Crazy! And wrong in so many ways. I spent less on Christmas this year than ever before and next year (I've already warned my girls) I'll be spending even less! I've been feeling uncomfortable about going overboard at Christmas-time for a few years, in my heart and in my head I know that buying more is not going to make us happy...but having fun and being together will.
Yesterday I drove off with my wallet and phone on the boot of the car (I know I'm a complete moron!) My wallet was full of cash, all my cards etc etc. When I got back my phone was in the middle of the road but my wallet (of course!) was no where to be seen. I felt (and still, feel) sick about it Lucy. Not the cash but just the fact that someone's got their grubby hand on all of my personal details. I have no i.d. at the moment and it's actually slightly scary. Anyway, I'm telling you this because it puts the whole crazy spending thing into perspective...one day you can be spending cash with gay abandon (not really, but you know what I mean...) and the next, you can find yourself without a cent to your name...husband away and the banks aren't open until tomorrow. And, of course, loads and loads AND LOADS of people have no money to start with and never will.
God! I'm rambling. Must stop. Best think of a question to ask you...
I recoiled at this yesterday RT @CKennedyPR: And.....they're off!! Brown Thomas begins the Winter sale today at 9am img.ly/bVPM
Twice now I've had to 'start again', thanks to the 80s and 00s property crashes and a marriage breakdown, so I don't stress about money, just so long as we have enough for our needs.
The most worrying thing is that many of the economic commentators are desperate to find ways to get people 'back spending in the shops' as that it seems is the only way out of this recession. Now that is a scary thought.
Have just read that twitter feed thing with sick horror. Is that for real? How completely odious. Ugh. I suppose getting a handmade bag/iPhone cover etc wouldn't have gone down well. :)
I watched the Selfridges opening on Sky News yesterday with something like sick, appalled, fascination. And Next opened at 6am! Felt so sorry for their staff, poor sods. Must have been rotten on Christmas Day, knowing you had to go to bed early to get up at larkfart to work.
I have such conflicting thoughts about consumerism. On one hand, I am a capitalist at heart (utterly despise the principles of communism and socialism) and I recognise the tenets of capitalism encourage spending and acquisition, but I also loathe the way people push it to extreme limits and allow themselves to become sick with coveting and lust and the need for instant gratification.
Sometimes I long to step out of this life and go and live on a remote island with no people close by and just the most basic things for survival. Probably wouldn't last long though.
I cannot think of one question to ask you that wouldn't be deemed intrusive or nosy. Maybe this - if you had a choice would you want to leave the UK and live in another country? And if so, where would you want to go to?
Hmm - that's not as bad as this sick little puppy - where Justin and Mariah set their Xmas shopping extravaganza in a mall, just to emphasise that Xmas really is all about shopping, - and Mariah does her very best slutty santa impression - will she be reduced in the sale?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGFNmEOntFA
I've managed to spend far less than usual this year - in fact... almost nothing - except for one very, very good haul in the vintage clothing shop. As much as I loathe consumerism and the crassness of Christmas - thee was an interesting article on the radio earlier about small retailers desperate for this sale period to kick them back into the black after a pretty terrible year all round. I'm on pretty good terms with most of the independent retailers in The Old Town here - and they are having to box very clever... but hasn't it always been like that? ( I'm on my 3rd recession ).
Can't think of any questions - IO was brought up to believe it was rude to be nosey, I tend to have to find things out by stealth.
I'm about to spend the '3rd day of xmas' trying to re-plumb the hot water system with recycled pipework.... with me luck.
