Christmas Bleh

[LucasM]

Christmas is so depressing. I walked downtown, people shopping like busy bees chatting and giggling; mindless drones. Christmas music blaring, suggesting, influencing. Stupidity. I'd hate to be one of those salvation army jinglers attempting to collect change. Having to smile the whole time.
Selfishness.
Greed.

Artificial.

 

[loveofreason]

Every year this time of year I just want to be alone in the wilderness with blue sky. clouds, mountains, rocks, rivers and stars... and absolutely no humans.

The pretense of love and happiness disguising a consumerist orgy of planetary destruction is so gut wrenching I feel ill thinking about it.

*Really this belongs in siberia... I'll move it.

 

[Jesin]

Yeah, it's mostly consumerism, but some of the love and happiness is not just pretense.

 

[Dissident]

Yeah, it's mostly consumerism, but some of the love and happiness is not just pretense.

But it lasts... how long? half a month? Then everyone goes back to asshole mode.

 

[Jesin]

Yeah.

I like it because it means I get about 1.5 weeks off from school.

 

[NoID10ts]

Those with sensitive eyes, move along. Rant will ensue:


I went to the store today (a Super Target for those of you in the states). Everyone's out Christmas shopping. Here's a mental transcript for my little excursion into Christmas shopping hell:

Damn ........ parking lot's full ........... you know, just because you own a BMW doesn't mean you get to take up two parking spots, dickhead. I ought to key your fucking car ........... I've got my hiking in today, now ............. time to go inside ......... yeah lets all try and enter the store at once because these fucking doors were totally designed to accommodate a row of ten people at a time ........... get the fuck out of the way ........... all the merchandise will still be there if you have to wait 2 seconds for me to enter the store before you ........... none of the merchandise is running away from you ............ there is plenty of merchandise ............. no need to act like a fucking hungry cow ............. cow .................. you know, lady, if you would get off your fucking cell phone and pay attention to where you're going, my life would be just that much easier .......... hey fucker, who are you fooling? We all know that ointment is for you ............. oh you again! get off the goddamn phone! ............... no man, that won't make your wifes ass look big. Your wifes ass makes her ass look big ............... Tell your fucking kid to stop dancing in the aisle. I need by ...................... Sorry your majesty, I didn't realize this entire aisle belongs to you .................. 20 dollars for that? Are you fucking kidding me ......................... GET OFF THE DAMN PHONE, LADY AND GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY WAY! IF YOU GET IN MY WAY ONE MORE FUCKING TIME I'M GOING TO SHOVE THAT PHONE UP YOUR ASS AND THEN USE AN ICE PICK TO DIAL IN AN AIR STrIKE ON THIS WHOLE FUCKING PLACE ............... I'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE ............................ I'M CLOSE TO SLITTING SOME THROATS HERE .................. I CAN'T BREATHE .............. OH FUCK I MUST LEAVE ............ I'm at the checkout now ............. only fifty people in front of me .......... why is this asshole standing so close to me? .............. Does breathing down my neck get you out of here any faster? .................. Yay, a teenager who just doesn't give a shit, is ringing me up .................... merry fucking Christmas to you too ............... you'll probably be working here the rest of your fucking life ............... Ahhhhh, made it outside ...................... go ahead and run me over, put me out of my misery .............. hurry now, there is only one thing left on the shelves in there, sir! .......... if you don't hurry they will sell out, oh no! ........... dumb ass .............. now who the hell do I have run over to get the fuck out of here ..............


Ahhh, the holidays. Peace and love and goodwill towards men, right? What a bunch of bullshit.

 

[Agent Intellect]

eerily similar to my thought processes.

except mine usually has more cursing and death threats.

 

[NoID10ts]

eerily similar to my thought processes.

except mine usually has more cursing and death threats.

Mine to, in reality.

I just wanted it to sound really classy and refined. You know how I like to make everything sound classy and refined.

 

[Jordan~]

There are Christmas trees set up by the city council all around Dundee, but they have to put up fences around them to protect them from vandals. The contrast is so bleak and disheartening.

 

[loveofreason]

Yeah, it's mostly consumerism, but some of the love and happiness is not just pretense.

There is proof of this?

 

[Fleur]

"Can you tell me again - what's the point of bringing some tree in our house?"

