As the world returns to normal.... (From Bucks Free Press)
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As the world returns to normal....
7:14pm Tuesday 27th December 2011
So Christmas is over for another year.
The tree may still be standing in the corner of the room and the decorations adorn the walls but they have taken on the look of a condemned man waiting for the executioner.
At least two of my friends failed to call for their presents so yours truly has carefully unwrapped them, saving the paper for future use, and tucked into the boxes of biscuits. Most enjoyable they were too.
None of the tradesmen who supply me with goods called on Boxing Day so the envelopes with gratuities in were carefully collected in and I shall put the money back into the bank.
Slowly the world wakes from it festive slumber and everything returns to normal. Life must go on.
Just to confirm the return of normality I see the news section of this site is carrying reports of the first post-Christmas arson attack in Castlefield which took place at 5.12am this morning.
The sales are now in full swing and no doubt many hundreds of people will be rushing to the shops armed with gift receipts to exchange or return their unwanted presents for something more useful.
I have never been able to bring myself to stand there in the queue at the refund desk in case the person who gave me the present happened to walk by and see me returning their gift.
All this begs the question was Christmas worth it and did anybody learn anything from this time of religious celebration?
Somehow I think not.
No doubt we will soon be hearing how much profit the shops have made this year and how well the sales are going.
Sadly the world in which we live is dominated by greed, envy and hatred. Even the holy day of December 25th has been hijacked by the commercialism of modern society.
I don't want to turn this into a sermon but what would Jesus say if he returned to our society today? No doubt he would be shocked.
Looking back even yours truly has become infected with the greed of modern society.
I could have driven into the town centre and given the unclaimed boxes of biscuits bought as presents for my friends to those in more need than myself. Instead yours truly scoffed the lot.
The money for the tradesmen could be given to the needy but I fear it will be put back in my bank account instead.
Everyone who returned their presents to the shops for a refund or exchange could have given them to charity or directly to a homeless person who could have made good use of them.
Maybe those of us who put ourselves before others will learn the lesson of compassion, generosity and thought for others next year? Or maybe not....
What do you think?
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Comments(50)
ivor
says...
10:46pm Tue 27 Dec 11
~
That's a very interesting comment.
~
I expect he will visit me at the Hall to tell me off for all my sins....
Lawrence Linehan
says...
11:14pm Tue 27 Dec 11
ivor
says...
11:23pm Tue 27 Dec 11
~
I fear you have misunderstood....
~
The only person who writes my column is me and I can truthfully say there is only one of me!
ivor
says...
11:24pm Tue 27 Dec 11
~
I fear you have misunderstood....
~
The only person who writes my column is me and I can truthfully say there is only one of me!
ivor
says...
11:24pm Tue 27 Dec 11
~
I fear you have misunderstood....
~
The only person who writes my column is me and I can truthfully say there is only one of me!
Lawrence Linehan
says...
11:25pm Tue 27 Dec 11
Lawrence Linehan
says...
11:26pm Tue 27 Dec 11
Lawrence Linehan wrote:Do you share the same besdsit - sorry Hall?
What all of you? (How many people write your column?)
ivor
says...
11:37pm Tue 27 Dec 11
~
Oh, they are still nasty and shocking comments but unfortunately your predictions will not come to reality....
ivor
says...
11:38pm Tue 27 Dec 11
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Whatever made you think the Hall could be a bedsit?
Sanders the Telephone Butler
says...
11:38pm Tue 27 Dec 11
ivor
says...
11:39pm Tue 27 Dec 11
~
Indeed things are getting back to normal as indicated by the arson attacks which sadly have become part of everyday life in some parts of Wycombe.
~
Things never change do they....
Bookermum
says...
8:29am Wed 28 Dec 11
My 3 year old has learnt about giving to friend's (even though she wanted the presents herself)
She has learnt that there are rewards for good behaviour (father Christmas)
She also knows that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, & the Christmas story!!
And she has also enjoyed being with aunts & uncles over the festive period!!
We've had a fantastic Christmas, & have enjoyed watching our little lady enjoy Christmas!
Happy & healthy new year everyone x
Morag
says...
4:19pm Wed 28 Dec 11
ivor
says...
