Thing to ponder

[chakka35]

Now then, S&C-ers, I have three very difficult questions for you to ponder over the holiday. Yes, yes, I know that you want to relax but it's a good thing to exercise the brain after all that food. So put on your mental climbing boots and put your mind to these real toughies: 1. Why do drawings of Christmas trees always show the branches sloping downwards when, in real life, they slope upwards? Phew! A real stinker, eh? I'm afraid the others are no easier. Sorry! 2. Why do we allow our children to single a thoroughly immoral song like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? Do we want to teach them that it's OK to mock someone who is physically different ("�used to laugh and call him names. They wouldn't let poor Rudolph join in any reindeeer games") and then fawn all over him once he becomes teacher's pet ("Oh how the reindeer loved him, as they shouted out with glee�)? Disgraceful, don't you agree? 3. Why do we sing While Shepherds Watched� to such a dreary tune, which leaves the last line of every verse to sink away in a weary cadence? Try singing it to the tune of "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'At" and listen to the way those last lines, twice-repeated, ring out in triumph! Well, there we are. I hope you leave enough time between your deep ponderings to have a wonderful Christmas. And do have a happy and fulfilling 2008.

[China Doll]

If there was an award for 'best christmas wishes greeting to ABers' it would surely be yours chakka... But as there's not all that's left to say is..

Merry Christmas to you and yours and have an excellent 2008.

[naomi24]

Oh help!! Don't tell me you're going all politically correct on me, Chakka. I couldn't stand it! Time for the gin, methinks. A very Merry Christmas to you, and a happy and healthy New Year.

[JockSporran]

1) Different species of coniferous tree vary in shape.

2) 'Rudolph' teaches that being different can be a good thing. Though at first laughed at for being different, Rudolph eventually proves himself the most useful of the group.

3) Songs do not have to be sung to their traditional tune, so there's nothing to stop anyone singing 'Shepherds' to a more lively tune (I can imagine a gospel choir singing it). However, the traditional tune is slow because it's meant to be sentimental and romantic.

Happy Christmas, chakka. :-)

[wildwood]

1.) Your appendages would droop too if someone chopped your feet off.

2.) It is quite understandable that the alpha reindeer has a red nose. It is red from ambarrasmant at being called Rudolph - what a stupid name for a female reindeer.

3.) Christmas supper is the only time I am allowed free reign with the booze as I never work between xmas and newyear. It is also the only time of the year that I partake in merriment and song with a liberal amount of gusto. In the early evening I drink Coke with Bourbon and later on I drink Bourbon with Coke, near midnight I will have run out of Coke. At this stage I will have lost all inhibitions and am truly past caring how well a tune sounds or aware of the lyrics - proper or otherwise. It has been known at the odd occasion to hear "God Save the Queen' being sung to the tune of 'My Boomerang won't come back'. Once this sounds ok to oneself, one knows that one is properly soused and really enjoying oneself.

Really looking forward to the New Year and hope I have a similar one to this one. I sincerely hope that all ABers have a great year too and enjoy themselves at crimbo.

May all that political correctness fall off the cart next year and see the return of normal sensibility.

[weeal]

ha haha love the answers Jock and Wildwood

Have a belter of a xmas all !

[chakka35]

Can it be that some people are actually taking my questions seriously?
Are we going to be reduced to adding "Joke!" or "Geddit?!" or "Ha,ha!" in future?
Let's hope it'll be a happier new year than that...

[chakka35]

Ref my last, it is actually fun to sing that carol to Ilkla Moor. Try it and you'll never sing the dreary version again.

[naomi24]

Seems some could be taking your question seriously, Chakka. You are right about poor Rudolph though. "Rights for Reindeers", I say! Hic! ;o)

[jno]

you're right, chakka, those ones at the top are definitely sloping up

http://www.thegreenhead.com/imgs/upside-down-c orner-xmas-tree-1.jpg

[wildwood]

You are such a pendantic *#%@ chakka35. I can't see any answer that indicates they take your question seriously. If you don't get a life soon someone will push you off the edge of the World.

[naomi24]

Merry Christmas Wildwood - I do hope you'll cheer up enough to have a pleasant time.

(By the way, speaking of pedantic, in my last post I should have said "Reindeer", not "Reindeers". Oops. Slapped knees there!!).

[chakka35]

My,my, wildwood, what gets into you at 3 o�clock in the morning? �Pendantic� is an interesting word; does it mean hung-over?
If you can get me an even happier and even more interesting �life� than I have at the moment I�d be both grateful and surprised. Happy New Year.

[Theland]

.... and a happy new year to you, chakka.