Carol of the Bells, performed by Acoustic Trench. Assisted by Maple the dog.
As is the custom here, posting will be intermittent over the holidays and readers are advised to subscribe to the blog feed, which will alert you to anything new as and when it materialises. Thanks for around 1.5 million visits this year and thousands of comments, many of which prompted discussions that are much more interesting than the actual posts. Which is pretty much the idea. And particular thanks to all those who’ve made PayPal donations to keep this rickety barge above water. Curious newcomers and those with nothing better to do are welcome to rummage through the reheated series in search of entertainment.
To you and yours, a very good one.
Merry Christmas, everybody!
Posted by: Pogonip | December 23, 2017 at 08:48
Thanks for some great reads, David. Have a wonderful Christmas. :-)
Posted by: Liz | December 23, 2017 at 08:52
Some niche amusement. Melvyn Bragg’s no-nonsense programme openings.
Via Damian.
Posted by: David | December 23, 2017 at 09:14
Also via Damian, I don’t think that’s an owl.
Posted by: David | December 23, 2017 at 09:17
Hope you (and the heathens here) have a great Christmas and New Year.
Thanks for another year of grim/funny blogging. I've dropped something in your stocking.
Posted by: [+] | December 23, 2017 at 09:57
another year of grim/funny blogging
I should put that in the brochure.
I’ve dropped something in your stocking.
May your upholstery never discolour in places that are hard to conceal with carefully positioned cushions.
Posted by: David | December 23, 2017 at 10:05
Merry Christmas, tipjar hit
Posted by: gunker | December 23, 2017 at 10:20
May your toaster bottom remain free of combustible crumbs.
Posted by: David | December 23, 2017 at 10:54
Via dicentra, this:
Oh, come on.
Posted by: David | December 23, 2017 at 10:55
Thanks throughout the year for the fragments which I have shored against my ruins. Have a great Christmas and New Year.
Posted by: mike fowle | December 23, 2017 at 11:19
Cheers Everyone!
Posted by: Jonathan | December 23, 2017 at 11:31
As we head into this very white, colonial, cis-heteropatrirchal holiday that celebrates elven slave-labor and oppresses minorities and non-Xtian religions with violent images of bows and wrapped gifts, decorated trees, &c., the kind folks over at SDA bring us all a timely reminder that we all must check our privilege.
Anyone who actually prepares for, and enjoys, this Pagan celebration culturally appropriated by the Xtians is obviously a fascist. Oh, yes, also rayciss, of course.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | December 23, 2017 at 12:23
a timely reminder that we all must check our privilege.
Plus fifty… and another fifty… minus 150… carry the four…
I’m going to need a pen and paper.
Posted by: David | December 23, 2017 at 12:30
“check our privilege.”
“If you can't add, -30”
What if you can't read? Either way, I'm waiting until “Saterday night” to knock 15 off my score. Whenever that is.
Merry Chrissmess, everyone!
Posted by: Sam Duncan | December 23, 2017 at 13:28
As the ship I was awaiting has finally come in, just sent a jingle up your leg, David. As the kids say, Ya feel me?
Posted by: WTP | December 23, 2017 at 14:00
just sent a jingle up your leg, David.
Bless you, sir. May your visit to the supermarket never be blemished by accidentally picking up slimline tonic water.
Posted by: David | December 23, 2017 at 14:09
Also, Santa Claus boot camp...I am sticky, I’m in pain...
https://www.facebook.com/weaponcrates/videos/2004205406460650/
Posted by: WTP | December 23, 2017 at 14:09
To you and yours, a very good one.
As is my custom, thank you and likewise, David. Many happy returns to you and the Other Half.
Posted by: Captain Nemo | December 23, 2017 at 14:18
As always - my warmest regards to all Davids readers and their families.
I hope everyone is in the pink and so forth.
Now stop arguing with the internet and finish your Christmas shopping.
Posted by: Elephants Gerald | December 23, 2017 at 14:29
I hope everyone is in the pink and so forth.
Pink ? Really ? I hope you know you just erased the bodies and lived experiences of POCs with that privileged remark.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | December 23, 2017 at 14:46
Now stop arguing with the internet
[ Summons henchlesbians. Drunken interloper is dragged into cellar. Shouts and crashing can be heard. ]
Posted by: David | December 23, 2017 at 14:47
Merry Christmas to one and all! Peace on Earth and good will.
