From the Fire Direction Center:This holiday isn't exactly my thing. But for those whose it is; may yours be blissful and happy. May you be overwashed by the love of those you love around you. And may you wake to peace and content.
I'm kind of with the Chief in that this holiday, like most of 'em, isn't really too special to me. I like Memorial Day, July 4 and Veterans Day, and I especially like ignoring the commercialism.
Sorry. Sue me.
However, one caveat about Christmas. Leaving aside all of the religious stuff and the commercialism (yes, it's hard), it is a holiday that brings families together, for good or ill, and one that may just prompt some of us to wish our fellow humans some good will.
So, in that spirit, I will note that my own small family is indeed all together for this Christmas (a very good thing), we are all in good health and we fully expect to make it to 2010.
And in that same spirit, I will note that this blog was established in 2009, principally through the efforts of FDChief, and that participating in it ranks very high among the pleasures I find as I grow older. Our blog has turned out to be an adult and civil forum for a number of awfully smart folks. I like it very much and I thank every one of you who makes it that way.
I also want to wish the very best of the season to all of you and express my hopes that you are able to spend the time with those you love. To me, that's the best present of all. And it doesn't cost anything.
Like many of you, I always include the "and Happy New Year" every time I say "Merry Christmas". The two kind of almost blend into one holiday. So here's hoping that 2010 is healthy and prosperous for you all.
I heard David Sedaris's "Christmas Chronicles" on NPR this a.m. (re-broadcast from '92), and it is such a brilliant holiday view, in line with FDC's vid.
He explains the harried mom who is yelling at her her distressed kid, "Get up on that man's lap or I'll give you something to cry about!", as a parent's way of dealing with a world they cannot control, and so creating the simulacrum of the life they'd envisioned.
Publius, you are right: Holidays are about savoring and appreciating what we have, with friendship and health being the most attributes of a good life, IMHO. Thank you FDChief for creating this space, and for bestowing your incisive thoughts so liberally. I think we all benefit by the civility and decency evidenced among a community of sincere searchers.
So Merry Christmas to all the good friends here, who so generously share their wit and brilliance. I am honored to be in your company.
I'll throw in my two cents and say that I am grateful for my family and friends and for being able to participate in this wonderfully adult intelligent forum.
Nothing too thought provoking to add that Lucy missed:
"Lucy Van Pelt: Look, Charlie, let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know. "
"Lucy Van Pelt: I know how you feel about all this Christmas business, getting depressed and all that. It happens to me every year. I never get what I really want. I always get a lot of stupid toys or a bicycle or clothes or something like that.
Charlie Brown: What is it you want?
Lucy Van Pelt: Real estate. "
Just good to actually be home for a holiday for once. Spent way too many holidays away from home over the past 8 years. Helps you appreciate family and hanging out with good groups of people. Happy Holidays to all.
Nice. Reminds me of the old war story about the sniper who's being harassed by the peacenik.
"How can you live with yourself, man?" asks the hippie, "How can you just go out there and kill. What if they're women? Or children? How the hell can you kill little children?"
The sniper thinks about this and replies, "Simple. You just lead 'em a little less."
Jim: Go for it. I'd like to do this as a new post. Let's do this; if you want, you can post it to my e-mail (jlawes@comcast.net) and I'll post it here for you. Or if you want to get behind the bar, let's get you publishing rights here.
FD Chief, I have elected to only participate since my style is hostile and often does not lend itself to dialogue . bg has pointed this out and indicated that my cmts are not constructive and possibly he's right. But in defense our entire national life and policies are not constructive , so i won't get too excited. Also i prefer to have all the flak fall on my own head rather than upon the people that regularly participate on this site. I have respect and friendship towards all , and i prefer to spread my nasty ass attitude over at Ranger. On this NY's eve of a new decade I personally feel futile and irrelevent. Nothing that we've said or done in 5 years of writing has changed 1 little fact in the PWOT. BTW, i'm not looking for a pep talk or fishing for compliments, I'm just sayin'. I would shit can Ranger today but i don't feel that would be fair to Lisa as she is a dominant force that should be considered. But i think the trail is playiing out. By best to all the usual suspects. jim
Hi! I know this is kind of off-topic but I needed to ask.
Does building a well-established blog such as yours require a lot of work? I am brand new to writing a blog but I do write in my journal every day. I'd like to start a blog so I can share my personal experience and views online. Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for new aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!
Here are two more for you chief:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6yUCbqAGrg&feature=player_embedded
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydF9rHC02Hg&feature=player_embedded
Sincerest Holiday wishes to all.
ReplyDeleteAl
I'm kind of with the Chief in that this holiday, like most of 'em, isn't really too special to me. I like Memorial Day, July 4 and Veterans Day, and I especially like ignoring the commercialism.
ReplyDeleteSorry. Sue me.
However, one caveat about Christmas. Leaving aside all of the religious stuff and the commercialism (yes, it's hard), it is a holiday that brings families together, for good or ill, and one that may just prompt some of us to wish our fellow humans some good will.
So, in that spirit, I will note that my own small family is indeed all together for this Christmas (a very good thing), we are all in good health and we fully expect to make it to 2010.
