Don't forget, NORAD tracks Santa...

...and despite opposition and general concerns about security, the Department of Homeland Security have promised they will not send out a military "Seek and Destroy" team should Santa fly over U.S. Territory... they will only do this if he tries to land anywhere without giving applicable tariffs and taxes to U.S. Customs on his "gifts" and allowing them to be searched for possible weapons, contraband goods, and of course, explosives. Also, as Santa is not an America citizen, he will have to go through a rigorous check via the USCIS in accordance with IMMACT and IIRIRA to ensure that America is safe from an illegal immigrant working within their borders... as anything other than household staff for a politician.

In suit, the Canadian government has also raised it's security status for this possible "invasion"... and will place one extra RCMP officer outside 24 Sussex Drive this evening.

Oh, and our Prime Minister has already put out his Christmas message...

Now, TO BE POLITICALLY INCORRECT, allow me to wish each and everyone who comes by today a very Merry Christmas and a joyous and prosperous New Year.

Now, in reality, this is NOT really all that politically incorrect as I'm actually a devout Agnostic.

...but allow me to quote my oft quoted bit about this from a previous blog post (this will be the reader's digest version)...

I am somewhat of a politically correct guy... I try to consider all people's thoughts, beliefs, and traditions and not supersede my own in any way.

I do believe that all people, regardless of sex, spirituality, gender preference, race, or what have you should only be judged, if necessary, on their character and contributions to society as a whole... and I respect and enjoy other cultures and philosophies that aren't necessarily my own and try to learn from them and take what is good... and learn what I feel is bad (and why) and continue to educate myself.

That said, 'round the end of December, I will be wishing friends, co-workers, and anyone a "Merry Christmas".

This, oddly enough, for me is not a case of jamming my religion down anyone's throat... far from it.

I was actually raised in an "agnostic" household... one that actually never preached to me about religion or religious beliefs... and I was allowed and actually somewhat encouraged to learn about as many faiths and spiritualities as I could... and decide what, if any, were best for me.

That said, as a kid, we did have a Christmas tree and did exchange gifts and had a large dinner with friends and family on that day... actually, it was not unusual to celebrate from December 24th through the 26th with the big "Family Feast" being more on Boxing Day here in Canada.

Sadly to some, for us the "Christ" in Christmas was more part of the word than anything else... we were aware and told of the religious significance of the time and the celebration of the birth of Christ, but we were mostly told that, if anything, it was a time to celebrate family and being together... a "fete" of simply being one with everyone else.

This was "Christmas" to me... and still is.

I liken it very much to Halloween. Although there was some significance in All Hallow's Eve, not to "satanism", but to ancient Pagan rituals, but for most folks Halloween is simply a time to "dress up", hear spooky stories, and go trick-or-treating for candy... the origins are there, but so thoroughly mixed in with the modern trappings that for most, it's simply a time to have fun... with no dogmatic issues attached... and the vast majority of people in and around where I live understand this... and kids and adults "celebrate" simply being able to be a little silly... nothing else.

As another thought in the same vein, I still call the months July and August... but don't venerate ancient Roman emperors as Gods during those months...

So, when I say "Merry Christmas!" to someone, I'm NOT thinking, "Merry time of the birth of Jesus Christ upon this world and I hope you're celebrating this day for this lest you be a heathen-scum!" mostly because, to many devote Christians, my whole bit above about the "Christ" in Christmas simply being part of the word makes me a "heathen scum" to them!

Nope, when I say "Merry Christmas!", I'm thinking of a time honoured tradition of gift giving, family gatherings, trappings of an ancient (and not-so-ancient) type that bring the joy of the season... even if you're possibly "sampling" and that season isn't for you and your faith.

My "Merry Christmas!" makes me think of old paintings of children playing in the snow... opening presents... a family eating a big meal... decorating a home... lights... songs...

Sure, some of that does have a religious connection... but what's wrong with the FEELING of what I described?

The warm glow of giving... the warmth of being surrounded by family... the feeling that on one lousy day, there's a sense of peace and togetherness...

Do the origins of this bother you?

I'm an agnostic... and it doesn't bother me a bit.

In fact, I'd be honoured to be wished a happy Ramadan... and I have been wished a Happy Chanukah and felt the spirit in which it was said...

...and yes, I do accept and occasionally wish people a Happy Hogomanay and Happy Saturnalia...

...and even more oddly to some, with the above said, I wouldn't be and am not at all insulted by these "alternative" greetings to my own faith and belief... again, I'm honoured to be included and that I was thought of.

Just because there's a "spiritual" or religious background to something doesn't make it "bad" or "wrong" or even "ethno-centric" to enjoy it...

It will be Christmas...

...and I'll be wishing you, and everyone, MY version of Christmas... and hoping yours will be a merry one when the time comes.

Sure, Happy Holidays covers it all, but please, when the time comes, accept my wish of a Merry Christmas... as I'm wishing you the joys that I experienced during this time... and I'm not trying to force anything on you except my most heartfelt glad tidings.

I hope this makes sense to most people reading this...

...and doesn't offend anyone...

December 25th, according to my Calendar is called "Christmas"... and much as an atheist friend of mine retorted once, Well, there's fifty-two days as a rule called Monday on your calendar. Would you wish me a Happy Monday? and, I'm sure no one's shocked, I said, YES! I would!

...I'd wish him a Happy Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday... Yup, I'd wish him "Happy" all those days.

I don't like Wednesdays so piffle on that.

So again, MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL... and hope that this day finds you all well, happy, and enjoying the season.

Yes, the above is a picture of our Christmas Tree...

Click Here to read about how this is more than one person's dream... but a whole family's...

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I fell in love with this video clip and just had to share it with you all. Singer, and songwriter Alisa Apps has really gotten into the spirit of the Christmas season this year, and asks the question "Will someone PLEASE sing Jingle Bells with me??? in this vid clip....and people really do start to listen, and participate. Check it out above!

Her enthusiasm, and energy really shines through in this video, and certainly brightened up my early morning Christmas Eve. Go ahead and give the video a watch and you too will soon be singing along at your PC and tapping your feet. You really cannot help it, plus it is a lot of fun!

Merry Christmas, and Enjoy!

...so much for not posting today... but...

Had to post these things... Sue and I were going through the new movies coming out in 2008 and... well...

The Pixar guys are geniuses!

...granted, being the super-Geek I am...

Oh yeah, that will rock... that and the new Indiana Jones flick... and...

Gonna be a fun year at the movies!

Click Here to read about how this is more than one person's dream... but a whole family's...

Click Here for one of our ideas to help raise money for our dream...

Click Here for another idea to help us raise the funds for our dream...

Click Here for One Old Green Bus SWAG!

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