# A Festivus For The Rest of Us. A Grievence MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [December 21, 2020, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511 "2020-12-21T06:52:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/142 "2020-12-24T14:35:37Z")
The damned Christmas Angel crapped a huge, stinky, messy load on the doorstep. Christmas plans and gift-giving will be feeble activities this year. If there weren’t grandbabies involved, I’d just say “the hell with it,” but for kids The Show Must Go On. If I’m not posting, I’m still reading. Have I mentioned recently how much I love this place? Let me know when everyone is gathering, to shove, push, and kick this evil, rotten, disgusting year out the door. ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/143 "2020-12-24T15:58:33Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > I feel like I’ve been through a corn maze, only instead of corn there were iCloud accounts, Mac accounts, an external hard drive, and various apps. I have a terrible sense of direction and would still be wandering around bumping into things and wailing, “I want to go hooooome!” were it not for my son and two Apple reps. And Eureka! I have my stuff from my old laptop on this one. I’d kiss the screen, but I’d get it all smudgy. Plus we don’t know each other well enough. I LOVE this comparison - I feel this way frequently. It’s flipping bewildering sometimes. Only this usually happens to me during a misguided attempt to help a kid with their apps, and generally ends with me asking overlyhubs to help. Anyway, I’m half-heartedly working today. Boss lady doesn’t believe in working on holidays even though our company frequently requires us to do so, so we’ve been given the direction to not work if possible. I’m just glancing at emails every couple of hours. I’m so glad the kids are as excited for Christmas as they are. Even though they don’t get as much as they used to, this year the fanfare and cooking and anticipation seem to be ratcheting up their excitement more than any other year. It’s awesome and sweet. _sigh_ I’m glad my mom is here, but I really miss my sister. I don’t miss her kids or her husband, but once we stopped beating the crap out of each other when she left for college I really enjoy her company. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/144 "2020-12-24T16:04:55Z")
Roxy and I just spent an hour or so at the playground. She played with a little 3-y/o girl for a while, ran around, climbed, tried out the swings, and generally seemed to have fun. Now she’s eating a bowl of crunchberries cereal. I’m hoping to get her napping in about an hour. Meanwhile, I need lunch. Toast at 6 doesn’t stay very long and I’s _hongreeee_!! ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/145 "2020-12-24T16:06:45Z")
> [@LH75](#): > > One critique: Sister Mary Lorenza would be all over that guy wearing a hat in church. We were visiting a cathedral in Germany/France as tourists (don’t actually remember where) and one of the people there was quite rude when he toldr my husband to remove his hat. The woman wearing the knitted slouchy beanie was not asked to remove her hat. My husband’s had his fill of the Catholic church. My dad’s surgery was a lot less complicated than even the doctor’s thought. There was scar tissue which was growing around the small intestine, so they just had to remove the scar tissue and no cutting into the intestine itself. He might even be home for Christmas, which would definitely be good. Shops closed 10 minutes ago and won’t be open again until Monday, due to the holidays (both Friday and Saturday are holidays here) and Covid restrictions (no shops are allowed to be open on Sundays). So I need to stop looking at links for French toast casserole. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/146 "2020-12-24T16:33:29Z")
@Die_Capacitrix Back when Sister Mary Lorenza was the scariest person in my life, men were not allowed to wear hats in church, but women were obliged to keep their heads covered. Of course this is Old School Catholicism pre Vatican II when the Masses were in Latin. ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/147 "2020-12-24T16:45:57Z")
In the interest of staying alive I canceled my trip to Melbourne. I am in too much pain with mysterious leg pain that taking pain meds are necessary but I get so groggy and sleepy that driving is a no go. Thus, I shall stay home alone and eat regular food. My neighbor invited me over with a small group and I declined since I have been at irk and can’t risk infecting anyone should I be positive. ( I’m not) but used that as an excuse to get a plate of food and stay home. I have tons of food just no holiday food. I am thawing some chicken tits and shall grill it for me and Buddy tonight and am thawing stuff for the rest of the weekend. I am just happy for a four day weekend mainly to rest this leg. Thelma. Your ham story reminded me of something. Once I used to clean houses for a living. I cleaned a gorgeous waterfront second home for a nice Jewish couple. One day I took a pack of ham for lunch and put it into their fridge. I later realized I forgot it. I never saw them again but like to imagine they threw the entire fridge out. It was totally inadvertent as I was not well versed in the ways and diets of Jewish ppl. Merry Christmas Eve everyone. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/148 "2020-12-24T17:20:31Z")