And in that same spirit, I will note that this blog was established in 2009, principally through the efforts of FDChief, and that participating in it ranks very high among the pleasures I find as I grow older. Our blog has turned out to be an adult and civil forum for a number of awfully smart folks. I like it very much and I thank every one of you who makes it that way.
I also want to wish the very best of the season to all of you and express my hopes that you are able to spend the time with those you love. To me, that's the best present of all. And it doesn't cost anything.
Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday/Family&Friends Time and a Big Bountiful Wish for Better Times for 2010!
ReplyDeleteTo all. 8-)
bb
Like many of you, I always include the "and Happy New Year" every time I say "Merry Christmas". The two kind of almost blend into one holiday. So here's hoping that 2010 is healthy and prosperous for you all.
ReplyDeletemike
I heard David Sedaris's "Christmas Chronicles" on NPR this a.m. (re-broadcast from '92), and it is such a brilliant holiday view, in line with FDC's vid.
ReplyDeleteHe explains the harried mom who is yelling at her her distressed kid, "Get up on that man's lap or I'll give you something to cry about!", as a parent's way of dealing with a world they cannot control, and so creating the simulacrum of the life they'd envisioned.
Publius, you are right: Holidays are about savoring and appreciating what we have, with friendship and health being the most attributes of a good life, IMHO. Thank you FDChief for creating this space, and for bestowing your incisive thoughts so liberally. I think we all benefit by the civility and decency evidenced among a community of sincere searchers.
So Merry Christmas to all the good friends here, who so generously share their wit and brilliance. I am honored to be in your company.
Peace and Love,
Lisa
I'll throw in my two cents and say that I am grateful for my family and friends and for being able to participate in this wonderfully adult intelligent forum.
ReplyDeleteNothing too thought provoking to add that Lucy missed:
ReplyDelete"Lucy Van Pelt: Look, Charlie, let's face it. We all know that Christmas is a big commercial racket. It's run by a big eastern syndicate, you know. "
"Lucy Van Pelt: I know how you feel about all this Christmas business, getting depressed and all that. It happens to me every year. I never get what I really want. I always get a lot of stupid toys or a bicycle or clothes or something like that.
Charlie Brown: What is it you want?
Lucy Van Pelt: Real estate. "
Just good to actually be home for a holiday for once. Spent way too many holidays away from home over the past 8 years. Helps you appreciate family and hanging out with good groups of people. Happy Holidays to all.
I'm with Lucy, bg: I'll take the real estate :)
ReplyDeleteTo quote Ms. Kitt,
"Santa cutie, and fill my stocking with a duplex,
And checks.
Sign your 'X' on the line,
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight"
To all,
ReplyDeleteYou guys all miss the point of Christmas.
The only reason we cut down all those trees is to get fields of fire.
jim
Jim:
ReplyDeleteNice. Reminds me of the old war story about the sniper who's being harassed by the peacenik.
"How can you live with yourself, man?" asks the hippie, "How can you just go out there and kill. What if they're women? Or children? How the hell can you kill little children?"
The sniper thinks about this and replies, "Simple. You just lead 'em a little less."
FD Chief,
ReplyDeleteWhen asked what you feel when you kill someone simply say very quietly-recoil.
jim
Jim: see, that's the difference. You 11-bush types work the retail end of the business. Redlegs like to handle the product wholesale.
ReplyDeleteAnd with that we can conclude that spending any amount of time as a GI makes you one sick puppy.
ReplyDeleteHere's my suggestion for a new topic: How about some New Years' Resolutions for our country (our Army, our world, or just ourselves...) for 2010.
FDChief-
ReplyDelete"Here's my suggestion for a new topic: How about some New Years' Resolutions for our country (our Army, our world, or just ourselves...) for 2010."
Go for it! Ya got my vote.
to all,
ReplyDeleteI'm willing to do the 1st NY resolutions if i have a green lite. Or will this be a new post?
jim
Jim: Go for it. I'd like to do this as a new post. Let's do this; if you want, you can post it to my e-mail (jlawes@comcast.net) and I'll post it here for you. Or if you want to get behind the bar, let's get you publishing rights here.
ReplyDeleteYour call.
FD Chief,
ReplyDeleteI have elected to only participate since my style is hostile and often does not lend itself to dialogue . bg has pointed this out and indicated that my cmts are not constructive and possibly he's right. But in defense our entire national life and policies are not constructive , so i won't get too excited.
Also i prefer to have all the flak fall on my own head rather than upon the people that regularly participate on this site.
I have respect and friendship towards all , and i prefer to spread my nasty ass attitude over at Ranger.
On this NY's eve of a new decade I personally feel futile and irrelevent. Nothing that we've said or done in 5 years of writing has changed 1 little fact in the PWOT. BTW, i'm not looking for a pep talk or fishing for compliments, I'm just sayin'.
I would shit can Ranger today but i don't feel that would be fair to Lisa as she is a dominant force that should be considered. But i think the trail is playiing out.
By best to all the usual suspects.
jim
Hi! I know this is kind of off-topic but I needed to ask.
ReplyDeleteDoes building a well-established blog such as yours require a lot of work?
I am brand new to writing a blog but I do write in my journal every day.
I'd like to start a blog so I can share my personal experience and
views online. Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for new aspiring
bloggers. Thankyou!