Yet Another Cycling Forum

Off Topic => The Pub => Topic started by: Chris S on 18 December, 2010, 10:15:54 pm

Title: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Chris S on 18 December, 2010, 10:15:54 pm: As suggested by Nicknack - YACF hero.

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2177.msg804753#msg804753

Scrooges of YACF unite. This is your time to ~~shine~~ be dull like tarnished pewter.

Walking through East Dereham earlier, paths covered in uncleared ice and snow, past the closed library - in honour of an uncaring council run by a £300,000 a year Oxbridge twat on a fat final salary pension, I cursed the sullen-faced ne'er-do-wells queueing out of Argos and blocking my path to Specsavers. Even the Sally Army were playing out of tune.

It was f*cking miserable. BAH Humbug!
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: David Martin on 18 December, 2010, 10:39:12 pm: For some reason this is my most viewed photo on Flickr..

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/4193922074_2e30618501_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/4193922074/)
Baa_Humbugs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/4193922074/) by davidmamartin (http://www.flickr.com/people/davidmam/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Gattopardo on 18 December, 2010, 10:40:02 pm: Its all rubbish. Its pressure to spend money to show that you care/love some one.

Good will to all men, bah locks. Eat to excess and the rest.

I hate it and everything associated with it.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Jules on 18 December, 2010, 11:08:59 pm: Rotary clubs - playing overloud recording of Christmas songs and shaking buckets - Tossers

(Will that do?)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Rhys W on 18 December, 2010, 11:36:48 pm: I've been waiting for this thread so much I almost started it myself.

Can I just state, for the record - I hate Christmas.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Jaded on 18 December, 2010, 11:41:19 pm: Santa hats.

We should spend £0.5bn developing a Santa Hat Seeking Missile.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: arvid on 18 December, 2010, 11:44:54 pm: What are you people going on about?
What is a Christmas, what does it eat and how old can it become?
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Gattopardo on 18 December, 2010, 11:45:46 pm: Quote from: Jaded on 18 December, 2010, 11:41:19 pm
Santa hats.

We should spend £0.5bn developing a Santa Hat Seeking Missile.

Why? really why, both the hats and missile. Its an easy way to note people to avoid.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 19 December, 2010, 08:43:16 am: On our way to the sledging piste last night we walked past a house which had three dancing, singing, mini-snowmen (about 6" tall) in the front garden.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: border-rider on 19 December, 2010, 09:58:16 am: Under duress, I acquired a lovely, bushy green Christmas tree about a week ago. It's sitting in the shed ;)

I do like Christmas, and I like a tree, but there's an annual attempt by me to delay its onset until as close to the actual day as possible.

I might be overwhelmed by the end of today, I fear.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: andyoxon on 19 December, 2010, 10:23:39 am: Quote from: David Martin on 18 December, 2010, 10:39:12 pm
For some reason this is my most viewed photo on Flickr..

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2601/4193922074_2e30618501_z.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/4193922074/)
Baa_Humbugs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidmam/4193922074/) by davidmamartin (http://www.flickr.com/people/davidmam/), on Flickr

Technically, that should be 'Baa Evertons'... ;)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 December, 2010, 10:25:07 am: I am now mostly impervious to Christmas.

I used to hate it with a passion. When I was teaching in a junior school, and was the only pianist, from early November onwards I would be separated from my class, who were split up and sent off around the school with work, so that I could accompany whatever production we were inflicting on the parents in the last week of term.

Initially, these practices would be one afternoon a week. As the fateful day progressed and it became less avoidably obvious that the kids didn't know the words, couldn't sing the tunes and had so far been treating the whole thing as a gigantic bunk, so the teachers in charge began to panic and we devoted more and more time to this anti-educational activity. This, of course, was what the kids wanted: more authorised bunking, although usually by the day of the performance they were up to a reasonable standard. The teachers concerned with the production had been mostly treated with sullen acceptance by those who weren't. As the second half of the Autumn term progressed, this was gradually replaced by petty hostility and by the week of the production most of us were "daggers drawn". I'd turn up at home exhausted from my term's efforts for a scant fortnight's holiday during which we would organise Christmas-on-the-cheap for our kids, being unable to afford the lavish presents that their school friends were accustomed to: after all, I was a rarity - a man in teaching whose wife worked at bringing up the kids. Most of my colleagues were married women in the job for "pin money" while their besuited husbands went off and did something in the city for inordinate amounts of cash. I would regard the looming start of the spring term with an unholy dread, being completely aware of the gulf in the kids' standards that had been created by our societal devotion to keeping up the appearances that somehow we are a Christian nation and that Christmas actually matters.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Martin on 19 December, 2010, 10:30:13 am: £52 a head for the work Xmas do (subsidised but still not even worth the £20 I paid)

X Factor on the TV screens FFS. Luckily I had to leave before Slade (and just as the free booze ran out)

a bloody 123 cards animated Xmas card in my inbox this a.m. (home made ones are fine; it's the pre-loaded Leftpondian ones with a tacked on greeting that make me want to throw)

there is some joy though; people arriving at the station yesterday for the Santa F'ing special on the steam railway finding out that it's cancelled

and the snow has scuppered our enforced duty at being a free DHL service for bloody enormous presents (not even for us) that need transporting down from Herts from parent who would not take advantage of Argos' facility to have them delivered direct
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 19 December, 2010, 10:45:24 am: Ah yes - the works "do". When I left teaching and worked at HMCE, there was invariably a jaunt out to some overpriced dump that did something involving stringy turkey and overdone brussels sprouts followed by a disco on a diminutive dance floor. As a 30-something bloke whose colleagues were, for the most part, straight out of Uni, bopping around to the latest disco music wasn't really what I was into, so I perfected a trick which no-one else I know has so far been able to emulate: I could fall asleep in a disco. It's true that this state of somnolence was aided and abetted by a surfeit of red wine, but I generally hid in some dark corner, away from the prying hands of young female colleagues whose own early-onset inebriation would encourage them to dance with me (for some reason I think I was regarded as some kind of trophy) before the full-blown drunkenness more often than not resulted in them regurgitating a claret fountain at some later stage by which time, thankfully, I had already left and was at home drinking coffee and unconvincingly trying to reassure my wife that No, I hadn't had too much to drink and Yes I was perfectly all right.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 19 December, 2010, 11:19:27 am: Colleagues incessantly telling me it's only n days til x-mas. Every day. What do they want, a coconut?
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Kathy on 19 December, 2010, 11:55:46 am: Quote from: Mal Volio on 19 December, 2010, 09:58:16 am
Under duress, I acquired a lovely, bushy green Christmas tree about a week ago. It's sitting in the shed ;)

I do like Christmas, and I like a tree, but there's an annual attempt by me to delay its onset until as close to the actual day as possible.

I might be overwhelmed by the end of today, I fear.

Point out that traditionally it shouldn't go up until Christmas Eve. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: clarion on 19 December, 2010, 11:59:00 am: I thought it was Boxing Day ;)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 19 December, 2010, 12:02:06 pm: Quote from: Wowbagger on 19 December, 2010, 10:45:24 am
I generally hid in some dark corner, away from the prying hands of young female colleagues whose own early-onset inebriation would encourage them to dance with me (for some reason I think I was regarded as some kind of trophy)
Weirdo!
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Clandy on 19 December, 2010, 12:03:18 pm: I love the christmas period, even if it is misnamed. What I hate is all the boring bastards who put on a fake 'I hate christmas bah-humbug' attitude' because they think it's cool and trendy to be cynical and miserable. Been there, seen it, done it, bought the plush toy. Try something new. :P
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Tail End Charlie on 19 December, 2010, 12:12:54 pm: How about this one - my wife's family have a tradition of circulating an Xmas list of things you want them to buy you. In some ways not a bad idea, but I think it's taking things too far as the list is very detailed e.g. (item) Argos catalogue page 123 item 12. If you know what you want, get it yourself.
If I put "Spa Cycles web page x, item y" I'd be told I was being too picky. So I refuse to take part.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: her_welshness on 19 December, 2010, 12:34:32 pm: My f*cking brother-in-law left a rambling drunken voicemail message on my husbands phone a few days 'Yah, you know for Xmas Day yah, well if we can come to sort of arrangement with how you can contribute financially towards the meal that would be good'. We've just spent £120 on their off-spring's presents. My husband was all for dumping his Mum and the presents at the house and coming back home. I've now persuaded him to reason with him, bearing in mind that his Mum is coming down all the way from Yorkshire. We've now agreed to put £60 towards the meal.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Martin on 19 December, 2010, 01:20:40 pm: Quote from: Clandy on 19 December, 2010, 12:03:18 pm
I love the christmas period, even if it is misnamed. What I hate is all the boring bastards who put on a fake 'I hate christmas bah-humbug' attitude' because they think it's cool and trendy to be cynical and miserable. Been there, seen it, done it, bought the plush toy. Try something new. :P

there 's a big difference between loving Christmas (which I do; just been out foraging for natural decoration to put down the stair banister, made a lot harder and also magical by having to trudge through and brush the snow off it before taking secautures -sp? to it)

and the overpriced commercial cheesy crap greed and "picky present recipient induced stress" that goes with it

