The Bar 2014 Edition

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 8:22 pm

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

If you find yourself looking forward to the end of the holiday season instead of the beginning, here’s a call to shift gears and reclaim what should be a time of appreciation, excitement, joy, and peace. Make up your mind that this is going to be your happiest Christmas ever. Your decision to emphasize the positive can reclaim a season that is supposed to bring out the best in us, rather than do us in. The truth is that this time of year offers us a wonderful opportunity to rekindle the spirit of love and living life to the fullest.

With your expectations set on positive, here are some attitude adjustments to try:

I’ll let the holidays flow, rather than trying to make them fit into a fixed schedule.

I’ll remember that people are more important than things.

I’ll relax my expectations for myself and others this year.

I’m going to live in the present moment and enjoy each activity for itself instead of always thinking about what is ahead of me.

I’m going to approach the holidays with a sense of joyful anticipation and wonder, just like I did when I was a child.

By vowing to think and behave in more meaningful ways, you’ll find in each present moment of the Christmas season something to savor and enjoy. Each moment of our lives affords us a choice and the holiday season is no exception. This life is a miracle, each and every particle of it, and the holiday season is a celebration of the miraculousness of it all.

You have choices in this business of Christmas celebrations. The responsibility is always your own. The true meaning of the holidays is one of joy, love, peace, and happiness. Cultivate a child-like awe and appreciation and have a Merry Christmas!

Canoe · Post by **Canoe** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 9:44 pm

not xmas, but winter...

great grey owl - low flight.jpg

Aurelia · Post by **Aurelia** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:16 pm

OMG

My 6 year old granddaughter gets the medal tonight
She has an NIH agnostic father; but goes to a conservative school in VA
In her first grade class they talked about the meaning of Christmas.
So she insisted on buying a bible and going into a church.
There she began dancing in the aisles (like me, she said)
and loudly stated,
"I know what happens to baby Jesus ! I read ahead."

Merry Christmas dear Bar.

xoA.

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 11:29 pm

Here is an indirect X-mas greeting from Duane Flatmo, creator of El Pulpo Mechanico. Duane is an off-Playa artist also, with a fondness for the multiple perspectives and faceting of the Cubism art-style (popularized by Pablo Picasso).
The "gluten free" is entirely in jest, of course.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 12:47 am

Merry Jule, to all!!

MyDearFriend · Post by **MyDearFriend** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 3:03 am

Good morning (((Bar))) and all best wishes.

Love to all. And

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 7:20 am

Merry Christmas.
Coffee, yes please.
Homeward new homeward bound. Few more sights to see. I'm postponing travel today to avoid some snowy weather at the grand canyon. Figuring now that it's winter everywhere I can go. Thank you Texas and Arizona for warming me up again.

Going to get some camping in this last leg I hope. Should be in Reno for New Year.

Patsh took me for a ride on her trike yesterday. GLORIOUS!!!

EspressoDude · Post by **EspressoDude** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 7:45 am

Merry Ho, Ho to all burners! And yes the coffee is really good this morning.

Post by **trilobyte** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 8:31 am

Woke up this morning to lots of sirens, a big fire was raging on the back side of our block. Lots and lots of firetrucks and paramedics (though fortunately the stretchers were empty, I hope nobody was hurt), it looks like at least 3 homes were completely consumed before firefighters got things under control. Our hearts go out to affected neighbors - please take a couple extra moments to make sure any kind of holiday decorations, candles, fires, and meals cooking in the kitchen are safe.

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 8:38 am

Elorrum wrote:Merry Christmas.
Coffee, yes please.
Homeward new homeward bound. Few more sights to see. I'm postponing travel today to avoid some snowy weather at the grand canyon. Figuring now that it's winter everywhere I can go. Thank you Texas and Arizona for warming me up again.

Going to get some camping in this last leg I hope. Should be in Reno for New Year.

Patsh took me for a ride on her trike yesterday. GLORIOUS!!!

I'll be here! I've got a date with my dog for NYE

Patsh · Post by **Patsh** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 9:04 am

We were lucky yesterday, Elorrum and I. When we left on the trike, it was beautifully sunny, clear and almost warm. We were well bundled up, and took off for the hills. It actually seemed to be getting warmer as we climbed in elevation.
Then, suddenly, it got cloudy and the temperature plummeted. It was downright Cold by the time we got home! And, today, we're expecting snow all the way down to the valley... a rare treat for here.

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 9:04 am

lucky420 wrote:
Elorrum wrote:Merry Christmas.
Coffee, yes please.
Homeward new homeward bound. Few more sights to see. I'm postponing travel today to avoid some snowy weather at the grand canyon. Figuring now that it's winter everywhere I can go. Thank you Texas and Arizona for warming me up again.

Going to get some camping in this last leg I hope. Should be in Reno for New Year.

Patsh took me for a ride on her trike yesterday. GLORIOUS!!!
I'll be here! I've got a date with my dog for NYE

I smell a jeopardy rematch. Bring your wallet.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 9:12 am

delle · Post by **delle** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 9:26 am

There's a wee beginning of a rumour on FB that it might be Elliot's birthday....

He's in pretty good company, sharing it with the likes of Cab Calloway, Rod Sterling, Humphrey Bogart, Annie Lennox... and a bunch others, I'm sure.

