The Ghosts of Christmas Past

NO I am not about to recant a tale of Dickensian woe. I am merely stating what it is that I shall be doing tomorrow. You may have remembered me talking about a ghost tour last month. Well unfortunately those plans never did come to fruition. The first attempt had to be rescheduled do to conflicting schedules. The second time around it needed to be aborted because there was a hurricane (well not really, there was just alot of wind and rain). Tomorrow is the third attempt and while it is suppose to be quite chilly it will be pleasantly sunny. We should have a good in not cold time tomorrow. I am looking forward to it. Of course the cold seems to be the precursor to what is shaping up to be the first significant snowfall of the season on Sunday. I however; get to miss it. Hopefully the snow keeps on its course and allows me to take off Sunday morning for Chicago. I don't look forward to being delayed at an airport again going to Chicago. Last time was enough. Either way. My camera is fully charged so I will be snapping photos.

So this leads me to what I want to talk about next. I'm going to ask for a little bit of participation here and hopefully we can have a little fun. Since every radio station this side of the temple is playing Christmas music I figure I want to know a little bit more about people. Every year these station play the Christmas songs that have been classified as "classics". They don't have to be old they just are adopted in the mix and get repeated year after year. For example Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song" is a classic through and through, but George Michael's "Last Christmas" and Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas" are rather new but have been adopted as a new classics and are played year after year.

Recently we have been seeing more from Clay Aiken and Josh Groben which are sure to be classics. We have also seen some others by the latest Brit-Jessi-Christina wannabees that will be forgotten faster that you can say Happy New Year, and rightly so. However, there are a select few that beyond all sense of logic become classics and we are cursed to hear them year after year, some are so bad they make you want to change the channel. Below are my top 5 holiday songs that I absolutely despise and should be banished from the airwaves.

5. Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord - Boney M. What you don't know this one? Yes you do. It was released in '78. I was all of one yet this turd has continued to show up at more Christmases than Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo. Maybe its the steel drums, or maybe its the fact that you would expect to here it come spewing forth from a fish bowling VW bus. Oh my lord indeed, crack a window. Reggae and Christmas just don't mix. Believe it or not there was an entire album of this, maybe we should consider ourselves lucky(?) that we aren't exposed to more refer madness. Final review: Mildly annoying, you may want to go get a refill on the eggnog while its on.

4. Little Saint Nick - The Beach Boys. Maybe its the same argument as the Calypso Calamity above but Beach and Christmas don't mix. Snow and sand go together like gays and football. Sure it happens every now and then but it leads to funny looks and causes people to shake their heads. In this case I'm thinking did they need the money. I just don't see the appeal of this song and once again it was part of a larger Christmas Album. This one was released in '64 so its one of the oldest on my list, but definitely not the wisest. If the Beach Boys were the three wise men it wouldn't have been Frankincense and myrrh that was being smoked. Which would also explain this release. My final Word: this song is like the kids at the store in front of you. You know the real whiny ones that have mom and dad wrapped around their little finger, and you just know if they don't get there way the explode. You know the kind you just want to slap.

3. Dominic the Donkey - Lou Monte Chiggity Ching!!! I don't know why people think animals are all that cute in songs. That aside even if I did want to introduce a new Christmas critter to replace Rudolph it sure wouldn't be a donkey!!! and whats with that other song about a hippopotamus, why can't we have Charlie the Christmas Chipmunk or the ever more useful Patty the Prancing Puma she'd at least get the toys there faster. I digress, so we are stuck with an ass for this song. Does anyone else notice that this song couldn't be any more stereotypically guido if it were played at a Soprano's convention. If I were Italian I would be insulted, and infinitely more popular. My Final word: released in 1960 its aged as well as the fruitcake you get every year. You take a bite to be polite, but then shove it to the back of the refrigerator until next year.

