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How Are You Spending Your Christmas Vacation?
Embedded Geek asks: "Instead of just spending Christmas break (or slowdown if you don't actually get time off) fixing up your house/car/server, are there any neat activities or events in your neck of the woods that you've been putting off? A museum exhibit? A cool new restaurant? An attraction in your hometown you usually only see with out of town relatives? Share your ideas with your fellow Slashdot readers! I, for one, plan to check out Barsoom to Blade Runner: Science Fiction in Southern California in my hometown."
Just hanging out this Christmas. Had a blast with my 5 month old watching his new Wiggles tape. Used my new apple peeler which is just totally cool. (cores, peels, slices!)
Now, I'm watching CNN and drinking some REALLY nice wine and reading Slashdot while my incredibly awesome wife is in her office, surfing the net and xfering her radio show to MP3.
Here's to a safe and happy New Year where I finally find a job! (unemployed since Aug 01)
Oh yea, it's snowing like crazy outside here in Act(i)on, MA., 25 miles west of Boston. Expecting 12-18"!!! May actually start up the snowmobiles tomorrow!!!
I'm the luckiest guy in the world. We've got our health, I've got a GREAT wife and a wonderful kid.
What's my Karma Mr. Burns? "Excellent"
Of course all that pasta went into the donation bin for the food bank. Yes, spreading the joy is an essential part of the season, and oh so easy!
Two of my brothers and our families just spent an hour googlewhacking! Fun for the whole family, plus you get to see your name in lights!
I've been busy on IRC pointing out to everyone that Christmas is a fascist holiday hijacked by the Christians from the pagan's celebration of Saturnalia so they (the Christians) wouldn't get gacked in ancient Rome.
The article I pulled this from is here
For those not interested in visiting the site, here's the relevent text:
"The Bible says nothing about the calendar date of the Nativity, but does refer to historical personages and events, such as the reign of King Herod. Modern historical research suggests that Herod may have died sometime between 4 BC and 1 BC by our present calendar. The Magi are said to have visited Herod just before he died, and presumably the birth of Christ and appearance of the Star came sometime before that.
And it is very doubtful that Jesus was born in late December. For one thing, the Biblical passage in St. Luke, "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night," indicates that spring is the likely season; that was when the shepherds in Judea were tending the newborn lambs.
In ancient times, Dec. 25 was the date of the lavish Roman festival of Saturnalia. It was a time when gifts were exchanged; homes, streets and buildings were decorated; people came home for the holidays and everybody was in a happy, party mood. It has been said that early Christians chose the date of the Saturnalia in order to avoid attention and thus escape persecution.
When the Roman emperor Constantine officially adopted Christianity in the 4th century, the date of Christmas remained Dec. 25."
So Happy Saturnalia to everyone everywhere!
(And yes, I AM Pagan myself)
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV)
Read the David Sedaris book Holidays on Ice. It, like all of his work, is hilarious, and includes a story about a Christmas hooker. (he might have called her the Christmas Whore instead, I don't remember) Also includes Santaland Diaries, which is incredibly funny.
Also comes in "book on CD", where he reads his own stuff, also well worth it (one of the things that holiday money is going for!)
Lea