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26 Oct 20 - 05:19 PM (#4076947) Subject: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: CupOfTea This is the time of year that has me all messed up mentally, and it makes me grumpy. - Hating the fall having taken over from a summer that never seemed to happen because of all the normal events that were cancelled. - The dimming of the light, and the oncoming time change that will make that all the starker. - Stores that barely put away beach towels and flip flops are now showing shelves of Halloween goodies. Next aisle over is the Christmas stuff. - One friend reported snow in Chicago, and others were out picking out a tree at a Christmas Tree farm for later delivery. And it was 80 degrees here Friday. The mixed up holiday season overlapping the transition between nature's seasons feels like it's in some unrealistic aggravating never-never land: it's neither one thing nor another. Folks always say we have rose-colored glasses in nostalgia, but in reality, the things I nostalgically remember are what gave me a sense of the cycle of the year. Back to School supplies were only slowly replaced by Halloween do dads & candy, and all that was well put away before Thanksgiving trappings came out. Then there was the semi-magical Black Friday event where the day after Thanksgiving, all the Christmas decor made it's FIRST appearance. But this part of the end of October seems to be victim of the feeling that there are no longer appropriate seasons for things. Ok I got that off my chest / end rant. Joanne in Cleveland |
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26 Oct 20 - 05:28 PM (#4076949) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Donuel I love a good rant. Its one of the reasons I like stand up. George Carlin could deliver a good rant. Dave Barry can only write a good rant. As rants go Joanne has one we all can relate to. |
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26 Oct 20 - 05:36 PM (#4076950) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Charmion According to my brother, it snowed today in Ottawa. Here in Stratford, it’s still a couple to three weeks away, but that’s all — we usually have snow by Remembrance Day, if only to ensure skidding boots on parade. Since COVID hit, the only mercantile establishments I have visited are the supermarket or Canadian Tire, so I can’t comment on the trend, but I can report that Canadian Tire already has all manner of Christmas tat set out in the gangway so you trip over it on your way to the yard waste bags. Or at least I do, inevitably. And yes, that makes me grumpy. |
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27 Oct 20 - 04:33 AM (#4076982) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Jos It isn't the changing seasons making you grumpy, it's the year-long commercialisation and exploitation of any excuse to try to sell us stuff we neither need nor want, by trying to make us think we do need it and want it. What became of the "twelve days of Christmas"? Before we even get to New Year, "Christmas" is swept away, decorations removed, trees recycled, to make way for Valentine's cards, red hearts and roses, along with Easter eggs and chocolate rabbits. |
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27 Oct 20 - 04:46 AM (#4076984) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Backwoodsman ”According to my brother, it snowed today in Ottawa. Here in Stratford, it’s still a couple to three weeks away, but that’s all” I’d love to see Stratford in the snow. I’ve only been there a couple of times, both in summer, when we were in Canada, and visiting relatives in Burlington ON after a two week vacation in AB and BC. Last time was in the hot summer of 2015, when we saw ‘Henry V’ at the theatre in Stratford. After all the political upheavals here in the UK, the Brexit bullshit, governmental flip-flopping over the ‘Rona regulations, yadda yadda, I reckon snowy Stratford would be Heaven on Earth. |
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27 Oct 20 - 07:46 AM (#4076996) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Charmion In previous years, late October was a delightful time in Stratford, with the theatre season winding down and the restaurateurs and hoteliers counting their dosh after six months of frantic round-the-clock work. Fewer cars with not-from-here licence plates sat in our limited supply of convenient parking spots, and the locals gradually let up on their griping about the city fathers’ focus on pampering the visitors. When the snow started to fly, we had the town to ourselves again. Yes, Stratford is charming in winter. It’s cold, but not the teeth-aching, bone-deep freeze of Ottawa; just enough to keep the snow down. Thanks to the Lake Effect, we get lots of that, along with quite violent wind storms, and people who have lived here all their lives complain vigorously about it. Me, not so much — I have waited for the bus on the Mackenzie King Bridge, shivering in a down-filled parka with my back turned to a wind blowing straight from Ellesmere Island, and I think winter in Stratford is ... nice. Summer was rough this year without tourists and the theatre that brings them, and this winter will be worse as the toiling classes struggle to get by without their traditional proceeds from work in the hospitality industry. I expect our nasty little illegal drug business (mostly meth) to thrive, and the docket at Provincial Court to expand with domestic violence charges and all the rest of the misery that follows people with too much stress in their lives and no damn money. Thanks to its mostly-rural nature, Perth County has been but lightly touched by the coronavirus, and that’s a blessing. So far, the pandemic has not beaten us down enough to erode public good will, but I wonder how long we can hold out if next year is anything like this one. |
