[paul cotter (OP)]

I am not a fan of this time of the year. I do not aspire to getting lobotomised drunk or overeating to gross levels that seem to be the norm for many people. Originally instigated as a religious feast it is now a celebration of Mammon. Shops are jammed, I can't park my car anywhere and life in general becomes harder. When our daughters were young I definitely enjoyed the experience, through their enjoyment, but now it feels more like punishment. The boss calls me "the Grinch", whatever that may be.

[Origin]

The boss calls me "the Grinch"

Sounds about right...

[paul cotter (OP)]

Hi Origin, I take it you do not agree with my assessment. That's fine by me and I hope you enjoy it and I mean that sincerely. To me the whole overindulgence in food, alcohol and rampant consumerism is just simply tacky.

[alancalverd]

Overindulgence is not mandatory.

I rather like the idea of the world shutting down for a day (in most places) or two weeks (in Britain) and folk enjoying life instead of worrying whether their work actually matters.

The feast predates religion by thousands of years: there comes a point in the northern year when it's just cold and dark most of the day, and nothing is actually growing in the fields, so sensible folk have laid in supplies of preserved food, killed the animals they can't feed, turned surplus fruit and veg into wine and beer rather than let it rot, and just sit back and enjoy it.

Just to remind us how lucky we are to have hot water and warm houses, TV advertisers take us back to mediaeval times when everybody stank of sweat and feces all winter, so smothered themselves in sickly perfumes that never get sold at any other time of the year.

[paul cotter (OP)]

Yes Alan, overindulgence is not mandatory but unfortunately it is the norm. The solstice was what was originally celebrated at this time before it was hijacked by religion, like many other "feasts". Anyway enough grumping from me and I take the opportunity to wish you and your family a happy holiday and a happy and prosperous new year, etc, etc.

[Petrochemicals]

Become an Eastern church member, your Christmas will not start yet, or become a druid and tell everyone that jesus was born in the spring, that the midwinter was usurped by the church in an attempt to  supress the pagan populace and that Christmas is a communist/nazi propaganda exercise in mind control to keep us from the true connection to spirituality  through Gaia to the real ether of the universe, all whilst wearing an animal skin and horns.

[alancalverd]

Yes Alan, overindulgence is not mandatory but unfortunately it is the norm.

I have never considered norms of interest. What other people do or think is entirely up to them, as long as they don't affect me.

But I'm happy to reciprocate your good wishes!

[paul cotter (OP)]

Origin, our esteemed colleague thinks I am a "Grinch", whereas I would class myself as a cynical grump.

[paul cotter (OP)]

All finished now and time to look forward to lengthening days and spring!

[alancalverd]

Beware: "April is the Cruellest Month" (Eliot).