Coffee and chocolate

ani_26

miggy wrote: »

On another tack, DH's work has had their Big Announcement, but it's still got to go to some sort of vote. The effect of it is likely to mean reduced hours for many people and some will definitely be without jobs though they may apply for redeployment. Dh's job doesn't seem to be in immediate danger, thankfully, though I can't rule out changes in the long term.

On an MS note, having realised I spent too much on Christmas last year, I'm trying to get ahead and be creative this year when it comes to stocking fillers. Mum was saying she never has enough bookmarks, which gave me the idea of making some nice ones for those people who read (yes, I know they could make do with till receipts but it's not very Christmassy - or maybe that depends on your point of view?) and I bought some ribbon and nice trimmings towards this end today. I've also seen some magnetic clips made using pegs and hardboard, and decorated, and I think it would be fun to do variations on these and personalise them particularly for people with unusual names. It's easy to spend more than I intend in an effort to cut back, though: last year's cookie mixes in jars went down well but actually weren't all that cheap.

Am I going to be struck off for mentioning Christmas in June?!

And what is it with June? I know it's been getting lighter and lighter in the evenings but all of a sudden there's still colour in the sky after 10.

I replied to this yesterday morning, but the reply was lost in cyberspace. The wonders of technology.


Yes its light until gone 10 pm now, but not for much longer. It will soon be summer solstice, the longest day, 21st June, and from then on, the nights will start ' drawing in '. Does'nt time fly. Forever the pessimist.


Xmas, yes you do :rotfl: I think its a shame people have to spend the year, eaking the cost of xmas. Xmas is cancelled for me, these days. Since i'm not too religious, xmas for me, signifies a time for family reunions, which is all well and good, if you have family. I think because my parents had me in their ' mature years ' , this now means my relatives have passed away. Its not about what gift you give someone or how much it costs, its about the love you give that person. But lets face it. Is'nt xmas is about spending time with loved ones, and relatives you don't normally see? or don't particularly like? all eat too much, ( why ) ? drink too much, argue too much, until the end of the day is reached, and everyone thinks, thank god thats xmas day over, for another year :rotfl::rotfl:


Sorry if this came across as negative. I'm just turning into a grumpy old git, ( i love that programme ), especially jenny whats her face? eclair?

ani_26

Ah, its worked today

NorthernLas

Christmas is all about baby Jesus Ani

Though, I agree with you that for lots of people it is about meeting up with relatives who you don't meet any other time of the year. Maybe people should meet up more regularly or not at all. But saying that you actually don't like/have nothing in common with relatives is not very politically correct. They might one day win the lottery and die with the shock (when hopefully they have a will with you in it!).

Far more honest to get to know them as people and then decide, rather than the once a year farce

ani_26

Which is all well and good if you believe in baby jesus.

I personally, belive that much of the strife in the world today, is based around religious beliefs. Take away religion = a much happier place. Maybe thats too simplistic. Of course, religion is'nt the root of all evil, is it?

My ex neighbours were extremely religious, and were always telling me if i did'nt ' find ' god before i die, i would go to hell. Very godly behaviour towards someone. I must admit i struggle with the concept of how you find god. What happens? Do you go into tatco and there he is at the tills? On offer. 99p ? I'll have god too, please. I'm afraid i'm a lost cause, and should'nt get into arguments religion fuelled.

Believe me, i came from a very religious backgound. My grandfather was a minister, and i went to a religious school, so by now i've made my choices.

Enough said.


Sorry miggy

miggy

ani_26 wrote: »

It will soon be summer solstice, the longest day, 21st June, and from then on, the nights will start ' drawing in '. Does'nt time fly. Forever the pessimist.

Ha ha, love this! Yes, they will, but I discovered to my delight a few years agao that the light nights linger on right until August. Anyway, when I am rich (forever the optomist!) I am going south for the winter every year for three months. I'll probably start with Portugal because I like the thought of coastal villages and the sea breeze, but there's plenty of the rest of the world if ever I decide to become a wanderer. Mind you, on my track record so far, it may have to be virtual wanderings.:rotfl:

ani_26 wrote: »

Xmas, yes you do :rotfl: I think its a shame people have to spend the year, eaking the cost of xmas. Xmas is cancelled for me, these days. Since i'm not too religious, xmas for me, signifies a time for family reunions, which is all well and good, if you have family. I think because my parents had me in their ' mature years ' , this now means my relatives have passed away. Its not about what gift you give someone or how much it costs, its about the love you give that person. But lets face it. Is'nt xmas is about spending time with loved ones, and relatives you don't normally see? or don't particularly like? all eat too much, ( why ) ? drink too much, argue too much, until the end of the day is reached, and everyone thinks, thank god thats xmas day over, for another year :rotfl::rotfl:


Sorry if this came across as negative. I'm just turning into a grumpy old git, ( i love that programme ), especially jenny whats her face? eclair?

