Comments on: The Airing of Grievances: Christmas http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/ Remember, I do this to entertain me... not you. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:46:58 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sebastian http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-156734 Sebastian Sun, 17 Dec 2006 07:23:49 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-156734 I always had the dorky tassel as a kid too. I grew up in Ridley Park, PA, which is where most of Boeing's helicopter division is located. Most of the Chinooks you see were made in my home town. It would be a point of pride except for the Boeing sock hats they gave out with the tassel on top. I wore one of those for many a winter, until I got old enough to realize you could tear the thing off, and avoid getting harassed by friends for the fu fu hat. I always had the dorky tassel as a kid too. I grew up in Ridley Park, PA, which is where most of Boeing’s helicopter division is located. Most of the Chinooks you see were made in my home town. It would be a point of pride except for the Boeing sock hats they gave out with the tassel on top. I wore one of those for many a winter, until I got old enough to realize you could tear the thing off, and avoid getting harassed by friends for the fu fu hat.

]]> By: tgirsch http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-156589 tgirsch Sun, 17 Dec 2006 06:22:09 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-156589 <a href="http://www.tipatshimuna.ca/bd/images/pm29.jpg" rel="nofollow">Better toboggan image</a>. And as <b>Sebastian</b> points out, a toboggan isn't just a sled, but a particular <i>kind</i> of sled. Toboggan is to sled as 1911 is to gun. The former is a <i>type of</i> the latter. Besides, there are all sorts of non-retarded names to call the hat besides "toque." You can call it a "knit cap" or a "stocking cap" or just a "winter hat." I used to think that it had to have a tassle on top to be a "toque," but that turns out not to be correct. (My parents always bought me the kind with the dorky tassle on top...) Better toboggan image. And as Sebastian points out, a toboggan isn’t just a sled, but a particular kind of sled. Toboggan is to sled as 1911 is to gun. The former is a type of the latter.

Besides, there are all sorts of non-retarded names to call the hat besides “toque.” You can call it a “knit cap” or a “stocking cap” or just a “winter hat.”

I used to think that it had to have a tassle on top to be a “toque,” but that turns out not to be correct. (My parents always bought me the kind with the dorky tassle on top…)

]]> By: Donna Locke http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-156531 Donna Locke Sun, 17 Dec 2006 03:30:02 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-156531 Well, one windy December night in my town, the 8-foot-tall, grinning blowup snowman in front of Kroger broke loose from its tether and bounded across the parking lot and headed toward the heavy traffic on the Bypass. Momentarily stunned as a big white thing bounced over my car, but in an uncharacteristic burst of quick thinking, I took off after the flying snowman and tackled it as my elderly mother waved her arms and shouted, "No! Come back! You're gonna get run over!!" I almost did get run over in the parking lot, and children screamed as I wrestled the snowman to the ground, preventing an untold number of wrecks on the Bypass, and hauled it back to the store even though it was 3 feet taller than I. The store manager repaid this rescue from liability with two free bags of frozen broccoli that my mother was buying for an annual broccoli casserole few of us ever eat. I was hoping for some free Purity boiled custard, which I had placed expectantly on the checkout counter. That is my ongoing Christmas grievance, of which I am reminded each year when I see the tethered grinning behemoth awaiting its next chance. Thank you for listening. Well, one windy December night in my town, the 8-foot-tall, grinning blowup snowman in front of Kroger broke loose from its tether and bounded across the parking lot and headed toward the heavy traffic on the Bypass. Momentarily stunned as a big white thing bounced over my car, but in an uncharacteristic burst of quick thinking, I took off after the flying snowman and tackled it as my elderly mother waved her arms and shouted, “No! Come back! You’re gonna get run over!!” I almost did get run over in the parking lot, and children screamed as I wrestled the snowman to the ground, preventing an untold number of wrecks on the Bypass, and hauled it back to the store even though it was 3 feet taller than I. The store manager repaid this rescue from liability with two free bags of frozen broccoli that my mother was buying for an annual broccoli casserole few of us ever eat. I was hoping for some free Purity boiled custard, which I had placed expectantly on the checkout counter. That is my ongoing Christmas grievance, of which I am reminded each year when I see the tethered grinning behemoth awaiting its next chance. Thank you for listening.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-156452 Rachel Sat, 16 Dec 2006 18:40:05 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-156452 Oh, man, you should have seen the giant inflatable Winnie the Pooh Dracula my parents' neighbors put up at Halloween this year. Oh, man, you should have seen the giant inflatable Winnie the Pooh Dracula my parents’ neighbors put up at Halloween this year.

