[Micky C]

Did anyone else get a warm, magical feeling inside when you were 7 years old on Christmas morning and believed Santa and everything was real? I swear I had that for about 5 seconds on the morning of exam hardback day http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif

[blackharted]

Micky C, on Dec 18 2010, 09:43 AM, said:

Did anyone else get a warm, magical feeling inside when you were 7 years old on Christmas morning and believed Santa and everything was real? I swear I had that for about 5 seconds on the morning of exam hardback day :-O

Hell yes!! I love Christmas sooooooo much http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/smile.gif

[Hank]

Micky C, on Dec 18 2010, 12:43 PM, said:

Did anyone else get a warm, magical feeling inside when you were 7 years old on Christmas morning and believed Santa and everything was real?

Santa is real. http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/wub.gif Everyone knows that. Where have you been? Too much time at stupify schools of America(put your country in here), where logic trumps magic? Fuck them all; teacher, perfessors, phdees, masters ... they know nothing, except 1+1≠3.

[High Treason]

I hate Christmas and I never believed in Santa. I hate this time of year, it's just another bad excuse for poeple to rub in that you have nothing and that nobody likes you.

[Master Fibbles]

I like you. http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/wub.gif

But...Santa is real. I sees him once.

[Radar]

I never believed in Santa. My parents didn't ever say anything, I just decided I didn't believe. I was a loner in my views from preschool going all the way into 5th grade. I mean, we were old enough at 10 years old. Was it that hard for everyone else to think "Uh, how could there be a single guy in the world with an unlimited amount of cash, who sees us 24/7, and visits every single house in the world unnoticed?" I would still put letters outside every year just for fun though.

[High Treason]

I remember when I was in the children's home we had no chimneys so I told the kids that even if Santa Klaus was real he would not be coming because there were no fireplaces to get in, I then hid downstairs until the staff went away and cut the christmas tree down - or at least I started to cut it down, unfortunately, someone caught me doing it.

[Master Fibbles]

so...you are a grinch?


My high school physics teacher gave us an article about how it is physically impossible for Santa to exist, at least in the form that we currently discuss.

[Hank]

My parents were Jehovah Witnesses and Christmas was strictly prohibited. Maybe it's because of this we embrace Christmas, not just one day in the year but everyday. For all the Scrooges and Grinches out there: Have a very merry Christmas, and may the gifts and offerings made by Santa and intended for you, end up in the right place, mine, for example. I've got three fire places, for just in case. http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/laugh.gif

[Master Fibbles]

Oh, yeah...I've heard that such idiocy: Jehovah Witnesses and other such people don't like Christmas or Halloween because they are in some way derivative from Pagan celebrations.
Don't mind that they can't read Hebrew and have no idea how stupid it is to go around using the LORD's name (even if they are saying it incorrectly) in vain (You know, one of the 10 things you aren't suppose to do).

But yeah...stupid to discount a holiday just because some of its traditions are from Pagan holidays.

[Kathy]

Mr.Flibble, on Dec 19 2010, 03:50 AM, said:

But yeah...stupid to discount a holiday just because some of its traditions are from Pagan holidays.

Why is that? I find even more idiotic to substitute pagan holiday with a created similar christian one. Wasn't that the case back when the conversion to Christianity started?

[blackharted]

Hank, on Dec 18 2010, 04:04 PM, said:

My parents were Jehovah Witnesses and Christmas was strictly prohibited. Maybe it's because of this we embrace Christmas, not just one day in the year but everyday. For all the Scrooges and Grinches out there: Have a very merry Christmas, and may the gifts and offerings made by Santa and intended for you, end up in the right place, mine, for example. I've got three fire places, for just in case. http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/laugh.gif

WHAT!!!! That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life!! I feel sorry for you...sort of.

[Hank]

blackharted, on Dec 19 2010, 09:19 AM, said:

WHAT!!!! That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard in my life!! I feel sorry for you...sort of.

I survived. Later I noticed the gifts other kids got did not exist in the first place. All talk no substance. Now when I go along streets I see fake Santas, stoned or drunk collecting for a good cause, billboards advertising their crap, even our local Lotto Gaming advertises coupons for a gift idea.

