Merry Christmas

And to you too Ewan. I refuse to say Happy Holidays. :)

Hey guys and gals. Hoping you all have a great Xmas. I intend to eat until I burst and quaff lots of beer. The occasional pipe will be smoked and I shall be very mellow. Carole

A Merry Xmas to All!

Happy Christmas xxx (well done about the holidays Chuck)

Merry Christmas and remember it is okay to feel melancholic at this time of year. Bleakness goes hand in hand with winter but above all with happiness. So eat, drink and be merry. Love those near you and those far away from you but remember to love yourself. Goodness I sound like a git. Ignore the above. Merry Christmas folks!

Thank you, Ewan...And thanks everyone else. My good wishes too, people! I wish it could be Christmas every day;-)

But a nice git, Clinton. I almost cancelled Xmas but it seems to be turning out quite well after all. Carole

Merry Christmas Ewan and all at ABCTales xx

Christmas is for big kids too! The magic of Christmas is an often-elusive chimera that can elude the sophisticated. Life, and the vagaries of winsome fate, sometimes condition those of us “on the shady side of forty” to look with irritation or indifference on the “hustle and bustle” of Christmas. The overt commercialism of the holidays can be sometimes less than appealing. It is a mindset that I think we all would like to get more away from, returning to the religious and spiritual side of the holidays. But, we have to balance the commercial side of Christmas with the ecstatic smile of a small child who has just “talked to Santa” or written a hopeful letter to the “North Pole.” There are indeed “visions of sugar plums” delightfully whirling around in their small heads. Who among us does not remember wondering how Santa was going to climb down the narrow chimney with all of those toys? Or, how was Santa going to get around the whole world in a single night? And some few of us even remember looking into the starry night sky, on a cold Christmas Eve, and wondering if that glimmer of light, just to the right of tomorrow and onward towards yesterday, was a reflection from Santa’s sleigh, carried aloft by colorful reindeer in the inky night sky? The wash of emotions, that surrounds us each Christmas, are a tidal wave of memories. Visions of Mom & Dad, family members, and friends from the past, float through our heads like ephemeral visions in a scene from “A Christmas Carol.” Thoughts of a younger and more carefree self give us pause to reflect nostalgically on the magic of a yesterday now far away. There is some regret for those no longer with us, but the ache is softened by time, blurred in memory to a soft and hazy glow. All around us we see acts of generosity, to the less fortunate, by people from every walk of life. The kindnesses are heart warming to even the most cynical among us. It reveals a basic decency and a good-ness in people that often times lies submerged during the rest of the year. We see looks of appreciation, from the recipients of this generosity, that bring mist to our eyes and make us wonder why we are not more appreciative of the good fortune that God has blessed us with. In our families, we remember the many selfless acts, performed for us daily by those who love us. Somehow we have come to expect this exemplary behavior from those around us and in doing so, lessen its value. We would do well to consider how much family and friends do to enrich our lives. And as we look around us we see the many unique and special people who daily labor along side and share our lives with us. They too perform many acts of kindness. They too do it daily and without thinking. They share with us a camaraderie and a concern for our welfare that is much treasured, especially when periodic shadows block the sun in our lives. Their “Christmas gifts” are given to us daily, like family, and with much the same magic. For those many daily gifts, from each of those around us, I would suggest we offer a sincere Thank you for the spirit in which they were given. Like ripples in a pond, the effects of this generosity of spirit will flow outward and into our entire lives, enriching them immeasurably. My very warmest wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year. And, as Tiny Tim said in Dickens’s “ A Christmas Carol,” “God Bless us, every one.” -30- Joseph Xavier Martin

Happy Christmas 'Talers! jude

While I can appreciate where jx is coming from I have to say that I find Christmas to be a lot less festive than it used to be. I used to put it down to relativity, the fact that I’m getting relatively old, but having experienced festivals in other countries that remind me of the joy that Christmas used to bring here in the UK - I am convinced that it is yet another casualty of materialism and the true sprit of Christmas in probably brandy :O) Having said that I have recently returned from a walk and all but two people responded positively to my “Merry Christmas” (or variations on that theme) one might not of heard me but the other responded with “So what?” - might have made more sense if I’d said “It’s a lovely day” or “Christmas is here again.” Still, I got the feeling, more than once, that it was deemed ‘eccentric’, to say the least, to wish total strangers a Merry Christmas. Give me Songkran every time (the Thai New Year water festival) or even Loi Krathong

I don't know about Songkran Mangone....if you want a festival that's been debased that would be it IMO.