4:22pm Wed 28 Dec 11
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Then Christmas at your house has been a time of learning and a time of celebration too!
~
When it comes to presents giving in more important than receiving however an awful lot of people are still to learn that lesson.
ivor
says...
4:23pm Wed 28 Dec 11
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I didn't think my world was either until I came to write this blog. I started with the first part about what I had done then halfway through the blog I realised my mistakes.
~
I decided to keep the first part as it was to show what a terrible person I had been....
Sanders the Telephone Butler
says...
8:53pm Wed 28 Dec 11
Morag wrote:Mine's dominated to a considerable extent by hatred - but mainly of igor and other extremely evil people.
My world isn't dominated by greed, envy and hatred.
ivor
says...
8:54pm Wed 28 Dec 11
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Then you must learn to bring your hatred under control....
Sanders the Telephone Butler
says...
8:59pm Wed 28 Dec 11
ivor
says...
9:00pm Wed 28 Dec 11
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No, those who feel hatred towards others must be pitied....
brachyura
says...
9:01pm Wed 28 Dec 11
Morag wrote:Mine isn't either.
My world isn't dominated by greed, envy and hatred.
Had a good Christmas even though I had to work in the morning.
ivor
says...
9:02pm Wed 28 Dec 11
~
I am sorry to hear that you had to work over Christmas, we must spare a thought for those who kept things running so we could enjoy the festivities....
Morag
says...
9:59pm Wed 28 Dec 11
brachyura wrote:Did you have to feed the crabs? :-))
Morag wrote: My world isn't dominated by greed, envy and hatred.Mine isn't either. Had a good Christmas even though I had to work in the morning.
Has your collection grown?
Morag
says...
10:09pm Wed 28 Dec 11
Lane End Man
says...
10:19pm Wed 28 Dec 11
you tight ar5ed git, tradesmen as you call them were spending time with their families on Boxing day, if you were that worried about giving them gratuities, why did you got hand them out before christmas so they could be spend on their families for the season of goodwill.
I hope that next time they are due to call on you that they pass you by and leave you stewing in your own rubbish, empty milk bottles etc for an extra few days.
ivor
says...
10:22pm Wed 28 Dec 11
~
Indeed I am totally against alcohol however if someone is prepared to follow me then I think is best that yours truly knows what they are up to as well!
ivor
says...
10:22pm Wed 28 Dec 11
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Indeed I am totally against alcohol however if someone is prepared to follow me then I think is best that yours truly knows what they are up to as well!
ivor
says...
10:22pm Wed 28 Dec 11
~
I think you may well have a point there, however its too late for this year but I will definitely put alternative plans in place for next year....
Lane End Man
says...
10:50pm Wed 28 Dec 11
ivor wrote:I am glad to hear that Ivor, they deliver items, collect the rubbish etc but a lot of people nowadays forget that they are even there at all, its like the post, newspapers, milk etc just appear as if like magic.
Re the comments of Lane End Man at 10:19pm
~
I think you may well have a point there, however its too late for this year but I will definitely put alternative plans in place for next year....
yes they get a wage buts its always nice to recieve a little gratuity once a year if you are happy with their service.
brachyura
says...
10:53pm Wed 28 Dec 11
Morag wrote:Got some more a christmas, I'm in the 2012 edition (at all good book shops).
brachyura wrote:Did you have to feed the crabs? :-)) Has your collection grown?Morag wrote: My world isn't dominated by greed, envy and hatred.Mine isn't either. Had a good Christmas even though I had to work in the morning.
:-)
ivor
says...
11:05pm Wed 28 Dec 11
~
Indeed you are right. Sadly the doorstep deliveries are not taken up by all households so I guess it would show appreciation for the service the trusty traders provide.
~
There is an awful lot of hard work (and early morning starts) put in by the postmen, milkman and newspaper delivery people. I for one don't think I could get up that early in the morning!
Sanders the Telephone Butler
says...
11:32pm Wed 28 Dec 11
ivor wrote:Not if it is justifiable hatred.
Re the comments of Sanders the Telephone Butler at 8:59pm ~ No, those who feel hatred towards others must be pitied....
Sanders the Telephone Butler
says...
11:33pm Wed 28 Dec 11
Lane End Man wrote:DEar LEM it is obvious that was supposed to wind someone up.