(where's the raspberry smiley when you need it? nope can't find an Xmas one you'll have to make do with Boris' official Christmas card)

(http://anmblog.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c565553ef0148c697d35c970c-450wi)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 19 December, 2010, 02:30:28 pm: Quote from: her_welshness on 19 December, 2010, 12:34:32 pm
My f*cking brother-in-law left a rambling drunken voicemail message on my husbands phone a few days 'Yah, you know for Xmas Day yah, well if we can come to sort of arrangement with how you can contribute financially towards the meal that would be good'. We've just spent £120 on their off-spring's presents. .
Strange that this only works one way though - when my son-in-law tried this a few years ago it was all well and good for him, as soon as we suggested it last year, we're "tight-fisted-robbin'-basters-who-don't-know-the-meaning-of-the season-bah-humbug". Dinner a deux this year. :P
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Polar Bear on 19 December, 2010, 03:35:59 pm: I have a friend whose wife ran off with another bloke leaving my mate with lots of unaffordable debt and the reality of losing his house and having to go bankrupt very soon, and a daughter who has been very ill and has lost her baby, my almost first grandchild. :'(

Christmas? Stuff it.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Kim on 19 December, 2010, 03:59:18 pm: Quote from: Wowbagger on 19 December, 2010, 10:45:24 am
I perfected a trick which no-one else I know has so far been able to emulate: I could fall asleep in a disco.

Oh, I'm rather good at that.

Loud music, especially loud music that I don't particularly care for, has a natural tendency to put me into that zoned-out zombie like state that you can get into while staring out of the window on long train journeys. Relative darkness just adds to the effect. Since I'm incapable of understanding even shouted speech in that sort of environment^[1], don't drink and wouldn't know where to begin with dancing, the boredom quickly kicks in. So it's easiest just to go with the flow and find an out-of-the-way corner where you won't keep getting interrupted by people who think you're suffering from the effects of some illegal substance, and snooze it out. It also helps to keep your breathing shallow, which was a good survival technique in the days before the smoking ban.

[1] Learning to sign was a revelation. You could go to loud pubs and clubs and actually communicate with people. Sort of. It's tiring trying to follow sign in bad light.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: her_welshness on 19 December, 2010, 04:02:37 pm: Quote from: Millimole on 19 December, 2010, 02:30:28 pm
Quote from: her_welshness on 19 December, 2010, 12:34:32 pm
My f*cking brother-in-law left a rambling drunken voicemail message on my husbands phone a few days 'Yah, you know for Xmas Day yah, well if we can come to sort of arrangement with how you can contribute financially towards the meal that would be good'. We've just spent £120 on their off-spring's presents. .
Strange that this only works one way though - when my son-in-law tried this a few years ago it was all well and good for him, as soon as we suggested it last year, we're "tight-fisted-robbin'-basters-who-don't-know-the-meaning-of-the season-bah-humbug". Dinner a deux this year. :P

Exactly. My husband asked him a few weeks ago if we could bring anything to the meal/contribute to the cost of the meal and it was 'no thanks, its fine'. The last time we went over there we got the shittiest gifts. I don't care about having pressies, its just the three scarves that I ended up getting which I didn't need.

Anyway, after the meal we are going home, where we shall drink and play cards and watch crap.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Butterfly on 19 December, 2010, 04:55:45 pm: Quote from: Polar Bear on 19 December, 2010, 03:35:59 pm
I have a friend whose wife ran off with another bloke leaving my mate with lots of unaffordable debt and the reality of losing his house and having to go bankrupt very soon, and a daughter who has been very ill and has lost her baby, my almost first grandchild. :'(

Christmas? Stuff it.
Sorry to hear that PB. That's really rotten. :(
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Polar Bear on 19 December, 2010, 06:45:34 pm: Quote from: Butterfly on 19 December, 2010, 04:55:45 pm
Quote from: Polar Bear on 19 December, 2010, 03:35:59 pm
I have a friend whose wife ran off with another bloke leaving my mate with lots of unaffordable debt and the reality of losing his house and having to go bankrupt very soon, and a daughter who has been very ill and has lost her baby, my almost first grandchild. :'(

Christmas? Stuff it.
Sorry to hear that PB. That's really rotten. :(

Thanks Butterfly. It's just the harsh realities of life I guess, but when it bites boy does it bite hard.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: David Martin on 19 December, 2010, 07:14:17 pm: Quote from: Kathy on 19 December, 2010, 11:55:46 am
Quote from: Mal Volio on 19 December, 2010, 09:58:16 am
Under duress, I acquired a lovely, bushy green Christmas tree about a week ago. It's sitting in the shed ;)

I do like Christmas, and I like a tree, but there's an annual attempt by me to delay its onset until as close to the actual day as possible.

I might be overwhelmed by the end of today, I fear.

I'm with you on that, but have relented and it now goes up on the last saturday before Christmas, and if I have my way will come down on the first Saturday in the new year.

There are bits of Christmas I really like, but a lot of the commercial tat and 'traditions' (my BiL and I figured that sending cards to people we will be seeing every day anyway was a waste of time.) I loathe.

My favourite part of Christmas is midnight communion on Christmas Eve then cycling home in the peace and quiet afterwards.

..d

Point out that traditionally it shouldn't go up until Christmas Eve. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Marco Stefano on 19 December, 2010, 09:55:27 pm: Commercialisation of Christmas I find really tawdry. I have now got to the point where I would like to say to everyone, "no presents for any adults, all the money I would have spent on you is in the charity box" and have done with it. Warm glows all round, hopefully. Modern Christmas just perpetuates the exchange of crap.

And I get told I am boring if I say I would like vouchers for music / books / Wiggle / etc. When was it boring to buy something for yourself, from someone else with love, that you really would like?

My brother & his wife are due to come east, but are currently iced in at Bodmin. I don't care if they don't get here for Christmas; I want to see them, I just don't care is it isn't on a date that others have deemed in some way special. I would rather that they were safe & warm & not risking their lives for a date. That's just bonkers.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: AndyH on 19 December, 2010, 11:32:14 pm: Quote from: Mal Volio on 19 December, 2010, 09:58:16 am
I do like Christmas, and I like a tree, but there's an annual attempt by me to delay its onset until as close to the actual day as possible.
+1, I think our elderly fake tree is coming out of the loft tomorrow. MrsH likes to wait for the reduced price real ones in the last week and the complains she cant find one she likes

Quote from: Wowbagger on 19 December, 2010, 10:45:24 am
I could fall asleep in a disco.
Can you teach me, and does it work in bus stops ?

We've done the extended family thing already :thumbsup:

Tonight we (just MrsH & me) had pheasant for dinner in an attempt to find out what we actually want for christmas dinner. we've settled on a day of nibbles with a steak sandwich thrown in somewhere. And some booze. And chocolates.

Come Thursday night we'll be able to shut the door and ignore the whole thing. On the assumption that there will be a thaw and it will be grey and dingy and 4.5 degrees with no wind I might even get out on my bike.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: FatherChristmas on 19 December, 2010, 11:35:50 pm: Due to budget cutbacks I am afraid that I'll only be delivering presents to each house every other year.

Please indicate if you would like to be odd or even.

Thank you.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: AndyH on 19 December, 2010, 11:37:43 pm: Quote from: FatherChristmas on 19 December, 2010, 11:35:50 pm
Due to budget cutbacks I am afraid that I'll only be delivering presents to each house every other year.

Please indicate if you would like to be odd or even.

Thank you.

Even. But I might change my mind this time next week.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Jaded on 19 December, 2010, 11:51:25 pm: Quote from: FatherChristmas on 19 December, 2010, 11:35:50 pm
Due to budget cutbacks I am afraid that I'll only be delivering presents to each house every other year.

Please indicate if you would like to be odd or even.

Thank you.

I'm odd. Very odd.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: rower40 on 20 December, 2010, 09:04:31 am: Quote from: Jaded on 19 December, 2010, 11:51:25 pm
Quote from: FatherChristmas on 19 December, 2010, 11:35:50 pm
Due to budget cutbacks I am afraid that I'll only be delivering presents to each house every other year.