"It's for homely sensation of festival. Doesn't it feel nicer if there's a decorated Christmas tree and candles?"

"No difference. I don't see it as a proper reason."

"Why you always have to have a reason? Why can't you simply be happy once for a year?"

....or....

"What do you want for Christmas?"

"Nothing."

"No, really, what do you want?"

"I already said - nothing."

"No, you have to want something. Everybody wants."

...or...

"Fleur, come down already! We're going to have Christmas meal!"

"I'm not hungry."

"It's not about hunger, it's about being together with family!"

"So? I still don't feel any hunger."

"Come!"

...and...

"Merry Christmas!"

"Go die somewhere!"

.......
I can't stand Christmas. It's the most troublesome time of the year. If I don't count birthdays, Easter, New Year... and all the other celebrations. The only benefit is school holidays.

I can hardly wait 'til I'll be able to get away from it. I'm not going to participate in this every year of my life. Seriously.

Depression about being alone? Ha. Wait with a sack. It's rather depression about being in a middle of all this joy stuff. Gnomes, The Creepy Guy in Red, greetings, Christmas tree, useless presents, dumb soppy movies (and their ultimate argument: "It's Christmas!"), and the list goes on. It's always a torture.

 

[Jesin]

There is proof of this?

I said "some", so if you can find any tiny little piece that's genuine, that's proof.

And doesn't the fact that I was actually willing to believe that the holidays are not all bad count as that tiny little piece?

Ha! I has proofed it!

 

[Ermine]

I can't stand what people have made of christmas. I'd be perfectly fine with it if it were a low profile religious holiday like it should be. If Christmas were celebrated in the true spirit of Christianity, that is love, charity, kindness, and remembering the birth of Jesus Christ, I'd be fine with it. But in this state, I can't go into a retail store without being disgusted. Good thing I live in a small town so I won't get mobbed by crazed shoppers.

Ironic how the Christmas season has become the epitome of pride, jealousy, gluttony, ingratitude, and materialism.

 

[NoID10ts]

 

[Jennywocky]

Those with sensitive eyes, move along. Rant will ensue:...

<< beautiful flow of consciousness expose running on Ludicrous Speed>>

...Ahhh, the holidays. Peace and love and goodwill towards men, right? What a bunch of bullshit.

omg, i can't breathe...
yeah. That is about right.
All of it.

(Which is why I only sneak out to "Tar-zhay" late at night or early in the morning during this tumultuous season.)

eerily similar to my thought processes.
except mine usually has more cursing and death threats.

Brute.

I just wanted it to sound really classy and refined. You know how I like to make everything sound classy and refined.

Priss.

 

[NoID10ts]

Brute.



Priss.

Yeah, I'm AI's bitch, I think.

 

[didyouknow]

Woohoo! Somewhere to go and complain about christmas without being proclaimed "unhuman". Though I think I could survive if we went past the really annoying christmas songs, giftgiving process and family quality time.

(...or is that christmas summed up in 25 words or less?...)

 

[FusionKnight]

There is proof of this?

Yeah, not all of us are jerks!

What society has made of Christmas, and Christmas itself are two different things. If we're railing against rampant consumerism and other hypocritical crap, then I'm on board.

However, Christmas represents the beginning of the end of the Age of Death (my term), and therefor I find it a very appropriate thing to celebrate. Celebrations have almost universally included feasting, gathering with friends and family, reflection of some sort, and many celebrations in many cultures include gift-giving. It'd just be nice if we could all remember what all of those celebratory trappings are about.

 

[Fleur]

Disliking Christmas equals jerk?

 

[FusionKnight]

No, LoR was saying there is no goodwill or love during Christmas and that we all turn into jerks when it's over. I'm saying, SCREW YOU, THAT'S NOT TRUE!


Ooh... I rhymed, and I didn't even mean it!


...anybody want a peanut?

 

[NoID10ts]

Christmas is a big pile of horseshit with a rotting cherry on top. Horseshit I tell you!

 

[FusionKnight]

Horseshit actually makes really good compost, and ends up making all the poinsettias and Christmas trees grow that much more glorious... SO THERE!

*bites thumb at thee*

 

[Jennywocky]

Horseshit actually makes really good compost, and ends up making all the poinsettias and Christmas trees grow that much more glorious... SO THERE!