> [@VOW](#): > > If I’m not posting, I’m still reading. Have I mentioned recently how much I love this place? Me too! Merry, happy everything to everyone! Here’s my caroling for y’all today: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/U1dWXE-B4sw/maxresdefault.jpg "Home Free - Silent Night") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1dWXE-B4sw) Pretend I’m standing outside your door holding a lit candle. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/149 "2020-12-24T17:40:33Z")
> [@swampbear](#): > > **boo** thanks for the link to “Angels We Have Heard On High.” _Gloria In Eggshells A Day Old!_ I think my carol was ‘O Holy Night’. Same singers, same church, same naughty black cowboy hat on same baritone. Here’s [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/teSuDu84kMc/maxresdefault.jpg "Home Free - Angels We Have Heard On High") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teSuDu84kMc) Again, the hat. I remember reading the band recording in that church after taking extra measures to respect the space and congregation, with a hearty donation made to the parish to support their work. The singer, Chris Rupp, is no longer with Home Free, but he always wore a hat, no matter what or where. Early male pattern balding. You guys are soooooo touchy about that. His replacement, Adam Chance is an even prettier specimen of manhood (I’m old, not dead). ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/150 "2020-12-24T17:48:13Z")
Sorted, came home. Apparently y’all ain’t buying enough post Christmas stuff, because I have a 3 day weekend now. Assuming I’m not [blown away](https://www.wral.com/nc-braces-for-severe-weather-threat-tornadoes-christmas-eve/19437810/). Alex is currently sitting in a kitchen chair and touching Gordie. Which is driving him crazy. ---
**Author:** ![dogbutler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dogbutler/32/428_2.png) [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/151 "2020-12-24T17:49:23Z")
{{{{butters}}}} Sorry you can’t go, but hope the rest and drugs help. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/152 "2020-12-24T17:56:40Z")
Here. I dug up the main bits of the relevant episode: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/njZx1MMAOSA/maxresdefault.jpg "The Festivus - Seinfeld") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njZx1MMAOSA) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/153 "2020-12-24T17:58:52Z")
Well… There goes my Christmas bonus. ☹ The brake light on the Prius is faulty. The guys at the oil change place couldn’t fix it, so I took it to the dealership this morning. As I suspected, the LED cannot be changed out and the whole tail light assembly needs to be replaced. $390. I’ll have enough of my bonus left to buy four gallons of fuel. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/154 "2020-12-24T19:06:19Z")
Have some more Xmas music: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ijF2FrT4Gc0/maxresdefault.jpg "Chris Turner's Christmas Waltz") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijF2FrT4Gc0) ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/155 "2020-12-24T19:24:17Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > My husband’s had his fill of the Catholic church. Churchgoing mumpers probably don’t care to hear my thoughts on religion, organized or otherwise. Let’s just say I agree with your husband and leave it at that. Replaced a couple electrical outlets yesterday. That’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. We live in an old house, and some of the outlets still aren’t grounded and only have the old two-prong configuration. Mind you, I didn’t actually install a ground wire, so they’re still not grounded. I’m not sure I’m qualified to do so, but I’ll research some more and see if that’s a job I want to tackle. But at least we can now plug in a three-pronged cord without an adapter. Also finished wrapping presents and got everything ready for going over to SIL and BIL’s today. We’ve decided to merge bubbles again after being apart for a couple months. Everybody’s been good. > [@Wheelz](#): > > My back isn’t sore but my legs are; I guess that means I was lifting correctly! I have to retract this statement. It either took a couple days to kick in or I did something else without realizing it, but my lower back has all but seized up and I’m shuffling around like Tim Conway’s old man character. Ugh. Ibuprofen helped. Alcohol will too, later. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbazine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbazine/32/362_2.png) [@Bumbazine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbazine)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/156 "2020-12-24T20:32:56Z")