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27 Oct 20 - 08:42 AM (#4076999) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Senoufou I do get a bit cheesed off with all the tat and rubbish in the supermarket for Halloween, and now Crimbo too. There's been a suggestion that people stand outside their houses at 6pm on Christmas Eve ringing blooming bells. (No idea why, absolutely ridiculous in my opinion!) But I can find a laugh in most things. Our pub the Fox was broken into on Monday night and lots of bottles of booze were nicked. But the woman thief (well-known in the village as a bad-un) was so drunk she obligingly left her handbag behind, and the Police were soon at her door with the handcuffs. BamBam the 'tame' deer is still rutting and trying to...er...mate with various village ladies. Also, my husband wore his entire collection of Norwich City football clothes on Saturday at the supermarket. Cap, jacket, tracksuit, trainers, scarf, the lot. So many daft men came up, clapped him on the back and expressed their delight. He started bawling, "Come on yew Yellers!" so I hid behind the cereals aisle ('I'm not with him' syndrome) But it did make me giggle too. |
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27 Oct 20 - 08:53 AM (#4077001) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Backwoodsman Ha! I’m pretty sure that visitors contribute greatly to the Stratford economy, Charmion - I know we did, we spent a small fortune! With any luck, things might improve next year, and the Grockles will be back to patronise the theatre and line local businesses’ pockets! ;-) Sadly, we won’t make it next year - it’s the rellies’ turn to fly over to our side of the trench. |
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27 Oct 20 - 02:53 PM (#4077025) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Mrrzy Somhow I am now reminded of The Groke. |
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27 Oct 20 - 03:19 PM (#4077027) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Backwoodsman Nah, Sen - a Grockle is a tourist (more especially in Devon and Cornwall). |
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27 Oct 20 - 05:00 PM (#4077034) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Stilly River Sage The shorter, darker days contribute to mood, and the depression that rises from a national leader and his team who are trying their hardest to divide us as a nation and to separate this nation from the world it normally has transactions with. Angry white men carrying guns is terribly depressing - they call themselves "militias," the law considers them terrorists. Racists. Scary times. Grumpiness is a natural consequence, I think. And under all of that is the rapidly spreading (exponential) of SARS-Cov-2/COVID-19 in the US and other parts of the world that can't discipline themselves enough to wait this out. This year I'm surprised if people aren't grumpy. Good rant, Joanne. |
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27 Oct 20 - 09:21 PM (#4077049) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Steve Shaw Bloody tough times for sure. In my case we have my mum's funeral on Friday. We're sad but not miserable, as we've done the best we could for her once she'd moved to Cornwall two years ago. We'd been lucky to find a lovely care home with amazing, caring staff. We moved all her stuff out yesterday and we could have fitted out an army camp with all her bedding! She didn't like to be cold... We're OK though! |
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27 Oct 20 - 11:16 PM (#4077059) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Stilly River Sage I'm so sorry, Steve. though I consider you one of the lucky ones - I lost my mother when I was in my 40s. 22 years ago. You had a lot more time, hopefully most of it was quality time. How often have I seen my kids do some really remarkable thing and my first thought was "I need to call Mom" - followed by the sad memory that she's gone. Same with Dad. They died six months apart; divorced for decades but so similar in their tastes and interests that they followed parallel paths. It was always easy to remember them as together. |
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28 Oct 20 - 06:19 AM (#4077081) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Backwoodsman My dad died of a heart-attack when I was 41, and my mum died of smoking-related disease three years later. I miss both of them every day, and envy anyone who has their parents with them until their own old age. Treasure them while you have them, it's not for ever. Sympathy and condolences, Steve. But it's good that she was cared for well during her final years. Time heals all... |
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28 Oct 20 - 07:35 AM (#4077084) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Senoufou Condolences and much sympathy from me too Steve. And for all who have lost much-loved parents. Time does heal but it's never simple. Little memories come back unannounced, but that can be a pleasure. |
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28 Oct 20 - 07:46 AM (#4077087) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Jos My father was there in a dream I had last night - not taking an important part, just going off to look at something. He died more than fifty years ago, but is still around in my subconscious. |