That part of Christmas we can live without, but the lights and decoration and the food and the sweats we can not. Long life Chirstmas – yeahh !!!!!!! http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/smile.gif

[Jimmy]

I just like the free shit.

[Radar]

Hank, on Dec 19 2010, 05:12 PM, said:

Later I noticed the gifts other kids got did not exist in the first place.

Ah, so did I. I remember back when I was 5 kids telling me about their tricked out laptop their parents got them or their 500 hot wheels cars, and I could never say that I got any of that stuff. I don't know why, but for some reason the thought of lying didn't occur to me like it did to everyone else. Growing up with the same exact friends since I was 5, I take these as sweet memories of the good old days. http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/love.gif

[Master Fibbles]

People lie about Christmas gifts? The fuck?! Who the hell would make up shit like that? That is just messed up shit right there...

[Kathy]

Mr.Flibble, on Dec 20 2010, 08:02 AM, said:

Who the hell would make up shit like that?

Children

[Master Fibbles]

What type of children are people raising these days?! I didn't know anyone who lied about gifts...just if they didn't get something as awesome as the next kid, they didn't brag about it. (instead they became best of friends with the kid who got the N64 for Christmas)

As an aside: I have learned first hand (as a confirmation of my suspicions) that my graduate school here has no protection for its wireless network. This place is bigger than my undergrad institution and yet they have less protection in the wireless network area. They also jumped to Windows 7 apparently right away (old school is still using XP until they get all the testing possible out of Win 7). I'm still in awe here. Of course, it doesn't help that here the computer services people don't read resumes and assume that anyone applying for a position is an undergrad student despite having 4 years of experience at the University level working in tech services.

[Jimmy]

Sounds good, I've been looking for a job that wouldn't cause much of a lifestyle change after 18 years of unemployment.

[Hank]

Mr.Flibble, on Dec 20 2010, 10:16 AM, said:

What type of children are people raising these days?! I didn't know anyone who lied about gifts...just if they didn't get something as awesome as the next kid, they didn't brag about it. (instead they became best of friends with the kid who got the N64 for Christmas)

Guys like us rasing bad apples like that http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/mellow.gif - Your boy or girl never ever ever ever exaggerated a little bit on how big papa's house is, or the car, to be part of the elite group, or get a date with that super hot chick?

[High Treason]

Completely off-topic here, but nontheless, feel free to ignore me, but I've had an eventful day of sorts.

As you may know, the UK is covered in snow right now and it's -14 out there, the wall behind my bed gets condensated and it is now frozen, yeah, I have ice on my wall INSIDE the house... The room isn't that cold today either today (or I can't feel it anymore) so that just shows how much insulation my house has doesn't it? Hope it doesn't cause any structural damage, this place is falling apart as it is.

On another, somewhat gross note, I went for an ultrasound today (If you want to know where I'll tell you, but you'll live to regret it!), why is it that you can never get all that damn jelly off, it makes a right mess and makes your clothing stick to you until you get home, it looks like I've been working in a glue factory or something.

[Master Fibbles]

Hank, on Dec 20 2010, 09:05 PM, said:

Guys like us rasing bad apples like that http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/mellow.gif - Your boy or girl never ever ever ever exaggerated a little bit on how big papa's house is, or the car, to be part of the elite group, or get a date with that super hot chick?

i haz no kidz.

However, I rarely use hyperbole when it comes to my parents. Part of that may be because I'm tired of people assuming that since I'm a white kid who is well educated I'm upper class or some shit like that. Fuck you, I worked hard and my parents work hard to put us kids through school. My parents make about the national median ($50,000) and that is perfectly fine. We never had nice stuff and the house is cold in the winter and hot in the summer (I just arrived back to my parents' place tonight for the first time since moving out and was reminded that they don't use the heat much).
If there is one thing I learned from my parents it is honesty and simplicity along with gratitude.

[Kathy]

High Treason, on Dec 21 2010, 05:43 AM, said:

On another, somewhat gross note, I went for an ultrasound today (If you want to know where I'll tell you, but you'll live to regret it!), why is it that you can never get all that damn jelly off, it makes a right mess and makes your clothing stick to you until you get home, it looks like I've been working in a glue factory or something.