I love the traditions at Christmas but I do tend to lose perspective and buy tat. This year I want to do more with less - don't I always! Both DH and I come from smallish families so most of the relatives are younger than us: we've three children and our sisters have children too, and the older ones are finding partners. We usually have a big get-together around Easter for DH's family and see my sister and her family a few times a year as they are about an hour away (for now: they are hoping to emigrate later inthe year). Christmas Day is home and immediate family after Church in the morning - my parents wisely told me when I got married not to try to do the alternate-years-with-alternate-families' thing so we used to go to visit some time in the Christmas holidays. You are right, it's very much about families. I think if I were single I'd treat myself to a very selfish day: if I had enough money I'd go somewhere idyllic and if not, it would be bubble bath, good book, something special to eat. I know other people go and help with charitable dinners and suchlike but I can't honestly say I'd chose that. It's only by chance that I haven't had to work over Christmas Day myself as my work generally has to run 24/7. I do New year instead as that doesn't bother me.

Yes, we put too much expectation on Christmas and overcomplicate things. We eat too much and complain about putting on weight (Took me ages to work out we don't actually need any more calories on Christmas DAy than any other day!) It's a bit of a sad cycle in that respect and of course it bigs up family to the exclusion of everyone who doesn't have family/money/etc. Why can't we just have a day off and enjoy it? (Am now off to join grumpy old women...!)

miggy

NorthernLas wrote: »

Christmas is all about baby Jesus Ani

Though, I agree with you that for lots of people it is about meeting up with relatives who you don't meet any other time of the year. Maybe people should meet up more regularly or not at all. But saying that you actually don't like/have nothing in common with relatives is not very politically correct. They might one day win the lottery and die with the shock (when hopefully they have a will with you in it!).

Far more honest to get to know them as people and then decide, rather than the once a year farce

Welcome NorthernLas. Yes, we meet up with relatives other than at Christmas though if it was up to me I probably would still make that a huge 'do', that's if I got round to it at all. As it is, DH and I both have sisters who are much better than I am organising visits so I leave it to them. I like Christmas to be for immediate family which reflects my circumstances (see reply to Ani above). Must make more of seeing DH's family... they are more likely to do the Lottery than mine... :rotfl: ha ha, don't mean it really! They're lovely people, and I enjoy seeing them.

Also: from what you've said above - if you get to know them you are more likely to be remembered in their wills!

miggy

ani_26 wrote: »

I personally, belive that much of the strife in the world today, is based around religious beliefs. Take away religion = a much happier place. Maybe thats too simplistic. Of course, religion is'nt the root of all evil, is it?

Two very good points. I would add, though, that 'religion' is often derived from ethnic origin - so for instance Ireland has a Catholic and a Protestant religion, which have been the rallying points for opposing factions but the roots of this are in the origins of the two groups not in theology. The real issue is that the English (Protestants) haven't treated the original Irish (Catholics) too brilliantly (sorry if this comes across as flippant but I'm not as conversant with the Irish Question as I perhaps ought to be). Similarly in Sudan, the southern population is Christian, the northern is Islamic = conflict, but as I understand it you're talking about different ethnic groups with different cultures as well. If religion were removed from the equation, there would still be conflict. Religion is what's held up as a banner, a rallying point. That's not to say that religious views aren't strongly held, but they aren't all that's behind it.

And 'The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil' - but we would struggle to do without it. Oh wait, I think someone's already pointed that out.

ani_26 wrote: »

My ex neighbours were extremely religious, and were always telling me if i did'nt ' find ' god before i die, i would go to hell.

