Life

[dobrojim]

Best wishes for the season, whatever you celebrate.

[payitforward]

Do any of you know about the ancient Roman holiday Saturnalia? A wild mid-December festival, it honored the god Saturn.

Saturnalia was characterized by a more or less complete flipping of the social order for one-week. Everything was turned upside down -- masters served their slaves, social rules were relaxed, gambling was allowed, etc.

A "Lord of Misrule" (Saturnalicius princeps) led the festivities, recreating temporarily a mythical Golden Age under Saturn, a time of equality.

The key traditions of Saturnalia included:

: Social Inversion: Masters would serve their slaves at feasts, and slaves gained temporary freedom, wearing freedmen's caps (pillei).
: The "Lord of Misrule" was a commoner, chosen who knows how. During the week, he gave all sorts of silly commands, adding to the chaos.
: Feasting & Gambling: Public banquets, drinking, and gambling (but with nuts instead of coins) were common.
: Gift-Giving: Small gifts like wax figurines (sigillaria), candles (cerei), and dolls were exchanged.
: Festive Atmosphere: People wore colorful clothes instead of togas, decorated homes with greenery, and shouted "Io Saturnalia!".

Because Saturnalia temporarily suspended the strict Roman social order & its rules, it became the rowdiest and most beloved Roman holiday. Though it began as a one day celebration, by the 1st century BC it had expanded to a week of wildness (around December 17-23).

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Do any of you know about the ancient Roman holiday Saturnalia? A wild mid-December festival, it honored the god Saturn.

Saturnalia was characterized by a more or less complete flipping of the social order for one-week. Everything was turned upside down -- masters served their slaves, social rules were relaxed, gambling was allowed, etc.

A "Lord of Misrule" (Saturnalicius princeps) led the festivities, recreating temporarily a mythical Golden Age under Saturn, a time of equality.

The key traditions of Saturnalia included:

: Social Inversion: Masters would serve their slaves at feasts, and slaves gained temporary freedom, wearing freedmen's caps (pillei).
: The "Lord of Misrule" was a commoner, chosen who knows how. During the week, he gave all sorts of silly commands, adding to the chaos.
: Feasting & Gambling: Public banquets, drinking, and gambling (but with nuts instead of coins) were common.
: Gift-Giving: Small gifts like wax figurines (sigillaria), candles (cerei), and dolls were exchanged.
: Festive Atmosphere: People wore colorful clothes instead of togas, decorated homes with greenery, and shouted "Io Saturnalia!".

Because Saturnalia temporarily suspended the strict Roman social order & its rules, it became the rowdiest and most beloved Roman holiday. Though it began as a one day celebration, by the 1st century BC it had expanded to a week of wildness (around December 17-23).

Brilliant invention to maintain the social order. High is low, low is high. We replicate it with office Christmas parties, Carnival, Mardi Gras, etc.

Let’s the masses blow off steam instead of starting a revolution. Modern capitalism is GREAT at daily saturnalia … probably its greatest sustaining force

[Dat2U]

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to everyone! I love you all!

[prime1time]

Happy Holidays

[9 and 20]

Happy holidays all. I'm checking the boards for any Wiz or NBA news during a Die Hard Hulu commercial break. Wiz fandom is some shite.

Grateful for the community on this board. Best wishes to everyone.

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

I'm thankful, or at least I'm still am at the moment lol. I always see the light at the end of the tunnel and there's still plenty of reason to believe in it as an entrepreneur but the weight of burden is becoming overwhelming when trying to overcome so much in such a short time. From losing a gov't contractor job, losing a nice place, an office, dealing with major credit reporting errors impacting ability to get a loan or a new place: my LinkedIn getting hacked & not being able to recover it, etc and still managing to help represent some of ths hotest artists/streamers at the same time. When a $200k or more commission on a publishing deal (basically done and signed) falls flat because a major artist keeps getting hit with sexual assault lawsuits it really can break you despite everything looking great on the face. Christmas in a Red Roof Inn is crazy and makes me re-evaluate things. Life is wild, you think you had it mostly figured out and then it throws you curve ball after curve ball until you eventually strikeout.

I guess I'm thankful, because I still have my health, my faculties, a place to sleep, at least till the 26th lol. There are so many potential breakthroughs on the table. Income that should come in. So things can easily turn around and this dry spell will subside but I can't help but feel tired and drained trying to make this last $18 work in a Giant supermarket parking lot.

I may have to delete this post simply to avoid too much visibility considering some of the stuff I'm involved in but I wanted to share, even if briefly, to my online family, the folks I've basically grown up through the last 25 years. I needed to let go and air out the pain, I'm sorry for the vent.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to everyone! I love you all!

Thanks for sharing Dat. We love you bro. Hang in there.

[AFM]

Merry Xmas. Dat hang in there my G. Looking back, the best year of my life was preceded by the worst few years. I never even knew things were going to turn around, but they did, really quickly. Life is funny like that. NEVER GIVE UP!!!!

