The Anti Arty Farty Party …thoughts of an Ageing Hippy Highlander

Happy Dies Natalis Solis Invicti

Here we are again celebrating Christmas, Xmas, Winterval — whatever, let’s go with the Yankees and call it “Holiday Season”.

Millions of people worshipping Mammon in the name of Jesus using an honest Pagan festival in temples of commerce built especially for this purpose.

At least the Pagans were just having a good old piss-​up to celebrate the coming of the lighter days and easier times. I could imagine that winter in a fucking yurt probably warrants a couple of parties!

Now; it’s all just a huge commercial exercise where people are conned into buying tons of plastic shite for their kids and unneeded boxes of crap for people who don’t want, need or deserve any of it.

Dies Natalis Solis Invicti

The current frenzy in our High Streets is a sad sight to behold. Shops are desperate, “We have lots of shite that we can’t sell, here, have it for 95% off” — and the sheep react as expected and buy all the shite thinking they’ve scored. But shite is shite whatever the price.

Sorry, it’s not “bah humbug” on my part — I’m advocating a return to a simpler more basic celebration. This should be a time for mending fences and strengthening friendships. We need to get back to an appreciation of the simple good things of life. So, count me in on the piss up just leave me out of the hypocrisy.

I remember when New Year and Hogmanay were much more important in Scotland. I miss the thrill of New Year (and the extended festivities!). Even that’s become a commercialised “event”.

Who would want to be in Edinburgh at New Year FFS!? Surrounded by hoorays up from The Smoke to “do” Edinburgh at New Year. Fuck that.

Possibly the only up-​side of the current economic chaos is that many of the City types have had the arse burned out of their breeks! With any luck they’ll stay at home — if they still have one, that is.

Anyway fuck them all and I wish you a very happy whatever-​it-​is-​you-​celebrate and all the very best for 2009.

Happy New Year!
(Ever The Optimist)