I like how it's a teamwork thing, for the holidays -- reindeers pull the sleigh, horses contribute... other things.

(Everyone has a part!)

 

[NoID10ts]

BAH! HUMBUG!

Fusion, your a post or two away from an arena invitation.

 

[FusionKnight]

Nonsense. You're not man enough to challenge me! You know i'd just defeat you in a single Christmastree-to-the-face-wrapping-paper-enema-flaming-eggnog-deathblow-of-holiday-cheer anyway!

So go take your humbugs and stick them up your nose!

Pbth!

 

[EloquentBohemian]

What's wrong NoID10ts, don't like candy?

...which gives a whole new meaning to this:

So go take your humbugs and stick them up your nose!

 

[NoID10ts]

This pine tree is going to hurt as it makes its way up your prostate! I left the damn twinkly little star on top to!

 

[FusionKnight]

Oh, you could shove a Christmas tree up my rear, but then I'd just be glowing with Christmas spirit even more (skin is rather translucent, you know)!

 

[NoID10ts]

You really left me no choice. To the ARENA ...............

 

[Apathy]

Yes, Christmas is definatelly an overblown holiday.
Not to mention it is all based on lies and consumerism anyway, just think of it:

Santa Claus
-We lie to children telling them that a magical man will give them presents if they're good.
-People worship Santa as a symbol of good and giving, when he is actually a creation of the Coca Cola Co.

Jesus
-We celebrate Dec. 25 as the date of his birth when this isnt even the day he was born on. It wouldnt be so bad to just use this day as a day for rememberance of his birth, but churches actually tell people he was born this day!!

-Lately I have noticed that this aspect of christmas seems to be more and more downplayed. What reason is left to celebrate if you take away the historical figure?

Consumerism
-Think of all the wasteful products produced and sold in an attempt to get peopel into the "Christmas Spirit"; Ornaments, Decorations, Lights, Cheap toys, wrapping paper.


I definately agree that Christmas should go back to being a religious holiday instead of a Celebration of Consumerism.

 

[EloquentBohemian]

Yes, Christmas is definatelly an overblown holiday.
Not to mention it is all based on lies and consumerism anyway, just think of it:

Santa Claus
-We lie to children telling them that a magical man will give them presents if they're good.
-People worship Santa as a symbol of good and giving, when he is actually a creation of the Coca Cola Co.

Actually, the myth of Santa Claus began with Saint Nicholas of Myra and the popular image began four years before the one for Coca Cola was painted by this fellow. (...personally, I like his last painting of Santa better)

Jesus
-We celebrate Dec. 25 as the date of his birth when this isnt even the day he was born on. It wouldnt be so bad to just use this day as a day for rememberance of his birth, but churches actually tell people he was born this day!!

Some Christian holidays and rites have been assimilations of pre-Christian rituals which were a part of the folk-lore and beliefs of the people converted to Christianity. Christmas is actually two to four days after the Winter Solstice which had wise spread celebration in Europe before Christianity.
Another one would be Easter. There is speculation that the Easter Bunny came from the fact that rabbits were symbols of fertility.

-Lately I have noticed that this aspect of christmas seems to be more and more downplayed. What reason is left to celebrate if you take away the historical figure?

Probably, it would have no relevance.
Speaking of the historical figure of Jesus, it is also speculated that because He was supposed to have been born in Nazareth, Jesus may have looked more like this...

...instead of this...

Consumerism
-Think of all the wasteful products produced and sold in an attempt to get peopel into the "Christmas Spirit"; Ornaments, Decorations, Lights, Cheap toys, wrapping paper.

Christmas trees come from Germanic origins as do Yule Logs.

I definately agree that Christmas should go back to being a religious holiday instead of a Celebration of Consumerism.

I totally agree.

 

[Decaf]

Speaking of the historical figure of Jesus, it is also speculated that because He was supposed to have been born in Nazareth, Jesus may have looked more like this...

...instead of this...

On the contrary, Jesus was actually of French origin and had a rare heart condition that forced him to keep it outside his body. I should know, I was there.

 

[EloquentBohemian]

ROFL!!
​

 

[FusionKnight]

You know, that first Jesus looks much more like a person I would want to get to know and hang out with. The second one just looks so... you know, liturgical...