Nice. I suppose at least they were concerned, but it's more a stick than a carrot, IYSWIM? From my point of view I see lots of 'carrots' (Small departure from frogs and monkeys - where DID the monkeys come in?) but then I tend to identify myself as having a faith (which is to me about relationship) rather than a religion (which I see as being about observances).

ani_26 wrote: »

I must admit i struggle with the concept of how you find god. What happens? Do you go into tatco and there he is at the tills? On offer. 99p ? I'll have god too, please. I'm afraid i'm a lost cause, and should'nt get into arguments religion fuelled.

One free with every six pack? But then you would need to have money to buy into God, and how could anyone have enough for that?

I enjoy a good discussion, just remember you started it! :rotfl:(Loves ya really!) (Talking hind legs off donkeys comes to mind but these animals are taking over the show so I won't go there).

ani_26 wrote: »

Believe me, i came from a very religious backgound. My grandfather was a minister, and i went to a religious school, so by now i've made my choices.

Enough said.


Sorry miggy

Is second-hand religion any religion at all? If it were me I think a religious school if I were a non-believer would have put me off entirely because I imagine, not having been to a religious school myself, that there is a lot about observances and not a lot about working stuff out for yourself?

No need to apologise. I had better go and check the Christmas supplies before it gets too late, I mean, we're half way throught he first week of June already, aren't we?

Wordsmith

miggy wrote: »

I would add, though, that 'religion' is often derived from ethnic origin ...

And some people just love to fight ... any excuse. If they weren't doing it in the name of religion, they would find another reason.

ani_26

I'll do my best to discuss, since i'm never likely to perfect the art of mutiquoting, not unless someone physically shows me. :rotfl:


Carrots. I'm not a lover of carrots, although they are said to make you see, in the dark .I've never found this to be true, though.

I'm not sure about the love of money being the root of all evil. How about love of self, thrown in for good measure, in the selfish and egotistical, respect?

I never mentioned the e word. Does it have a bearing on religion? To my mind, all, are having a relationship with the same god, in different guises? I suppose thats a good way of describing it, as having a relationship with god, having a faith, although sometimes, this is taken to extremes.


Theres some xmas shortbread for 1p, on the tatco thread, if you're quick, you might just catch some supplies :rotfl:

miggy

ani_26 wrote: »

I'll do my best to discuss, since i'm never likely to perfect the art of mutiquoting, not unless someone physically shows me. :rotfl:

I think eventually someone will pin you down and not let you have any Earl Grey until you have succeeded in multi-quoting.

Meanwhile I am sure the world will continue to turn and no-one's going to lose any sleep over it.

ani_26 wrote: »

Carrots. I'm not a lover of carrots, although they are said to make you see, in the dark .I've never found this to be true, though.

Wasn't it a myth perpetuated by the British Government to hide that radar had been invented?

ani_26 wrote: »

I'm not sure about the love of money being the root of all evil. How about love of self, thrown in for good measure, in the selfish and egotistical, respect?

"Egocentricity (is there such a word?) is at the root of the love of money." Discuss.

I wonder if 'all kinds of evil' means exactly the same as 'all evil'? I have a feeling there's a subtle difference but my brain can't hack it at a quarter to midnight.

ani_26 wrote: »

I never mentioned the e word.

No, I introduced that one.

ani_26 wrote: »

Does it have a bearing on religion?

I think it has a bearing on how religion is expressed, but religion as a phenomenon occurs the world over.

ani_26 wrote: »

To my mind, all, are having a relationship with the same god, in different guises?

Ah, here I beg to differ though to some extent it depends what you mean. If there's only one God, then perhaps all God-seeking is directed to him, even if people understand him differently. However, concepts of God differ between cultures, countries, sub-cultures, even individuals - so if you look at it from that angle, religious people are projecting their relationship onto different things: a god of forgiveness? Vengeance? Disinterested? Involved? Angry? Complacent? Singular? Plural? etc, etc.

I suppose I ought to confess I studied anthroplology as part of my degree and I found it fascinating that religion as a phenomenon is so widespread even if it shows itself very differently. To me that's evidence for the 'God-shaped hole' which someone said exists in us all, waiting for God to fill it.

ani_26 wrote: »

I suppose thats a good way of describing it, as having a relationship with god, having a faith, although sometimes, this is taken to extremes.

True. And sometimes people project what they want onto God, which is a recipe for trouble.

ani_26 wrote: »

Theres some xmas shortbread for 1p, on the tatco thread, if you're quick, you might just catch some supplies :rotfl:

Don't tempt me! Mind you won't it be past its best by now? I love shortbread.