Busines should stick to what they are good at

... namely running the business. As soon as they bring politics or religion into decision making they are heading for a rocky ride from consumers.
Case in point is ABSA with their Springbok rugby player quota demand and now we have Woolworths withdrawing religious and political magazines.
Now I want to ask Woolworths CEO Simon Susman what about newspapers, matzos crackers, Christmas ham/turkey and halal chickens? Are they also going to be taken off the shelves too because they may offend certain customers? I leave with this thought...
"Political correctness does not legislate tolerance; it only organizes hatred."
Jacques Barzun

Christmas day - 2007

Woke up to the sound of rain once again... the forest is covered in mist...

Got dressed for the Church service at the Hogsback Inn, weather did not permit it to be held at the open air auditorium.
A view of the garden at Nutwood's.
Then we went for Christmas lunch at Nutwood's... the gazpacho was delicious but not appreciated by all but at the end it was a most enjoyable gastronomic event. Much later we got back to the cabin and had to take a nap...
The day reminded me that the greatest gift of all we can give is Love and that one day the giver of Love will return, I believe it will be on a Christmas morning... reminds me of the song by Dido...
Christmas day - Dido
A young gentleman came riding past,
On a snow blue winters day,
He asked to drink by our fire
And I was pleased to let him stay,

He drank there quietly for a while,
And then he turned and said to me,

Your eyes are green,
Like summer grass,
Your lips are red,
Like a fresh cut rose,
Your hair is soft,
Like an Irish stream,
And your voice,
Is filled with sweet beauty

And the last words I heard him say

Were I shall return,
For you,
My love,
On Christmas Day

And the night will come,
But I won't sleep,
As I watch the stars that lead him,
I cannot place where he is,
But still my heart goes with him,
I'm saving all my Sunday clothes
For the day that I'll be leaving,
Father knows,
My sister knows,
And my friends,
They're happy for me,
And the priest he says,
You should thank God,
For the blessing,
Of such beauty

And the last words
I heard him say,

Were I shall return,
For you,
My love,
On Christmas Day
I shall return,
For you,
My love,
On Christmas Day

(On Christmas Day)

(I shall return for you my love)

And the last words
I heard him say
Were the last words
I ever
Heard him say

I shall return,
For you,
My love
On Christmas Day
I swear,
I will return,
On Christmas Day,
And yes,
I shall return,
On Christmas Day,
I shall return,
For you,
On Christmas Day
My love,
I will return,
On Christmas Day
I shall return,
My love
On Christmas Day

On Christmas Day

[via FoxyTunes / Dido - Christmas Day]

So I hope you all had as wonderful a Christmas day as we have had here in the enchanted forests of Hogsback...
"If you can get nothing better out of the world, get a good dinner out of it, at least."
Herman Melville (1819 - 1891)

What is Christmas

To me it is a time of reflection and thanksgiving for a year that has wizzed past. Thankfull that everyone in my family is hale and hearty. Thankfull that this year was less traumatic than last year. Thankful that this special day, though it may be distorted by commercialism, greed and a thousand other things still is the day we celebrate the birth of The Saviour Jesus. May you all have a peacefull, wonderfull, joyfull Christmas.
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, whose going forth have been from of old from everlasting." (Micah 5:2).

Present from Heaven

It started raining this morning and again this evening, 18mm at Dad's place and more at others. We really needed this, thanks for the present!
"Irrigation of the land with seawater desalinated by fusion power is ancient. It's called 'rain'." Michael McClary

The reason for the season

When I saw this I could not sum it up better... who needs Father Christmas and all the other stuff when the real reason lay in a manger...
I am sure that when God saw this cartoon He must have given a huge smile and maybe even a laugh.
Nice one dudes!
Over the Hedge is a wonderful cartoon strip and the movie was awesome, I really enjoyed Bruce Willis in the racoon role... I kept picturing Die Hard though!
By the way go and check the last 30 days worth of cartoons the ones with "Hammy's Christmas Wish" are brilliant!
"Nostalgia isn't what it used to be." Peter De Vries

Hard Rock Carols by the Screaming Tangerines

Today's Rockwood made me laugh, this is the crazy time of the year when all sorts of artists bring out "Christmas" albums... some should just plain forget about the idea.
For one thing their style just does not suit the genre or in some cases the voice is a total mismatch and in other cases the image of Kid Rock singing Silent Night is just so wrong!
However I thought I may as well put up the playlist for my imaginary band the The Screaming Tangerines latest album Hard Rock Carols;
1. Dido - Christmas Day (2:14)
2. George Michael - Jesus to a child (6:50)
3. Deep Purple - Child In Time (4:06)
4. Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion - The Prayer (4:30)
5. Cliff Richard - Snowfall on the sahara (4:25)
6. Yellowcard - Gifts and Curses (5:07)
7. Madelyne - Beautiful Child (Hiver and Hammer Mix) (4:07)
8. The Darkness - Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) (3:26)
9. Nightwish - Bless the child (6:12)
10. Gregorian - Save a prayer (4:14)
11. Duran Duran - Save a prayer (5:28)
12. Belinda Carlisle - All God's children (3:49)
13. Evanescence - Snow White Queen (4:22)
14. Hooverphonic - Frosted flake wood (3:17)
15. DJ Sammy & Carisma - Golden Child (3:41)
16. Rolf Harris - Six white boomers (3:21)
17. Angun - Snow on the Sahara (4:17)
18. Linda Ronstadt - Winter light (3:17)
19. Wham - Last Christmas (3:19)
20. Gregorian Masters of Chant - The gift (4:50)
21. Vonda Shepard - Downey - White Christmas (2:40)
22. aromabar - winter pagent (3:56)
23. Ace of Base - I pray (3:18)
24. Texas - Prayer For You (4:46)
25. Queen - Thank God It's Christmas (4:19)
Wierd I know... but this is Whacky Wednesday! that is borrowed from the Steers Burger ad so let me end with a food related quote...
Dear Lord, I've been asked, nay commanded, to thank Thee for the Christmas turkey before us... a turkey which was no doubt a lively, intelligent bird... a social being... capable of actual affection... nuzzling its young with almost human- like compassion. Anyway, it's dead and we're gonna eat it. Please give our respects to its family..." Berke Breathed, Bloom County Babylon

Check out where Santa is flying...

yep, NORAD is on the ball and ready to trace Santa's flights this Christmas... Check it out to make sure you know when he will be dropping off your prezzie's this Christmas day.
Thanks to Steve in the UK for the link!

"Santa Claus had the right idea. Visit everyone once a year." Victor Borges

Merry Xmas

Major Dad thinks I am from New Zealand, he he...
Well I just want to wish the Blogosphere a Blessed and Merry Christmas... Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season.
I notice I am no longer a Insignificant Microbe in the TTLB Blogosphere Ecosystem, must be doing something right lately...