 

[ProgChild]

I feel the same way, my mom thinks I need "help" or something. I mean, the giving is good and stuff, but everything seems to have no meaning, its too ritualistic and commercial. It's funny when we are in an economic crisis, so they raise the grocery prices.

 

[Kidege]

On the contrary, Jesus was actually of French origin and had a rare heart condition that forced him to keep it outside his body. I should know, I was there.

Didn't see you there. Where were you staying?

 

[severus]

I just love how the school decides it's a-okay to put up Christmas decorations and play Christmas music during the passing periods.
hmph
Though on the other hand I propose that Christmas has become a secular holiday, orgins having been forgotten.

 

[didyouknow]

I just thought of something...

Oktoberfest was started to celebrate the marriage of some important royalty from ages ago and now it's all beer and carnival rides.

That is an awesome change. If only we lived in germany...and we could say hi to ogion

 

[NoID10ts]

Big Bang Theory Christmas!

 

[Agent Intellect]

Many who are excitedly preparing for their Christmas celebrations would prefer not knowing about the holiday’s real significance. If they do know the history, they often object that their celebration has nothing to do with the holiday’s monstrous history and meaning. “We are just having fun.”

Imagine that between 1933-45, the Nazi regime celebrated Adolf Hitler’s birthday – April 20 – as a holiday. Imagine that they named the day, “Hitlerday,” and observed the day with feasting, drunkenness, gift-giving, and various pagan practices. Imagine that on that day, Jews were historically subject to perverse tortures and abuse, and that this continued for centuries.

Now, imagine that your great-great-great-grandchildren were about to celebrate Hitlerday. April 20th arrived. They had long forgotten about Auschwitz and Bergen Belsen. They had never heard of gas chambers or death marches. They had purchased champagne and caviar, and were about to begin the party, when someone reminded them of the day’s real history and their ancestors’ agony. Imagine that they initially objected, “We aren’t celebrating the Holocaust; we’re just having a little Hitlerday party.” If you could travel forward in time and meet them; if you could say a few words to them, what would you advise them to do on Hitlerday?

On December 25, 1941, Julius Streicher, one of the most vicious of Hitler’s assistants, celebrated Christmas by penning the following editorial in his rabidly Antisemitic newspaper, Der Stuermer:
"If one really wants to put an end to the continued prospering of this curse from heaven that is the Jewish blood, there is only one way to do it: to eradicate this people, this Satan’s son, root and branch."

It was an appropriate thought for the day. This Christmas, how will we celebrate?




thats right, i'm the grinch

 

[Ermine]

good analogy. Personally, I actually celebrate the holiday with its origins and original purpose in mind.

 

[Kuu]

^^ saturnalia, Ermine? (I know, I know)

Today I went christmas shopping against my will (ugh triple redundancy!). I felt like walking with a flamethrower around the entire mall burning everything: fake plastic trees, creepy old men dressed as santas with children on their laps, SUPER CHRISTMAS MEGA SALE signs, hideous pastel-colored epileptic lights, dancing robotic santas that go "ho ho ho", and the girls in skimpy "santa" outfits with their tiny skirts, push-up bras, and long legs in leather boots that try to convince you to buy an overpriced TV...... all in great firey destruction while screaming "Consumer whores! Burn, consumer whores!"

(Eh scratch that part about the girls in skimpy santa outfits. I have other punishments in mind for them )

I mean, it snows once every 40 years! Friggin snow men and raindeers and pine trees and fur lined coats when the weather is 25 C.... To celebrate an ancient pagan week of mischief used as bait by the christian church to eliminate other religions and amass power, turned into consumerist excess fest that poses as an innocent secular holiday of kindness to humanity!

Fuck that.

We INTP heathens should instead revive the Saturnalia. All that talk of running naked on the streets, obscenely great banquets, widespread destruction, indulging in all sorts of carnal pleasures, sexual deviancy, and other miscellaneous debauchery... sounds like a lot of fun when compared to... shopping and "quality time with the family". Its a real no-brainer, my friends.

 

[loveofreason]

*applause*

HAVE A DEBAUCHED SATURNALIA EVERYONE!!!

 

[EloquentBohemian]

Is there any other kind?

 

[NoID10ts]

*applause*

HAVE A DEBAUCHED SATURNALIA EVERYONE!!!

I would like to hear stories of debauchery. Feel free to PM me about it and include pictures and videos if possible. Thanks.