h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I previously posted this erroneously and I am for those that have seen it's previous incarnation and are getting deja vu. My humble apologies!!!

"I guess that means it is time for my 'Best of the Festering Season' hibernation?

It is the time of the year when the 'Black Dog' appears to hound me, and really puts paid to any feeling of jollification and uplifted spirits, unfortunately.

And the most annoying part of it is that I don't want to be like it, or to spoil others' enjoyment... A real conundrum... It just means I'll be on-site less than usual, to prevent mischevious postings .

It is the false bonhomie, the office 'Cackymas' cards that are obligatory and must be sent (although I DO send cards to family, close friends and distant friends RL or VL), lest I offend someone by not sending one and the obscene amount of food that is purchased and thrown away that really upsets me...

I am lucky in that I spend the festive period with my Mother in a low key way, and we do give the boat a very gentle shove . It is effectively a slightly OTT Sunday roast with additional trimmings, and often a lost soul or two who would otherwise be alone over that period. They have even been unknown to us until the previous evening. A true exhibition of 'Cackymas' Spirit, I guess.

In fact the last person who was invited had just split from his wife, was homeless, would not see his daughter for the first time. A true case of 'care in the Community', He had parked up locally and visited my local and both Mum and I invited him. And he really enjoyed himself, although he wouldn't have a drink, as he was in the cab of his lorry and was worried about being breathalised...

I have also managed to swap the dates I was meant to be off over that period to allow those who do celebrate to have a good time and for me to work over most of that period and get additional days off in January...

And to those of you that do enjoy 'The Seasonal break??? '

May I wish you

Have a good time and , and I'll to you all on New Year's Eve! When 'I' let my hair down...

I'm not really a or party pooper and Boring Old F*art! I do enjoy a knees-up, I am just not into the 'Cackymas' thing, and, unfortunately, I am unable to do anything to change that!!! It just is!!!

Have fun all!"

MMF



Reply

If ever you want a general chat about things NOT related to christmas, you know my email addy.

Lalalalalala, I'm not listening! Faaar too early to be talking about that.

It sounds to me, MMF, as if you celebrate Christmas in just the way it should be celebrated. So why get sad over everybody else's panic?

We tend to have a big meal on Christmas Day, and then don't buy any other food to cover the rest of the holiday. You can survive Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) without any food at all, and there's always a tin of soup in the press (cupboard) for the 27th. In the end, you eat less than on a normal three days.

I get around the crap-office-card problem - A couple of years back I put up a cheap card I had laying around, stuck it on a large peice of paper, and pinned it on the noticeboard at work with a note saying something along the lines of:

Happy Christmas. Instead of buying cheap naff cards for everyone, here's one cheap naff card for you all. The money I've saved I am donating to charity. If you'd like to do the same, sign below, and pass your donations on to me, I shall pool them, and make one big donation."

Each year I've done this we've never raised less than £100!

What a great idea, Moonhogg!

I thangyou...

I *do* have them, occasionally.

I think I'll print out that last comment, just to prove it!

Does anyone receive those 'commercial' Christmas Cards? I don't know where they come from (some salesman's catalogue, presumably), but they're twice the size of other cards and hideously tasteless. Sometimes we're all asked to sign the ones which the manager sends to prospective clients. I can't imagine they'd ever win any business for us.

Christmas is a difficult time for a lot of people, MMF. And it is so in your face that it's hard to just ignore it. Hang in there. Have you ever thought of starting some non-traditional traditions of your own as a way of coping? Is there something you've always wanted to do that could be done during the Christmas season every year?

I know you are a bird-watcher. How about an annual visit to a winter sanctuary? Or putting up a Christmas tree for the birds every year? I do that. Do you have a balcony or patio that would hold one? I hang suet balls, pinecones spread with peanut butter and rolled in bird seed, and make chains out of popcorn and cranberries.

Luckily Mother and I have that period sorted.

She is kind enough to arrange Christmas dinner, which is a slightly special Sunday roast of shoulder of lamb, duck or chicken, with a variety of five veg, including sprouts, leeks, parsnips, roast potatoes and carrots.

The day starts with a small special breakfast, prepared by myself, of salmon, quails' eggs and melba toast. We then exchange presents before heading for our local.

Around 14.30 to 15.00 we return, with lost souls if they've been invited for dinner, Around 17.00 this is followed by and cake, followed by cheeses.

And that is about it. We'll chat, play games, listen to music and possibly, although rarely, watch television.

Boxing day was traditionally spent at my Sister's house with her children, but she has moved, so this year will be different. I am hoping it will just be a gentle stroll around Kew Gardens, and then back to work.

Unfortunately, Hyp, I live in a first floor flat, but I do get out as often as possible.

By and large, I am pleased when it is over, and look forward to New Year which is a lot less formal, stuffy, alcoholic or glutinous.

Be over soon though...

And thanks for the advice.

MMF

Christmas was always about cheeses.

I agree, but I've normally eaten too much (I love shoulder of lamb because it's one of the few cuts that still has fat attached!) to really appreciate the minimum 5 cheeses I have bought... along with the olives, pickled walnuts, chutneys, celery <) and dates...

Such simple fare yet still excessive. We will get the quantity right, eventually... I hope!!!

But then we are never 100% certain of numbers!!!



MMF