Please indicate if you would like to be odd or even.

Thank you.

I'm odd. Very odd.
I'm even odder.

All the coats please...
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Bledlow on 20 December, 2010, 09:35:17 am: Quote from: FatherChristmas on 19 December, 2010, 11:35:50 pm
Due to budget cutbacks I am afraid that I'll only be delivering presents to each house every other year.
Like jam every other day?
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: CAMRAMan on 20 December, 2010, 11:52:02 am: Quote from: Clandy on 19 December, 2010, 12:03:18 pm
I love the christmas period, even if it is misnamed. What I hate is all the boring bastards who put on a fake 'I hate christmas bah-humbug' attitude' because they think it's cool and trendy to be cynical and miserable. Been there, seen it, done it, bought the plush toy. Try something new. :P

You are NB57 AICMFPN (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRDJgn68h1A) :)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Hummers on 20 December, 2010, 11:20:08 pm: Hallelujah, Noel
Be it heaven or Hell
The Christmas you get
You deserve

H
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Androcles on 20 December, 2010, 11:36:17 pm: Not travelling anywhere this Christmas as our convalescing kitten isn't fit enough for the cattery yet, so no visit to the in-laws.

Mrs A. isn't too disappointed.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Tail End Charlie on 20 December, 2010, 11:39:28 pm: Quote from: Pancho on 19 December, 2010, 12:47:44 pm
I conceded. We have a tree. £12.50.

I paid £12.50 too, but left the £49.99 price tag on and haven't let on.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Clare on 21 December, 2010, 04:02:28 am: Quote from: Wowbagger on 19 December, 2010, 10:45:24 am
I could fall asleep in a disco.

I used to do that regularly in 5th Ave on Southsea seafront, it was the dullest nightclub ever and whenever I was persuaded to go there I'd manage about half a pint of crappy keg beer before dozing off, to be woken by my mates when it was time to go home.

Anyway, I hate Christmas, it has too many crappy childhood memories for me, I can't stand the commercialism, the forced jollity or all the fucking TV and media crap with perfect fucking families having perfect fucking Christmases with perfect fucking presents and perfect fucking food before settling down to be perfectly fucking happy while playing nicely in their perfect fucking world.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Eccentrica Gallumbits on 21 December, 2010, 08:18:54 am: It's a bit early to start tracking Santa, but here's the link for Friday Official NORAD Santa Tracker (http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: hatler on 21 December, 2010, 09:24:39 am: I had three Winters away a few years back and couldn't quite believe had tawdry Christmas had become in that time when I was back here.

There again, it might simply have been a perceptual difference.

The amount of tat on display is truly shocking. It's best to get stuck around a fire somewhere with either family or friends and ignore the world outside.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mr Larrington on 21 December, 2010, 10:01:16 am: There seem to be rather fewer houses looking like crash-landed fairgrounds this year, which I suppose is a bonus.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: hellymedic on 21 December, 2010, 12:05:02 pm: There are very few snaps on houseblinger.com and their linky to previous years' offerings no worky.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: ian on 21 December, 2010, 12:54:36 pm: Quote from: hellymedic on 21 December, 2010, 12:05:02 pm
There are very few snaps on houseblinger.com and their linky to previous years' offerings no worky.

There are quite a few around here - the usual suspect near Cator Park probably still fries the lenses of overpassing NSA spy sats (that'll learn 'em to peek in the bedroom windows of SE London). They do a charity thing - not sure if they make more money than they spend on electricity. Creates a nice post-apocalyptic glow along the horizon.

To be honest, I don't mind the tawdry commercialisation. Lots of people seem to like the spend orgy and immersing themselves neck deep in Christmas bling, so who am I to argue. Criticism always sounds a smug and middle-class and we-have-goose-because-turkey-is-so. I can tune out what I don't like. I like Christmas, I take a nice long break from work, do the usual party thing, eat and drink well, and generally have a good time and boil up a big vat of mildly alcoholic cheeriness. We skip the present thing (other than for my niece) - we've reached the stage were we pretty much have everything we want or need, so rather wouldn't receive anything, since it's usually tat we don't want and I suspect that choosing presents for us pushes people dangerously close to aneurysms. All in all, they're probably as happy not to have get us something, as we are not to receive it. And it absolves us from reciprocation.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Clare on 21 December, 2010, 04:23:31 pm: Quote from: Kirst on 21 December, 2010, 08:18:54 am
It's a bit early to start tracking Santa, but here's the link for Friday Official NORAD Santa Tracker (http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html)

Is it Christmas yet? (http://www.isitchristmas.com/)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 21 December, 2010, 04:31:58 pm: Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 December, 2010, 10:01:16 am
There seem to be rather fewer houses looking like crash-landed fairgrounds this year, which I suppose is a bonus.

I've been thinking that each Christmas for the past three or four.

The ones that irritate me most are the predominantly blue ones. Having Christmas lights outside one's residence shows a total lack of taste. It doesn't suddenly become more tasteful just because you make it look like a poor man's Tory Party Conference.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: her_welshness on 21 December, 2010, 04:37:43 pm: Quote from: Wowbagger on 21 December, 2010, 04:31:58 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 21 December, 2010, 10:01:16 am
There seem to be rather fewer houses looking like crash-landed fairgrounds this year, which I suppose is a bonus.

I've been thinking that each Christmas for the past three or four.

The ones that irritate me most are the predominantly blue ones. Having Christmas lights outside one's residence shows a total lack of taste. It doesn't suddenly become more tasteful just because you make it look like a poor man's Tory Party Conference.

Lewisham has blue lights every Xmas ::-) It's all about the branding!
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Exit Stage Left on 21 December, 2010, 07:48:24 pm: This farmhouse opposite the University on the M6 at Lancaster is always elaborately decorated.
Google Maps (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=54.002983,-2.780399&spn=0,0.007768&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=54.003229,-2.780409&panoid=epAyBdcbjnj40wlQ5gV7mg&cbp=12,95.04,,1,3.76)

I like it, and I bet thousands of families travelling on that stretch look forward to seeing it. It must punctuate many a journey and occupy the kids for a bit.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: AndyH on 24 December, 2010, 04:38:05 pm: Another year of work over, but a great year because I addressed the work / life balance by getting on my bike after too many years off it and refusing to work all the stupid hours I could.

I started riding Audax which gave me a target, and I've met some great people (who didn't talk too much and had reassuring middle distance stares) and have also ridden quite a long way. All the best to you lot, you know who you are.

I've just finished my xmas wrapping, (locked in the study with a beer or 2 listening to KT Tunstall and Beth Orton). Now the time is mine, I can relax and enjoy it with my family.

And my lot is not too bad at all, have to be very thankful for what I've got.

So now it's here happy Christmas to anyone who still feels like the thread title, and to the millions worse off than I am.

Off now, I've promised MrsH that this will be a laptop free Christmas.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: 1gear on 24 December, 2010, 05:43:56 pm: Quote from: Julesh on 18 December, 2010, 11:08:59 pm
Rotary clubs - playing overloud recording of Christmas songs and shaking buckets - Tossers

(Will that do?)

They do that in town and outside Tesco and at some other shopping bits. Luckily this year i didnt have to hear them when i was at work, they were never about when i went to work, not about when i was coming home :thumbsup:
They do pull around some sleigh on a trailor, blast out loud music and have some old fart dressed as Santa in the sleigh. Not many people went out, they came knocking on the door asking for donations.
We all know your on the road, we can all hear you, we just want you to sod off fast.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: chris on 24 December, 2010, 05:47:32 pm: Quote from: Clare on 21 December, 2010, 04:23:31 pm
Quote from: Kirst on 21 December, 2010, 08:18:54 am
It's a bit early to start tracking Santa, but here's the link for Friday Official NORAD Santa Tracker (http://www.noradsanta.org/en/index.html)

Is it Christmas yet? (http://www.isitchristmas.com/)

only another 366 days to go now.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: rower40 on 24 December, 2010, 05:54:55 pm: Quote from: chris on 24 December, 2010, 05:47:32 pm
only another 366 days to go now.
Better get the sprouts on then.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Kim on 24 December, 2010, 06:02:23 pm: Quote from: rower40 on 24 December, 2010, 05:54:55 pm
Better get the sprouts on then.

Never gets old:

Attack of the Sprouts Flash Game - Defend your Christmas Dinner. (http://www.eyegas.com/attackofthesprouts/)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Jaded on 24 December, 2010, 06:05:09 pm: 580.

Off to do the fart thing.

