[vfr750]

We just don't do Xmas. We're not religious, don't particularly like children and hate shopping, the 3 things it all seems to be about. The money we might have spent on cards & presents gets donated to charity.

As first people tried to persuade us to join in but it didn't take long for them to accept that this is what we do. We've booked in for a curry for our dinner Xmas day.

Cheerrs

John

 

[Trisha]

Another Yuletide yarn! Three years ago, my old chum, Bill, hosted a Christmas trough for his family and selected pals. 'Twas, by modern standards, a large do.

Bill is a retired army officer, and disinclined to shy away from the whims of fools. After an enormous luncheon, presents were exchanged.

Bill's daughter-in-law had bought the old boy - a novelty she thought, foolishly - a pink thong, clearly made for someone of elven proportions.

The designer of the diminutive garment had, most thoughtfully, added a slender addendum in the form of a sequin-encrusted tassle.

Bill was delighted! And... stood to attention, removed ALL his clothes, donned the pink thong, and wore it for the rest of the day.

Hmmm...

 

[Trisha]

Al

Sundown on the water, with the unique monyphony of pipes: a wonder of the ancient and modern world. Almost every country has pipes, and no one knows where they originated.

Glad my late father was too occupied with his trombone to get involved with piping and, the rest of the world might be equally grateful...

 

[StuBeeDoo]

the bagpipe!

.................. Reminded me of this

 

[Wobble]

The phone just rang and I answered it. The conversation went something like this.

"Hello"

"Hi, my name is Joe Blogs. I've just bought a house in your area"

silent pause,

"Yeah?"

"I'm looking to buy another one"

another silent pause,

"Yeah?"

"Has your house had the earthquake work done on it?".

"We've been paid out for it"

"But has the work been done?"

"Yes it's been done.

"Are you interested in selling it?"

"How much are you wanting to pay for it?"

"Probably not as much as you are wanting for it"

"Well, this isn't going anywhere then is it? Bye"

and I hung up before he had a chance to add more.

For some reason this really rattled my cage.

 

[Wobble]

It's only half an hour later and the phone rings again.

"Hello"

"Hello"

"Hello"

"Hello, it's Jenene from Spark. I'm calling about your internet connection."

"OK, bye".

What is it with people trying to rip me off today? Is this the new 'Christmas spirit'?

 

[PETER GUNN]

Been getting scam BT's for ages , but recently get Amazon one's , you can tell it,s a auto voice normally sounds like far east accent telling me there is a problem with my Amazon account which i don't have and never have had so i just put the phone down , and wait for another one to arrive , seems there is nothing you can do about it , part of todays CRAPPY world .

 

[StuBeeDoo]

The phone just rang and I answered it. The conversation went something like this...............

.............For some reason this really rattled my cage.

It would rattle mine as well. Especially after the recent event in NZ.

 

[Grumpy Gaz]

It's only half an hour later and the phone rings again.

"Hello"
"Hello"
"Hello"
"Hello, it's Jenene from Spark. I'm calling about your internet connection."
"OK, bye".

What is it with people trying to rip me off today? Is this the new 'Christmas spirit'?

I've had a few of those calls! Another one that "Jenene" or "Joe" will try is, "It's OK, I not trying to sell you anything"

We all know that whilst that may be technically true, they are actually attempting to harvest (personal) information.

 

[SplitRim]

I find the easiest way to avoid these computer placed call is to remain silent after answering. After about 3-5 seconds of dead air the computer hangs up , and moves onto the next one.
If it's a real person they'll start to talk , so you can then filter out the in laws with a pretend Dogs home / Take away / Funeral home voicemail message........

 

[Gripping Pneus]

I recently rang a number and received the voicemail message "this is xxx's ansafone, please leave a message".

Reply "this is yyy's ansafone. Can you please ask your master to call my master when convenient".

 

[Trisha]

It you live in a part of the world enduring a deluge of rain similar to that of miserable, flooded Herefordshire recently, you might like to reacquaint yourself with the 2007 European Grand Prix, courtesy of YouTube.

I'd forgotten what an absolute farce it was.

 

[Wobble]

I'm sick of Mummy kissing Santa Claus!

 

[Grumpy Gaz]

Yeah, I'm telling dad!

 

[Trisha]

I'm so old that I still recall days when oranges were Yuletide luxuries. Plus ca change, eh?

 

[gus3049]

How dare you accuse me of being old?

We used to get one in our stockings that mysteriously appeared on our beds on Christmas morning. Also, one apple and one small toy.

We don't do Christmas now. I think the regimentation introduced at home was enough to put me off. Everything had a strict rota, who did what and at what time. No relaxation for a moment in case it all went pear shaped.

The only thing I really enjoyed was the spider! A big black one on a wire web that had strings attached with a name on. At the other end of the string was their present. I took particular joy in taking the recipient on a suitable journey, especially if it was snowing. It could then be combined with a trip through the coal cellar. I always chose the person whose trip I would design most carefully. Never did like my brother in law

 

[beardy56]

Not just oranges, we only saw nuts at Xmas and dates, Xmas was special then because so many thing only appeared at Xmas. Never had turkey any other time of year.

What's the betting easter eggs are in the shops on Boxing day

 

[gus3049]

They already have them in our local supermarket!! Yesterday afternoon, they were clearing the christmas displays and replacing them

 

[mickey thumbs]

Awoke to find oranges and nuts in my stocking this morning. Also an assortment of K&S brass tubing and strips. Santa must have been spying on my workshop

 

[Trisha]

Easter eggs in the shops at Christmas? Never! The world can't, surely, be that Rod and Emu!

These were bought on Christmas Eve for my grandchildren...