Today’s newsletter released in the morning to subscribers as usual, but it was missing three things which I would like to rectify here: 1.) The appropriate day-of-the-week header — obviously it’s Friday; I keep forgetting to change these before I send, I hope it doesn’t much affect your enjoyment. 2.) I also meant to release it to non-paying subscribers, so here’s the un-paywalled issue page for them — enjoy! 3.) I didn’t mention the impending holiday, so Io Saturnalia! to all who celebrate, and thanks for making the thing worth doing.
Knowing the day of the week is one of those optional things when you're retired. You could tell me today is Thursday and I'd be wondering, "Did I put out the garbage? Hell, is the can even full?"
My usual Yule message is a pic my daughter sent from Yokohama in '11: a light up seated Buddha, leaning over his glowing begging bowl like a cell phone, with Santa Hat and tinsel:
"May your holiday season be filled with light and live."
I live in South Jersey, so this may be a factor here -- but not once in three weeks of any sort of shopping have I heard a single clerk say "happy/merry whatever" to me upon our sale's conclusion. Not once.
I figure it's a combination of overwork/underpay/shitty labor conditions and the fact that fucking Christbots still come unglued when anyone says "Happy holidays" to them. So now maybe just saying nothing is easier/better/less stress? *
So... you know what this means, right...?
We've WON THE WAR ON XMAS!!!!
Hail Guinea Pig Satan!
* Also, and not for nothing, making any clerk say anything as a condition of employment is bullshit, so I'm not saying they should have to say anything.
A fine Solstice season celebration to you however you wish to celebrate . May the sun return to our lives. The only predictable thing. So let us celebrate the end of the darkness and hope that one day it shall be banished in our real lives. Unfortunately, my hope in the young, and my increasing age means that I may not see what I wish for a final product.
Now to make cardamom cookies for fika tomorrow. My sweet wife had me multiple shopping missions in the past week, gathering ingredients. I was excited to see cardamom on the list again and she knew that I knew where there were a few little Indian grocery stores to find the fresh stuff. The last suggestion yelled in my direction was "Should I buy some fresh masa?". Yes, blue corn. So that was my last mission, five pounds of warm freshly ground masa. So many varieties of tamales tomorrow. Such is the variety of life if you see it.
I truly appreciate your writing. It is why I pay for things at this little dive bar.
Another COVID Christmas. Three new hours of insurrection video. Hearing Feliz Navidad in my head 24 hours a day. I don't care. Nothing can detract from the happiness I feel upon learning that Wirecutter selected one of my purchases as an "Our Pick" best. What could be more American than the pride and joy engendered by having one's buying decisions validated by elite experts? (Especially now that their union has reached a contract with the NY Times and it only took 2 years!) A mere "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" seems inadequate to the occasion but I'll say it anyway.
Aw, thanks, Maestro!
Good holiday back at you. No lumps of coal I hope.
Knowing the day of the week is one of those optional things when you're retired. You could tell me today is Thursday and I'd be wondering, "Did I put out the garbage? Hell, is the can even full?"
Hey, Roy! Happy Holidays to you and yours, plus everyone reading this.
My usual Yule message is a pic my daughter sent from Yokohama in '11: a light up seated Buddha, leaning over his glowing begging bowl like a cell phone, with Santa Hat and tinsel:
"May your holiday season be filled with light and live."
Rest ye all merry.
We love you man, and copy editing errors won’t hurt anybody. Happy happy.
Being pagan I celebrate the solstice and make war on xmas - so here's to another year in the long battle!
Thank you, Roy, and may your holiday be merry and bright!
I wish you all a Happy Holiday season, Joyous Kwanzaa, etc.
HAPPY FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US!
🎉I’ll be ready for the airing of grievances after I finish this martini!🍸
Have a Holly Jolly Christmas, Roy. Happy Holidaze and Bonne Année, or as the Czechs say it, Veselý Silvesr (Happy Sylvester)!
I live in South Jersey, so this may be a factor here -- but not once in three weeks of any sort of shopping have I heard a single clerk say "happy/merry whatever" to me upon our sale's conclusion. Not once.
I figure it's a combination of overwork/underpay/shitty labor conditions and the fact that fucking Christbots still come unglued when anyone says "Happy holidays" to them. So now maybe just saying nothing is easier/better/less stress? *
So... you know what this means, right...?
We've WON THE WAR ON XMAS!!!!
Hail Guinea Pig Satan!
* Also, and not for nothing, making any clerk say anything as a condition of employment is bullshit, so I'm not saying they should have to say anything.
A fine Solstice season celebration to you however you wish to celebrate . May the sun return to our lives. The only predictable thing. So let us celebrate the end of the darkness and hope that one day it shall be banished in our real lives. Unfortunately, my hope in the young, and my increasing age means that I may not see what I wish for a final product.
Now to make cardamom cookies for fika tomorrow. My sweet wife had me multiple shopping missions in the past week, gathering ingredients. I was excited to see cardamom on the list again and she knew that I knew where there were a few little Indian grocery stores to find the fresh stuff. The last suggestion yelled in my direction was "Should I buy some fresh masa?". Yes, blue corn. So that was my last mission, five pounds of warm freshly ground masa. So many varieties of tamales tomorrow. Such is the variety of life if you see it.
I truly appreciate your writing. It is why I pay for things at this little dive bar.
A Happy Yule to all Edrosians! May your days be merry and bright!
Another COVID Christmas. Three new hours of insurrection video. Hearing Feliz Navidad in my head 24 hours a day. I don't care. Nothing can detract from the happiness I feel upon learning that Wirecutter selected one of my purchases as an "Our Pick" best. What could be more American than the pride and joy engendered by having one's buying decisions validated by elite experts? (Especially now that their union has reached a contract with the NY Times and it only took 2 years!) A mere "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" seems inadequate to the occasion but I'll say it anyway.
Hope Roy and y'all have a splendid holiday.