Edit Level 6 reached and 10 sprouts to go. bah!
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Marco Stefano on 24 December, 2010, 07:02:27 pm: 13 year-old daughter yesterday: "It doesn't feel very Christmas-y this year...".

Then she is up half of last night vomiting & running a fever. Flu, we think. That'll be why, then. ::-)

Poor mite. :-[
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: chris on 24 December, 2010, 07:09:47 pm: Quote from: Kim on 24 December, 2010, 06:02:23 pm
Quote from: rower40 on 24 December, 2010, 05:54:55 pm
Better get the sprouts on then.

Never gets old:

Attack of the Sprouts Flash Game - Defend your Christmas Dinner. (http://www.eyegas.com/attackofthesprouts/)

Brilliant. That makes Christmas worthwhile :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: YahudaMoon on 24 December, 2010, 07:34:11 pm: Im on my own again this year, so its no one to share christmas with. 2008 was a christmas dinner with the fathers and sisters of the church and homeless in Dublin with a supper and bed from the Salvation Army. 2009 was a meal in HMP. This year I have a home, though I still don't have a family to share it with and the only christmas card I have is from my landlord. I'm so blessed though. Think of all the people that suffer in this world on this day and will keep on suffering. I am so lucky to be alive,fit, well fed and in a good society. x, maybe Im feeling sorry for myself ?
Say a prayer for the for the suffers this Chistmas. God Bless. John x
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Pedaldog. on 24 December, 2010, 07:34:19 pm: Quote from: Exit Stage Left on 21 December, 2010, 07:48:24 pm
This farmhouse opposite the University on the M6 at Lancaster is always elaborately decorated.

It's as good as Usual this year again!
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: gordon taylor on 24 December, 2010, 07:47:23 pm: Quote from: YahudaMoon on 24 December, 2010, 07:34:11 pm
Im on my own again this year, so its no one to share christmas with. 2008 was a christmas dinner with the fathers and sisters of the church and homeless in Dublin with a supper and bed from the Salvation Army. 2009 was a meal in HMP. This year I have a home, though I still don't have a family to share it with and the only christmas card I have is from my landlord. I'm so blessed though. Think of all the people that suffer in this world on this day and will keep on suffering. I am so lucky to be alive,fit, well fed and in a good society. x, maybe Im feeling sorry for myself ?
Say a prayer for the for the suffers this Chistmas. God Bless. John x

Merry Christmas, John.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: cycleman on 24 December, 2010, 08:30:30 pm: merry christmas john :)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: iddu on 24 December, 2010, 08:40:54 pm: Quote from: Gordy on 24 December, 2010, 07:47:23 pm
Quote from: YahudaMoon on 24 December, 2010, 07:34:11 pm
Im on my own again this year, so its no one to share christmas with. 2008 was a christmas dinner with the fathers and sisters of the church and homeless in Dublin with a supper and bed from the Salvation Army. 2009 was a meal in HMP. This year I have a home, though I still don't have a family to share it with and the only christmas card I have is from my landlord. I'm so blessed though. Think of all the people that suffer in this world on this day and will keep on suffering. I am so lucky to be alive,fit, well fed and in a good society. x, maybe Im feeling sorry for myself ?
Say a prayer for the for the suffers this Chistmas. God Bless. John x

Merry Christmas, John.
Doff's hat'n'glass
Best to you all...
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Gattopardo on 24 December, 2010, 08:56:13 pm: Time to start on a bottle of vermouth I think.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: perpetual dan on 24 December, 2010, 09:29:08 pm: I've given up the bah humbug thing now I've got kids but I overheard a conversation on the bus the other day, a late teenager on her phone arranging to decorate mums grave. I'd be suffering a fairly serious case of bah humbug if that was me.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Chris S on 24 December, 2010, 09:44:41 pm: I have been punished for starting this thread, with a cold.

hubbug.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: nicknack on 24 December, 2010, 10:14:40 pm: I suppose I should apologise...

Sorry.

GWS
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: CrinklyLion on 25 December, 2010, 12:59:35 am: Quote from: Pedaldog on 24 December, 2010, 07:34:19 pm
Quote from: Exit Stage Left on 21 December, 2010, 07:48:24 pm
This farmhouse opposite the University on the M6 at Lancaster is always elaborately decorated.

It's as good as Usual this year again!

Indeed, Dearly_Beloved and myself pointed it out to the cubs as we went past it earlier today. And then pointed out the university hall of residence opposite where we (in direct contravention of the terms of the accomodation agreement, although in fairness I did also rent a room of my own at the other end of campus I just virtually never stayed there) shared a teeny tiny room in our final year when we first got together.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 25 December, 2010, 09:16:50 am: In the 1970s and '80s you could drive along the M6 and admire the Lancaster Uni buildings. The trees alongside the motorway have grown so much that you can't see them now.

We sung in Beethoven's 9th in the Great Hall in 1974.

I liked it. It was good.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: JohnP on 25 December, 2010, 10:20:44 am: I could easily do without Christmas except for seeing the grandsons having fun.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Canardly on 25 December, 2010, 12:55:46 pm: Missus was in County when we first met.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Pedaldog. on 25 December, 2010, 01:25:14 pm: Quote from: Wowbagger on 25 December, 2010, 09:16:50 am
In the 1970s and '80s you could drive along the M6 and admire the Lancaster Uni buildings.
I liked it. It was good.

It's moslty been replaced by Pagoda's these days to make the Students feel at home!
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 30 November, 2020, 01:32:41 am: (https://i2-prod.bristolpost.co.uk/incoming/article4683659.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/12351043_2004-12-04_BERNARD-DENISE-LUMSDEN-FROM-BR.jpg)
The home of Bernard and Denise Lumsden in Brislington has 30,000 christmas lights and half a ton of tinsel.
Bah f*@~ing humbug to you all! :demon:
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mr Larrington on 30 November, 2020, 02:01:35 am: Never mind all that nonse. Soon it'll be time for Mr Smith’s Crimblehat to put in its annual appearance :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 November, 2020, 08:31:32 am: I am imagining the Greasy-Smugg household where perhaps a few hanging brace of game birds are about all that he would allow to "decorate" Smugg Hall.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: The_Dwarf on 30 November, 2020, 01:03:02 pm: Was it wrong of me that I was painting these Christmas Minis from October till last week - and enjoying it???

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50637580397_c687d970d6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9EQsZ)Santa Hunter 01F - Nov 2020 (Scibor Minis) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9EQsZ) by Robert McPhillips (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191133418@N05/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50636791283_c4d0019866_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9AMTz)Dwarf Pilot 01F - Nov 2020 (Scibor Minis) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9AMTz) by Robert McPhillips (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191133418@N05/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50637580462_54327abb8e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9EQu7)Snowman Slayer 01F - Nov 2020 (Scibor Minis) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9EQu7) by Robert McPhillips (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191133418@N05/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50637415931_2ed432cc7f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9DZzn)Christmas Minis Group 01F - Nov 2020 (https://flic.kr/p/2k9DZzn) by Robert McPhillips (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191133418@N05/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: ElyDave on 30 November, 2020, 01:15:08 pm: Nice, I haven't done any of that kind of thing for years.

I protested against the proposed putting up of tree yesterday, pointing out that December hadn't even started, apathy came and helped me.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Polar Bear on 30 November, 2020, 01:25:18 pm: We I will be decorating one wall for Christmas in preparation for a couple of Zoom / WhatsApp Christmas meals with friends and family. I suspect that the fake tree will have to be put up and perhaps even a few lengths of tired tinsel but the majority of the space will be filled with strings of Christmas cards and a surface groaning under the weight of booze, nuts satsumas and my home made stollen.

Gotta do something to show willing I guess. 🤔 🎅
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: The_Dwarf on 04 December, 2020, 12:49:28 pm: Homemade Stollen...very nice :)
And Christmas with alcohol is just unheard of
I remember one year - the kitchen table when at home being FILLED with various booze from under the stairs
May have a pic somewhere....
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Polar Bear on 04 December, 2020, 01:24:03 pm: With Christmas by Zoom this year it will so inconvenient when my Internet connection fails ...
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 04 December, 2020, 03:37:48 pm: Quote
"I'm working ... my ass off on the Christmas stuff, that you know, who gives a fuck about the Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right?"
Melania Knauss, 2018.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: arabella on 04 December, 2020, 04:52:13 pm: I'm toying with the idea that Santa visits on 6th this year (St Nick's day), thus getting it over with sooner
(they are, after all, both over 20. I have said visits stop after the age of 25. Mother Xmas is not very inspired this year either)
Meanwhile, bah humbug indeed. I have got out the "xmas"/December jersey - fair isle in shades of murk that happens to include (rein)deer and thus 'counts' in my view. Plus it's not that offensive, really, being not-at-all gaudy.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: robgul on 04 December, 2020, 05:37:50 pm: Quote from: asterix on 04 December, 2020, 03:37:48 pm
Quote
"I'm working ... my ass off on the Christmas stuff, that you know, who gives a fuck about the Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right?"
Melania Knauss, 2018.

