Bah Humbug

[Guest Jamie]

Anyone here besides me wishing they could wake up and tomorrow be January 2?

Make it June 1st for me.

I dislike the holidays about as much as I hate being cold, so it'd be alright with me if we just skip the whole "winter" thing altogether.

[Guest Caveman]

Its not that I hate the holidays,its that I hate the holiday people.

Actually I just hate people in general all year long,but when the holidays roll around,I hate them with a **** eatin' grin,and give them a "happy holidays" greeting just so they'll hate me as much as I hate them.

That's awesome!

[TGO David]

Contrary to my precious post I DO ENJOY the holiday season...I find JOY in seeing others getting stressed out...sorry just the tiny wicked streak in me. Like some on here I am focused on "giving" this year more than "receiving"....Merry Chrisma-hana-kwanza ya'll

Why would you take joy in other people's misery???

[Guest mustangdave]

Just cause....problem?...and I said nothing about misery...that's a different level of hell

[TGO David]

Just cause....problem?...and I said nothing about misery...that's a different level of hell

I just find it rather unsettling that anyone enjoys seeing other people stressed (a definite form of misery) at this time of year. Is that a problem to me? Yeah, I guess is. Especially when you contrast a statement like that with the fact that quite a few TGO members just gave out of their own pockets to lessen the stress that complete strangers are experiencing.

It just seems... I dunno... sadistic?

Humbug was a good title for the thread.

[R1100R]

Since I have become a Dad so late in life I enjoy the season more. I am thankful for my Family and the time spent with them.

I enjoy spending time with my little Girl playing play-dough and drinking imaginary tea parties more than any thing. She wants a pink pow-pow.I will be home on leave for two weeks at the end of the month.

[Guest Jamie]

It just seems... I dunno... sadistic?

It's just human nature to laugh at other people's misery. Most especially when they inflict it on themselves.

If it wasn't, slap-stick comedy wouldn't exist, all those "Jackass" videos wouldn't be popular, nor would any of the "reality" TV shows.

And none of us would get the giggles at merely hearing the words "I'm the only one in this room professional enough..."

I suppose it all comes down to some innate desire on all our parts to see people more screwed up/screwed over than we ourselves are.

So in that respect, all of us are more than a bit ( or a lot ) sadistic, in one form or another.

[Garufa]

You Scrooges need to put on a Burl Ives Christmas album and get sloppy on some mulled wine. Oh, and stay away from malls and Wal-Mart if you want to keep the spirit up.

[Chucktshoes]

It's just human nature to laugh at other people's misery. Most especially when they inflict it on themselves.

If it wasn't, slap-stick comedy wouldn't exist, all those "Jackass" videos wouldn't be popular, nor would any of the "reality" TV shows.

And none of us would get the giggles at merely hearing the words "I'm the only one in this room professional enough..."

I suppose it all comes down to some innate desire on all our parts to see people more screwed up/screwed over than we ourselves are.

So in that respect, all of us are more than a bit ( or a lot ) sadistic, in one form or another.

I agree that all humor comes from pain. There is somebody at the butt of any really funny joke. I have a theory that I borrowed from R.A. Heinlein's book "Stranger in a Strange Land" that human beings laugh because it hurts. Laughter is a self defense mechanism. The question to ask is are you laughing AT someone's pain, or because you identify with their pain? It is a subtle but distinct difference.

[Guest Jamie]

I agree that all humor comes from pain. There is somebody at the butt of any really funny joke. I have a theory that I borrowed from R.A. Heinlein's book "Stranger in a Strange Land" that human beings laugh because it hurts. Laughter is a self defense mechanism. The question to ask is are you laughing AT someone's pain, or because you identify with their pain? It is a subtle but distinct difference.

If they've done it to themselves, then I'm laughing AT them, even though I may also be able to identify with their situation.

[Angus]

I am kinda with Strickj...I really dislike people, especially this time of year. But since my job is to deal with them, I try to give them a good dose of what Christmas is all about. I smile at them, thank them abundantly, wish them good tiddings...and then when the realllll ass-wee-pays show up, I deny them boarding due to their "unsafe" attitude towards travel.

Merry Christmas everybody!!

Plus my B-day is the 24....I look great surrounded by .45 ammo...just an FYI.

[Punisher84]

I dislike the holidays mainly because I don't get to experience them really anymore. I don't get holidays off unless it falls on my normal day off, my wife is the same way with the exception of Christmas and New Year's Day.

Her family does Christmas on Christmas Eve and she can't ever make it because she works. It's honestly just a time of year that, while I'm thankful for what I have, not being able to enjoy the day with family and friends like most people do keepsyou from getting too excited about it.

[Guest louderthebetter]

I love to see the LITTLE kids at Christmas with the awe and hope of Santa bringing them lots of toys but at the same time I ache inside knowing far too many kids in this country will go to bed hungry and scared because of worthless no good parents doing drugs and booze.