2. Same Old Lang Syne - Dan Fogleberg I'm sorry I know he's a great guy and is a great environmental spokes person but this song bites. No I mean it makes you want to bite the end of a rifle. Released in '81 I suspect that it may have been no coincidence that the incidents of suicide around the holidays went up that year. Maybe my own personal biasis are coming into play with this one this year, but what makes this a Christmas song? Yes he mentions Christmas Eve but it could have happened at any point in the year. I wouldn't classify lamenting on old lovers as being cheery, nor is it one of those Global Awareness songs (you know the ones where its a catchy tune, and 50 celebrities singing about ending war and poverty through the world). So why do we bring this one out every year. Is it to finally send that pathetic lonely friend of yours onto the tracks so you have one last gift to get? Someone please tell me. My Final Thought: It sucks you in just like those old relatives you only see once a year and then haunts you for days. Best if you just ignore the song and change the channel unless your a masochist.

This is it the last one. How bad is it? Oh it gets pretty bad. Guaranteed to make Santa toss his cookies and hang up the boots. Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you the worst Christmas tune of all time.


1. CHRISTMAS SHOES - NEWSONG This song makes me want destroy property, punch babies, and dismember small animals. I know I am in the shoe biz but even I can't stomach the song. My distaste for it is so strong that the opening chord is all I need to hear and the radio gets violently turned off. Also not a happy song, its premise is a poor child needs money to buy shoes for his dying mother so she can look pretty for Jesus? What kind of value is vanity? Anyways this song is to music as Beaches is to movies. Its sole purpose is to make you cry. For something I hate so much I am amazed how much know about it. It was originally an internet legend back in '96. It's too bad that Snopes couldn't have gotten to it before that crazy Christian group Newsong got it. Now we have the song, book and even a movie. I swear those Christians will believe anything these days and then want to saturate the airwaves with it. ( ooh that was really caddy of me) I know I am in good company declaring this song as the most depressing of all time. My Final Thought: Just say no: to drugs, expired eggnog, pulling your uncle's finger, last minute shopping at Cumby's, Strawberry Soda, and this "SONG". In fact do what I do and learn and memorize the first chord and flip the channel. The baby Jesus dancing to that sultry steal drum is much more preferable to this dreck.

Alright thats it. Thats my list. Maybe you agree with me. Maybe I just slammed your favorite song. Maybe you should get your head checked then. Just kidding. Its been fun and I have had an axe to grind for these songs for a long time. Let me know if you agree, or if I just ruined Christmas for you. Maybe you have Holiday Turd of your own you need to flush out.

Acquiris quodcumque rapis

I must apologize. Its been awhile. Writer's block could be faulted in some accounts, but mostly I have not posted because I have not been able to think straight lately. I dare say that I am looking on things with a bit more clarity these days. For awhile I have been feeling distant and cut off from things, as if all I had to do was go through the motions and things would be ok. Such is not the case. I guess you could say its my ongoing commitment to better myself that I am trying to change my perspective on things. The past few days have been very odd for me. There have been some good times and some painful ones as well. The important thing to note is that I feel connected again. As if I am truly in this world and not just watching it go by. I can not describe to you what it is that I'm feeling other than to say that I am not only feeling connected; I think everything IS connected.

Each day brings a new lesson and while it may be odd; the result is that it is somehow connected to something else. Its almost like things flow together like water and everything happens for a reason. While things may not be better right now I can see how it could be and will be. Which for me is very refreshing. Don't get me wrong I still have plenty of healing that needs to happen and one never really should stop learning. For the risk of sounding a bit nuts I feel as if I am transcending some kind of boundary. (At this point I feel as I should tell you that I am not any illicit drugs, only a decongestant) Just beyond the border is some kind of goal. I don't know what it is but I know its there and I know that I will get it one day. I can be patient, I mean I have dealt with so much this year, so much change so much pressure I just know that there is some kind of greater lesson or understanding that I am coming too. I know I have had to endure all of this for a reason. Something is coming, I know not what but I will be prepared.

Any advice I can give would sound contrived and Zen like. But you need to think of yourself as Bamboo. You can stand tall and proud against the common ups and downs of the day, but you also need to be giving to the strong winds of change. Here endith the lesson grasshopper. Just be prepared for tomorrow or to reap what you sow.

Well aside from all of the above. I have had some time to revamp this page and my Myspace Page. It took me a little while I will be putting the other links back up on my blog soon. Just need some rest and frankly wanted to type this first. I also had time to completely do up the myspace for the holidays. Stop by some time. I have this funky Christmas Tree code that allows you to leave presents for people. Namely me. Go ahead borrow the code spread the word so we can give each other gifts this year, Its fun and its free. Hell here is the link to the Free Christmas Tree. I have also put on some nice music. The Red block autostarts and is for some rather updated holiday music. The Green block contains all the classics. I add more everyday so come back often or drop me a line and I'll add your favorite if I can find it.

