12/20/2005

Happy Holidays!



This week will be busy for many of us, as we scramble around and try to meet society's expectations. How many of us have an image of what we are 'supposed' to be doing this week? Shopping, baking, wrapping,visiting,cleaning? How well does this image match what you really want to be doing, or what you are actually doing? What do your holidays look like compared to the way you hype it up in your mind? Do you enjoy the process of building it up, then crashing in a consumption-induced denoument? hell, I don't.
This year, I intend to finish my Christmas day with a candle light vigil in silence on a bridge. People ask how I can do this on CHRISTMAS for pete's sake. I think that Christmas is a good time to mourn our losses, consider our paths, and our choices in reflective silence. To think about the stacks of things we have received, and the people who have nothing. People who have less food than what I will scrape into the can. People who are alone, forgotten, or ignored. People that will decide this Christmas between heat, food, or a little something for their kids. People that have watched their lives and families transform away from the idealic structure they had planned. On Christmas, I consider those that began life with promises but now cast off their hopes after years of dissappointment. The candles are about all of these things, and for those whose lives were lost, whose families miss them so horribly.
I don't even know what the holidays mean to me anymore.
Often, its about the pressure of shopping and people-pleasing. I try to incorporate some measure of meaning- but I am not a spiritual Christian, I am a 'cultural' Christian who grew up with these holidays but really have no compelling reason to continue them other than following the herd. I have made efforts to 'shop with conscience' this year, avoiding box stores, but have once again failed. I try to support our local artists, potters, painters, sculptors, weavers, quilters, knitters, macrame-plant hanger makers... But I cannot boast of a pristine pocketbook. I even have a few receipts from the dreaded mall. From scary places like Aeropostale' and The Limited. (I have failed you, liberal muse)
So what have you done this year that you feel dirty about? What have you done that violates your oh-so-principled life? Come on, open your wallets and purses and purge your conscience. Fess up! How have you given your money to 'the man'?

While you consider your scrooginess, weigh in on my BitchPod Challenge at Hydrogen and Stupidity, just for some levity. - Lily

8 comments:

Lew Scannon said...

I haven't done much shopping yet, since I won't be seeing my kids until after Christmas and am working two jobs, I don't really have the time or energy. I'm not planning on buying them a mountain of toys, either, maybe a sled, mostly books and art supplies, since they love to draw over here. I'm not expecting to get anything for Christmas, and I can't think of anything material i really desire.
I was planning on spending Christmas at the theatre, I really wanted to see Walk The Line, but then I found out my brother's having a get together at his house. The upside is there'll be a lot of Bush Bashing going on, but the downside is my brother's idea of Christmas music is the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, pretentious twaddle for those not fully committed to classical music. At least I have a family to spend Christmas with, just sucks not being able to see my monkeys.

Anonymous said...

Lew,
Well I guess you're looking at the bright side, and Bush bashing is always a fun holiday sport.. :)
I am probably one of the only females I know that absolutely hate to shop. I like it more for children, and other people, but I really hate it for myself.
This year I hate it even more, but in my quest to try to shop locally, I met some wonderful local artists and became re-acquainted with a few I had forgotten. We did a local show/sale nearby and it was nice to exchange ideas. Beats Wal Mart any day!
Encourage your kids to draw! It is so important for kids to learn that there are things we do for money, and things we just do. Like you, they can become many things, with many sources of happiness and achievement. I decided against art school in favor of different degree programs, but I have never been sorry that it was something I could just work on for me. For my own amusement.

Anonymous said...

Pretentious twaddle? (snort)
Listen, if Metallica can play with an orchestra, anyone can produce twaddle. Twaddle is the American way. Twaddle sells.
When is the "American Idol Singing Moron Christmas Cd" coming out???

Lew Scannon said...

If it isn't out by now, it's too late to release one now (I think they did last year, but who knows). But two of the whitest winners have put ot their own Christmas CDs (thats what you do when you lack the talent and creativity to make your own music). I hate that style of "singing" and don't think it works well when singing sacred carols (have you heard Fantasia'a "Joy To The World"?)

Anonymous said...

Um, sorry. I have not heard it. I actually never watch those kinds of shows. I hate reworked Christmas shit as much as you do. Especially Amy Grant, Bruce Springsteen, Alvin and the Chipmunks...and unlike you I HATE THE DOGS BARKING.
arf arf arf...
arf arf arf
Wheres the f***ing shotgun?

Lew Scannon said...

Oh, my kids love Springsteen's "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". As for the Fantasia version of "Joy To The World", I've only heard it on the radio, I've never even seen the show and get angry just seeing a promo for it.
Also, what bugs me is the people who put up too many lights, or don an elf or Santa hat, over decorate and insist on listening to Christmas music 24/7, mainly as their way of fighting against "The War On Christmas". I always wish them a Happy Kwanzaa or Merry Ramadan.

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