The AH Coffee Shop and Reading Room 02: A Comma (is a Restful Pause)

[NotWise]

Interesting. Invitation only? I didn't see reference to this.

I think it was invitation only (I wasn't on the list). It's actually been in the works for a while now.

 

[TxRad]

Interesting. Invitation only? I didn't see reference to this.

As far as I know it was invitation only. I got an e-mail and replied because I had a story already written. It's actually the opening chapter to a novel I have been thinking about for some time now.

Laurel put up some coming attractions blurts in several of the categories but I never saw one because I never go anywhere but here.

 

[_Lynn_]

Good evening. It was a nice day so I thought I would get the little (3') tree out of the box and have that decorated for the season. I'm positive it won't stay up long since I'm already struggling with the extra clutter.

 

[MagicaPractica]

Good evening. It was a nice day so I thought I would get the little (3') tree out of the box and have that decorated for the season. I'm positive it won't stay up long since I'm already struggling with the extra clutter.

I've been restraining myself, but I'm ready to watch White Christmas, with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.

 

[TxRad]

I try not to even think about Christmas until after Thanksgiving but it is getting harder and harder to do as the season seems to move commercially earlier and earlier.

 

[Hypoxia]

I've been restraining myself, but I'm ready to watch White Christmas, with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.

I can't take it anymore. No TV, and only ethnic XMas music in languages we don't understand. From the Coca-Cola Santa Claus to some Snoopy shit -- AAARGH!

That doesn't mean we're all bah humbug. Our place is already well decorated with deities, angels, santos carvings, Mexican skull figures, etc. We usually put up a tall crafted tree but we'll be gone a lot this season so a small one will do. Both artificial. Our forested acreage contains about a zillion trees we could cut down and trim but why bother? Put little red Santa hats on all those skulls, and on the life-size skeleton sitting on the sofa. Hang the outside lights that are red and green chili peppers.

And now, a seasonal song.
__________

Tom Lehrer – A Christmas Carol

One very familiar type of song is the Christmas carol. Although it is perhaps a bit out of season at this time. However, I'm informed by my "disk jockey" friends - of whom I have none - that in order to get a song popular by Christmas time, you have to start plugging it well in advance. So here goes.

It has always seemed to me after all that Christmas, with it's spirit of giving, offers us all a wonderful opportunity each year to reflect on what we all most sincerely and deeply believe in. I refer of course, to money.

And yet none of the Christmas carols that you hear on the radio or in the street even attempt to capture the true spirit of Christmas as we celebrate it in the United States. That is to say the commercial spirit. So I should like to offer the following Christmas carol for next year, as being perhaps a bit more appropriate.

Christmas time is here, by golly,
Disapproval would be folly,
Deck the halls with hunks of holly,
Fill the cup and don't say "when."
Kill the turkeys, ducks and chickens,
Mix the punch, drag out the Dickens,
Even though the prospect sickens,
Brother, here we go again.

On Christmas day you can't get sore,
Your fellow man you must adore,
There's time to rob him all the more
The other three hundred and sixty-four.

Relations, sparing no expense'll
Send some useless old utensil,
Or a matching pen and pencil.
"just the thing I need! how nice!"
It doesn't matter how sincere it
Is, nor how heartfelt the spirit,
Sentiment will not endear it,
What's important is the price.

Hark the Herald Tribune sings,
Advertising wondrous things.
God rest ye merry, merchants,
May you make the yuletide pay.
Angels we have heard on high
Tell us to go out and buy!

So let the raucous sleigh bells jingle,
Hail our dear old friend Kris Kringle,
Driving his reindeer across the sky.
Don't stand underneath when they fly by.

Actually I did rather well myself, this last Christmas. The nicest present I received was a gift certificate "good at any hospital for a lobotomy". Rather thoughtful.

 

[Handley_Page]

I've been restraining myself, but I'm ready to watch White Christmas, with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye.

More like Vera Ellen; (those legs. . . . .!)

Tom Lehrer's Christmas song is as true now as it was then.
It ain't the only criticism. One of the others is probably the first I heard is this from Stan Freeberg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5IXlfJSEi4.

I think it's a shame that we have such a mercenary time (and don't get me started on "Happy Holiday$")

 

[Hypoxia]

I think it's a shame that we have such a mercenary time (and don't get me started on "Happy Holiday$")

It's Darwinian Capitalism. Those who started selling XMas and other holiday basura (trash) early made more money than those who didn't. Adapt or die, that's the rule.

Now XMas season starts around Hallowe'en; Thanksgiving USA season starts a few weeks earlier; Hallowe'en starts around USA Labor Day at August's end, and Easter starts right after Superbowel Sunday.

USA merchandisers haven't yet figured how to turn Presidents' Day, and Arbor Day into gifting or feasting fests, even on the tiny scale of Moms' and Dads' Days or the larger Superbowel orgy. Lotsa beer, weenies, and lipid-laden guacamole there and on the midsummer Memorial, Independence, and Labor Day breaks but no flashy seasonal decorations except flag bunting.