I know what you mean Chuck the farang have turned it into something more of a contest than a celebration but at least the people have a great time and there is still a real sense of occasion and fun! How long since you celebrated Christmas in the UK? Could you imagine how a similar festival would end in the UK? Note that someone was stabbed to death in the UK the other day after a snowball fight.

I know a lot of people enjoy Songkran. But I liked it better before it became a major tourist attraction. Getting drenched every few yards by grinning farang with water-cannons full of klong water is not my idea of fun. Good time for a visa run. But I haven't been to Thailand for nearly 5 years. Christmas is a family affair for me now. Watching the kids, eating too much. No wild and crazy stuff, I'm a good atheist.

You might have hit the nail on the head chuck. Christmas might still be special, where ever you are, if you are part of a family... maybe it's just not a great time for those on their own. I'm not complaining mind you - I'm content enough... it just isn't a special occasion for me but rather a time when most of the shops are shut and it's cold out ;O) I don't drink or even bother with a TV nowadays so I would hardly know it was Christmas without the decorations :O) Don't you ever feel tempted to go back to Thailand? Not that I'm that keen on Bangkok but Kata or Karon in Phuket they take some beating anytime other than high season!

I do feel tempted to visit Thailand. I know a lot of people there...expats and Thais. I also have to try and get some money out of some bookshops there. Might make it over next year sometime.

All you need do is pack your little bag and fly ;O)

I'm thinking about it. :) I see Mr. T is popular in Cambodia BTW. http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/163607/thaksin-popularity-knows-...

I'm not surprised the Bangkok Post is probably trying to make Hung Seng worry that Thaksin will become more popular than he is and ship him back to Thailand. I notice that Laos have said that the leader of the Hmong will be welcome back in Laos once he has served his sentence - which is - death. Sound a bit like Mr T and the Thai government :O) Only in Thailand could the government deny the truth of leaked papers while suing the opposition for revealing secret documents to the public.

That's exactly what I thought. Bangkok Post trying to drive a wedge between Thaksin and Hun Sen.

How much longer can Kasit last? Abhisit can't continue to back him for much longer as every day it reinforces just how powerful the PAD influence is in his government. The latest accusations by the opposition that the leaked document suggests that Thaksin must be 'got rid of' and some sort of coup be engineered to overthrow Hun Sen must surely see some resignations. It is claimed that a translation of the documents have been posted on Thaksin's web site but I looked earlier today and could not find anything. I'm waiting to see how Thai airways' huge claim for damages against PAD goes as it reaches court early next year! Perhaps PAD are hoping to pay it with Mr T's confiscated billions :O)

Thai politics is never dull for sure. Jatuporn says he's seen a 12 page document. I'll wait and see. That Thai Airways case will be fascinating.

Whatever happens in the near future I reckon that Natthawut Saikua is the best rally speaker I've ever seen and I expect to see him as PM in Thailand within the next 5 years.

Not familiar with him. I'll check. If Thaksin is talking about putting the document on his website things could get rough. Light blue touch paper and retire.

New Year fireworks then Chuck :O) Meanwhile, I notice that the PAD whose charges have been watered down to :- intent to change the government, organising an armed assembly to instigate national unrest and refusing to call off activities when ordered by the police - have managed to have the case deffered yet again as they are too busy to attend court! http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/163511/pad-case-decision-deferr... No mention of breaking into the National Security Center, stealing secret computer disks and wiping the computers I see.

That's a formidable line-up. Ahbisit won't want to upset them.

I'm fairly sure he works for them :O) It looks like Abhisit, the champion of free speech, is using the same tactic that he has used before to deal with news he doesn't want to be spread - block it! There must be something leaking through though... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/30119257/Abhisit-summons-IC... Meanwhile http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8430417.stm "Analysts have said such incidents show the prime minister's weakness relative to the priorities of the Thai military" ... well, it's probably PAD policy - ship the Hmong back to Laos and engineer a coup in Cambodia... After all Abhisit's government is famous for its good relations with its neighbours :O)

I hope ye have a good one, with all that you hold dear and stuff yourself with great grub and of course; loads of beer. If the fat man in the red suit still visits your abode; hope he comes down your chimney and really leaves a load. (OF PRESENTS.....) Happy Christmas Chris ;)

I didn't try to 'do' christmas this year and I had the best day since my kids grew up. Since I got rid of the tv I have been much calmer. I also almost managed to forget about christmas until the 23rd DEC which is a personal record. My granddaughter and her mother spent the day at the other grandma's, Dean spent the afternoon with his parents, my eldest son and his wife went to her parents and my youngest son doesn't 'do' christman. I pottered around on the internet and did some reading. In the evening my flat-mate and I went to the local Tandoori restaurant and had Byriani. It was such a relaxing day. I may have o room for food today cos I ate such a lot yesterday. That's the way to do it. Carole

And a Merry Christmas to you all from an Alp complete with snow, Papa Noel arriving out of the mist ringing his bell on Christmas Eve - and a one year old who thinks it's all wonderful. We've had a French Christmas and an English Christmas - (with some skiing thrown in for good measure). Can't be bad.

