Cookiemonster's Journal

12/16/2005 16:25 #21560

It's Kinda Dark Out There

Has anyone else noticed a lack of Christmas lights this year?

It seems like less and less people are in the festive mood this year.

I wonder if the rising costs of utilities are the cause of this much darker holiday season or if its something more?

I for one miss all the lights and hope that people are just a little behind this year.

The glow of Christmas lights bring hope, joy and renewed peace to me during this crazy season.

So hang them up and plug them in, please!!!

jenks - 12/17/05 21:19
My family has gotten into the habit of driving around on christmas eve and admiring the lights, and over the years we've learned who puts on a good show. We judge them and award them honks. It's gotten to the point that we refer to the "five-honkers" and we go out and look to see how they've outdone themselves every year. But for the houses that put up no lights- well we secretly boo them. And mom will always say 'dead people must live there.'
I hate the dead people houses!
Ahhh christmas. Can't believe it's in a week!

11/20/2005 22:28 #21559

Something Different

I like to think of myself as a traditional person. I get very excited about the holidays because I look forward to things that happen from year to year. I enjoy the nostalgia of the holidays and sharing those times with family and friends.
That being said, I don't tend to do well with changes to the holiday routine; like take Thanksgiving for instance. Every year I volunteer to get up at 5am and help set up the start and finish lines at the Turkey Trot. I then go home and wake my brother (who always sleeps over) and we go and run the Turkey Trot. After the Trot we make our way out to my parents house in the suburbs for an enormous feast and more festive traditions.
Well...
Much to my dismay... NOT THIS YEAR!!!

Two weeks ago I broke my foot, so running the Trot is not looking too good and on top of that my mom has decided that after 25+ years she is no longer interested in doing the whole "Thankgiving thing" so now that traditions had been crushed as well. My Thanksgiving traditions are pretty much shot!

I am excited to report that I do have an ideal alternative and will still get to spend the holiday with wonderful people having a traditional Thanksgiving meal...
But I think that the real questions that is still lingering for me is this concept of traditions.

Why do I cling to them with such convictions and why do I wish to hold my family and friends in contempt when they break tradition or wish to alter them. And... while I am at it, what is with changing them? Why call it a tradition if we are going to change it or cancel it? I always thought that traditions were good things.

In the spirit of forced change, I am going to embrace the end to old traditions and maybe start some new ones? Or, maybe I will just have a Thanksgiving this year that is different than all in the past and nothing like any in the future.

metalpeter - 11/21/05 19:20
Traditions are important in ones life they give stability. No matter what changes in your life if they are big or small then you and your family get togather for thanksgiving or for some people maybe it is christmas. Many people have them. At the holiday time of year they make a crazzy time more stable, becuase you know what you are doing. One reason they are important is the memories with them. We tend to forget the bad times and remember the good. Then there is the nestgalia factor. But eventully traditions change and new ones are formed. As families grow and change new ones have to form. Maybe what you do this year you will like and will stay with it for next year or maybe not. But it could become the new tradition.

jim - 11/20/05 23:08
I feel for you, my holiday traditions are disrupted this year too. But don't be too hard on your mom, it's a lot of work to set up a holiday dinner... maybe she needs a little time off. I hope your substitute dinner goes off well.

07/31/2005 22:04 #21558

Something New

After being casually introduced to Elmwood Strip by my boyfriend Matt I had the opportunity to experience it formally last night when I accompanied him to the 10,000 posting party.
I had a really nice time and met some really great people.

So... after that experience, I decided that I should give this a try.

I don't have a whole lot to say today, because I am still figuring this all out. I don't know too much about this sort of stuff, but it looks pretty painless.

It was a pleasure meeting all of you last night and I look forward to reading and sharing from now on.

leetee - 07/31/05 22:04
oh, my word... i can read, honest. You're Cookiemonster, not Matt!! Sorry about that!!

leetee - 07/31/05 22:03
welcome to estrip, Matt. Glad you had a good time at the party. Looking forward to reading your journal posts. :O)

news - 07/31/05 21:44
Thanks for comming to the party and welcome to the site.