Ah - do you have inside information on the predicted Trump divorce and reversion to her maiden name?
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 04 December, 2020, 07:49:25 pm: Quote from: robgul on 04 December, 2020, 05:37:50 pm
Quote from: asterix on 04 December, 2020, 03:37:48 pm
Quote
"I'm working ... my ass off on the Christmas stuff, that you know, who gives a fuck about the Christmas stuff and decorations? But I need to do it, right?"
Melania Knauss, 2018.

Ah - do you have inside information on the predicted Trump divorce and reversion to her maiden name?

I do but there is an NDA.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Canardly on 05 December, 2020, 12:53:46 pm: No Donald Anymore?
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 05 December, 2020, 01:51:29 pm: Quote from: Canardly on 05 December, 2020, 12:53:46 pm
No Donald Anymore?
;D ;D Very good. :D :D
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Basil on 28 December, 2020, 11:05:49 pm: Decommissioned the crimble tree today. Bugger 12h night. We're done.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: nicknack on 28 December, 2020, 11:11:35 pm: I got ours out of the loft a few days before the day. It then sat around in its box until yesterday when I put it back in the loft.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Kim on 28 December, 2020, 11:12:46 pm: I think the most christmassy thing I've done this year is not listen to Wham.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mike J on 28 December, 2020, 11:13:14 pm: Quote from: nicknack on 28 December, 2020, 11:11:35 pm
I got ours out of the loft a few days before the day. It then sat around in its box until yesterday when I put it back in the loft.

Ours never got as far being got out of the loft.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 28 December, 2020, 11:15:27 pm: Jan and I have solved the Christmas tree problem in a perfect way: we had an imaginary tree, and largely imaginary presents to put underneath it.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: hellymedic on 28 December, 2020, 11:30:33 pm: We don't have a Christmas tree.
I wrap a few seasonal chocolates in suitable paper.
D wraps various unopened boxes and we have a modest Festive 'stack'.
I looks vaguely like Christmas here if you know where to look...
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 28 December, 2020, 11:31:37 pm: Hmmm, haven't heard Wham or Slade. Have tree with lights. Had pressies. No Christmas cake, but lots of other cake, no turkey. Just like any other Christmas in those respects...
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 29 December, 2020, 12:15:39 am: The only concession to Christmas decoratinh was to sellotape the cards together and hang them on the door.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: hellymedic on 29 December, 2020, 12:29:52 am: Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 December, 2020, 11:31:37 pm
Hmmm, haven't heard Wham or Slade. Have tree with lights. Had pressies. No Christmas cake, but lots of other cake, no turkey. Just like any other Christmas in those respects...

Not been out so no Wham, Wizzard or Slade.
Some Wombles.
No turkey, no Christmas Pudding.
Some Iced fruit cake.
Only one pack shop mince pies earlier in December. Own mince pies successful, having thrown ancient ingredients into microwave.
No Christmas lights.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 December, 2020, 01:38:28 am: DJ Random did play me Slade the other day, but it was “Lock Up Your Daughters”. He's been more inclined towards His Bobness' truly excruciating “Christmas In The Heart” and John Fahey's rent-paying arrangements of Crimbletunes for solo guitar.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Oscar's dad on 29 December, 2020, 06:34:04 am: Well I’m sorry to report that for once I have enjoyed and am enjoying Christmas! Coronavirus has meant we were forced to stay at home, no travelling to visit relatives! We’ve had some nice stuff to eat and drink but haven’t over done it. Our young person has behaved like a member of the human race. And I haven’t got bored as there’s been plenty to keep me occupied.

A belated Merry Christmas one and all, here’s hoping 2021 isn’t too dreadful.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Oscar's dad on 29 December, 2020, 06:37:28 am: Oh and yesterday evening I nearly beat The Current Mrs R at Scrabble. I did actually win but then my conscience forced me to own up to a mistake (a kear morhen is not a type of moorhen) so a draw was declared ;D
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 29 December, 2020, 07:35:06 am: Quote from: Wowbagger on 29 December, 2020, 12:15:39 am
The only concession to Christmas decoratinh was to sellotape the cards together and hang them on the door.
Half mine are probably still at the sorting office, so I couldn't even do that.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: TheLurker on 29 December, 2020, 07:44:19 am: This year we dug out MrsL's old (>=35) small ( <= 2') artificial tree cos we couldn't face the hassle of going out and trying to buy a real one. It is strung with the home-brewed LED lights (festive red & green!) I put together for it almost as long ago and has a few of the small baubles hanging off it. I think it looks really rather jolly.

It also has a ferret on the top...

MrsL. Shall we put the ferret on the top?
/me . Ferret!?
MrsL. *Fairy*! You deaf old bugger!
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: MikeFromLFE on 29 December, 2020, 09:27:32 am: Quote from: TheLurker on 29 December, 2020, 07:44:19 am

It also has a ferret on the top...

MrsL. Shall we put the ferret on the top?
/me . Ferret!?
MrsL. *Fairy*! You deaf old bugger!

For a few years we had a ferry on top of ours according to our son.
This was about the time he insisted the fields had coal mines in them. Combines!

Anyway, back to this year.
It was the first time in living memory I didn't listen to the Kings College Christmas eve service on the wireless.
The highlight was seeing our daughter on boxing day (actually St Stephen's day, for the avoidance of doubt) in person for the first time since she went into hospital in the spring.
Other than that it's been a seriously poo time.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: T42 on 29 December, 2020, 11:52:27 am: Fake tree assembled and lit on 24th. ~90% of baubles stayed in the carton. No prezzies. No effing bird to carve: every Xmas I say I want a goose and she says ooo fatty! so I had beef and she had... oh, some kind of fish thing that I kept upwind of. Watched Good Omens.

Best Christmas for years.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Pingu on 29 December, 2020, 06:50:28 pm: Quote from: TheLurker on 29 December, 2020, 07:44:19 am
This year we dug out MrsL's old (>=35) small ( <= 2') artificial tree cos we couldn't face the hassle of going out and trying to buy a real one. It is strung with the home-brewed LED lights (festive red & green!) I put together for it almost as long ago and has a few of the small baubles hanging off it. I think it looks really rather jolly.

It also has a ferret on the top...

MrsL. Shall we put the ferret on the top?
/me . Ferret!?
MrsL. *Fairy*! You deaf old bugger!

Speaking of mustelids, as one so often does, our 'tree' has a badger 🦡
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Pingu on 29 December, 2020, 06:53:57 pm: Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 28 December, 2020, 11:31:37 pm
Hmmm, haven't heard Wham or Slade. Have tree with lights. Had pressies. No Christmas cake, but lots of other cake, no turkey. Just like any other Christmas in those respects...

Listened to Gideon Coe's All Christmas Pre-Christmas Christmas Show which featured the alluded to Slade song sung by the crowd at a summertime festival Slade gig (it does every year :) ).
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: barakta on 29 December, 2020, 07:49:12 pm: Quote from: Pingu on 29 December, 2020, 06:50:28 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 29 December, 2020, 07:44:19 am
This year we dug out MrsL's old (>=35) small ( <= 2') artificial tree cos we couldn't face the hassle of going out and trying to buy a real one. It is strung with the home-brewed LED lights (festive red & green!) I put together for it almost as long ago and has a few of the small baubles hanging off it. I think it looks really rather jolly.

It also has a ferret on the top...

MrsL. Shall we put the ferret on the top?
/me . Ferret!?
MrsL. *Fairy*! You deaf old bugger!

Speaking of mustelids, as one so often does, our 'tree' has a badger 🦡

Surely your tree should have penguins on it?
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Kim on 29 December, 2020, 08:11:10 pm: Quote from: barakta on 29 December, 2020, 07:49:12 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 29 December, 2020, 06:50:28 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 29 December, 2020, 07:44:19 am
This year we dug out MrsL's old (>=35) small ( <= 2') artificial tree cos we couldn't face the hassle of going out and trying to buy a real one. It is strung with the home-brewed LED lights (festive red & green!) I put together for it almost as long ago and has a few of the small baubles hanging off it. I think it looks really rather jolly.

It also has a ferret on the top...

MrsL. Shall we put the ferret on the top?
/me . Ferret!?
MrsL. *Fairy*! You deaf old bugger!