A most HAPPY of birthdays to you, Elliot, whether today or not. We're sending you loads of love from the north.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 9:31 am

*wanders in, makes CENCW*
Happy day, to all!!
that trike ride, sounds perfect, just edging on danger!!
Thanks for the update, Elorrum! what an adventure!
*notes Simon in the back corner barber chair, dressed for Jeopardy*

Hi Lucky! Hi MDF!
HI Trilo,! Good advice, so many lose so much for a moment of lax attention.

[media]

Patsh · Post by **Patsh** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 9:33 am

It most certainly is Elliot's Birthday today!

Happy Birthday to you, Elliot!!
It's so nice that they give so many people this day off, just to celebrate with you!

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 9:44 am

Patsh wrote:It most certainly is Elliot's Birthday today!

Happy Birthday to you, Elliot!!
It's so nice that they give so many people this day off, just to celebrate with you!

Well, that's only fair and just, for an Emperor!

Thank you, thank you for the good wishes. There shall be around 30 more of these particular days, if I have anything to say about it.

But you left out one important Christmas baby from your list, Delle. Today is Kernul Killbuck's birthday! Killbuck was one of the first people I met here on ePlaya, and that resulted in an invitation to join his Camp Apokiliptika. Of course, these days, Killbuck and his lovely-and-talented bride Nila run Sideshow -- the camp that inspired The Hat to declare 2015 the year of the Carnival. Happy birthday, Killbuck!

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 9:47 am

Appy Bday Elliot.

Ya, you too Kil-luck

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 10:17 am

I wish a most happy BD to all the special folks that were born on Christmas day. (Hey, that has a nice ring to it. They should make it into a song.) Happy Birthday and xmas to elliott, Killbuck, delle and anyone I've never met....Lehyam

Aurelia · Post by **Aurelia** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 10:34 am

Happy Birthday dear Elliot and Killbuck !

It is going to be wonderful today .

xoA.

magicmarty · Post by **magicmarty** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 11:08 am

Slept in this morning. Felt good.

Morning and Merry Xmas or whatever you do or don't celebrate. Maybe just celebrate Elliot and Kilbuck's birthdays and that will be celebration enough. Happy birthday Elliot and Kilbuck and many happy returns of the day to you both!

Busy morning in here while I was ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzing. Morning MDF, Elorrum, ED, Trilo, Lucky, Patsh, SOP, Delle, YG, ASD, Ratty and UnJohn. Lucky us to have the Bar and all its lovely characters. Fun to get your travel updates, Elorrum.

Lazy day ahead

(((LF)))

Cheers

Elliot · Post by **Elliot** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 11:34 am

I'm already "over" X-mas and planning New Year's Eve. And I'm planning to spend it at Harbin Hot Springs. They are holding a dance from 8 PM, and I suppose I will look in on that. But mostly I just want to swim and soak.

Ideally, there would be fireworks visible from the pools. I kind'a doubt it, out there in the woods, but it seems worth a shot. Regardless, I will be somewhat safe from all the gunfire in my neighborhood at Midnight, since Harbin is close to 20 miles away.

Anybody want to join me? Non-members need to buy a trial membership for $30, and then each person costs $30 on holidays (20 on non-holiday weekdays). So 60 for one person, 90 for two, 120 for three, 150 for four.... (Only one membership needed. The others are guests of that member.) The Harbin pools are "clothing optional", which means that 99% swim nude. No alcohol, no cameras, no smoking, no cell phones, no drugs -- a wonderful break from daily life. They do have restaurants, but I don't know what hours they will have that day. I could call and ask.

Ratty · Post by **Ratty** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 12:23 pm

I would dearly love to but my sister lives in Middletown. I give it a wide berth.

Post by **trilobyte** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 1:03 pm

Is it actually Killbuck's birthday, though? He has been known to change his birthday setting there from time to time (I've got a few friends who get a kick out of pranking that site's birthday system). (yup, it's Killbuck's birthday - woohoo and huzzah! Happy birthday, and the hot springs sounds like a great place to relax, swim and soak.

The loft is smelling pretty great right now - I'm making a bunch of my scalloped potatoes au gratin and they're very nearly ready to pull out. I'm changing things up with this batch, trying a dauphinoise cream reduction that looked like it might be pretty interesting. Once it's done, I'll pair that up with a spiral sliced ham we got from the honey baked ham folks (I've been a fan for years, Pandorra had never had them before). Speaking of which, time to go check on those potatoes and freshen up my drink - cheers!

Da Mule · Post by **Da Mule** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 6:02 pm

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 6:26 pm

Happy Hogswatch everybody!
<robbidobbs bursts into the Bar, bottle of reisling in one hand, and a porcelain coffee mug in the other.>
Cheers Mule!
I should got to the Tis the season thread. I'm feeling a rant coming on.

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 7:26 pm

Da MULE!!! happy to see you! Cheese doodles for all!

robbidobbs · Post by **robbidobbs** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 7:28 pm

The box of white wine is flowing! BYOC (bring your own cup of course).
Howdy fucking doo Elorrum! How's travels?

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 11:14 pm

Da Mule wrote:MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

IT DA MULE!!!!

[media]

everyone look!! ............Da Mule,and he's back from Missouri, the second time!!!
*throws honey and cheez doodles all over bar*

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Fri Dec 26, 2014 7:12 am

Late howdy, robbidobbs. Boxing day. I'm loading my car with wonderful bits and pieces for electrical and crafts sampled from Patsh's marvelous departments. You name it, she's got it, plus she knows where it is. Off to the Grand Canyon today. I'll probably be out of range for a few days.

setting dial to extra liveliness.

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