciate all the great things that happen in our lives. There is nothing wrong with remembering a friend with a card or a small gift in my way of thinking (As long as I am honestly telling them why it is I appreciate them.) I do not care for mindless gift giving. Christmas, or whatever you want to call it - The name has no meaning. - is simply a time of year to take account of those you appreciate and to let them know it in some way. It's a great idea, it's not in the bible, and it has been secular since its origin in (December 25 was declared a federal holiday in the United States in 1870.) There is no Christian Christmas: The Bible itself specifically tells Christians not engage in pre-Christian winter celebrations, erect Christmas trees they chop down, place in stands and decorate , while visiting family or friends and exchanging gifts while singing around the decorated and dying tree. The Christian version of the holiday should probably mean as much to you as the pagan origins of the holiday. How often to you give a damn about Santa, giving gifts, snow and reindeer?
The only problem, as I see it, is when Christians use publicly owned (State and Government) properties to set up their Nativities and perpetuate their mythology. If someone tells you Merry Christmas, respond with "And a happy X-mas to you too." or "Happy holidays" or "Peace to you." Any expression of good will is entirely appropriate. Christmas is not the time for anger or depression. If you really want to have some fun, go sit in a Starbucks in the local mall and just watch the people scurry about. Be thankful you are no longer a part of that mess. Being outside the box allows you to keep that which is good and discard the rest. Enjoy the colors, the songs, the sentiment, and eschew the irrelevant.
Qu@si
I live in Korea and will be headed to the PI in just two more weeks. Sunshine, beaches, and hags. LOL It helps to know that the "hags" are all part of a syndicate who are in collusion with the "kids" and local police. Begging is just business in the PI. I have been going there for winter break for about 14 years. Nothing is more fun than watching the Christian parade in Angeles City as the devout flagellate themselves bloody and then allow themselves to be nailed to a cross. It is the epitome of Christian stupidity. It is one of the clearest indices on the planet or the folly of faith and belief in superstitious nonsense. How can you not stand aside and laugh at the ignorance and thank your own circumstances for knowing enough not to be caught up in the nonsense. What marvel in your life allowed you to detect the nonsense and be able to stand aside? Is not each instance of ignorance and folly reason enough for you to take pride in the person you have become while puttying the existence of those without the ability to free themselves?
yeah, tell me about it, i mean they've been doing it for decades now (the nailing on the cross thingy). it shows how asinine and moronic to just even imagine doing it, and they don't have any problem with that.
by the way cognostic, for the last 14 years going back and forth, how did you find the filipino culture?..i feel disgust on how ignorant filipinos are, really. i feel pity, tsk tsk tsk...
Why is Xmas " merry" and what exactly does that mean?
If you wished somebody a " Merry Easter" they'd likely back a step or two away from you.
No, what it really is, is a sad example of parrot- like utterances in the cause of enforced frivolity. The offensiveness I find is the very mindlessness and insincerity of their " wishes".
I frequently find it necessary to reply with a more heartfelt " Ohhhh fuck you! "
And the reindeer you rode in on.
;)
Qu@si Disgusting Philippinos:
I have traveled the world. I have been all over Europe and to most countries more than once. I have traveled to Australia, Mexico, China, Japan, Thailand, and currently live in Korea.
My take on Disgusting is simple. People are disgusting all over the planet. If you do not like discussing people, avoid them. My degrees are Sociology and Psychology, so I am probably a bit more liberal when it comes to traveling in different cultures. 70% of the worlds population is uneducated and lives below the poverty line. We are extremely lucky to have been born in Western Nations with clean water and healthy food.
With that said there are things I like in the Philippines and things I do not like. I really hate it when a beggar impedes my progress or grabs my shirt. I have been known to slap a hand away or kick one in the shin. I have no problem with beggars holding out their hands but I draw the line at impeding my progress or grabbing me.
