Nope, not Happy Holidays. Not Season's Greetings. Not Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, or Winter Lights. My mom recently commented that I should rename my blog 'Rants' so maybe I'll try to be slightly less rabid about this particular pet peeve (because being rabid generally doesn't get you many places in life.)
However.
I am of the opinion that, in the recent trend toward quavering political correctness, those who maintain that our Christmas festivities are merely a winter holiday should insist that they not have time off school or work, buy presents for no one, and decline to receive any. After all, we don't give presents at the summer solstice, do we?
I have also noticed a trend in people who hold such opinions. They do not belong to visible minorities (you know, the ones they claim are offended by nativity scenes and Christmas trees.) They do, however, belong to a left-wing, politically correct sphere of influence, and are themselves a minority. I dare to postulate that ordinary people, stopped on the streets or wherever, probably have no more problem with a baby in a manger than I do; but they are assigned a phantom grievance by those who do have a problem.
And like all tiptoing that goes on around visible minorities, this is dumb. Majorities should be more important than minorities, particularly in a democratic country where majority rules. If you don't want to celebrate Christmas, fine. Stay home. Don't drink eggnog, don't have a tree, politely or not-so-politely refuse gifts, and spit on candy canes. Mutter a 'bah humbug' now and then. If you must, tell me you don't celebrate Christmas when I tell you to have a merry one, and then revel in the awkward silence that follows.
By all rights, your personal preferences should not mean that the sight of a baby in a manger is taboo, or that the word 'Christmas' may not be uttered and must instead be replaced with the mundane 'holiday season' or 'winter celebration'. I might detest purple but that doesn't mean I throw a fit and insist that nobody anywhere must ever wear it again.
Okay. Rant over.
Merry Christmas :)
19 December 2008
13 December 2008
The wish list
I actually think a wish list is a selfish concept. That's why I'm so reluctant to have one. I mean, think about it, Christmas is a time of year during which, ideally, we realize the value of giving vs receiving, and how spending time with the people you love is more important than the stuff you get.
That's not to say I don't enjoy the stuff. But a lot of the enjoyment I get out of the stuff is knowing that someone bought it especially for me, thinking of me. For example: Last Christmas my sister bought me a little mirror for my bathroom. It wasn't big or anything, or flashy, but I really appreciated it, because she'd noticed I didn't have one. This is the same reason I dislike giftcards - if you don't know someone well, they're acceptable, but buying a giftcard for a close friend seems to me like saying you weren't willing to put in the effort.
I don't think Christmas should be a way of getting what you want. I see no (hackneyed phrase!) 'Christmas spirit' in just asking for all the things you'd like to have and then getting them. That's not what it's about. I enjoy the things I get, but they should not be the be-all and end-all of Christmas. It's bigger than that.
...and also, if anyone wanted a wish list, you're on your own. If you're stuck, I like chocolate.
"When life breaks your yolks - make scrambled eggs instead!"
That's not to say I don't enjoy the stuff. But a lot of the enjoyment I get out of the stuff is knowing that someone bought it especially for me, thinking of me. For example: Last Christmas my sister bought me a little mirror for my bathroom. It wasn't big or anything, or flashy, but I really appreciated it, because she'd noticed I didn't have one. This is the same reason I dislike giftcards - if you don't know someone well, they're acceptable, but buying a giftcard for a close friend seems to me like saying you weren't willing to put in the effort.
I don't think Christmas should be a way of getting what you want. I see no (hackneyed phrase!) 'Christmas spirit' in just asking for all the things you'd like to have and then getting them. That's not what it's about. I enjoy the things I get, but they should not be the be-all and end-all of Christmas. It's bigger than that.
...and also, if anyone wanted a wish list, you're on your own. If you're stuck, I like chocolate.
"When life breaks your yolks - make scrambled eggs instead!"
12 December 2008
I have a job?
Verily, I have a job.
The kind that makes money and gives hours. That kind. It's sorta weird. And I'm basically thrilled.
The job description is as follows: Student Page at our neighborhood branch of the Public Library. 10 hours per week (20 during school holidays), $9.66 per hour. Student pages shelve books, shelf-read books, and clean up at closing time, as well as miscellaneous other tasks. I have applied four times in the last nine months, every time the job became available, and last Thursday was the first time they called for an interview. Interview was on Tuesday and went very well, and Wednesday afternoon they called to offer me the job.
Needless to say, I accepted :P
So I start Monday morning, with three hours of training. Wish me luck!
The kind that makes money and gives hours. That kind. It's sorta weird. And I'm basically thrilled.
The job description is as follows: Student Page at our neighborhood branch of the Public Library. 10 hours per week (20 during school holidays), $9.66 per hour. Student pages shelve books, shelf-read books, and clean up at closing time, as well as miscellaneous other tasks. I have applied four times in the last nine months, every time the job became available, and last Thursday was the first time they called for an interview. Interview was on Tuesday and went very well, and Wednesday afternoon they called to offer me the job.
