Christmas Lights and Decor

[max-on]

Well said.

Originally Posted by HoffaLives

there is no relationship between men dying, placed in harm's way by the proven lies of a corrupt administration and a thousands-of-years-old tradition the roots of which aren't even american. and i think you do these men a great disservice when you suggest that they are dying for the right of americans to spend money on the materialistic binge that this season has become.

are there good feelings at xmas? sure. but you have to examine it deeper, look at the consequences, ramifications, and what it means on a greater context, rather then just liking the pretty lights.

the notion that this what we are so celebrate it, is too simple, and one of the reasons 'the season' has so thoroughly been co-opted by commercial interests. people don't question what and why they are doing.

are the western values worth preserving and even defending? absolutely - the right to think and question, to behave according to one's values, pursue truth and meaning as one defines them, critique those in power, seek equality for all, and on and on. there might even have been important values in christmas once upon a time, but today...

given the points i made about economics, values and the environment, the material traditions of this season have become diametric to the values it supposedly espouses.

besides, if those values are important, we should be living them every day, not just duringthe winter solstice. that's what i try to do anyway, and so i don't get all the hoopla about the season, much less the material orgy. i do practice love to all that i meet, and unfortunately i don't find a lot of reciprocity out there. folks are too stressed i guess from all the money they spend and the debt they racked up last xmas.

anyway, this is supposed to be a sailing thread so let's see...jesus was a sailor?

[Dunlookn]

"Hoffa Lives" I don't think you made a point. You voiced your opinion...good for you.

What have you done to make a difference?

Have you dedicated your life to a cause...are you willing to donate your boat to end world hunger...did you give a portion of your income to your faith....when did you last volunteer to teach someone to read...did you serve your country...

Have you put your efforts where your mouth...or keypad is?

Tell the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Alex's Lemonade Stand...or a thousand other non-profits that you want to be involved because you are tired of standing outside and looking through the window at others who have the courage of thier convictions.

...until then...raging against the machine without being involved...is simply rage.

Oh yeah, I think this thread started because someone wanted to buy lights for a boat to celebrate the season.

Do you know where he can get the lights...or don't ya'?

[Valiente]

Originally Posted by eryka

I assume you're going to the lighted boats parade? I think it's this weekend in DC and I know it's next weekend in Annapolis.

For decor, we swirl green rope lights around the split backstay and red lights on the bimini, and a red bow on the bow. {Huh, I just noticed how funny that looks, written out, they're two different words if you say 'em}. The LAs here have a nautical white elephant gift exchange that can be really funny - know anyone who needs 1982 charts of the Ches. Bay, or a knot-tying handbook?

No, but I think you have the right approach, especially as you might have to shovel soot from the brush fires off the foredeck in California around Christmas...

[cssdengr]

So to tie this whole thread up in one event, how about everyone show up at the Fells Point Yacht Club in Baltimore this Saturday to watch the parade of lighted boats. Don't forget to bring a toy for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive. You get Christmas lights on boats, charity for the needy and a chance to meet some individuals who're both dedicated to defending the country and volunteering their time to help others.
I'll be there - the bald guy in Blues.

[Valiente]

Originally Posted by Shack

Tis the season,
A big part of living aboard is the "living" part. Since this is our first Christmas living aboard ... What ideas do you have for celebrating the season?

The wife just saw solar powered Xmas lights for sale for $20 per 15' strand on QVC. Not sure if the expense of these shorter strands meet the savings of using the (longer) standard AC powered strands for 6 hours per night?

Other ideas?

In a possible vain attempt to keep this thread on track or course, I would advise the following:

Skip Christmas aboard, unless you are seriously Christian. Celebrating the actual holiday (which is redolent in many a mind as a family occasion, featuring in the first part an orgy of gift opening, and in the second part an impractically large meal hard to replicate on a boat) in a cabin, no matter how well appointed, is rife with the potential for disappointment. Rather, keep the holiday close, make a really nice breakfast, and, weather permitting, get off your own boat to visit others, or perhaps to do some charity work, followed by what non-Christians do: go out for Chinese.