Its great with little kids, I can't argue with that. Its just not for adults. Happy New Year to everyone as well. Carole

Ah humbugs! I love humbugs. I had a great Xmas as it happens cos I did what I wanted rather than what was expected of me. A new experience. Carole

Christmas is over And I got very fat, Lots of beer and chocolate And mince pies, cakes and that. I'd ask you for some pennies, But if you are like me, You spent them all wassailing, Drinking port instead of tea. So, its exercise and salads, Steamed white fish and chicken breast, But not 'til this slab of beef is gone, And I am going to eat the rest. http://twitter.com/C_A_JONEStechno

Had to laugh today Chuck. A friend of mine said - "I thought going abroad to avoid jail was old politics..." Merry Christmas Sondhi L!

Hi. Howz it hanging? Oops...

And chok dee pee mai to all.

Hmong saga update http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/12/28/regional/regional_30119326.php http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8432094.stm

I read some stuff in the Bangkok Post about this. 'Does anyone feel lucky? Well? Do ya?' lol People here don't see fascism creeping up. They know "1984" but don't apply it to what is going on. I find it all rather scary. C

This should give an interesting background, carole. Eastwood recognizes Hmong immigrants with new film http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE4B81ZC20081209 Fears for Hmong http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8430417.stm

That is not good. Shouldn't the USA take these people if they must be deported? Is that how they treat their allies?

It could be worse carole... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8432653.stm At least it seems that no-one was physically hurt in the move. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2009/12/20091229657479349... I'm shocked that China executed the Brit yesterday!

I see what you mean, '"It could be worse." andwith the USA it always is. They never fail to disappoint. I'd like to say that I can't believe it but I can, all too easily. Yes I see that the Btion was executed. I'm not sure what to make of it. Is it that they apply the law equally or is it a big FUCK YOU to Britain? I suspect the latter. Carole

I doubt that China really cares much about what the UK or, indeed, anybody else thinks... they just carry on regardless. It's worked well for them economically, so far, and they've learned from the West that money is power. The West aren't likely do much more than moan a bit because they are all vying with each other to try and be pals with the up and coming economic super power... the irony is that it is beginning to look like communism has taken on world capitalism and beaten it at its own game! Will capitalism eat China from within or will China eat capitalism from within ;O)

I think, due to people's nature to want possessions that capitalism will be at the forefront of change but not necessarily in charge of change. There is a hopelessness about capitalism, money being the only object. I'm not sure it will last. People like something to believe in and if someone came along and gave them that I'm not sure communism or caspitalism would be able to stand against it. China is now only second to the USA in economic power and they know it. The thing about capitalism and communism is that they all serve the same ends - get the proles to work for a nominal fee and pocket the profits. Bankers still think they should have bonuses after having brought the country to the point where China snubs us! If they took ONE year without bonuses the public will have forgotten by next year. It feels like thay are saying F*ck you oiks. We'll have our money regardless. Carole

Is it 'people's nature to want possessions' or is that the nature of advertising ;O)

I think most people want possessions Mangone. It makes us feel more secure. Or at least it gives us the illusion of security. No doubt advertising plays on the need.

Was it Tolstoy who had a dream that he was very high up and being supported by cords, but the more he tried to hold onto the cords the more he seemed to slip through? Anyway, whoever it was did slip through and began to fall until he had a sudden intuition that it had not really been the cords that had supported him but some invisible force. He stopped falling… Good old Google - http://members.pioneer.net/~tkerns/waol-phi-website/discussite/disc-tols...

Since I got rid of the tv I have felt much more content with my life. Being no longer bombarded with things "I need" I have found myself much happier. One doesn't need most of what is pushed on one. The format of advertising today is based on the Nazi way of propaganda. They make you feel like a failure unless you have all the trappings. What if you don't want the trappings? Does that make one a failure? Carole