If you know a child in that position,help them if you can.A new toy,a warm coat or just about anything will bring happiness to a kid who has nothing and the feeling you get inside when they smile is priceless.

[bteague2]

I like seeing family and friends, but I can't stand what Christmas is now. Although this Christmas is going to be special.

[Mike.357]

Humbug was a good title for the thread.

Thanks! Is it January yet?

[Guest mustangdave]

I just find it rather unsettling that anyone enjoys seeing other people stressed (a definite form of misery) at this time of year. Is that a problem to me? Yeah, I guess is. Especially when you contrast a statement like that with the fact that quite a few TGO members just gave out of their own pockets to lessen the stress that complete strangers are experiencing.

It just seems... I dunno... sadistic?

Humbug was a good title for the thread.

David...I don't think I disparaged any TGO members for their kind and giving natures.

Me thinks you over reacted just a weee bit....stressed already? Its only the 1st of DEC

Edited December 2, 2009 by mustangdave
self spell check...

[VERO1]

I love Christmas. I can't do much about the commercial crazy aspect of it. However, I can try to make memories for my parents who are getting older, and my children, two of whom are grown and in other states. Life is what you make it, don't waste it. I don't have enough time left to try to make people miserable.

[strickj]

David...I don't think I disparaged any TGO members for their kimd and giving natures.

Me thinks you over reacted just a weee bit....stressed already? Its only the 1st of DEC

I get what you were saying.

I don't think anybody wants to laugh at someone who cant put gifts under the tree for their kids.

But seeing people running around like crazy for four weeks and getting into all kinds of mischievous is funny in a "are they really that crazy" kinda way!

Oh,and the only thing I look forward to is eggnog,and more importantly hardnog!

[Guest mustangdave]

Thanks Strickj....yes some hard-nog, or boiled custard...with just a wee touch of Jack.

[Mike.357]

I got what you were Saying Mustangdave. Its like on Thanksgiving, about noonish we got a good laugh at someones misery.

The recently erected house in the hayfield, nearest our house had a mess of cars parked out front. Bunch of people I assume for Thanksgiving dinner. They were all there about 1/2 and hour when all the sudden we heard a commotion. Screaming and yelling. Look out back and two woman are going at it. Others standing there and watching. Not a full blown cat fight but it was getting close. Finally one man grabbed one of the woman, picked her up, literally tossed her into a car. He got in revved up the motor and took off down their road. Within a couple of minutes all the cars were gone. I guess their Thanksgiving was not so good. Am I wrong for chuckling at that scene?

[strickj]

You're wrong for not taking any pics

[Mike.357]

You're wrong for not taking any pics

Me and the wife both said when it was done that we should have gotten some pictures. LOL

[Wyldk2]

This would be a better holiday if one of my edicts was followed.

"Everyone should have to work retail at least one Christmas."

Done that, and the day after Thanksgiving for retail people is a mandatory.

I don't hate the holidays, even though it has gone off the deep end on commercialism. People are forgetting the true reason behind Christmas. it's not the gift giving or receiving, it's the time spent with your family and loved ones remembering the greatest gift of all in the Christian faith. The gift from god of his son Jesus, in order to save us all who believe in him as the savior.

Now wheter or not anyone believes in the true meaning, it is no problem, believe what you want or don't believe, after all is still is a free country.

Now i would trade everything i own if i could have my mom back for the holidays as this year's holidays don't feel the same to me.

[Guest blackbeltchick]

I use to love Christmas, it was my favorite time of the year. I would put up my decorations, inside and out. But for the last two years I've lost that Christmas spirit. I'll still make my children and grandchildren their Christmas ornaments for the year as long as my hands will work for me but that's as far as I'll go any more. It's not the same after the kids grow up and the house is empty.

[titan14]

I use to love Christmas, it was my favorite time of the year. I would put up my decorations, inside and out. But for the last two years I've lost that Christmas spirit. I'll still make my children and grandchildren their Christmas ornaments for the year as long as my hands will work for me but that's as far as I'll go any more. It's not the same after the kids grow up and the house is empty.

I agree whole-heartedly....this time of year is for the KIDS!!!!!!!! Not for the over zealous jackass parents.

I have even gone as far as not even putting up a tree for the last two years. Stepdaughter is off to college and just me and the wife here. We don't need all that crap to celebrate Christmas. Besides, it's a pain in the ass to store it, get it out, set it up, decorate, keep the dogs out of it, put it back up, store it for ANOTHER year, then do it ALL over again.

Christmas...to me...is being with people I love. Whether it be one(wifey) or a bunch of family and friends...

The older I get, the more I really understand the statement...."BAH HUMBUG!!!!!!!!!"