This season I'm celebrating...

[tye ]

Chanukkah

 19/5%

Christmas

 177/42%

Kwanzaa

 3/1%

New Year's

 40/10%

Pagan Winter Solstice

 64/15%

Parole

 27/6%

Rabid Consumption

 30/7%

Summer Solstice

 14/3%

Xmas

 43/10%

417 total votes

[Sandy]

Happy Holidays! ** (See Footnote 1)

** Footnote 1:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, our best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender neutral, celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practised within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all . . .

and a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2004, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make this country great, (not to imply that this country is necessarily greater than any other country or is the only " this country " in the western hemisphere), and without regard to the race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms. This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year, or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

The wishee further agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the wisher, along with its heirs, assigns, officers, directors, shareholders . . .

[hardburn]

You're note is prejudice against those that don't read English, or can't read at all, you insensitive clod.

[Sandy]

je m'excuse

[Paulster2]

While the following statement is neither implicit nor implied:



What the heck is a lawyer doing on the pages of PM?
Well, I guess if they'll let me on these pages, you're more than welcome to be here!

[barrd]

Surrounded by such places as Stonehenge (nope, not that one, the other one... :) and Avebury, barrd will most certainly be celebrating 'something pagan' this cold and jolly Xmas.

Seasons greetings to you all from the wilds of Wiltshire.

[Jonathan]

More greetings from Wiltshire - Amesbury to be precise.

Well actually I'm from London but as my wife comes from Wiltshire and we spend a lot of time there I've sort of adopted it. - even though some of the natives look like they just stepped out of The Wicker Man. I voted pagan just to keep them happy :-)

[vagnerr]

A new start in a nice new job :-)

[Anonymous Monk]

Remember that amateurs built Noah's Ark. Professionals built the Titanic.

The Ark never met any icebergs, and was designed by God (Noah did not conceive the design).

[gjb]

Uhm, why's the winter solstice "pagan", while the summer solstice isn't? ;)

Voted for that anyway... no human sacrifices, unfortunately ;)

-gjb-

[tbone1]

[blue_cowdawg]

It's against the law to have human sacrifices; might lead to dancing.

Especially if the errrmm... "human" is a lawyer or politician!

[jamgill]

That's a good question. Also: Is it still the /*winter solstice/ if you're in the southern hemisphere? solstice chart

update that's at localtime(1072163040)

[Nkuvu]

This year I'm celebrating Guinness.

Mmm, Guinness.

[tekniko]

OK, specifically, I am celebrating family, friends, food, and ales of all kinds! Cheers and here's to whatever makes you celebrate this time of year!

[blue_cowdawg]

I'll not only be celebrating Guiness, I'l be celebrating (in no particular order here):

• Chimay
• Ommegang
• Fin Du Monde
• Arrogant Old Bastard
Not to mention a 12yo Kentucky Whiskey who's name I always forget when I try to tell others about it. Comes from a very small distillery that only bottles a very limited batch. (No... not moonshine!)

[Daruma]

Greetings!

I'll be celebrating with

• Double Bastard
• Breakfast of Champions Sweet Oatmeal Porter (my own brew)
• Double Dachshund Nut Brown Ale (my own brew)

and sharing it all with family and friends...

Merry Christmas!

-Daruma

[Nkuvu]

I don't like Fin Du Monde as much as I like Maudite. But they're both very tasty, as is the Ommegang. Hmm, come to think of it, it's been a while since I've had any Orval. Maybe I'll get some of that next time I'm buying.

Thanks for the reminders. (and of course, Chimay++)

Oh, and what's the name of that whiskey? ;)

[Zaxo]

100 Years of Flight.

Wish I could remember where I'm fleeing.

[jaldhar]

I put down Christmas. No I won't be celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ. There won't be any tree in our house or lights or eggnog or Sound of Music reruns. My daughter may be going to see Father Christmas but only because my wifes' job do an event for the children and I see no reason to deny her a free toy. The only special thing I may do if I'm not working is to see the premiere of Paycheck.

But I still maintain I am celebrating Christmas. Not Xmas which is just a dumb circumlocution like BCE. Not some silly fig leaf to make it look like Christmas is part of Hindu culture like those people who suddenly get a "kalpataru" (wish-fullfilling tree) this time of year. No I'm celebrating that the people around me are celebrating, and praying, and attempting to be kind to each other and just plain having a good time. Christmas is the reason for it all. Why should I feel threatened or bent out of shape by that?

[fraktalisman]

Good point!

Still it's hard to enjoy anything during December with all that christmas markets, shopping crowds, and all of the work that is to be done before the Christmas break.

Although I chose the 'New Year' option, I start to wonder - with those 'pagan' options possible: when does the new year begin? The calendar clearly says 1st January. Christians begin their year on the first advent Sunday, pagan rites said to do so in the night of Halloween. What other dates of 'New Year' are there around the world? if anyone can tell some more ...

[hardburn]

Actually, New Year in Western countries was orginally a non-Judeo/Christian holiday anyway (as with almost all holidays people label "Christian").

[jZed]

This is one poll that needs checkboxes instead of radio buttons. Why only celebrate one?

[mumbles]

Festivus!

[jsprat]

Memories... the airing of grievances, the pole, the feats of strength.

Festivus for the rest of us!