]]> By: Joe P. http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-156451 Joe P. Sat, 16 Dec 2006 18:24:48 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-156451 I am not Canadian or Russian. The hat is a toboggan. A sled is a sled. I don't wear something on my head that has a "q" in the word for it. That could get a feller in a heap of trouble. I am not Canadian or Russian.

The hat is a toboggan. A sled is a sled.

I don’t wear something on my head that has a “q” in the word for it. That could get a feller in a heap of trouble.

]]> By: Sebastian http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-156379 Sebastian Sat, 16 Dec 2006 17:35:33 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-156379 Tobbogans are more flat bottomed wood sleds where the front end is bent up to form a semi circle. I had a Swiss coworker who wanted to take them back to Switzerland, because surpsisingly they didn't have them there, but he thought they were great fun. <a href="http://www.catskillarchive.com/grossinger/25.htm" rel="nofollow">This is a link showing a Toboggan sled</a> I have to admit, being from Pennsylvania, I never heard of the hat kind. So I was confused about the terminology as well. According to the Wiki, the hat's official name is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuque" rel="nofollow">Tuque</a>, and it is Quebec's national winter hat, much like the Ushanka is to Russia. Tobbogans are more flat bottomed wood sleds where the front end is bent up to form a semi circle. I had a Swiss coworker who wanted to take them back to Switzerland, because surpsisingly they didn’t have them there, but he thought they were great fun.

This is a link showing a Toboggan sled

I have to admit, being from Pennsylvania, I never heard of the hat kind. So I was confused about the terminology as well. According to the Wiki, the hat’s official name is a Tuque, and it is Quebec’s national winter hat, much like the Ushanka is to Russia.

]]> By: Lesley http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-156338 Lesley Sat, 16 Dec 2006 16:41:47 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-156338 Oh, and incidentally, I do have not just one, but two sleds in the back of the car right now. No lie. You just never know when a sledding opportunity is going to present itself in Tennessee. Though I guess for the next five spring-like days, I could take them out. Oh, and incidentally, I do have not just one, but two sleds in the back of the car right now. No lie. You just never know when a sledding opportunity is going to present itself in Tennessee. Though I guess for the next five spring-like days, I could take them out.

]]> By: Lesley http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-156337 Lesley Sat, 16 Dec 2006 16:34:06 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-156337 I don't know where tgirsch is from, but those knit hats are definitely toboggans. My mama says so. Now how they're related to those discs you sled on, I don't quite know, but that's what's so great about the English language. I don’t know where tgirsch is from, but those knit hats are definitely toboggans. My mama says so. Now how they’re related to those discs you sled on, I don’t quite know, but that’s what’s so great about the English language.

]]> By: tgirsch http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-156187 tgirsch Sat, 16 Dec 2006 05:54:05 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-156187 <b>#9:</b> Funny, I kind of do the same thing in reverse. :) The problem is, Merry Christmas <i>used to be</i> a pretty innocent and pleasant thing to say to people, even non-Christians. But thanks to the Bill O'Reillys and Sean Hannitys of the world (and, by your admission, you), I have to wonder now when someone says it to me if they're just being nice, or if they're really saying "I'm the kind of asshole who wants to turn 'Merry Christmas' into a political statement instead of a greeting!" #9:

Funny, I kind of do the same thing in reverse. :) The problem is, Merry Christmas used to be a pretty innocent and pleasant thing to say to people, even non-Christians. But thanks to the Bill O’Reillys and Sean Hannitys of the world (and, by your admission, you), I have to wonder now when someone says it to me if they’re just being nice, or if they’re really saying “I’m the kind of asshole who wants to turn ‘Merry Christmas’ into a political statement instead of a greeting!”