What can I say? That Twitter feed is shocking. How on earth can anyone be so blatantly greedy and not be content with a gift anyone is kind enough to give them? Questions...mmmmm....I'm a nosey so and so... 1. If you were only allowed to re-read one book for the rest of your life which one would you choose? 2. Someone gives you £5000 on the condition that you had to spend it all in one day and only on yourself, what would you do? 3. If you could be anyone, living or dead, for a day who would you be and why? 4. Your five desert island discs? 5. What would your autobiography be called? xxx
I am having a good Christmas, Lucy, thanks for asking! Hope you are too. I've tried to cut back this year. We made a conscious effort a few years back to let the kids know they can't expect everything they ask for and to think about prioritising. If there's something big and electronic, it's a family gift for everyone so there won't be much else. They're OK with that, so they are clearly trainable - now to train the rest of the world! As Greg Lake sings, the Christmas we get, we deserve. If we hitch our happiness to the false god of capitalism, we can't be shocked at the outcome... Questions? Hmmm... Will have to think about it. Can I get back to you? Obvious one - will you be making a new year's resolution; if so, what? And can I have a photo of you rocking the houndstooth coat please? (OK, that's not really a question, it's a request!) xxxxxx
I read that twitter feed and was disgusted! I hate to say that I see seeds of this crappy behavior being planted in kids today and it makes me worry about what kind of adults they will become. I can even remember being in 5th grade and being very much aware that I was poor (we were not) because I had to wear Keds and my best friend got Vans. It is so much worse now.
I loved Vix's questions!!!! Everything I am thinking of is totally inappropriate and much too personal, so here is my attempt at being appropriate. 1) Have you ever been around someone as they took their last breath before dying? If so who was it and what was that like? 2) What is your happiest teen memory? Saddest? 3) If you had a super power what would it be?
I hope your Christmas was cozy my dear! Lotsoflove~ Krista
What is the most memorable item of clothing you've ever bought?
I'm aware that sounds detrimental to your loathing of abundant consumerism right now, but I know you're a fan of shopping in charity shops/ treasuring precious items so I'm quite curious!
i love christmas and as i watch telly very rarely and live in a little town i am oblivious to the consumer frenzy fortunatly. Am not immune to the whining about gifts given though ("what am I going to use that for" my mil) what happened to manners and gratitude?!! Most of the presents I gave were handmade or opshopped, apart from a couple of books. Each year I challenge myself to make something not recognisably handmade for my mother who loathes handmade things. The jurys still out tho cause she never tells me until about april that she hated it! I would like to know whats your favorite paragraph or line of writing Luce, of yours and in lit. in general and why?
oh my, questions... um... are you still job hunting? do you like to bake cakes? do you like to read? and if yes what was your favourite book you read in 2011... and what was the best film you saw? what do you think your children will do when they grow up?
I am so shocked over that video for the trainers and I couldnt even read the whole twitter feed as could feel my blood boiling - the world has gone crazy! Finley's stocking was sourced mainly from the charity shops and the NCT sale - i told some of the mums at my work who were a bit taken aback that i would buy my sons christmas presents second hand - he's 17 months old for godness sake like he knows any different and I'm going to be buying toys for him second hand for many more years to come :o))
Ooh as for a question - What was your best holiday memory? If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be? What would be your perfect day? I could ask loads but i think you'll have your computer keys red hot just answering the ones already asked :o) Have a happy new year chickadee, Scarlett x
Why do the tiny precious crumbs of chocolate left in the wrapper when the rest has been eaten always taste nicer than the huge chunks you gorged only moments before?
Aye!! also cant get that song out of my head,lol that vid is evil! I am super nosey.. Do you believe in Tarot? have you ever had a tarot reading? seen ghosts,felt,heard??? You feeling better? Besos Happy New Year Amorcito!
I know I don't comment on your blog but I really am a fan. I'm sorry I don't comment more but last time I tried to comment I spent ages writing it and then it somehow deleted itself. Boo hoo!!!
Thank you for sharing this. Like all your posts it was interesting to say the least. Thank you also for your continued support of my blog, it really does mean a lot to me even though it might not seem it.
Crazy! And wrong in so many ways. I spent less on Christmas this year than ever before and next year (I've already warned my girls) I'll be spending even less! I've been feeling uncomfortable about going overboard at Christmas-time for a few years, in my heart and in my head I know that buying more is not going to make us happy...but having fun and being together will.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I drove off with my wallet and phone on the boot of the car (I know I'm a complete moron!) My wallet was full of cash, all my cards etc etc. When I got back my phone was in the middle of the road but my wallet (of course!) was no where to be seen. I felt (and still, feel) sick about it Lucy. Not the cash but just the fact that someone's got their grubby hand on all of my personal details. I have no i.d. at the moment and it's actually slightly scary. Anyway, I'm telling you this because it puts the whole crazy spending thing into perspective...one day you can be spending cash with gay abandon (not really, but you know what I mean...) and the next, you can find yourself without a cent to your name...husband away and the banks aren't open until tomorrow.