Ah yes, decorations. The biggies -- Xmas, T-Day, Hallowe'en, and Easter -- almost demand cheezy decor, and each has central icons. XMas: lit trees and Santa and sometimes a manger and crucifix. T-Day: turkeys and pumpkins. Days of the Dead: innumerable spooks and bones. Easter: bunnies, eggs, and maybe a crucifix. The others need expanded identities. The midsummer days get flags, beaches, cars, and beer, all kind of generic now. At least Arbor Day has trees.

Looking forward to your ideas to rebrand the minor holidays, to turn them into commercial bonanzas the the others. Remember, many retailers do most of their business during XMas season; without it, they die. Darwinian Capitalism.

 

[TxRad]

I think I'll make fresh coffee and see if this too shall pass.

Lazy day today.

 

[Handley_Page]

I think I'll make fresh coffee and see if this too shall pass.

Lazy day today.

I wish!
But the coffee is more than welcome; I'm having another struggle with my (newish) PC.
But I have smile for the Bear: see here .

As it's now getting late, I'm having a cup of tea.
Anyone else want one while I'm here ?

 

[TxRad]

Happy Hump Day on the one hand and Happy Pre-Turkey Day on the other.

Sounds like a double coffee day.

 

[Handley_Page]

Happy Hump Day on the one hand and Happy Pre-Turkey Day on the other.

Sounds like a double coffee day.

It's getting close enough to it to warrant another coffee, please.
I've managed to force my machine to talk to both printers (don't ask; it's a long story), so things are happening. I just need to get the optional USB card working and we're home & dry.

 

[NotWise]

We had a big bevy of balloons up this morning. I imagine the pilots have friends and family visiting for the holiday so they're treating them to rides.

I drove by another film set this morning. They were just setting up, but it looked like a TV shoot--something involving a guy in a yellow jumpsuit on a big dirt bike in a dusty lot.

 

[Handley_Page]

Bloody 'drivers'; it's all driving me up the bally wall.
Any decent coffee left please?

 

[TxRad]

I'm going to make a wild guess and assume you are talking computer drivers. Otherwise, where are the coppers when ya need them.

Fresh coffee for the nooner crowd and Hp and me.

Got in the writing groove and pumped out a chapter and a half before I knew it. Now my stomach is growling. I think there are some left over ribs hiding in the fridge.

 

[TxRad]

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/G~0AAOSw0e9UveW7/s-l1600.jpg

I thought it was funny...

I recongize several people around here in that list. Including me.

 

[Handley_Page]

Please forgive this (innocent?) question, but which of those coffees listed is the stronger-tasting ? And WTF is "double espresso" ?

Time, I think for a nice cup of tea before retiring

 

[NotWise]

Please forgive this (innocent?) question, but which of those coffees listed is the stronger-tasting ? And WTF is "double espresso" ?

Time, I think for a nice cup of tea before retiring

Probably the espresso would be strongest-tasting. A double espresso is two normal servings of espresso.

 

[TxRad]

Late afternooner to all,

Generally, I stick with regular coffee made on the weak side to start. It gets stronger as the day goes along. If I'm traveling, I usually pick up a convenience story cappuccino to go.

Right now, I'm finishing off the last of the days coffee and contemplating what's for supper. The turkey breast is thawing out and the cornbread for the stuffing is done. I think I have everything for the fruit salad, not to mention a can of cranberries.

That's for tomorrow. What about tonight?

 

[Handley_Page]

Late afternooner to all,

Generally, I stick with regular coffee made on the weak side to start. It gets stronger as the day goes along. If I'm traveling, I usually pick up a convenience story cappuccino to go.

Right now, I'm finishing off the last of the days coffee and contemplating what's for supper. The turkey breast is thawing out and the cornbread for the stuffing is done. I think I have everything for the fruit salad, not to mention a can of cranberries.

That's for tomorrow. What about tonight?

Oh, I've eaten, thanks.
More tea would be welcome, though

 

[voluptuary_manque]

There being only three of us gathering for tomorrow, we're going out. If I can't have a crowd, why bother cooking a feast?

 

[NotWise]

There being only three of us gathering for tomorrow, we're going out. If I can't have a crowd, why bother cooking a feast?

We're feasting with our oldest daughter's inlaws. They're having a cozy family get together for 34 guests. We've been doing this for a few years and I would rather not, but I don't want to offend family.

 

[_Lynn_]

There being only three of us gathering for tomorrow, we're going out. If I can't have a crowd, why bother cooking a feast?

For years, I was alone on Thanksgiving (and most holidays) so I didn't bother with special meals, either.

 

[TxRad]

While I worked, I usually got fed on the rig for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then I retired and it was just me. This year I have the Housemate and Houseguest, so I'm doing up a small meal for the three of us.

Houseguest is bring rolls and an apple pie.

 

[sharingfantasies]

I live alone, but I enjoy some foods that are memories of when my mother made gigantic meals. I just spread the foods out over the week. This year I had turkey, dressing, potatoes, creamed peas, pumpkin pie, just not all on the same day. LOL