"Don't forget to bring a towel!". Seriously, I haven't got such problem with ultrasound's glue.

[Micky C]

Mr.Flibble, on Dec 21 2010, 01:46 AM, said:

As an aside: I have learned first hand (as a confirmation of my suspicions) that my graduate school here has no protection for its wireless network. This place is bigger than my undergrad institution and yet they have less protection in the wireless network area. They also jumped to Windows 7 apparently right away (old school is still using XP until they get all the testing possible out of Win 7). I'm still in awe here. Of course, it doesn't help that here the computer services people don't read resumes and assume that anyone applying for a position is an undergrad student despite having 4 years of experience at the University level working in tech services.

My school, a private Australian college (Australian colleges and high schools go from year 8-12, so as far as I can tell they're like an American high school and college rolled into one but correct me if I'm wrong) is only just getting a wireless network next year (a WTF is appropriate) but it'll cover the whole school and will have te same level of security as the military, quite literally. Also they're giving as all iPads with all our textbooks on them so we dont have to lug them around. It'll be disruptive as hell but fun nonetheless http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif

[Hank]

High Treason, on Dec 20 2010, 09:43 PM, said:

Completely off-topic here, but nontheless, feel free to ignore me, but I've had an eventful day of sorts.

As you may know, the UK is covered in snow right now and it's -14 out there, the wall behind my bed gets condensated and it is now frozen, yeah, I have ice on my wall INSIDE the house... The room isn't that cold today either today (or I can't feel it anymore) so that just shows how much insulation my house has doesn't it? Hope it doesn't cause any structural damage, this place is falling apart as it is.

The hole idea of this thread to post whatever.
This is bad news. It means there is no vapour barrier build into the walls. It's got nothing to do with the foundation, but a hole in the wall is no fun either. That's why I'm preaching my old song – come to America my boy. The standard of living of the working poor is better than the middle class in Europe.

@ Mr. Flibble. OK. Still, I grew up poor, in a fucking labour class neighborhood in fancy shmancy Frankfurt, the financial capital of the mighty Germany. It was always the others going to the Opera, to Majorca etc. I worked my ass off, too. Did I spoil a little here and there, perhaps. But you know the saying, it's better to give than to receive. America, hey it's the land of milk and honey with street made of gold, and kids will be kids. The world is filled with horror, violence and blind fury, they will have a lifetime left to enjoy this part of our planet. - Enough.

Merry Christmas everyone. http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/laugh.gif

[Kathy]

Hank, on Dec 21 2010, 02:35 PM, said:

But you know the saying, it's better to give than to receive.

Why?

[Micky C]

Apparently you get a good feeling for helping others if you give without receiving. This is probably true for certain situations, but duh it's better to receive than to give.

[Master Fibbles]

I'm sure there are psychological studies that actually do show that it is better for your mental and possibly physical health to give than to receive. If I wasn't on vacation, I'd try to find one...
Or at least studies that examine the psychological results of giving vs receiving.

Also, Micky, I am against schools forcing students to buy or use laptops or iPads. It just doesn't seem right. Some people can't learn with technology (as it serves more as a distraction than aid or it just doesn't help) so it is stupid to force someone to learn that way. It also seems unfair to people who can't afford the things.

Hank, I get what your saying but I don't see what that has to do with lying about the stuff you got for Christmas. The issue is people are secure enough, I suppose.

[Kathy]

Micky C, on Dec 21 2010, 08:34 PM, said:

Apparently you get a good feeling for helping others if you give without receiving.

Yep. But the saying most likely implies that it's better from a moral point of view. While in reality vanity might be the main reason behind good deeds.

[Micky C]

Don't worry Mr Flibble, students get the option to get the physical text books, but I don't see why anyone would do so, as the digital textbooks are cheaper, plus they have the ability to do word searches, and I assume flip instantly between questions and their corresponding answers. Also we're getting the iPads for free as the government gave each school an IT stimulus package during the GFC http://forums2.duke4...tyle_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif

However I entirely agree with you that there will be many students who will be distracted and not work efficiently, but thankfully most of those students are the kind that don't work too efficiently in the first place anyway.