Posted by: Fruitbat44 | December 23, 2017 at 16:33
Merry Christmas to David and Chris, and all the strange and wonderful people who post here and make this page my "morning paper".
In other festive merry-making news, the Gävle Goat is still standing, proud and unburnt.
Posted by: Spiny Norman | December 23, 2017 at 16:57
the Gävle Goat
https://youtu.be/tS_JBDRk8o0?t=221
Posted by: pst314 | December 23, 2017 at 17:23
Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2018 to you and yours, David and to all.
Posted by: R. Sherman | December 23, 2017 at 17:26
Summons henchlesbians.
(anquished voice) But, but, somebody on the internet is wrong!
--But never our esteemed host. :-)
Posted by: pst314 | December 23, 2017 at 17:26
Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2018 to you and yours, David and to all!
Posted by: R. Sherman | December 23, 2017 at 17:27
Why my comment posted thrice is not clear to me. I swear I'm not into the grog yet.
Posted by: R. Sherman | December 23, 2017 at 17:28
Comments are running amok. I swear, I'm not into the grog yet.
Posted by: R. Sherman | December 23, 2017 at 17:30
But never our esteemed host. :-)
And anything you hear to the contrary, especially from The Other Half, is a filthy lie.
Posted by: David | December 23, 2017 at 17:36
pst314
Look, if we built this large wooden badger...
Posted by: Spiny Norman | December 23, 2017 at 18:48
Merry Christmas to our host and the heathen rabble.
Posted by: Joan | December 23, 2017 at 19:52
Spiny Norman
How about we build a large wooden budgie?
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/monty-pythons-dead-parrot-suspended-from-crane-in-london-in-tribute-to-comedy-quintet-9605312.html
Posted by: pst314 | December 23, 2017 at 20:29
Merry Christmas all. Enjoy some news bloopers...
http://twistedsifter.com/videos/best-news-bloopers-of-2017/
Posted by: Rafi | December 23, 2017 at 21:34
Merry Christmas to you too David, and likewise all of you in the commentariat. Looking forward to you all making me shout at my telephone throughout 2018...
Posted by: Wh00ps | December 23, 2017 at 21:35
Merry Christmas and here's to 2018!
Posted by: JuliaM | December 24, 2017 at 06:24
Flirting and ice cream -what could go wrong?
http://www.neatorama.com/2017/12/23/The-Flirt/
Have a good one, y'all.
Posted by: Jacob | December 24, 2017 at 09:08
Flirting and ice cream -what could go wrong?
You can practically hear the bosoms heaving.
Posted by: David | December 24, 2017 at 09:26
You can practically hear the bosoms heaving.
*bosoms heaving*
Suddenly I want some ice cream.
Posted by: Joan | December 24, 2017 at 10:13
Suddenly I want some ice cream.
His ice cream seemed to get bigger the more he licked it.
Posted by: David | December 24, 2017 at 10:20
[ Summons henchlesbians. Drunken interloper is dragged into cellar. Shouts and crashing can be heard. ]
Wouldn't it be easier to feed interlopers the pickled eggs?
Posted by: Ted S., Catskill Mtns., NY, USA | December 24, 2017 at 13:04
Wouldn’t it be easier to feed interlopers the pickled eggs?
But then there’s all the mopping to consider, and the hazmat team, and the bribing of health and safety inspectors...
Posted by: David | December 24, 2017 at 13:19
In keeping with the acoustic Christmas music theme, is now time we get hacked with Russians.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | December 24, 2017 at 14:03
The festive season:
Via Holborn.
Posted by: David | December 24, 2017 at 15:57
The festive season.
Okay, that one made me laugh.
Posted by: Spiny Norman | December 24, 2017 at 17:00
Okay, that one made me laugh.
I’m beginning to wonder if it’s possible that Lynne doesn’t always see eye to eye with Steve’s mother.
Posted by: David | December 24, 2017 at 17:12
Merry Christmas to one and all!
Posted by: Theophrastus | December 24, 2017 at 22:06
Now, from a place where is almost midday on Christmas Day, merry Christmas to all who post and peruse, and especially to our host for his dedication to the cause- whatever that cause actually is...