Speaking of mustelids, as one so often does, our 'tree' has a badger 🦡

Surely your tree should have penguins on it?

Or at least cats.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: hellymedic on 29 December, 2020, 08:23:47 pm: Quote from: Oscar's dad on 29 December, 2020, 06:34:04 am
Well I’m sorry to report that for once I have enjoyed and am enjoying Christmas! Coronavirus has meant we were forced to stay at home, no travelling to visit relatives! We’ve had some nice stuff to eat and drink but haven’t over done it. Our young person has behaved like a member of the human race. And I haven’t got bored as there’s been plenty to keep me occupied.
A belated Merry Christmas one and all, here’s hoping 2021 isn’t too dreadful.

(click to show/hide)
Our Christmas has been fine too. Sufficient Nice Foods and confectionary, various small gifts.
We don't appear to have imbibed alcohol.
Which is fine.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mr Larrington on 29 December, 2020, 08:29:15 pm: Quote from: The_Dwarf on 30 November, 2020, 01:03:02 pm
Was it wrong of me that I was painting these Christmas Minis from October till last week - and enjoying it???

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50637580397_c687d970d6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9EQsZ)Santa Hunter 01F - Nov 2020 (Scibor Minis) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9EQsZ) by Robert McPhillips (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191133418@N05/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50636791283_c4d0019866_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9AMTz)Dwarf Pilot 01F - Nov 2020 (Scibor Minis) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9AMTz) by Robert McPhillips (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191133418@N05/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50637580462_54327abb8e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9EQu7)Snowman Slayer 01F - Nov 2020 (Scibor Minis) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9EQu7) by Robert McPhillips (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191133418@N05/), on Flickr

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50637415931_2ed432cc7f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2k9DZzn)Christmas Minis Group 01F - Nov 2020 (https://flic.kr/p/2k9DZzn) by Robert McPhillips (https://www.flickr.com/photos/191133418@N05/), on Flickr

Isn't that top one Andy Gates?
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 29 December, 2020, 09:53:08 pm: Quote from: Kim on 29 December, 2020, 08:11:10 pm
Quote from: barakta on 29 December, 2020, 07:49:12 pm
Quote from: Pingu on 29 December, 2020, 06:50:28 pm
Quote from: TheLurker on 29 December, 2020, 07:44:19 am
This year we dug out MrsL's old (>=35) small ( <= 2') artificial tree cos we couldn't face the hassle of going out and trying to buy a real one. It is strung with the home-brewed LED lights (festive red & green!) I put together for it almost as long ago and has a few of the small baubles hanging off it. I think it looks really rather jolly.

It also has a ferret on the top...

MrsL. Shall we put the ferret on the top?
/me . Ferret!?
MrsL. *Fairy*! You deaf old bugger!

Speaking of mustelids, as one so often does, our 'tree' has a badger 🦡

Surely your tree should have penguins on it?

Or at least cats.

We haz a cat (it pre dates the tree and other animals, but no penguins)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50776766976_86cb01dc7a.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2kmYcMA)2020-12-29_09-47-48 (https://flic.kr/p/2kmYcMA) by The Pingus (https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_pingus/), on Flickr
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Oscar's dad on 30 December, 2020, 01:31:04 am: Quote from: hellymedic on 29 December, 2020, 08:23:47 pm
Quote from: Oscar's dad on 29 December, 2020, 06:34:04 am
Well I’m sorry to report that for once I have enjoyed and am enjoying Christmas! Coronavirus has meant we were forced to stay at home, no travelling to visit relatives! We’ve had some nice stuff to eat and drink but haven’t over done it. Our young person has behaved like a member of the human race. And I haven’t got bored as there’s been plenty to keep me occupied.
A belated Merry Christmas one and all, here’s hoping 2021 isn’t too dreadful.

(click to show/hide)
Our Christmas has been fine too. Sufficient Nice Foods and confectionary, various small gifts.
We don't appear to have imbibed alcohol.
Which is fine.

:thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: TimC on 30 December, 2020, 07:46:01 am: I managed to completely avoid putting up a tree, or indeed any other Christmas paraphernalia. I did have the duty display of Christmas (and one birthday) cards above the fireplace, but removed them yesterday.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Efrogwr on 30 December, 2020, 11:23:16 pm: From my teens to meeting Mrs E (and then Eminor) I usually found Christmas dull at best.

However, one Christmas Day stands out. I soloed the North Ridge of Tryfan (usually an easy scramble) in a snowstorm. For lunch I had a Mars Bar and a flask of coffee. Brilliant!
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Oscar's dad on 31 December, 2020, 04:29:06 am: Quote from: TimC on 30 December, 2020, 07:46:01 am
I managed to completely avoid putting up a tree, or indeed any other Christmas paraphernalia. I did have the duty display of Christmas (and one birthday) cards above the fireplace, but removed them yesterday.

Shortly before Christmas I was on a group call with a bunch of colleagues discussing festive preparations. One colleague said they weren’t bothering with a tree or decorations and I came within a nanosecond of blurting out a request to temporarily move in with said colleague. This wouldn’t have been at all appropriate given I’m old enough to be the young lady’s dad and she lives on her own!

However TimC I can think of no issues with you so I’ll be on your doorstep Christmas Eve 2021 if that’s okay? ;D
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: TimC on 31 December, 2020, 01:22:19 pm: Hopefully both the campsite and the pub will be open, so sounds like a plan!
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Oscar's dad on 31 December, 2020, 02:11:29 pm: Quote from: TimC on 31 December, 2020, 01:22:19 pm
Hopefully both the campsite and the pub will be open, so sounds like a plan!

;D
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 01 December, 2023, 12:19:35 am: In a spirit of goodwill, which I try to make lastvalk year, I thought I would bump this thread in case anyone needed it.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Clare on 01 December, 2023, 05:56:54 am: We are sat outside the Brew on the Quay having a beer, they are playing Christmas songs. It's only the 1st of December.

Bah!
>:(
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Oscar's dad on 01 December, 2023, 06:23:28 am: I was in the office yesterday and the smart speaker was playing back to back festive tunes. All the decorations have been up for about a week. Here we go, roll on January… ::-)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: ElyDave on 01 December, 2023, 07:43:15 am: get ready for fairytale of new york on loop for the next 25 days :demon:
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: robgul on 01 December, 2023, 07:45:02 am: Quote from: Clare on 01 December, 2023, 05:56:54 am
We are sat outside the Brew on the Quay having a beer, they are playing Christmas songs. It's only the 1st of December.

Bah!
>:(

Is that the Brew on the Quay in Auckland by Britomart? If it is then I'll check that out when we're staying at the Britomart Hotel next March . . . can't wait for the trip to start.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: robgul on 01 December, 2023, 07:47:08 am: Quote from: ElyDave on 01 December, 2023, 07:43:15 am
get ready for fairytale of new york on loop for the next 25 days :demon:

I was surprised to hear the instrumental version on Classic on Wednesday morning
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: alfapete on 01 December, 2023, 08:32:56 am: Quote from: robgul on 01 December, 2023, 07:45:02 am
Quote from: Clare on 01 December, 2023, 05:56:54 am
We are sat outside the Brew on the Quay having a beer, they are playing Christmas songs. It's only the 1st of December.

Bah!
>:(

Is that the Brew on the Quay in Auckland by Britomart? If it is then I'll check that out when we're staying at the Britomart Hotel next March . . . can't wait for the trip to start.

"Of all the hotels in all the world you had to walk into mine" - probably a slightly mangled quote, but we're staying there for a couple of nights in February!! There must be something about the offer that appeals to Brits.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 01 December, 2023, 10:00:23 am: Quote
a slightly mangled quote

Casablanca:

Quote
I saw this movie several times.It is said that it is a masterwork, so I tried to understand it.But I can't do it.It doesn't fit me.The main character Humphrey Bogard's voice is bad, and he's not just a dull father?

Germany is evil, America, France is good? Don't playfully! Don't impose a sense of value!

The serifs are too bad.I'm Not Brackets! So to speak, it's an old movie of the kotekote*.

As for Christmas, we are awaiting the latest from hospital from Mrs A's ex. Also an ex-heavy-smoker.

* kotekote: Japanese for a genre 'over the top', 'overdone', 'done to death' 'heavily traditional'
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: robgul on 01 December, 2023, 11:06:38 am: Quote from: alfapete on 01 December, 2023, 08:32:56 am
Quote from: robgul on 01 December, 2023, 07:45:02 am
Quote from: Clare on 01 December, 2023, 05:56:54 am
We are sat outside the Brew on the Quay having a beer, they are playing Christmas songs. It's only the 1st of December.