Needless to say, I accepted :P
So I start Monday morning, with three hours of training. Wish me luck!
02 December 2008
Shenanigans in satire
Thank you Josh.
Thank you Ezra Levant.
I could sit here and rant for a long, long time.
Be advised that it is very, very dangerous to get me started. Be advised that it is 9:11 am and I have already emailed Stephane Dion and Jack Layton at their government addresses to tell them that I am seventeen years old and I can see their blatant, power-hungry hypocrisy.
"Accept defeat gracefully," said Mr Layton to the Prime Minister.
Eat your words. Or even better, stick your arrogant head - and I won't finish that sentence.
Tell 'em yourself.
Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca
Dion.S@parl.gc.ca
Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
Thank you Ezra Levant.
I could sit here and rant for a long, long time.
Be advised that it is very, very dangerous to get me started. Be advised that it is 9:11 am and I have already emailed Stephane Dion and Jack Layton at their government addresses to tell them that I am seventeen years old and I can see their blatant, power-hungry hypocrisy.
"Accept defeat gracefully," said Mr Layton to the Prime Minister.
Eat your words. Or even better, stick your arrogant head - and I won't finish that sentence.
Tell 'em yourself.
Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca
Dion.S@parl.gc.ca
Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
01 December 2008
Cheer for the letter-writers. Cheer, cheer, cheer.
I take back what I said about ceasing to read letters to the editor. I have never come across a more outstanding ensemble of common sense than the seven in the National Post today, regarding the recent ridiculous shenanigans in government. (To understand what I'm talking about, click here first and here next. If Lorne Gunter had fangirls...) Despite the ridiculous bias of our media, despite the drivel that passes for good sense, and despite the childish wailing of the Liberals, NDP and Bloc Quebecois, at least SOME Canadians are smart enough to see through this. Today's paper included these gems of wisdom:
"Why in these tough economic times, are [the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc] not willing to lead by cutting the drain on Canadian taxpayers? The Conservatives are willing to cut spending in an area that will directly affect them. If I want to support a political party, I would rather have the right to choose which one and how much of my hard earned money I give." (Tom Stang, Edmonton)
"The Conservatives have no apologies to make for their proposal to eliminate public funding of political parties. The issue is simple: If Canadians want to support a political party, let them do so with their own money. It is immoral to compel Canadians to fund political parties that they would not support voluntarily. It is equally immoral for political parties that can't manage their own finances to expect to manage the finances of the nation." (Liam Rafferty, Toronto)
And from me:
The motivations behind this coalition of the opposition parties and their screams of protest at the move to cut their funding are simple: Selfishness and laziness.
They failed to obtain power in the election. The Liberals, the Official Opposition, had the worst show of support in over a century. They've been smacked down and left to whine about how Harper isn't doing what's best for the economy - and the moment he introduces a bill to cut taxes (e.g. support the economy) they are more concerned with the fact that it is their funding he is taking away than they are for the welfare of Canadians. If they want the funding, they need to get out there and RAISE it. The Opposition parties lack power and lack funds, and they are selfish and lazy enough to make a grab for the one, and to expect Canadian taxpayers to make up for the other. This is in no way a failure on the part of the Prime Minister.
Hoo boy, I think this is turning into one of those issues on which it is dangerous to get me started.
"Why in these tough economic times, are [the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc] not willing to lead by cutting the drain on Canadian taxpayers? The Conservatives are willing to cut spending in an area that will directly affect them. If I want to support a political party, I would rather have the right to choose which one and how much of my hard earned money I give." (Tom Stang, Edmonton)
"The Conservatives have no apologies to make for their proposal to eliminate public funding of political parties. The issue is simple: If Canadians want to support a political party, let them do so with their own money. It is immoral to compel Canadians to fund political parties that they would not support voluntarily. It is equally immoral for political parties that can't manage their own finances to expect to manage the finances of the nation." (Liam Rafferty, Toronto)
And from me:
The motivations behind this coalition of the opposition parties and their screams of protest at the move to cut their funding are simple: Selfishness and laziness.
They failed to obtain power in the election. The Liberals, the Official Opposition, had the worst show of support in over a century. They've been smacked down and left to whine about how Harper isn't doing what's best for the economy - and the moment he introduces a bill to cut taxes (e.g. support the economy) they are more concerned with the fact that it is their funding he is taking away than they are for the welfare of Canadians. If they want the funding, they need to get out there and RAISE it. The Opposition parties lack power and lack funds, and they are selfish and lazy enough to make a grab for the one, and to expect Canadian taxpayers to make up for the other. This is in no way a failure on the part of the Prime Minister.
Hoo boy, I think this is turning into one of those issues on which it is dangerous to get me started.
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