Stephen, Here's a music video I made for my daughter for Christmas. She is 7 years old and has Down Syndrome --although I can't say she suffers from it! And she dearly loves picking apples, just as her Dad does!
(Dec. 31, 2011 @ 8:43 pm EST, United States). Please accept a belated Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year with all the best wishes. Thank you for allowing me to come into your home, and showing me your hometown and customs. I have enjoyed so many of your videos, especially those involving the orchard and garden.
Yes, this is why, in this house, we try to outdo each other with one piece of absolute crap that costs as little as possible (see Christmas Chicken and Christmas Cat videos as examples if desired). That satisfies the commercial side and allows us some fun in the process. Our Christmases are becoming more simple and relaxed every year... and we love it.
Tom Waits' Chocolate Jesus sums it up for me. (youtu. be/ m5kHx1itU8c) I steer to that link because of Charlie Musselwhite on harp. I'm not religious, so for me, Christmas is simply goodwill, peace and happiness. Now it's a gross over indulgence of chocolate Santas, chocolate mice, chocolate trees and chocolate yule logs. Easter, a gross over indulgence of chocolate bunnies, chocolate chicks, and chocolate eggs. Willy Wonka's pagan festival range. Merry Wonkamas and a prosperous new megastore.
I watched a thoughtful Tom Waits video last week 'Christmas card from a hooker in Minneapolis'. Christmas is a funny old festival with many layers.
I suspect that I might be the only person in England today who went to church and then played mandolin in a Morris dance band and acted the part of Scrumpy Jack in a Mummer's play at a pub (The White Lion, Soberton). Sorry I didn't have my camera. Will post something if anyone else took pics.
Hmmm, this reminds me of the economy, oops! If money is a proxy for resources, then why waste it on junk? If money is a proxy for power, then why give power to those who make junk? If this is the engine that drives the economy, I can only hope for a Grassroots Economy where our collective efforts are used to build our mutual interests, and not to oil the gears of commerce and grease the palms of those who seek power.
Oh that's good ! And to think that he wrote that in 1957 when the world was far more innocent and far less into 'commercialism' - at least in my world. We were poorer than dirt with us kids receiving inexpensive simple gifts from 'Santa' - colouring books, crayons, puzzles. A pkg that arrived every year from our aunt in Winnipeg that contained a pair of flannelette pajamas for each of us with thank you letters written in gratitude afterwards to this dear lady whom we had never met in person....
Stephen, Here's a music video I made for my daughter for Christmas. She is 7 years old and has Down Syndrome --although I can't say she suffers from it! And she dearly loves picking apples, just as her Dad does!
ProfKSE 1 month ago
@ProfKSE thanks for this
stephenhayesuk 1 month ago
★★★★★
MadBadVoodo 1 month ago
(Dec. 31, 2011 @ 8:43 pm EST, United States). Please accept a belated Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year with all the best wishes. Thank you for allowing me to come into your home, and showing me your hometown and customs. I have enjoyed so many of your videos, especially those involving the orchard and garden.
MichaelSHartman 1 month ago in playlist More videos from stephenhayesuk
Yes, this is why, in this house, we try to outdo each other with one piece of absolute crap that costs as little as possible (see Christmas Chicken and Christmas Cat videos as examples if desired). That satisfies the commercial side and allows us some fun in the process. Our Christmases are becoming more simple and relaxed every year... and we love it.
baconsoda 2 months ago
And that is why I've once again bought you nothing for Christmas, Stephen. Out of respect.
Teorispa 2 months ago
Tom Waits' Chocolate Jesus sums it up for me. (youtu. be/ m5kHx1itU8c) I steer to that link because of Charlie Musselwhite on harp. I'm not religious, so for me, Christmas is simply goodwill, peace and happiness. Now it's a gross over indulgence of chocolate Santas, chocolate mice, chocolate trees and chocolate yule logs. Easter, a gross over indulgence of chocolate bunnies, chocolate chicks, and chocolate eggs. Willy Wonka's pagan festival range. Merry Wonkamas and a prosperous new megastore.
BeerGogglesReviews 2 months ago
@BeerGogglesReviews Kind regards my friend.
I watched a thoughtful Tom Waits video last week 'Christmas card from a hooker in Minneapolis'. Christmas is a funny old festival with many layers.
I suspect that I might be the only person in England today who went to church and then played mandolin in a Morris dance band and acted the part of Scrumpy Jack in a Mummer's play at a pub (The White Lion, Soberton). Sorry I didn't have my camera. Will post something if anyone else took pics.
stephenhayesuk 1 month ago
@stephenhayesuk Would love to see that. WASSAIL!!
BeerGogglesReviews 1 month ago
@stephenhayesuk PS You'd love 'The Screwtape Letters'.
PPS The link to Tom Waits' Chocolate is quite a mandolin rich recording. Beautiful piece.
Happy New Year to you and Mrs. Hayes.
BeerGogglesReviews 1 month ago
Comment removed
BeerGogglesReviews 2 months ago
Comment removed
BeerGogglesReviews 2 months ago
I use to love Christmas, then I took an arrow to the knee.
5Language 2 months ago
You and your wife should have a radio show!
ceadeses 2 months ago
I love C. S. Lewis. Something to think about indeed! Thank you for sharing.
princessrhondie 2 months ago
Well read.
Well written.
Teakai8 2 months ago
Very well read Stephen, and a subject thats closer to many hearts than we actually believe.
dean8366 2 months ago
Hmmm, this reminds me of the economy, oops! If money is a proxy for resources, then why waste it on junk? If money is a proxy for power, then why give power to those who make junk? If this is the engine that drives the economy, I can only hope for a Grassroots Economy where our collective efforts are used to build our mutual interests, and not to oil the gears of commerce and grease the palms of those who seek power.
Helioforge 2 months ago
Bravo! A poignant message, and excellent delivery and cinematography.
rebguldam 2 months ago
Oh that's good ! And to think that he wrote that in 1957 when the world was far more innocent and far less into 'commercialism' - at least in my world. We were poorer than dirt with us kids receiving inexpensive simple gifts from 'Santa' - colouring books, crayons, puzzles. A pkg that arrived every year from our aunt in Winnipeg that contained a pair of flannelette pajamas for each of us with thank you letters written in gratitude afterwards to this dear lady whom we had never met in person....
mukwah1111 2 months ago