Monday, December 28, 2009

Has Santa Got Commercialized?

So Santa has come and went. Did you get all that you expected, or were you on his naughty list and he gave you a lump of coal and a cold potato? Well I guess the old ape flew under his radar this year and was still on his good list, as usual I made out like a bandit! How Christmas has changed from yesteryear? Now I feel I am a very a spiritual person, and there is a message attached with Christmas hence forth the first part of Christmas being Christ. Now whether you believe or not you can still feel that Christmas is about family and kids. Getting together with family have a great reason to have a great meal, and one more reason to spoil your kids and or grand kids rotten. Well that is my point I think the message as been lost on this festive time. We all except that certain jobs like essential services have to work on this day. For example Fire fighters, police personnel, Hospital staff should be on this list! As we headed back home on boxing day all full of turkey and wonderment we pulled into a McDonald's before we headed home to scarf down a burger before we head for the open road. To my wife's astonishment McDonald's was open from 10AM to 5PM on Christmas day. My wife comes back to the vehicle in total disbelief for a burger joint to be open on turkey day. My wife says unless they started serving turkey burgers who wants a Big Mac on Christmas day?

Now I explained to her which she already knew the Jehovah Witness religion does not recognize Christmas as they do not believe in Christ or God. She still felt that was not reason enough to serve a Big Mac's on Christmas day. She asked in disbelief who operates this place scrooge himself?AGH!!! Now that brings me to my next point have we lost the point in today's message? Christmas is not about family and fellowship anymore. It is about one of the biggest money making holiday's of the year. Look at boxing day it is an absolute free for all on boxing day as to what can we buy on the cheap for us the greedy little consumers that we are. Back in the day Boxing day was designed for you to return uncle Fred's pink blender that you would have no use for, and get something you really wanted. Now it is a message of shop till you drop and what great deals can we get? I have heard some families even make it an annual event, and do their Christmas shopping on that day when everything is so cheap, and then actually celebrate their own Christmas on the 27th ot 28th. Who do we have to blame for this, the retailer or the consumer? Well without the consumer asking for this or expecting this the retailer is only following the market trend.

Now if you look at the history of the bible Jesus was born depending on the interpretation you except. Some say in the spring around March others think he was born in September, but winter is actually a Pagan holiday noting the time of winter solstice of December 22nd. None the less others say it is a business idea of the end of the year and shop keepers are giving it one last ditch effort to boost the yearly sales before the new year starts.

So is society losing the Christ in Christmas and just going to the commercialization of the holiday? Like I said before I am not a holy roller by any means, but I do think that Christmas is about kids and family with gift giving intertwined in the holiday. It should be not who got what, and how much you can break the bank to keep up with the Jones. With credit cards being so free these days people almost make it a game in some cases to see who can out spend the other just because they can. I ask the question because that person bought me a Rolex make them any better person then if they could only afford a Timex? Is it not about the fact that they were considerate enough to see that I may need or want a watch rather then how much it cost. Some people live on a beer budgets all year so they can have a champagne lifestyle for one day in the year. Personally I would I think that is wrong. As we get over a record setting recession the people who are in banking warn people to live within their means or come the new year we could be in for a whole world of hurt when the bills roll in! Why take till the holidays text year to pay for this Christmas, be inventive. Some call it cheap. I call it thinking outside the box. Make something that you know the person would like. I think gifts like this are better because they show the person you were thinking enough to share your craft with them. If you are not crafty, try making a card inviting the person out to dinner or better yet over to your house cooking them their favorite meal. Go on-line there are many ideas far beyound these few to get your creative juices going. Just remember it is not the price of the gift it is about that fact you thought about them at all.

Well I am going to cuddle up and nurse this cold I got as a gift on Christmas day. Personally that is one gift I would rather take back from the wife. See our generosity is so big here we even give each other our colds. Share and Share alike my Mother used to say. Lol

Until next time remember happiness depends on ourselves.
Happy New Year to all my readers From The Ape Trainer and the crusty old ape may 2010 be all that you wish for!

Cheers From
The Old Ape :-)

Monday, December 21, 2009

So What Is Happening In The Jungle?

So tell me oh wise one what has been happening in the jungle that has kept you away for so long? Well folks believe it or not the old ape has got busy. We are proud to announce that there has been a new addition added to our pack so that is where some of my time has been going. You know daddy time and outings outside. Also I have been busy at the production company. I had just completed a project with great success. My first run with one of my new pieces of software, so it was a bit trying as it was a learning curve, but none the less we did a bang up job and the customer was more then happy so on all accounts Big Ape Productions is now going to move forward. I have already got another job lined up for the new year. Amazingly enough I have just scored a line on another photographer that is willing to promote our VHS to DVD and Slide show production work. So if you ever need a good photo studio go check out SC Photos and they will take care of you for sure.

The weight loss you are wondering... how is the weight loss going well no news is good news. I have been hovering off and with a 1.5KG gain and loss so I consider that as a plateau so in all perspectives, I am hanging in there considering what time of year it is.

So with my Christmas shopping complete and travel plans finalized we are officially ready for the festive season. We are heading up to my sisters Christmas Morning spend the day with her and my Brother-in-law in Brooks, and then home boxing day to get ready for Mel to return back to work Sunday. No rest for the weary they say..lol

Here is a couple of pictures of our new addition. Her name is Libby. She is a retired breeder dog. She is 7 years old and the kennel we acquired her from was looking for a for ever home for her in her retirement. She is an absolute sweet heart as you will see.





Well time waits for no one. It is my time to get back to a few final things getting ready for the old boy with the white beard. Enough out of the peanut gallery I only have a goatee..hehehehehehe Anyway we will send Christmas wishes a bit later until then.....

Remember Santa only comes once a year, aren't you glad you are not him.....

Until next time
Cheers
From the big ape