Another thing I actually hate is all the trike drivers slowing down and asking me if I need a ride when I am enjoying a walk. I know they just want to make a living. In Subic Bay I like to stay at The Pub. A small hotel across from Midnight Rambler. It is common for me to walk across the street and buy cokes or beers for the trike drivers and even introduce myself to them. I ask them not to get angry with me when they see me walking. I give them my name and explain that so many stop and ask me if I want a ride that I would have to stop and have a conversation every 10 feet. I ask them to just wave at me if they see me and say "Hi Karl". This has worked out well. Most of them know me and I do not feel hasted as much. Of course if you are not a regular in a place that would be really hard to do.
Religiosity is of course frequently present but I find most Philippines that I meet are not actually that religious. Religion in the Philippines like in most countries seems to be strongest in the ignorant and the poor. Education is certainly the enemy of religion. My Girlfriend was a devout Catholic but now she understands that the Church is a business and that the preacher is living a better life than all the people he steals money from. He drives a better car, his kids are going to university, they get regular medical and dental care and they eat better than anyone in their congregation. On Sunday's I tease her and ask if she has gone to visit the magic people. Her eyes have opened and she no longer gives money to the Church. She attends because her daughter attends a religious school. The daughter is beginning to ask questions now and I love it. Perhaps she will be free from the grips of religion.
Okay. Finishing on a positive note/ The Philippine people are generally poorer than the average tourist and that makes us a mark. Still, I have met people that are kind and giving. Some of the guys I play darts with - Philippinos - took me out fishing on their small boat. We had a great time and it was an experience no tourist would ever get. Admittedly you must be careful in the PI. But this is true in Italy, Greece, Thailand and China as well. I imagine it would also be true in New York City and most of LA. So, wherever I go I try to keep my wits about me and just avoid the negative whenever possible.
Cognostic. i live in dumaguete now, but i grew up in zamboanga city, mindanao. i don't know if you ever visited these places, anyway.
you know what i think? if filipinos were not religious? philippines would be better to live in, there wont be any conflicts with the other religion (muslims). you've probably heard the bombings, kidnappings and human trafficking here, and one of the reason why philippines has slow progress? its b/c of religion. church practitioners interfere the government. they interfere chases and affiliate movements. they seek sympathy. you know what i mean. and what i think is really.....i dont know what's the word for it. damn it
I'm quite aware of some of the Muslim issues in the PI. I just bought my plane ticket and will be in Manila on the 26th. After that I will be going to Batangas, Matabgunkay Beach. I'll be there for a week and then I will go to Angeles city and play poker. After that I am off to Subic Bay and a bit of Beach Combing.
Everyone in the PI is looking for their next big scam. That can not be denied. I hired a frigging attorney about 5 years ago to help out a friend. The attorney promised me that he could deal with the case in a year. Three years later and a quick internet search found me in his office telling him to get up off his ass or I would report him to the BAR in Manila for delaying my case as he had delayed cases before. (I had him nailed. He was nearly disbarred for delaying and trying to get more money out of a company he was supposed to be representing. ) When I told him about the company and told him I had been in contact with (a name) in Manila, he turned white as a ghost. Then I yelled at him, "How much bribe money are you waiting for me to offer you. I want this done now!" It was completed three months later.
Bribery and scams are everywhere. The best travel advice I have ever been given for the Philippines is this; "Pay the first bribe you are offered. If you refuse it only involves more people and gets more expensive."
@Cog
unlike other countries like korea, they got the fastest solved cases right?, i don't know why filipinos are really greedy for money, but i guess that's the norm if the society is fed up by how unreliable the authorities are. and doesn't care anymore of what is just and equality. they just tolerate these kind of scams. b/c even the highest authority is corrupt. taking advantage of their power.
corruption is lenient here in the philippines. highest rate of human trafficking, illegal drugs, graft and corruption cases, and a lot more. and if they'll be caught, then they'll cover up their ass with their religion to show how religious they are and they can't never do such thing like stealing money or bribing etc. philippines is consumed by corruption.