BS: Bah - Humbug

Subject: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Wesley S
Date: 22 Dec 13 - 09:27 PM

Well it looks like I'm going to have a head cold for Christmas. Not even the tomato soup and grilled cheese I had for dinner helping. What reason do you have to be pissed off or depressed this Christmas?

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: GUEST,Stim
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 01:01 AM

Well, aside from the rampant commercialism, most of our leaders aren't even paying lip service to the whole"Peace on Earth" thing. Now it's "Tactical Assaults, Good Will Toward Men."

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 02:30 AM

I had minor surgery on Thursday & have a very bruised & ITCHY area around the scar!

& I can't scratch it, merely rub my hand over the area.

sandra (fingernails twitching, scar itching - how poetical, there must be a song in it, maybe we can move this thread out of BS into music!)

oops, I forgot, I don't have enough pressies, but then I never do ...

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 02:36 AM

A feckin cold.

Dave H

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 03:11 AM

I too get a bit grumpy sometimes at Crimbo. There's so much to do, sort out and organise. And the weather's absolutely foul. BUT... At church there's a lady whose daughter (only in her thirties and with two young sons) has been diagnosed with an inoperable, malignant brain tumour. She has a maximum of one year to live. Her mum has prayed her socks off during the Advent services, hoping for a miracle. I can hardly see her without tears coming to my eyes. Knowing this, I don't feel I have any right to grumble...

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 03:12 AM

Sandra in Sydney, try this: Scratch the opposite side, i.e. if it's on a leg, scratch the other leg. It works. Not as satisfying the real thing but it takes away the compulsion.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Megan L
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 03:27 AM

I was brought up to look around me There is always someone worse of than yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: DMcG
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 03:39 AM

No reason at all. We will be visiting our son and his recent fiancée who live in a one bedroomed flat which is so small it doesn't even have a table. So four of us will be crammed in a room and eating Christmas dinner off plates balanced on laps with no space in the kitchen for all the foodstuffs - and it will be great!

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: gnu
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 06:43 AM

It's Kissmeass without kiddies around that gets me down. The adults don't need "presents". Like stim said, it's rampant commercialism.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: GUEST,Mr Red
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 07:59 AM

Max must have wiped my cookie!

Christmas presence?

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 08:04 AM

Gratuitous plug for a tasty Christmas Ale

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 08:05 AM

thanks, Ebbie for the suggestion - I feel so much better after a good scratch on the opposite side

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Leadfingers
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 08:52 AM

Mixed Feelings ! I DONT need to worry about a present for My Old Mum's Christmas Eve Birthday this year as she died in May !

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 09:48 AM

Thoughts and Prayers, T.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: GUEST,sciencegeek
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 10:00 AM

know what you mean, Leadfingers

Mom passed the week after Mother's Day... but with the dementia, she had been "gone" for quite some time already... her final week was coma like so that her passing was a relief.

What's tough is how she loved the Christmas season & I keep seeing things that prompt a "oh, mom would have enjoyed this or that".

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: bubblyrat
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 10:54 AM

Earlier this year I didn't think I'd still be around at Christmas, but I am now a lot better than I was ! Still having check-ups ,blood tests and a very sore starboard oleo (right leg to you !) with daily dressings , creams ,bandages and and over-sized bedroom slipper , BUT at least I can walk (with a stick) and have already had a nice Christmas present from Nicola ; an amplifier for my guitar !
                   So ,a Very Happy Christmas to you all ! But don't try buying pork or wine /Scotch at Marks & Spencers !!

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 10:58 AM

"What reason do you have to be pissed off or depressed this Christmas?"

People who come to the door and want to visit. Fuck off.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: SINSULL
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 11:00 AM

I miss my friend Chris.
But I am enjoying getting his two kitties settled in with mine. Peace on earth!
SINS

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Wesley S
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 01:24 PM

By the way - my problems all fall into the category of "First World" problems. Overall we've been very fortunate.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: GUEST,Musket
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 01:42 PM

As irrational as I know it actually is, I am convinced that when you are busy, such ailments wait till you anticipate relaxation.

I used to be fit as a butchers dog all year round, despite travelling on business, living in hotels and airport terminals, long hours back back at the office, out with the service engineers and reps 100 ft up a scaffold at 6.00am in the freezing cold despite having just flown in from a hot dry country yadda yadda.

But once Xmas Eve came around and I was back at home, surrounded by my wife, kids and dogs.... Advanced Lergy.

Every sodding year.

But now I have backed off, Xmas is just fine. I tell you, you keep it at bay, and Mrs Musket, a doctor, says that's daft.

