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

It is that time of year, and I seriously apologise...

Today is the first of November and the now kick in, and will get worse over the next nine weeks!

Until the 31st of December, New Year's Eve, I have no escape from the syndrome, and so I am trying to work as many hours as I can to take my mind off this period...

Because of this I apologise if I am short in temperament, hot under the colour, or choleric over anything I do not mean to be... And I have no upset with those who enjoy .

I am just not inclined that way, and so I am warning you beforehand!

MMF

The dastardly nonsense ain't half come 'round quickly this time.

I think I'll be hiding behind a protective blanket of intoxication for as much of it as is possible.

oi! if I wasn't so skint,I'd be Scroogethen again - sod xmas, can never be down(because I'm not french)

Hi MMF. You're not alone in not liking the festive season. It's bad for me bearing in mind that 2002 I was on life support and while there my mother passed away from heart disease too. I was too ill to be told for a week and still too ill to go to the funeral. Added to that other things that happened during that time I don't like this period much, its not a happy time.

You want to chat anytime mate, you have my e-mail,

Mate, didn't want to tie you up in it!

Luckily you don't w*rk in retail, so you don't get caught in all the that I do!!!

Or hear the stuff from people I w*rk with...

It is 50% of our profit, and 75% of my annual bonus, but it is total commercial C*@p!!!

And again I apologise to those who do have a religious bent.

I don't and, given the opportunity, would work if I could get there, and take those days off when 'I' want them..

I know, but I just dislike this time of year from a religious pespective...

it weather wise!

MMF

I got the bent, but! f the religion part

I was a cop for 7 years, prior to that I worked in the motor trade, in all depts. including Customer care and quality control.As I mentioned in a PR discussion recently, it's dead easy to complain and criticise, it's a dam site harder to praise and thank. It's the way this society has gone, it's all me, me, me with folk, greed, keeping up with the Jones and just pure selfishness. I don't envy anyone working in your field these days, you should do it in "stints" then have a break or even counselling. Stress is a killer, as I tell folks long and often enough, NO job is worth having your health damaged, whether physical or mental.

I seem to remember saying pretty much exactly this last year, and a month or so back:

I love large chunks of Christmas, mainly spending time with the family and friends that I rarely see otherwise. The rest of it is irritating and, for me, irrelevant. I'd rather it was there than wasn't but really could do without the rampant consumerism and religion that we are assumed to want to participate in.

MMF, your job must really suck at this time of year. I don't envy you at all.

ST, I didn't realise you'd had such a harsh time over Christmas.

Roy, (could do without the rampant consumerism and religion)that says it all for me, family and friends are different

Hi Roy, yes, 2001 and into 2002 was not a nice time at all.Still, wonders of modern medicine, I'm still here despite the odds.

I'm with you as in every year, Fiddler. Our Turkey and Tinsel breaks started this week, and much as I hate them, they keep us in business. This year is a huge sufferance, though.

'I think I'll be hiding behind a protective blanket of intoxication for as much of it as is possible.' - If by 'it' you mean 'life', Roymondo - me too

Although I love Christmas I can understand those that don't, however you said you were going to work as many hours as possible to get away from it. The only problem with that is people can get tired and run down.` Could you not take trips birdwatching or something as will be peace and quiet there and no mention of Christmas?

The over-commercialisation really gets to me too, the spirit is sadly lacking.

MMF

Excessmas

The only thing I like is the extra days off work. The rest I loathe and try to avoid as much as possible.

The hatchlings spend odd years with me, and even years their other genetical background. The years the are with me we have a relaxed attitude. Very sparingly with seasonal food and few gifts.

This year however, the ultra traditionalist Queen Mum has declared she will spend excessmas at my place. Being an only child and the fact she has not spend an excessmas here since 2001 I felt I couldn't deny her presence... I anticipate "some discussions about how to celebrate"

In the two weeks I was gone, the decorations went up all over town. I like the little fairy lights in all the trees - they keep them there until March, too - but it's too early for all the rest.

Hope you can hide from it as much as you need, MMF. Personally, I look forward to the holiday, two weeks off from Uni and I get to see all my family...

Here's the lyrics to a song you might appreciate

http://www.utterlyrics.com/j/jackson-browne/rarities-duets-1996/the-rebel-jesus.html

Oh, and M Iafrate is giving away a free mp3 he recorded, too.

http://www.catholicanarchy.org/miafrate/mp3/therebeljesus/M%20Iafrate%20-%2001%20-%20The%20Rebel%20Jesus.mp3

once saw easter eggs in woolworths, 2nd week in Jan' a few year back

Christmas is difficult for a lot of us it seems. And for different reasons. I just try not to think about it that much. But like you, MMF, I work with the public so it is impossible to escape from it. Add relatives who think it's a great time and I wind up cranky and out of sorts for weeks.

I'm allergic to Excessmas too. Do you mind if I join in?

(And Prof, a couple of years ago I saw Easter eggs on sale on New Year's Eve.)

I've got three Easter Eggs sitting behind my Computer monitor at work... (I don't eat !!! and it annoys the out of my female colleagues! )

One has an expiry date of 07/05 ,. but all three are past their sell-by date.

I know I work in retail, but I do not worship Mammon or a higher being, nor do I believe in all the commercial tripe.

Neither am I a Christian, so why should I be forced to celebrate something that I have no belief in?

And yes, if I could get to work, and the store was open, I would work, the same as I do at Easter, Eid, Ramadan and any of the other religious festivals that I also have no belief in.

Where I work, the followers of those religions have to take their religious festivals off as part of their holiday entitlement, so why shouldn't practicing Christians follow the same procedure at Christmas?

And all non-believers should work, instead of leaping on the gravy train...

It is hypocritical, and I don't particularly enjoy being a hypocrite if I can avoid it.

Having said that, that period of eight weeks produces 50% of the annual profit... and so boosts my annual bonus

is it complicated!

MMF

'And all non-believers should work, instead of leaping on the gravy train...'

I agree with you in principle but I like seeing my folks and my mates! The Festival of Isis is the only time everyone's in the same place at the same time.

I haven't bought or displayed a chrimble card for years though: I can enjoy the time without partaking in the nonsense.

One day things will change. Maybe we'll start having a piss up on Hitchen's Eve, hang with the family/friends on Darwin Day and recover on Dawkins Day.