I'm getting revved up for my trip to Chicago next week. It should be a good time. It is a work trip and the title of the Seminar is Leading with Emotional Intelligence. I find the subject fascinating and I know I will get alot out of the class. At the same time I will be there and visit a couple of friends. One old and one new so I am sure I will be having fun when I am not in class. Plus I'll be able to browse the Famous Magnificent Mile during the holiday season. I will have my camera with me since I have new batteries. Which reminds me, to let you know to be on the lookout for pics from Thanksgiving tomorrow. Ok I think this rounds out my post for today. Take care everyone and I'll see you all tomorrow.

Its like getting into a cold pool ...

Thats what today was like. After a week of not being at work I was looking at my first day of work with a little trepidation. Whether you jump right in or torture yourself inch by inch I'm finally back in. Fortunately for me the pool was not as cold as I thought. I have alot of work ahead of me but nothing overwhelming at the moment. Which is good, I can at least rest a little bit and get some stuff out of the way.

Now I have my eyes on Thanksgiving. Its going to different this year, I won't be splitting the day between two families and traveling around the state. It also looks like I have been drafted to help make Thanksgiving dinner. Not that I mind it. It will actually be good to cook something that will be appreciated. I did get the word though that there will be no Chutney this year!!!

Huh?! Yeah every year my grandmother who's diet consists of cream of wheat, toast, and bananas (and the occasional Blue Moon) makes a chutney. What the hell. Mind you its not like I have ever seen her eat the stuff. Now I like a lot of foods and so does my dad, but the chutney is blah. But its there every year, and it doesn't get touched. Finally this year I think my Mom broke down and said, don't make it. Lord knows why she made it in the first place. But thats what the holidays are for.

I picked up my glasses today. I'll post some pics later once I unpack a little more.

All good things ...

The one thing that I thought I may do more of was blog during my vacation. Apparently that was not the case. It was not for lack of substance as more than enough has happened to me in a week. I must say that I did get a chance to relax this week. So I will be refreshed when I go back to work. This will be help out alot as we now head into the end of the year crunch. I should be thinking of work for this week but I can't bring myself to think of things just yet. I suppose that will be what Monday morning is for.

I must admit I was liking living out in Charlton, not that I am planning on moving anytime soon, but I know this city life is not for me, and my time is numbered there. I'll make the best of it while I can but I need to be away from it. All in all I had fun this vacation for not going anywhere. Next time I will but here's hoping someone will be able to go with me too.

As much fun as this has been though I have to go back to work no matter how much I don't want to. I have been able to appreciate each day of my vacation since I knew it would be ending. I wish it was a lesson that could have been learned earlier. Not that I go about being unappreciative but there are some things you just think will last forever. They become so much a part of you that you can't imagine your life without it, but then when the inevitable happens you are caught that much more off guard. In the long run though you'll be fine and probably better off but if there was ever a case to prove entropy it would be life.

Dealing with what life gives you is what makes you who you are. When all to often life throws you a curve ball you have two options. Deal with it or run away. I have chosen the far more difficult one, I'll admit even to this day I feel the urge to just run away, but I am fighting it everyday to better myself. By doing that I am forcing myself to recognize the good that comes out of each day; so that nothing is taken for granted.

Vacations

Well as most of you know I am on vacation this week. I'm spending it out here in Charlton Mass. LOL Why? I'm house sitting for my parents who are suppose to be cruising around the Caribbean. Before I start about what I want to talk about I need to get this off my chest first. JETBLUE SUCKS. I will be posting a seperate link officially voicing the complaint but lets just say for now that their vacation was ruined. They are on their way back now. Apparently the plain on the way down had engine toruble forcing an emergency landing in Bermuda. Jet Blue was unable to get them a flight that would get them to their ship in time for the cruise. Jet Blue's only way of making amends was a free round trip ticket. But my parents miss out on their vacation and all the money that it included. I will suggest that you not use Jet Blue in the future as they seem to not want to help there customers.