I'm bloody daft, that's it.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: JennieG
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 03:26 PM

One answer to the annual wails and moans about the commercialisation of Christmas: many many years ago midwinter was a pagan celebration then Christians came along and appropriated it. Now, the pagans are just trying to take it back......

Like Sandra I have recently had surgery, only mine was a shoulder op last month. One more week to wear the hot black synthetic fabric sling, just what one wants to wear against one's skin in the heatwave we've been having lately! But it will be left off when we go out to lunch on Christmas Day at a local restaurant, I'm wearing a pretty shirt and don't want it crushed, and that sling is not a fashion statement. It is possible to eat one-handed, even crimbo food.

Happy Thingmas and Seasonal Whatevers to all!

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Acorn4
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 05:54 PM

Come Back Ebenezer

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Joe_F
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 07:41 PM

As humbugs go, one could do worse.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: GUEST,Ed T
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 07:42 PM

When I was a youngster, I was mostly excited with the coming of Christmas, but let down when it seemed much less than I expected it to be. I always have an expectation that this could reoccur.

This Christmas period is turning out to be a fine one so far - with our son and daughter near home, and two young grand kids at the prime age for Christmas fun.

I have completed my shopping (which is a chore). The weather (mostly rain)and local driving conditions over the past few days has even been decent. So, no "humbug" from me. All is fine.

However, I realize many are not as fortunate as I currently am. My "good thoughts" go out to all those folks.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Amergin
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 08:15 PM

Well, mine come from having a little one living elsewhere....though she's not so little anymore. The other is that once again...I am single on Christmas...holidays are kind of hard to be a single person, especially when you have so much love to give....

Oh well, at least I have family....blood family and spirit family. It makes it easier to deal with. I get a kick out of the little ones as they open their presents. It makes me wistful and wish for my blond blue eyed little beauty...one year.

Enough whinging from me...there are people alot more worse off.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Dec 13 - 10:14 PM

If the worst I can come up with is the greedy pushiness of people waiting for parking places in shopping areas, I guess I don't need to say much. I have very general complaints about stores staying open too long and tacky decorations.... but so far (knock wood) so good.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 03:51 AM

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."

Little harm, and possibly much good, can be done by a re-reading Dickens' "Christmas Carol". Even watching film or tv adaptations tends to make people feel more charitable (at least for a while).
I will probably watch Alistair Sim & Patrick Stewart play the role this year. In 2010 I was fortunate to see Tommy Steele in the stage version (Scrooge) at the New Theatre in Cardiff.

So, even if I'm wearing a Wychwood brewery "Bah Humbug" T-Shirt, that is not my personal belief.

So (again quoting Dickens) to all at Mudcat (even the curmudgeons) "God bless us, every one!"

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 03:53 AM

Another T-Shirt Baa Humbug

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: DMcG
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 04:02 AM

Talking Dicken's adaptations, my favourite is Northern Ballet's version of "A Christmas Carol". All the music is based on carols known at the time, the set is brilliant and was designed by Lez Brotherston, (who also designed the stage set of Les Miserables, so that may give you some idea of what it is like). Even if you have no experience of ballet the story is so well known that you will have no difficulty following what is going on; the story includes more of the pathos of the original than most adaptations and so on ... I like it.

And, of course, the dancing is pretty good as well!

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 04:32 AM

I'm staying at home this Christmas - mainly because I don't want to go to prison for murdering my sister-in-law! This will be the first Christmas that I have ever spent alone - but then this will be my 65th Christmas so I'm a bit bored with them now. In compensation, the 'most beautiful girl in the world' came round for a drink last night - unfortunately, I'm old enough to be her grand-dad!

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 05:25 AM

I was the same, Musket, fit as a fiddle all year working my whatsits off and as soon as I finished for Christmas, bang! Heavy cold / man flu in a trice! Normal Christmas Day was spent with me semi-comatose on the settee and everyone else having a great time.

Hasn't happened since I packed up the serious working life.

Happy Humbugs!

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 05:32 AM

A very good beer too

Bah Humbug

Me and Mrs the Gnome both have the ague too, so we are feeling sorry for ourselves. Maybe some seasonal drinks... :-)

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: gnu
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 06:15 AM

Nigel... love the tee!

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 07:04 AM

my Christmas earrings are a pair of vintage (new when I bought them in the 70s) Boynton badges that I converted decades ago.

Sandra returns from giggling over Boynton images - with a pic of one badge - Humbug = cat in striped box

but not rth other - all I can find is a mug of Baaa, Humbug

she is a brilliant artist

sandra in Sydney where it is 11pm on Christmas Eve

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Tootler
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 07:23 AM

I always ended up exhausted at Christmas and just didn't feel to have the energy for all the preparations that were demanded of me. Even now I'm retired, I still seem to feel tired at Christmas, though not as bad. I'm not surprised some of you have come down with various lergies.