Bah!
>:(

Is that the Brew on the Quay in Auckland by Britomart? If it is then I'll check that out when we're staying at the Britomart Hotel next March . . . can't wait for the trip to start.

"Of all the hotels in all the world you had to walk into mine" - probably a slightly mangled quote, but we're staying there for a couple of nights in February!! There must be something about the offer that appeals to Brits.

Ah - we're there the last 4 nights of our trip on 14 March - shame you could have bought us a drink! (The hotel was recommended by the people we've booked the whole trip with - 2nd time to NZ, doing the bits that were truncated last time in March 2020 when we had the trip cut short by 2 weeks because of the lockdown)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: numbnuts on 01 December, 2023, 11:17:32 am: Be careful what you wish for, some people want to cancel Christ mas
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 December, 2023, 11:29:38 am: These days you get arrested and thrown in jail if you celebrate Christ mas. These days ::-)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Oscar's dad on 01 December, 2023, 11:30:55 am: Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 December, 2023, 11:29:38 am
These days you get arrested and thrown in jail if you celebrate Christ mas. These days ::-)

Quite right too! ;D
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: tom_e on 01 December, 2023, 12:10:01 pm: Good. I have an entirely disproportional dislike of random double-spaces in the middle of sentences. Some people seem to just not see them.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mr Larrington on 01 December, 2023, 12:15:46 pm: Could be worse. In addition to their execrable spelling the Gammonariat also has ,,,,,, an annoying habit of ,, spraying superfluous commas around ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, like confetti.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: T42 on 01 December, 2023, 01:22:03 pm: Then there's the Curse of the Amazon Wishlist. Leave it empty and you get complaints that "there's nothing on your wishlist" which is usually followed by "so we sent you an Amazon token", which at least has the merit of letting you know your value to them (£25 drawn on Amazon UK, FFS). I suppose another tactic might be have a few items on the list with the comment "buy it elsewhere" but when you're in France and they're in FOREIGN that doesn't really work.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Jaded on 01 December, 2023, 02:52:23 pm: Quote from: Mr Larrington on 01 December, 2023, 12:15:46 pm
Could be worse. In addition to their execrable spelling the Gammonariat also has ,,,,,, an annoying habit of ,, spraying superfluous commas around ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, like confetti.

I fing hate ,like that ,not confetti but just in the wong order .
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: rogerzilla on 01 December, 2023, 02:56:26 pm: Quote from: T42 on 01 December, 2023, 01:22:03 pm
Then there's the Curse of the Amazon Wishlist. Leave it empty and you get complaints that "there's nothing on your wishlist" which is usually followed by "so we sent you an Amazon token", which at least has the merit of letting you know your value to them (£25 drawn on Amazon UK, FFS). I suppose another tactic might be have a few items on the list with the comment "buy it elsewhere" but when you're in France and they're in FOREIGN that doesn't really work.
I avoid this by not using the tax-dodging tat bazaar.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: cygnet on 02 December, 2023, 12:09:14 am: Oh Mr ~~Ambassador~~ CFO, with these ~~cornflake covered chocolate nut things~~ three drinks tokens and 0 food you are really spoiling us.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Clare on 02 December, 2023, 03:23:57 am: Quote from: robgul on 01 December, 2023, 07:45:02 am
Quote from: Clare on 01 December, 2023, 05:56:54 am
We are sat outside the Brew on the Quay having a beer, they are playing Christmas songs. It's only the 1st of December.

Bah!
>:(

Is that the Brew on the Quay in Auckland by Britomart? If it is then I'll check that out when we're staying at the Britomart Hotel next March . . . can't wait for the trip to start.

That's the one, they have a wide selection of bottled beers from around the world and a good selection on tap as well, be aware that not all the bar staff understand how to pour bottle conditioned beer so you might need to say "I'll pour that, thank you". Food is also OK here, although limited vegetarian choice.

If you are a fan of Belgian beer I would also recommend The Occidental on Vulcan Lane, huge choice of Belgian beer and if you like moules it is (apparently) the place to go. If you are veggie the choice of green salad with disappointingly greasy dressing and a side of fries is a bit of a turn off.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: robgul on 02 December, 2023, 08:07:37 am: Quote from: Clare on 02 December, 2023, 03:23:57 am
Quote from: robgul on 01 December, 2023, 07:45:02 am
Quote from: Clare on 01 December, 2023, 05:56:54 am
We are sat outside the Brew on the Quay having a beer, they are playing Christmas songs. It's only the 1st of December.

Bah!
>:(

Is that the Brew on the Quay in Auckland by Britomart? If it is then I'll check that out when we're staying at the Britomart Hotel next March . . . can't wait for the trip to start.

That's the one, they have a wide selection of bottled beers from around the world and a good selection on tap as well, be aware that not all the bar staff understand how to pour bottle conditioned beer so you might need to say "I'll pour that, thank you". Food is also OK here, although limited vegetarian choice.

If you are a fan of Belgian beer I would also recommend The Occidental on Vulcan Lane, huge choice of Belgian beer and if you like moules it is (apparently) the place to go. If you are veggie the choice of green salad with disappointingly greasy dressing and a side of fries is a bit of a turn off.

Thanks - I've added The Occidental to my list for NZ places (moules will be consumed!)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: alfapete on 02 December, 2023, 09:27:28 am: Quote from: robgul on 02 December, 2023, 08:07:37 am
Thanks - I've added The Occidental to my list for NZ places (moules will be consumed!)
Me too :thumbsup:.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Asterix, the former Gaul. on 16 December, 2023, 03:47:35 pm: Today’s nativity story:

Baby owl discovered in US family's Christmas tree

(https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67732127)

Quote

The family was "shocked" by the discovery of the owl and at first thought it was a prank.
The bird has since been released back into the wild.
..

Plenty of people commented with similar stories of finding squirrels, possums and even bats in their Christmas trees.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: hellymedic on 16 December, 2023, 03:58:08 pm: Quote from: tom_e on 01 December, 2023, 12:10:01 pm
Good. I have an entirely disproportional dislike of random double-spaces in the middle of sentences. Some people seem to just not see them.

Partner dislikes double spaces after full stops. IMHO they look 'wrong' on computer screens. Those of us who had formal typewriter instruction in the 1970s or before were taught ALWAYS to double-space after full stops.

Old habits die hard when you're a dinosaur…

A boomer.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: TheLurker on 16 December, 2023, 04:12:20 pm: Quote from: hellymedic
Those of us who had formal typewriter instruction in the 1970s or before were taught ALWAYS to double-space after full stops.
Yup. And the youngsters who don't like it can just bloody well lump it.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: arabella on 16 December, 2023, 04:44:01 pm: Quote from: TheLurker on 16 December, 2023, 04:12:20 pm
Quote from: hellymedic
Those of us who had formal typewriter instruction in the 1970s or before were taught ALWAYS to double-space after full stops.
Yup. And the youngsters who don't like it can just bloody well lump it.
hear hear. those of us who did a 3-day typing course in the '80s were also told about double spaces after full stops.

meanwhile, apparently my face was a sight to behold when I cam in and saw that /someone/ had put up some decorations in our corner of the office (it's open plan and not all corners are decorated). We also had a "christmas party" as well as the obli-xmas-meal. I ended up discussing with a colleague normally resident in india what precisely christmas was about*. I started off by explaining it was a christian festival plonked on top of yuletide and got bogged down shortly after.

*it having been diwali not so long ago "wear traditional dress" so I dusted off my shalwar kameez, to various people's delight (and no-one laughed, or even pointed).
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 16 December, 2023, 04:46:53 pm: Definitely double space reads much better.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: SteveC on 16 December, 2023, 04:53:10 pm: It depends on the font.
If you are using a standard typewriter, with every letter being the same width (monospaced font), then a double space after a full stop looks right.
If you are using a proportional font, when each letter has a different width (e.g. an 'm' takes up more space than an 'n') then the 'correct' typesetting convention is to use an 'em' which is a space the same width as the letter 'm'. This is larger than the standard space between words (which I think uses an 'en') but smaller than two spaces.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2023, 05:18:42 pm: My employer requires double spaces at the end of sentences but with exceptions for certain end clients. Occasionally people get carried away and put triple spaces but it doesn't matter, it's trivial to correct with change-all. There's also a rule about non-breaking spaces in the middle of names and another about using full stop instead of colon in time references, which everyone seems to ignore and no one has ever been known to complain about. I have no preference.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: De Sisti on 16 December, 2023, 05:24:04 pm: Some posters on cycling.uk don't even put a space after a full-stop. What is just as bad, is not
having any 'white space' when posting a large piece of text with no spaces after a full-stop.