It was 23f at 7:30 this am when I took the boys out to do their ‘bidness’ It’s warmed up to 32 now at 12:21. Whew! Don’t know if I can stand it. Butters, have you gone to the doc about your leg pain? (I do read everybody’s posts, but I have the memory of a goldfish.) It might be a blood clot, what they call a ‘deep vein thrombosis’, which could spell trouble down the road. No, I’m not a medial professional. I’m just an old guy with a lousy body that’s falling apart. (And a bit of a hypochondriac, truth be told.) Oh, my singing voice has been described as _“A gravel truck on a corduroy road.”_ or "_A bucket full of bullfrogs"._ Happy Christmas Eve, everybody. I really appreciate you all. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/157 "2020-12-24T21:02:08Z")
Sometimes I don’t realize how exhausted I am until a hard day’s night. I slept the clock around. I think today I’ll walk to the waterfront. First I have to start the spaghetti sauce. It’s a long process. Tonight’s dinner should involve fish, but I forgot to buy any. We always had linguini with clams, linguini with anchovies, and smelts–Mom made wonderful smelts–no shrimp or that fancy stuff because we ate the foods of Mom’s childhood, and though she grew up not far from the sea, poverty dictated their menu. Christmas meant lasagna, but to me lasagna means family, so I never make it for just me. I’m sorry that lady was rude about hat removal, **dice**. I can only assume she found hat-wearing in a church deeply offensive, much as others would if one wore shoes in a mosque or a man didn’t wear a kippah in a synagogue. Nevertheless, she should have explained and asked politely. Her rudeness was offensive, particularly in a house of worship. I wouldn’t resent the practice, merely the means of enforcement. **wheelie** , sorry about the back. I hope liquid painkiller helps. **flyboy** , sorry about the tail light, and maybe someone can explain to me why you can’t just replace the lightbulb. It’s not just ridiculously expensive, it’s bad for the environment. Is corporate greed the explanation? Anyway, bummer, **Johnny**. I love all the Christmas carols shared here! My dad’s favorite was “Oh Holy Night,” and I still get teary when I hear it. “Gloria” was my favorite as a child. On the secular side, I like most of ‘em, but there are a few I’d pay never have to hear again, like “Christmas Shoes,” or “Gramma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” which stopped being funny after the first hundred times. Mom and Dad, sorry for us kids playing The Chipmunks’ “Christmas Don’t Be Late” a billion times. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/158 "2020-12-24T21:10:41Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > maybe someone can explain to me why you can’t just replace the lightbulb. The incandescent bulbs for the position lights, reverse lights, and directional indicators are all replaceable, but the LED brake lights are not. > **[Prius Brake Light Repair](https://www.instructables.com/Prius-Brake-Light-Repair/)** > > Prius Brake Light Repair: I recently purchased a 2005 Prius. It was purchased “as is”, knowing that pitfalls awaited me. > After a few days, a friend mentioned the “RIGHT” brake light was not working. Once home I tried the brake lights. The “LEFT”... > The brake light system has the LEDs sealed into the assembly. They are not accessible or replaceable. This is an evil design for a DIYer. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/159 "2020-12-24T22:45:18Z")
Howdy Y’all! We have done Christmas Eve services, ingested majik intartoobz pizza and now chillaxin’ begins. **{{{Butters}}}** sorry you’re not makin’ the trip, but better to take care of yourself. Now we shall continue our Christmas tradition of watchin’ [A Tuna Christmas](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0424517/) whilst imbibin’ adult beverages and munchin’ on cheese ring. Laterz! ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/160 "2020-12-24T23:15:23Z")
Daughter came and retrieved her spawn, then took her home to bake. Wish I could link to the pic, but Imgur seems to be choking at the moment - she’s adorably messy! If you’re my FB friend, you can see it [here](https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/132861170_10158977544912427_3659266635437813075_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=2&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=m-GdCEv2dXcAX9kz7wn&_nc_ht=scontent-iad3-1.xx&oh=d959406b48aa012e113f8ee4e018afe2&oe=60098AA5). If you want to friend me there, let me know. We let Domino’s feed us, then I built the french toast casserole, throwing in some craisins for seasonal yum! I’ll bake it just before we head out - we’re supposed to get there around 8. It’s been raining on and off - at one point it came down with real enthusiasm. At least it’s not supposed to freeze tonight, but the temps will continue to fall all day and get very freezy tomorrow night. Glad we’re inside and dry. Chillage shall ensue. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2020, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511/161 "2020-12-24T23:16:24Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Daughter came and retrieved her spawn, then took her home to bake. Does your daughter live in a gingerbread house? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-festivus-for-the-rest-of-us-a-grievence-mmp/928511.md?page=9)