]]> By: jed http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-156150 jed Fri, 15 Dec 2006 22:52:06 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-156150 Wait, Santa is Jeffrey Lebowski? Wait, Santa is Jeffrey Lebowski?

]]> By: #9 http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-156100 #9 Fri, 15 Dec 2006 22:41:33 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-156100 My favorite thing to do is when someone says, "Happy Holidays", I say in a booming voice "Merry Christmas". I say Merry Christmas to every Liberal friend I have. Only glitch is they expect it. My favorite thing to do is when someone says, “Happy Holidays”, I say in a booming voice “Merry Christmas”. I say Merry Christmas to every Liberal friend I have. Only glitch is they expect it.

]]> By: Nomen Nescio http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-155927 Nomen Nescio Fri, 15 Dec 2006 21:26:28 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-155927 <blockquote>You really think I keep a big ass sled in my truck?</blockquote> well, you <i>are</i> from Tennessee... (joke, joke! don't hurt me, please!)

You really think I keep a big ass sled in my truck?

well, you are from Tennessee…

(joke, joke! don’t hurt me, please!)

]]> By: Lean Left » Blog Archive » The Airing of Grievances http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-155923 Lean Left » Blog Archive » The Airing of Grievances Fri, 15 Dec 2006 20:32:26 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-155923 [...] Is it that time of year again already?  Apparently it is.  Anyway, here goes: [...] [...] Is it that time of year again already?  Apparently it is.  Anyway, here goes: [...]

]]> By: tgirsch http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-155918 tgirsch Fri, 15 Dec 2006 19:41:57 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-155918 I can honestly say I've never before heard <i>anyone</i>, irrespective of race or geography, use the word "toboggan" to mean "knit cap." And I agree on length of season. "Christmas Season" lasts from the day after Thanksgiving until New Year's Day. Not a day longer, in either direction. You may shorten it if you wish. I can honestly say I’ve never before heard anyone, irrespective of race or geography, use the word “toboggan” to mean “knit cap.”

And I agree on length of season. “Christmas Season” lasts from the day after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day. Not a day longer, in either direction. You may shorten it if you wish.

]]> By: Heartless Libertarian http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-155916 Heartless Libertarian Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:42:45 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-155916 I start with the lights, etc, Thanksgiving weekend. This year, because of bad weather, it took me almost two weeks to get them all up. And if you drive around with a big wood sled in your truck, you could burn it to keep warm. I start with the lights, etc, Thanksgiving weekend. This year, because of bad weather, it took me almost two weeks to get them all up.

And if you drive around with a big wood sled in your truck, you could burn it to keep warm.

]]> By: Lynnster http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-155905 Lynnster Fri, 15 Dec 2006 16:07:07 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-155905 I'll trade you the taller-than-a-house lighted pink (though I'm sure it was supposed to be red) Arkansas Razorback pig that's currently down the street from me for the Scooby Doo w/ toboggan... I’ll trade you the taller-than-a-house lighted pink (though I’m sure it was supposed to be red) Arkansas Razorback pig that’s currently down the street from me for the Scooby Doo w/ toboggan…

]]> By: SayUncle http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-155901 SayUncle Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:52:35 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-155901 I wouldn't do it if it weren't for the wife. It's a simple deduction: Spend one weekend doing lights or Spend every day getting bitched at for not doing lights I'd rather waste two days than 1.5 months. Marriage math, it's also why I go to church. I wouldn’t do it if it weren’t for the wife. It’s a simple deduction:

Spend one weekend doing lights

or

Spend every day getting bitched at for not doing lights

I’d rather waste two days than 1.5 months.

Marriage math, it’s also why I go to church.

]]> By: Sebastian http://www.saysuncle.com/2006/12/15/the_airing_of_grievances_christmas/comment-page-1/#comment-155900 Sebastian Fri, 15 Dec 2006 15:48:50 +0000 http://www.saysuncle.com/?p=10437#comment-155900 I don't do the decorating thing. My first year in the new house I put up lights, but they ended up going out, so I decided that was too much work. There are some advantages to not being married or having kids I guess :) I don’t do the decorating thing. My first year in the new house I put up lights, but they ended up going out, so I decided that was too much work. There are some advantages to not being married or having kids I guess :)

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