I have a list of some of the people on that forum who do that and have blocked them to avoid
becoming frustrated trying to read what they've said.

(I was taught to type In 1985, as part of my trade training in Trade Group 11 in the RAF).
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Jaded on 16 December, 2023, 05:26:18 pm: Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 16 December, 2023, 05:18:42 pm
My employer requires double spaces at the end of sentences but with exceptions for certain end clients. Occasionally people get carried away and put triple spaces but it doesn't matter, it's trivial to correct with change-all. There's also a rule about non-breaking spaces in the middle of names and another about using full stop instead of colon in time references, which everyone seems to ignore and no one has ever been known to complain about. I have no preference.

If a full stop is used in a time instead of a colon then the time is not recognised by a computer.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Jaded on 16 December, 2023, 05:28:58 pm: Could be in the Provinces thread, but I am putting it here.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-gloucestershire-67730683
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Kim on 16 December, 2023, 06:31:31 pm: Quote from: hellymedic on 16 December, 2023, 03:58:08 pm
Quote from: tom_e on 01 December, 2023, 12:10:01 pm
Good. I have an entirely disproportional dislike of random double-spaces in the middle of sentences. Some people seem to just not see them.

Partner dislikes double spaces after full stops. IMHO they look 'wrong' on computer screens. Those of us who had formal typewriter instruction in the 1970s or before were taught ALWAYS to double-space after full stops.

Old habits die hard when you're a dinosaur…

A boomer.

I infuriate barakta by doing the double-space at the end of sentences thing. I keep pointing out that while she lives in a twisty maze of PDFs, all different, I spend most of my computing life in monospaced fonts. It's not like any text formatting system worth its salt doesn't ignore spurious whitespace in the markup anyway.

The infuriating boomer thing is putting a space *before* the punctuation !

A GenXer.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mrs Pingu on 16 December, 2023, 06:31:59 pm: I have just found the effinbirds.com site and I am amused.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mr Larrington on 16 December, 2023, 06:44:03 pm: Quote from: Kim on 16 December, 2023, 06:31:31 pm

The infuriating boomer thing is putting a space *before* the punctuation !

A GenXer.

People who do that should be shot. And their families. Stuff like:
Code: [Select]
aux[1] : { 0.0 , 0.0 , 0.0 }is encountered all too frequently round here, along with lines that end in some, or more, whitespace, lines that look blank but aren’t and files ending in – yep, you guessed it – MOAR whitespace.

Also tEh GaMmOn HaBbIt ,,,,,, of putting random strings of commas in the middle ,, of sentences.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Kim on 16 December, 2023, 07:54:44 pm: Quote from: Mr Larrington on 16 December, 2023, 06:44:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 16 December, 2023, 06:31:31 pm

The infuriating boomer thing is putting a space *before* the punctuation !

A GenXer.

People who do that should be shot. And their families. Stuff like:
Code: [Select]
aux[1] : { 0.0 , 0.0 , 0.0 }is encountered all too frequently round here, along with lines that end in some, or more, whitespace, lines that look blank but aren’t and files ending in – yep, you guessed it – MOAR whitespace.

A random mix of tabs and spaces, no doubt.

On balance, I think the tab key was probably a bad idea.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: jsabine on 17 December, 2023, 03:41:01 am: Quote from: Mr Larrington on 16 December, 2023, 06:44:03 pm
files ending in – yep, you guessed it – MOAR whitespace.

Sounds like you'd be delighted by a linter that enforces a blank line at the end of each file.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Jaded on 17 December, 2023, 04:01:12 am: Quote from: Kim on 16 December, 2023, 07:54:44 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 16 December, 2023, 06:44:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 16 December, 2023, 06:31:31 pm

The infuriating boomer thing is putting a space *before* the punctuation !

A GenXer.

People who do that should be shot. And their families. Stuff like:
Code: [Select]
aux[1] : { 0.0 , 0.0 , 0.0 }is encountered all too frequently round here, along with lines that end in some, or more, whitespace, lines that look blank but aren’t and files ending in – yep, you guessed it – MOAR whitespace.

A random mix of tabs and spaces, no doubt.

On balance, I think the tab key was probably a bad idea.

Tabs are brilliant.

People who don’t use them, not so much.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: T42 on 17 December, 2023, 07:46:18 am: Quote from: hellymedic on 16 December, 2023, 03:58:08 pm
Quote from: tom_e on 01 December, 2023, 12:10:01 pm
Good. I have an entirely disproportional dislike of random double-spaces in the middle of sentences. Some people seem to just not see them.

Partner dislikes double spaces after full stops. IMHO they look 'wrong' on computer screens. Those of us who had formal typewriter instruction in the 1970s or before were taught ALWAYS to double-space after full stops.

Old habits die hard when you're a dinosaur…

A boomer.

Used to be worse when submitting typescripts. I once got a mild bollocking for not leaving two spaces after a colon or semicolon and three after a full stop. Still do the full-stop-two-spp thing.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 17 December, 2023, 07:07:15 pm: Quote from: Jaded on 17 December, 2023, 04:01:12 am
Quote from: Kim on 16 December, 2023, 07:54:44 pm
Quote from: Mr Larrington on 16 December, 2023, 06:44:03 pm
Quote from: Kim on 16 December, 2023, 06:31:31 pm

The infuriating boomer thing is putting a space *before* the punctuation !

A GenXer.

People who do that should be shot. And their families. Stuff like:
Code: [Select]
aux[1] : { 0.0 , 0.0 , 0.0 }is encountered all too frequently round here, along with lines that end in some, or more, whitespace, lines that look blank but aren’t and files ending in – yep, you guessed it – MOAR whitespace.

A random mix of tabs and spaces, no doubt.

On balance, I think the tab key was probably a bad idea.

Tabs are brilliant.

People who don’t use them, not so much.
(https://www.moretvicar.com/media/product/2014/09/02/1628_6256_w450.png)
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Mr Larrington on 22 December, 2023, 01:07:13 am: My grate frend Frans just shared this in Mr Zuckerberg's Walled Garden:

Angry Santa • Bloodywood (https://youtu.be/wGd5MzNGvbc)

Warning: shouty man uttering Bad Swears.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: T42 on 22 December, 2023, 09:17:54 am: Quote from: Mr Larrington on 22 December, 2023, 01:07:13 am
My grate frend Frans just shared this in Mr Zuckerberg's Walled Garden:

Angry Santa • Bloodywood (https://youtu.be/wGd5MzNGvbc)

Warning: shouty man uttering Bad Swears.

Murky buckets, monsieur le maire. That solves my Facebook Christmassy-post problem.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 23 December, 2023, 09:13:30 am: Brilliant.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: MattH on 23 December, 2023, 10:30:43 am: Just a Christmas advert (from Irn-Bru) as the antithesis to the normal sickly sweet ads for you grouches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yZOab5gl-4
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: T42 on 23 December, 2023, 10:56:53 am: Quote from: MattH on 23 December, 2023, 10:30:43 am
Just a Christmas advert (from Irn-Bru) as the antithesis to the normal sickly sweet ads for you grouches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yZOab5gl-4

Sequel: https://youtu.be/z8WBStu4STY?si=YLqidEqPBeGH2uB8
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Wowbagger on 23 December, 2023, 11:07:33 am: Obliquely Christmas-related question.

Yesterday I signed up to Lebara for a very cheap phone deal: my 2-year EE contract comes to an end in January and I don't see the point in paying £25 a month when I can get all I need for under £8 a month.

This morning, the sim arrived, delivered by Royal Mail.

How was it so quick when the last date for first class posting for pre-Christmas delivery was last Wednesday?
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 December, 2023, 11:09:55 am: It was delivered by elves, obviously.
Title: Re: The Bah f***ing humbug, f***ing Christmas thread
Post by: StuAff on 23 December, 2023, 11:31:57 am: Quote from: Wowbagger on 23 December, 2023, 11:07:33 am
Obliquely Christmas-related question.

Yesterday I signed up to Lebara for a very cheap phone deal: my 2-year EE contract comes to an end in January and I don't see the point in paying £25 a month when I can get all I need for under £8 a month.

This morning, the sim arrived, delivered by Royal Mail.

How was it so quick when the last date for first class posting for pre-Christmas delivery was last Wednesday?
Recommended last posting date was 20 December for 1st. Volumes significantly dropped Thursday, even more yesterday. Hence you got it next day. I had the reverse problem. 30th November I sent a package 1st Signed For. Not delivered, no tracking updates. It got delivered on 12 December. Still no tracking. And it was only going to Shoreditch!