Ivor Wrote " None of the tradesmen who supply me with goods called on Boxing Day so the envelopes with gratuities in were carefully collected in and I shall put the money back into the bank. " you tight ar5ed git, tradesmen as you call them were spending time with their families on Boxing day, if you were that worried about giving them gratuities, why did you got hand them out before christmas so they could be spend on their families for the season of goodwill. I hope that next time they are due to call on you that they pass you by and leave you stewing in your own rubbish, empty milk bottles etc for an extra few days.
ivor
says...
12:04am Thu 29 Dec 11
~
No form of hatred is justifiable, I think you are talking more of envy than hatred....
ivor
says...
12:04am Thu 29 Dec 11
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No form of hatred is justifiable, I think you are talking more of envy than hatred....
ivor
says...
12:04am Thu 29 Dec 11
~
Well, it never wound me up....
Morag
says...
1:43pm Thu 29 Dec 11
brachyura wrote:I shall take a look at the earliest opportunity :-) Well done!
Morag wrote:Got some more a christmas, I'm in the 2012 edition (at all good book shops). :-)brachyura wrote:Did you have to feed the crabs? :-)) Has your collection grown?Morag wrote: My world isn't dominated by greed, envy and hatred.Mine isn't either. Had a good Christmas even though I had to work in the morning.
ivor
says...
1:49pm Thu 29 Dec 11
~
Are we allowed to know which publication is being referred to? Could it be something to do with world records?
Sanders the Telephone Butler
says...
11:34pm Thu 29 Dec 11
ivor wrote:I meant your rubbish about taking back Christmas tips was supposed to wind someone up and Lane End Man seems to have swallowed the bait.
Re the comments of Sanders the Telephone Butler at 11:33pm ~ Well, it never wound me up....
If you exist you never put any money aside for that purpose.
Sanders the Telephone Butler
says...
11:35pm Thu 29 Dec 11
ivor wrote:Envy of WHAT?
Re the comments of Sanders the Telephone Butler at 11:32pm ~ No form of hatred is justifiable, I think you are talking more of envy than hatred....
ivor
says...
11:38pm Thu 29 Dec 11
~
It is never my intention to wind anyone up.
~
But I do exist and money was put aside....
ivor
says...
11:39pm Thu 29 Dec 11
~
Envy of me as a person and my success....
Lawrence Linehan
says...
1:25am Fri 30 Dec 11
ivor wrote:LOL!
Re the comments of Sanders the Telephone Butler at 11:35pm ~ Envy of me as a person and my success....
ivor
says...
1:32am Fri 30 Dec 11
~
What makes you laugh about that comment? Surely you must agree with me?
Lawrence Linehan
says...
10:40am Fri 30 Dec 11
ivor wrote:LOL
Re the comments of Lawrence Linehan at 1:25am ~ What makes you laugh about that comment? Surely you must agree with me?
Lawrence Linehan
says...
10:44am Fri 30 Dec 11
gotanybiscuits?
says...
1:39pm Sat 31 Dec 11
Lawrence Linehan wrote:It's his world though.
The title of this blog is 'As the world returns to normal....' What are you going to return to? Bigun land is hardly normality.
Bless him.
.
If the only place you ever visited was Wycombe, you wouldn't be so well-balanced, Lawrence.
Sanders the Telephone Butler
says...
2:33pm Sat 31 Dec 11
Lawrence Linehan
says...
2:36pm Sat 31 Dec 11
Lawrence Linehan
says...
5:57pm Sun 1 Jan 12
brachyura wrote:They make a nice snack - though a bit fishy-tasting.
Morag wrote:Got some more a christmas, I'm in the 2012 edition (at all good book shops).
brachyura wrote:Did you have to feed the crabs? :-)) Has your collection grown?Morag wrote: My world isn't dominated by greed, envy and hatred.Mine isn't either. Had a good Christmas even though I had to work in the morning.
:-)
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The perfect wife and mother, Rebecca runs a home, a bad temper and is working on her novel. She enjoys photography, playing the piano and likes almost anything that's out of fashion and uncool. She lives in Amersham with her husband and youngest child (aged ten). Her eldest, now 27, lives and works in Buckinghamshire.
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