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28 Oct 20 - 07:49 AM (#4077088) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: fat B****rd Please accept my best thoughts and condolences. Steve Charlie |
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28 Oct 20 - 11:59 AM (#4077115) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Stilly River Sage The news increasingly highlights the risk of armed self-declared "militias" (known in legal terms as terrorists) around the voting to happen next Tuesday. That will actually end next Tuesday. Our Better Angels who have been so helpful during the COVID-19 running pandemic may be the ones to treat wounds, but the now-on-their-guard municipal police are the ones to have to deal with gun-toting individuals (who they may agree with - or not). There is reason to stay home and stay safe after Nov. 3. Vote early and get it out of the way. Definitely a grumpy season this year. |
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28 Oct 20 - 12:27 PM (#4077119) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Jos For some mega-grumping, see the latest few posts to the Michael Morpurgo thread above about background music/noise. They probably should be added to this thread as well. |
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28 Oct 20 - 01:17 PM (#4077127) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Donuel I greet general grumpiness with "Its hard to have fun these days". Sometimes if it goes beyond grumpyness into invectives, I find allowing people to vent is best. Even when they are dead wrong. |
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28 Oct 20 - 02:12 PM (#4077135) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Jos I find people who are unfailingly cheerful all the time are really depressing. It's better to have a good old moan, and then see the funny side (there usually is one). |
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29 Oct 20 - 08:24 AM (#4077237) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Mr Red Backwoodsman - in Cornwall tourists are more likely to be call emmets - literal translation from Kernewek is ants There's been a suggestion that people stand outside their houses at 6pm on Christmas Eve ringing blooming bells. Senoufou - we can only applaud if you decline to - thus conferring a sort of "No Bell" prize. |
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29 Oct 20 - 08:41 AM (#4077240) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Backwoodsman That’s a new one on me, Mr Red! I’ve always heard tourists and holidaymakers on the Sussex coast, where I spent a lot of time in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, described as Grockles, but the Google Dictionary refers specifically to Devon and Cornwall. Thanks for the heads-up on that. |
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29 Oct 20 - 08:49 AM (#4077242) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Jos Bell-ringing on doorsteps is a much better idea than clapping. And as for banging saucepans, that is traditionally a sign of scorn and derision. Banging saucepans for the NHS was an insult. |
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29 Oct 20 - 09:08 AM (#4077244) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Senoufou I think even better than clapping, banging saucepans or ringing bells is staying indoors in the warm and maybe donating to some related charity. I'd feel a right wally standing outside in our quiet little village doing any of these things. I think people are bored stiff and looking for something for entertainment. Good luck to them, none of my business. Another grump is the increasing aggression by people in queues, socially distanced. My poor niece was seriously attacked while standing in a queue in Edinburgh. A group of 14 yr old (!!!) louts came up behind and punched the back of her head then threw bottles (!!!) at her as she lay semi-conscious on the ground. She's now still suffering double-vision and vertigo. The Police are looking at CCTV, and will charge the yobs with ABH if they can be caught. All this because she refused to let them overtake her and push her to the back of the queue. |
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29 Oct 20 - 12:47 PM (#4077292) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: leeneia I'm so sorry to hear about that, Senoufou. I hope she recovers. |
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29 Oct 20 - 01:52 PM (#4077303) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Senoufou Thank you so much leeneia. She's in her thirties and I'm sure she wouldn't have started any trouble. I think they must have been drunk (hence the bottles). Some people are getting fed up and bored, and it's making them edgy and nasty. She hasn't gone back to work yet (financial consultant) and I doubt whether the CCTV footage will help to identify the little horrors, as they may not be known to the Police (yet!) Her mum (my sis, retired doctor) is worried about her having brain damage or permanent impairment. Sigh. |
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02 Nov 20 - 09:02 AM (#4077874) Subject: RE: BS: Seasonal Grumpyness or Grumpy Season? From: Donuel If you have a house plant big enough for its own gro light you may not need a light box to reset your pituitary with a small does of UV light on a 12 hour cycle by electric timer. A bed room is a good spot for it. |