I wrote a song about it. It's on You Tube

http://youtu.be/A5uWDvHPVq0

Lyrics and chords below but also on You Tube

Christmas Woes
by: Geoff Walker

Chorus
[Dm]Christmas time and I'm [C]knackered
I [F]Don't know how I'll make it [Dm]through
[Dm]I don't want to get Christmas [Am]crackered
I've just got [F]so much to [C]do …[G]

[G]I woke up this morning feeling [C]tired
I [Am]did not want to get out of [G]bed
My [F]granddaughter called up from [C]downstairs
Breakfast [G]time you sleepy [C]head.
Chorus

[G]It's the same every De[C]cember
I [Am] say it'll be different this [G]year
But [F]I am so easily dis[C]tracted
I [G]somehow don't get into [C]gear
Chorus

[G]First it's a cancelled ap[C]pointment
Which [Am]then has to be re[G]arranged
Then [F]half of the tree light aren't [C]working
And [G]all of the fittings have [C]changed.
Chorus

[G]So I go to my rearranged ap[C]pointment
Then [Am]go for some replacement [G]lights
Oh! and [F]while you're out can you just [C]fetch me....
But [G]when I get home none of it's [C]right
Chorus

[G]Well, Somehow we make it to [C]Christmas
And [Am]eventually the great day [G]comes
And [F]somehow everything [C]works out
And [G]we all say Happy Christmas a[C]gain

Chorus optional here.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 08:27 AM

December the twenty fourth,Work half the day,
Ready to sally forth, Off to our play.

Into the pub for a couple of brews,
It's already heaving, there's no time to lose.

Home to the wife (if I've got no 'late pass')
Some foood, some more drinking, and then Midnight Mass.

View the Nativity scene in the byre.
Into my robes, and then sing in the choir.

Walk home from church, if there aren't any lifts.
Wife goes to bed, I wrap last-minute gifts.

Up bright and early to go once again,
Christmas Day eucharist, quarter past ten.

Good congregation, one hundred at least,
And then home for dinner, the big Christmas Feast.

Then finish the dishes,Leave everything clean.
Sit down for the telly,And sleep through The Queen.

Zzzzzz Zzzzzz Zzzzzz Zzzzzz ...

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: gnu
Date: 24 Dec 13 - 08:37 AM

BS: It's Christmas Day 2 24 Dec 13 - 08:32 AM Trace
BS: Bah - Humbug

Good one!

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: gnu
Date: 25 Dec 13 - 06:41 AM

Got my first Kissmeass pressie! It's snowing. Again. %^^&*%^$@&!!!!!

HO Ho ho

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: kendall
Date: 25 Dec 13 - 06:48 AM

Well, let's see; It's colder than a dead witch's tit here. My wife left me three weeks ago, my dog died two years ago.

On the upside, Jacqui said she would come back if I promise to leave the seat down, the weather will warm up by May, and I'll have dinner with my kids and grand kids.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: gnu
Date: 25 Dec 13 - 06:49 AM

A little Christmas music to brighten your day.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Elmore
Date: 25 Dec 13 - 09:17 PM

Somehow we got through it.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: gnu
Date: 26 Dec 13 - 08:31 AM

Mum and I did the usual and went to the relatives' for dinner. Got some stuff for the spring yard sale and some to give away. The Red Cross box and the soup kitchen drop-off do not judge.

We got thru it.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 24 Dec 14 - 05:43 AM

"Merry Christmas to All, and to all a goodnight!"

"God Bless us, every one!"

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 24 Dec 14 - 05:59 AM

Stim: Well, aside from the rampant commercialism, most of our leaders aren't even paying lip service to the whole"Peace on Earth" thing. Now it's "Tactical Assaults, Good Will Toward Men."

I don't know where this "good will towards men" comes from. I'm an atheist myself, but have read the bible several times. The actual Latin version of Luke 2-14 is:

"...et in terra pax hominibus, bonae voluntatis."

Which, from my school Latin, has "bonae voluntatis" in the Genitive case, so the correct translation is:

".... and on earth peace to men of good will".

ie peace will only be granted to people of good will. I don't have a KJV handy to look at here, but I believe the Latin was mis-translated there, which is where the "goodwill to (all) men " comes from.

Makes no difference to me of course, but an interesting point for those who believe in the inerrancy of the KJV bible.

Subject: RE: BS: Bah - Humbug
From: bubblyrat
Date: 24 Dec 14 - 08:46 AM

If I still lived in Bielefeld I would say "Bah ! Hamburg! " . Luckily, I don't !!