Subtle, we have a Costco big ass pointsetta. I like the holidays, but, they can sure be a pain in the butt if you try shopping in the mall. Merry solstice to the O’Grady family.
For a few years running we hung lights and ornaments on the rubber tree, but since a friend gave us this itty-bitty fake tree we’ve been going this route.
It’s kind of a family portrait. You’ve got your big pasty-white fat bastard and your cute lil’ dickens. We just need to add a few critters, is all.
Solstice Claus brings a wee bit of extra daylight and that’s about it. But if you peer at it through a toilet-paper roll it kinda looks like a train in a tunnel. …
Goethe’s final words: “More light.” Ever since we crawled out of that primordial slime, that’s been our unifying cry: “More light.” Sunlight. Torchlight. Candlight. Neon. Incandescent. Lights that banish the darkness from our caves, to illuminate our roads, the insides of our refrigerators. Big floods for the night games at Soldier’s Field. Little tiny flashlights for those books we read under the covers when we’re supposed to be asleep. Light is more than watts and footcandles. Light is metaphor. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” “Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom — Lead Thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home — Lead Thou me on!” “Arise, shine, for thy light has come.”
Light is knowledge. Light is life. Light is light.
That is, of course, from the “Northern Lights” episode of Northern Exposure. Maybe the best minute and a half of soliloquy ever on broadcast television.
Winter solstice marks the “shortest” day of the year, in terms of sunlight. But for anyone who cares about such statistics or observations, the “fastest” day of the year is about two weeks later, around January 3rd, when Earth goes through the perihelion and is hence orbiting the sun at its maximum velocity (conservation of angular momentum and all that).
So, if it feels as if you’re just trying to hang on during the hectic holiday season, it’s not just in your head — it’s astronomical geospatial relations. The days are short and fast, and we’re all spinning in a slightly different direction while simultaneously hurling through space at around 60,000 mph. Makes for one crazy holiday season. But also one sweet ride. Perspective, yeah?
I love to point out to all the Jeebus is the reason for the season” folks that the REAL reason for the season is the winter solstice – something celebrated long before his followers tacked their religious angle onto the existing program of lights, feasting, etc. In any case HAPPY HOLIDAYS (whatever excuse you use) to all!
Today we’ll be making ravioli and tortellini in the morning, hoping to squeeze in a little bike ride in the afternoon.
Doesn’t Leviticus state somewhere that blinking and non-blinking lights shall not not layeth together on the same tree? Also mandates that breakable ornaments shalleth be placed no lower than 6″ higher than the reach of your tallest begotten rug rat.
All the best to all from up North, the land of frigid temperatures and crackhead mayors. And if there really is a God, he’s got a mean disposition and a nasty sense of humor.
Mad Blog Media 
Subtle, we have a Costco big ass pointsetta. I like the holidays, but, they can sure be a pain in the butt if you try shopping in the mall. Merry solstice to the O’Grady family.
For a few years running we hung lights and ornaments on the rubber tree, but since a friend gave us this itty-bitty fake tree we’ve been going this route.
It’s kind of a family portrait. You’ve got your big pasty-white fat bastard and your cute lil’ dickens. We just need to add a few critters, is all.
And a happy solstice to thee and thine, sir.
That’s it? No electric train?
Solstice Claus brings a wee bit of extra daylight and that’s about it. But if you peer at it through a toilet-paper roll it kinda looks like a train in a tunnel. …
Goethe’s final words: “More light.” Ever since we crawled out of that primordial slime, that’s been our unifying cry: “More light.” Sunlight. Torchlight. Candlight. Neon. Incandescent. Lights that banish the darkness from our caves, to illuminate our roads, the insides of our refrigerators. Big floods for the night games at Soldier’s Field. Little tiny flashlights for those books we read under the covers when we’re supposed to be asleep. Light is more than watts and footcandles. Light is metaphor. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet.” “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” “Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom — Lead Thou me on! The night is dark, and I am far from home — Lead Thou me on!” “Arise, shine, for thy light has come.”
Light is knowledge. Light is life. Light is light.
Well done, sir. One of our favorite shows. We can almost (almost) forgive Chris In the Morning for becoming a Walgreens pimp.
That is, of course, from the “Northern Lights” episode of Northern Exposure. Maybe the best minute and a half of soliloquy ever on broadcast television.
Winter solstice marks the “shortest” day of the year, in terms of sunlight. But for anyone who cares about such statistics or observations, the “fastest” day of the year is about two weeks later, around January 3rd, when Earth goes through the perihelion and is hence orbiting the sun at its maximum velocity (conservation of angular momentum and all that).
So, if it feels as if you’re just trying to hang on during the hectic holiday season, it’s not just in your head — it’s astronomical geospatial relations. The days are short and fast, and we’re all spinning in a slightly different direction while simultaneously hurling through space at around 60,000 mph. Makes for one crazy holiday season. But also one sweet ride. Perspective, yeah?
Steve O, many thanks. That was a grand solstice gift.
I confessed to Meena last night that I love the darkness and celebrate the Winter Solstice more than Christmas or the Summer Solstice.
I guess it brings out my dark side pretty well.
All the best to all of you, as the Sun starts its long march North again.
I love to point out to all the Jeebus is the reason for the season” folks that the REAL reason for the season is the winter solstice – something celebrated long before his followers tacked their religious angle onto the existing program of lights, feasting, etc. In any case HAPPY HOLIDAYS (whatever excuse you use) to all!
Today we’ll be making ravioli and tortellini in the morning, hoping to squeeze in a little bike ride in the afternoon.
Doesn’t Leviticus state somewhere that blinking and non-blinking lights shall not not layeth together on the same tree? Also mandates that breakable ornaments shalleth be placed no lower than 6″ higher than the reach of your tallest begotten rug rat.
In New Mexico, the State Supreme Court said its OK to put blinking and non-blinking lights on the same tree as long as its a civil tree ceremony.
Happy and joyous holidays and riding to all gathered here in Mad Dog’s name!
http://vimeo.com/82498915
Felicitations on the first day of increasing day light. May the season of blinkies and headlights diminish evermore.
From down under where we are having awesome weather & pretty much beach togs as standard.
Have a great Christmas, all the best to you & yours.
All the best to all from up North, the land of frigid temperatures and crackhead mayors. And if there really is a God, he’s got a mean disposition and a nasty sense of humor.
Old testament, Ira.
As Tom Waits said: “You know there ain’t no Devil, that’s just God when he’s drunk.”