Posted by: Ed Snack | December 24, 2017 at 22:44
his dedication to the cause- whatever that cause actually is...
You’d think they’d give out medals for this kind of thing.
Posted by: David | December 24, 2017 at 23:00
They do. The Golden Egg Jar.
I have a virus for Christmas; sore throat and exhausted. I am disgruntled.
Posted by: Pogonip | December 25, 2017 at 00:14
Pogonip,
Disgruntled, eh? Caught the bah-humbug? A Grinch even?
Sorry to hear that. Eggnog with extra rum may help... here's to your feeling better tomorrow.
Posted by: Spiny Norman | December 25, 2017 at 04:32
Merry Christmas, and God bless us, everyone.
Posted by: Quint and Jessel | December 25, 2017 at 05:51
Thank you, Norman. 😪😷. Cough cough cough hack—
Hey, where’d everybody go?
Posted by: Pogonip | December 25, 2017 at 06:14
sore throat and exhausted. I am disgruntled.
Try one of our cocktails. It’s mostly crushed ice and Night Nurse.
I’ll put it on your tab.
Posted by: David | December 25, 2017 at 08:13
A cheerful Christmas tune with lyrics, so feel free to sing along !
Posted by: Farnsworth M. Muldoon | December 25, 2017 at 13:17
And in sentences you can't unread, He reportedly purchased the butt plug in order to help ease an infection.
Posted by: Ted S., Catskill Mtns., NY, USA | December 25, 2017 at 13:50
"in order to help ease an infection"
Riiiight.
Posted by: pst314 | December 25, 2017 at 17:42
"Cheers everyone!"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturn_Devouring_His_Son
Posted by: pst314 | December 25, 2017 at 17:44
Postcards from 1968, Somewhere In London.
More Cowbell!!!
Say again???
Posted by: Hal | December 25, 2017 at 20:44
Oh, yes, and more drumming.
Posted by: Hal | December 26, 2017 at 00:42
Hollywood Culture Wars: A Report From the Front.
We celebrate Christmas on the 24th so that leaves our Christmas Day free. For many years, we've taken in a movie at the local multiplex to packed houses for matinees and evening showings. So this year, we decided to take in The Last Jedi and I was expecting a similarly packed house.* Instead, we sat with less than 20 other people in a venue that seats 300 for a 4:00 PM show. Further, none of the other theaters were close to full as in the past. When we left, there were maybe a couple of dozen people in the lobby waiting for the early evening offerings. I'm not sure what conclusions to draw, but Hollywood cannot be happy.
*No Spoiler Review: On a scale from Heaven's Gate (Horrific) to "Meh" to Citizen Kane, I'd give it a slightly better than "Meh." The plot was too busy for my tastes; too many plot points seemed forced. YMMV.
Posted by: R. Sherman | December 26, 2017 at 01:59
Mixing dextromethorphan with a prescription medicine I take can cause hallucinations. Good thing David didn’t know that. Can’t remember having a nicer chat with a 12- horned pink flooblehopper.
Can I have some more Night Nurse, please?
Posted by: Pogonip | December 26, 2017 at 06:18
I recommend a Night Nurse & Night Train cocktail. We call it Night-Night.
Posted by: WTP | December 26, 2017 at 09:47
I recommend a Night Nurse & Night Train cocktail. We call it Night-Night.
Yes, calling it Nurse Train would have a completely different connotation.
Posted by: Farnsworth M Muldoon | December 26, 2017 at 12:50
I recommend a Night Nurse & Night Train cocktail. We call it Night-Night.
Yes, calling it Nurse Train would have a completely different connotation.
There is Linux, which is an open source operating system where the original founder oversees what is called the kernel, the main central Stuff that operates the computer. Of all of the surreally ridiculously infinite number of what are called Linux distributions, they consist of the Linux kernel and then whatever assorted additional bits the distribution staff think are important.
There is also FreeBSD, which is an open source operating system and one of the Unix offshoots. Among the differences between FreeBSD and the Linii is that FreeBSD is a monolithic project, where kernel development all the way out to the decorative bits are all worked on by the one overall team of volunteers.
A particular friend of mine has rather preferred Linux, but also keeps a general eye on assorted variations and editions. A number of years back he noted a particular set of possibilities and cheerfully announced, more or less;
Posted by: Hal | December 26, 2017 at 22:36