And, of course, loads and loads AND LOADS of people have no money to start with and never will.
God! I'm rambling. Must stop. Best think of a question to ask you...
I recoiled at this yesterday RT @CKennedyPR: And.....they're off!! Brown Thomas begins the Winter sale today at 9am img.ly/bVPM
ReplyDeleteTwice now I've had to 'start again', thanks to the 80s and 00s property crashes and a marriage breakdown, so I don't stress about money, just so long as we have enough for our needs.
The most worrying thing is that many of the economic commentators are desperate to find ways to get people 'back spending in the shops' as that it seems is the only way out of this recession. Now that is a scary thought.
Have just read that twitter feed thing with sick horror. Is that for real? How completely odious. Ugh. I suppose getting a handmade bag/iPhone cover etc wouldn't have gone down well. :)
ReplyDeleteI watched the Selfridges opening on Sky News yesterday with something like sick, appalled, fascination. And Next opened at 6am! Felt so sorry for their staff, poor sods. Must have been rotten on Christmas Day, knowing you had to go to bed early to get up at larkfart to work.
I have such conflicting thoughts about consumerism. On one hand, I am a capitalist at heart (utterly despise the principles of communism and socialism) and I recognise the tenets of capitalism encourage spending and acquisition, but I also loathe the way people push it to extreme limits and allow themselves to become sick with coveting and lust and the need for instant gratification.
Sometimes I long to step out of this life and go and live on a remote island with no people close by and just the most basic things for survival. Probably wouldn't last long though.
I cannot think of one question to ask you that wouldn't be deemed intrusive or nosy. Maybe this - if you had a choice would you want to leave the UK and live in another country? And if so, where would you want to go to?
Hmm - that's not as bad as this sick little puppy - where Justin and Mariah set their Xmas shopping extravaganza in a mall, just to emphasise that Xmas really is all about shopping, - and Mariah does her very best slutty santa impression - will she be reduced in the sale?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGFNmEOntFA
I've managed to spend far less than usual this year - in fact... almost nothing - except for one very, very good haul in the vintage clothing shop. As much as I loathe consumerism and the crassness of Christmas - thee was an interesting article on the radio earlier about small retailers desperate for this sale period to kick them back into the black after a pretty terrible year all round. I'm on pretty good terms with most of the independent retailers in The Old Town here - and they are having to box very clever... but hasn't it always been like that? ( I'm on my 3rd recession ).
Can't think of any questions - IO was brought up to believe it was rude to be nosey, I tend to have to find things out by stealth.
I'm about to spend the '3rd day of xmas' trying to re-plumb the hot water system with recycled pipework.... with me luck.
What can I say? That Twitter feed is shocking. How on earth can anyone be so blatantly greedy and not be content with a gift anyone is kind enough to give them?
ReplyDeleteQuestions...mmmmm....I'm a nosey so and so...
1. If you were only allowed to re-read one book for the rest of your life which one would you choose?
2. Someone gives you £5000 on the condition that you had to spend it all in one day and only on yourself, what would you do?
3. If you could be anyone, living or dead, for a day who would you be and why?
4. Your five desert island discs?
5. What would your autobiography be called?
xxx
I am having a good Christmas, Lucy, thanks for asking! Hope you are too.
ReplyDeleteI've tried to cut back this year. We made a conscious effort a few years back to let the kids know they can't expect everything they ask for and to think about prioritising. If there's something big and electronic, it's a family gift for everyone so there won't be much else. They're OK with that, so they are clearly trainable - now to train the rest of the world!
As Greg Lake sings, the Christmas we get, we deserve. If we hitch our happiness to the false god of capitalism, we can't be shocked at the outcome...