As a more nautical/pagan/useful observance, consider borrowing a sextant, if you don't own one of your own (and you really should, you know) and take noon sights from your deck or dock in the week leading up to the winter solstice (usually Dec. 21). Seeing the sun reach its lowest point on the southern horizon (or highest point on the northern, for certain Wombatish persons) really brings home the sort of global consciousness I feel behooves a sailor to possess. Yule is an important holiday for me, full of symbols and meaning that frankly Christmas no longer possesses. Also, having a sextant means you can literally go out the next day and PROVE by simple observation that summer, despite all indicates to the contrary, is coming in.

Happy Yule, and keep your wicks trimmed.

[HoffaLives]

Originally Posted by Dunlookn

"Hoffa Lives" I don't think you made a point. You voiced your opinion...good for you.

What have you done to make a difference?

Have you dedicated your life to a cause...are you willing to donate your boat to end world hunger...did you give a portion of your income to your faith....when did you last volunteer to teach someone to read...did you serve your country...

Have you put your efforts where your mouth...or keypad is?

Tell the Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Alex's Lemonade Stand...or a thousand other non-profits that you want to be involved because you are tired of standing outside and looking through the window at others who have the courage of thier convictions.

...until then...raging against the machine without being involved...is simply rage.

Oh yeah, I think this thread started because someone wanted to buy lights for a boat to celebrate the season.

Do you know where he can get the lights...or don't ya'?

words can be more than an opinion; when they are the right words one can make a difference. asking people to think about what they are doing is insufficient but it's a start. i've spent a very long time dedicated to people, doing what i can to improve the world i live in, in many different ways.
if one's intent is to bring good into the world one needs to be aware of what isn't good. and awareness is not found on the worn path of cultural norms and stale ideologies.

i note that you haven't responded to any of the points i raised, just increased the heat towards the voice that raised them. my intent is not to offend you or anyone else who pursues a typical north american christmas, but to raise a few realities about what it means beyond the made-in-china glitter. that to me is a good.

and valiente: you said it better than me; i doff my cap to you. I love the notion of the sailor needing global consciousness. you've taught me something, and that's a good. gold star for you today.

[tdw]

Ah Christmas.

I'm thinking of buying up a few copies of Charles Dicken's Christmas Carol for Xmas gifts but with everything after Scrooge goes to bed torn out.

Not surprisingly this particular grumpy old curmudgeon is not a great lover of things Christmassy but unfortunately for me I have a mother who is a committed Christian and loves all things Christmas. So while I would druther just get out on the water and go for a sail I have to go and do my duty. What's more the damn woman lives hours from here so I can't even get seriously plastered. Not good, kiddies, not good at all.

As for dressing up my baby in fecking fairy lights ? Try it, I dare you. In return you too can experience the joy of Yuletide keel hauling.

Bah bloody humbug.



How come you never hear anything about the 10th reindeer "Olive"?
Yeah, you know, "Olive the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names"

[sailingdog]

Hoffa-

You make a very good point... too many times, the holidays bring a short burst of conscience... which seems to be lacking most of the rest of the year. Don't homeless need help all winter long, rather than just at the holidays?? Doesn't poverty and hunger exist year round... Ignore the trolls... keep up the good work, even if you are a dead teamster.

[HoffaLives]

remember the tsunami xmas 2005? they couldn't give the money away fast enough. governments all over the world were tripping over each other trying to outdo the other guy in largess.
moral of the story is if you are going to have a disaster have it between dec 25 and jan 1

people really do care, they just forget they do.

[eryka]

Originally Posted by Shack

Tis the season,
A big part of living aboard is the "living" part. Since this is our first Christmas living aboard ... What ideas do you have for celebrating the season?

The wife just saw solar powered Xmas lights for sale for $20 per 15' strand on QVC. Not sure if the expense of these shorter strands meet the savings of using the (longer) standard AC powered strands for 6 hours per night?

Other ideas?

Back to Shack's original Q - Some utility companies are offering a rebate for every set of LED Xmas lights - on Long Island, you can get $2/strand if you mail your receipt to Long Island Power Authority. Are your slips individually metered? (Ours are flat rate so there's a tad less incentive here in Annapolis)