[djbiv]

Ah, Festivus... the pole, what fond memories I have.

[TVSET]

Night shifts in NOC for the whole Christmas week is what I get this year. No worries, Chirstmas is not such an important holiday in my life anyway. New Year's Eve, on the other hand... :)

[Anonymous Monk]

Night shifts in NOC for the whole Christmas week is what I get this year.

What's wrong with spending time with the servers you love? ;-)

[coreolyn]

Parole was as close as I could get to celebrating my divorce. It took me 22 years to realize ctrl-alt-delete doesn't work on women.

[talexb]

Strangely enough, my ex-wife is a probation and parole officer .. and I laughed when I saw 'parole' on the list of choices.

[logan]

[tune]

I am celebrating that I am still alive, and there is still Sun, and still pinetrees in the forest. Celebrating that I can live on this Earth, and wish my little kids can live on the same place in the future.

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Anonymous Monk]

Being alive to see it. Whatever you want to call it.

[agentv]

...why? Are you living in some incredibly dangerous place like Tikrit, Beirut, or Oakland?

...All the world looks like -well- all the world, when your hammer is Perl.
---v

[ccarden]

... completion of phase I of a 1-year Perl/Java project. Software delivered and accepted, I have much to be thankful for. Phase II starts, now. :o)

I also feel that checkboxes would have been better for this one. We are celebrating Winter Solstice, Christmas, and the New Year.

Speaking of the New Year, my 4-year-old daughter loves having a little New Year party at our house. We do the countdown at around 8:00, blow horns, throw up some confetti, and the kids get to drink sparkling grape juice. Then she asks if we can celebrate the New Year every night. A very profound request, imho.

This was actually a nice poll for me, reminding me to be thankful on a daily basis. It is far too easy to get wrapped up in intellectual problems and forget how important gratitude is.

btw, the "parole" item got a smile out of me. Thanks, tye. Good job.

[tekniko]

This season I am celebrating family, friends, food, and beer!

[DrHyde]

... Newtonmas

[PodMaster]

NOTHING!

Why no other option?

update: I am not a nihilist.

[DrHyde]

I didn't know nihilists had holidays!

[Phaysis]

I selected "Xmas" for lack of a better option. Not that I'm complaining, tho. It's just an excuse to get out of town and visit home for a few days.

Can I suggest another option? How about Yak Shaving Day? :)

[tbone1]

[tekniko]

Mmm...people...

Much better than red or blue.

[Mago]

The Happy Summer Fest !! Yeah !


I Love Beach Girls

! heheh

[ehdonhon]

Have a Rama-Haun-Kwanz-Mas!

[htoug]

Where's the Cowboy Neal option?

/me ducks

[Anonymous Monk]

here

[BurnOut]

Nothing. There is NOTHING to celebrate. Next Thursday is just another twelve hour day at work, followed by an hour of housekeeping, and more work until I fall asleep at the keyboard.

[tekniko]

BurnOut needs a hug.

[exussum0]

or a christmas bonus :)

[BrentDax]

Chrishanukwanzaa, of course!

[Steve_p]

Festivus

[poqui]

I voted "Christmas" but its really more than one of the above:
Channkuah with my Jewish friend,
Christmas with my family (nuclear and extended),
Yule/Winter solstice in my heart,
Rabid Consumption for the kids,
New Years with my honey.
Xmax is how I really feel about it.

[Popcorn Dave]

[nimdokk]

[mcogan1966]

Not only did you misread one of them, you managed to fuse 2 of them together in the process. Perhaps more than a long day, you just need to get out of the server room and into the "big blue room with no walls" for a bit. I hear it does wonders.

[nimdokk]

[Rex(Wrecks)]

I voted Parole, since I have been on good behavior this year and I don't have to visit my family for the holidays!

Although I will miss the annual brawl :)

[xtype]

...snowboarding.
also the fresh set of Pirelli Scorpion A/T's that will get me there.
:^)

[punchcard_don]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Let there be no politically-correct mistake about it - this is the Christmas season.

Not the "Holiday" season, not the "Winter" season, not the "Solstice" season.

Christmas Season

Demand your retailers give full public credit to the reason they'll make 50% of their annual sales in December.

Wish people a "Merry Christmas". Send Christmas cards, not "Happy Holiday" cards.

Say it loud and proud.

Merry Christmas

[Chady]

Happy Holiday

you asked for it ;-)

[mcogan1966]

It's not my d*** holiday, Christmas-boy. So don't go telling me I have to wish someone a happy "Not-My-Holiday" to anyone. I'll wish you a happy whatever I wanna wish you. It's my wish. You'll get what I wish for you!

_{This message brought to you by Grinch 'n Son, your #1 source of Holiday dirth.}

[mcogan1966]

I'll be celebrating "getting not just one but 2 days (thank you GW) off because someone got nailed to a couple of boards some 2000+ years ago". Heck, if that's what it takes to get a day off, I've got plenty of wood and nails. Any volunteers?

_{This post is meant as comedy, not a serious opinion. If you're offended by this post, please, reconsider after reading this disclaimer.}

[Anonymous Monk]

because someone got nailed to a couple of boards some 2000+ years ago

That's strange. I thought Christmas was about a birth.

[/dev/trash]

That's Easter. ( Good Friday really ).