Questions? Hmmm... Will have to think about it. Can I get back to you?
Obvious one - will you be making a new year's resolution; if so, what?
And can I have a photo of you rocking the houndstooth coat please? (OK, that's not really a question, it's a request!) xxxxxx
I read that twitter feed and was disgusted! I hate to say that I see seeds of this crappy behavior being planted in kids today and it makes me worry about what kind of adults they will become. I can even remember being in 5th grade and being very much aware that I was poor (we were not) because I had to wear Keds and my best friend got Vans. It is so much worse now.
ReplyDeleteI loved Vix's questions!!!! Everything I am thinking of is totally inappropriate and much too personal, so here is my attempt at being appropriate.
1) Have you ever been around someone as they took their last breath before dying? If so who was it and what was that like?
2) What is your happiest teen memory? Saddest?
3) If you had a super power what would it be?
I hope your Christmas was cozy my dear!
Lotsoflove~
Krista
PS. Forgot to say - I've given you a Liebster award. Yeah, I know, I'm giving out awards now, quite the seasoned blogger!!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat is the most memorable item of clothing you've ever bought?
ReplyDeleteI'm aware that sounds detrimental to your loathing of abundant consumerism right now, but I know you're a fan of shopping in charity shops/ treasuring precious items so I'm quite curious!
Hope you had a very Merry Christmas. xx
i love christmas and as i watch telly very rarely and live in a little town i am oblivious to the consumer frenzy fortunatly. Am not immune to the whining about gifts given though ("what am I going to use that for" my mil) what happened to manners and gratitude?!! Most of the presents I gave were handmade or opshopped, apart from a couple of books. Each year I challenge myself to make something not recognisably handmade for my mother who loathes handmade things. The jurys still out tho cause she never tells me until about april that she hated it!
ReplyDeleteI would like to know whats your favorite paragraph or line of writing Luce, of yours and in lit. in general and why?
oh my, questions...
ReplyDeleteum... are you still job hunting? do you like to bake cakes? do you like to read? and if yes what was your favourite book you read in 2011... and what was the best film you saw? what do you think your children will do when they grow up?
have you done the dishes yet ?
ReplyDeleteI am so shocked over that video for the trainers and I couldnt even read the whole twitter feed as could feel my blood boiling - the world has gone crazy! Finley's stocking was sourced mainly from the charity shops and the NCT sale - i told some of the mums at my work who were a bit taken aback that i would buy my sons christmas presents second hand - he's 17 months old for godness sake like he knows any different and I'm going to be buying toys for him second hand for many more years to come :o))
ReplyDeleteOoh as for a question - What was your best holiday memory? If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life what would it be? What would be your perfect day?
I could ask loads but i think you'll have your computer keys red hot just answering the ones already asked :o)
Have a happy new year chickadee, Scarlett x
Happy New Year, Luce!
ReplyDeleteSo, how much more did you buy? And are you happy now?
My questions are:
ReplyDelete1. If you could choose your nationality (including being born there and speaking the language), what would you choose to be?
2. What's the closest you've come to death?
3. If you had a time machine, where would you go?
4. What's your earliest memory?
5. What were your best and worst holidays?
What would you save from your burning house (everyone is already out)?
ReplyDeleteWhy do the tiny precious crumbs of chocolate left in the wrapper when the rest has been eaten always taste nicer than the huge chunks you gorged only moments before?
ReplyDeleteVile indeed! Question: Why can’t I get that tune out of my head now....aaaaagh!!
ReplyDeleteAye!! also cant get that song out of my head,lol
ReplyDeletethat vid is evil!
I am super nosey..
Do you believe in Tarot?
have you ever had a tarot reading?
seen ghosts,felt,heard???
You feeling better?
Besos
Happy New Year Amorcito!
I know I don't comment on your blog but I really am a fan. I'm sorry I don't comment more but last time I tried to comment I spent ages writing it and then it somehow deleted itself. Boo hoo!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. Like all your posts it was interesting to say the least. Thank you also for your continued support of my blog, it really does mean a lot to me even though it might not seem it.
Happy New Year to you!!!
Sammy xxx