[badinage]

I'm thankful, or at least I'm still am at the moment lol. I always see the light at the end of the tunnel and there's still plenty of reason to believe in it as an entrepreneur but the weight of burden is becoming overwhelming when trying to overcome so much in such a short time. From losing a gov't contractor job, losing a nice place, an office, dealing with major credit reporting errors impacting ability to get a loan or a new place: my LinkedIn getting hacked & not being able to recover it, etc and still managing to help represent some of ths hotest artists/streamers at the same time. When a $200k or more commission on a publishing deal (basically done and signed) falls flat because a major artist keeps getting hit with sexual assault lawsuits it really can break you despite everything looking great on the face. Christmas in a Red Roof Inn is crazy and makes me re-evaluate things. Life is wild, you think you had it mostly figured out and then it throws you curve ball after curve ball until you eventually strikeout.

I guess I'm thankful, because I still have my health, my faculties, a place to sleep, at least till the 26th lol. There are so many potential breakthroughs on the table. Income that should come in. So things can easily turn around and this dry spell will subside but I can't help but feel tired and drained trying to make this last $18 work in a Giant supermarket parking lot.

I may have to delete this post simply to avoid too much visibility considering some of the stuff I'm involved in but I wanted to share, even if briefly, to my online family, the folks I've basically grown up through the last 25 years. I needed to let go and air out the pain, I'm sorry for the vent.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to everyone! I love you all!

I’m pained for you. But I also know — you’re going to be fine. I do — I know it. Because you’ve got inner strength and a strong mind.

We all have setbacks. They happen. They’re inevitable. I’ve been blindsided just like this. It hurts, it feels endless, it seems personal. But please believe in who and *what* you are, and hold tight to the people around you, and know that you are everything you need.

And know that you’re not alone — there are so many of us who hit patches like this.

Merry Christmas, Dat. You’ve enriched us all with your insight and acumen. I’ve learned so much from you. Thank you. And I’m wishing you utmost strength and peace …

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Offering you encouragement, Dat.

You're gonna make it.

After you emerge from this momentary challenge, life is going to seem twice as sweet.

[doclinkin]

For my part I caught the flu for Xmas. Delightful. My kid got it last Friday and she was dropped off to me fully boobytrapped with virus. Fortunately I tested her before my brother and fam was to pick her up and take her north to visit the grandmom and house full of golden girls starting Sunday. 80yr olds and flu are not a good combo.

Ok. Canceled my Amtrak since I was going to follow on Tuesday and got a refund. Cool. It’d be me and the kid for Xmas.

She’s been fever free for over 48 hours so I anticipated driving up the day after Christmas with the woman and her teens. They like visiting my moms house. Figured we’d do Christmas with them and the cousins since my kid and all get along.

But sure enough I had a 99 degree temp yesterday and 99.4 this morning. Not much but enough to know what was coming. In full denial we completed the last of our Christmas shopping anyway yesterday and today. But caught the shivers and passed the 100 degree mark of actual clinical fever. So ok. I’m not going north even late. But maybe this crew will go up without me. That’d make me happy.

So tomorrow I’ll be quarantined. I was smart and made a vat of chicken soup while I had energy. Fridge stocked with food. Can’t get my kid sick since she already had it. And when she heard I was sick she asked “does this mean I can hug you again?”

Blessed with a kind 15 yr old. Love my job and various side hustles. Meaningful volunteer work. And arguing with you dunderheads. Grateful for all the graces that do show up. So okay. I can take an off Christmas to appreciate the bits that work.

That said. When my brother says he’s scraping bottom for the moment I’ll offer from my plate. I generally have about as much as I need and that’s good for me.

Today at the store a guy had a handful of food items and asked: hey can you buy this for me? At first I said maybe. Not yet. Was in a hurry to get something in that part of the store. But forgot what. And realized hell, I’m probably in that section just to help this guy out. So pivoted and said sure man I got you. For like 9 bucks of crackers and soup and tinned meat. Guy gets to eat something on Christmas Eve.

So. I tune in here and see my long term friend Dat is struggling too, and seems to me I can do no less. Let me know if you will let me help my friend. And either way know this part of the universe sees you knows you and appreciates you’re here. Wasting time with the rest of us idiots

[gesa2]

DAT2U thanks for sharing. I’ll echo what others have said - you are enough to find your way to the other side of this. Way too talented smart and capable to not. Your luck will turn, just stay true to yourself until it does.

[Northwest Roddy]

I believe in you Dat. We all do.

Plus, you’re a Bullets/Wizards fan. It means you are an eternal optimist and You can endure anything.

[Dat2U]

I believe in you Dat. We all do.

Plus, you’re a Bullets/Wizards fan. It means you are an eternal optimist and You can endure anything.

Haha! This made me chuckle! Its so true. It takes a special soul to have been a Wizards fan for +20 years. I've been properly prepared for anything that comes!

[Dat2U]

For my part I caught the flu for Xmas. Delightful. My kid got it last Friday and she was dropped off to me fully boobytrapped with virus. Fortunately I tested her before my brother and fam was to pick her up and take her north to visit the grandmom and house full of golden girls starting Sunday. 80yr olds and flu are not a good combo.

Ok. Canceled my Amtrak since I was going to follow on Tuesday and got a refund. Cool. It’d be me and the kid for Xmas.

She’s been fever free for over 48 hours so I anticipated driving up the day after Christmas with the woman and her teens. They like visiting my moms house. Figured we’d do Christmas with them and the cousins since my kid and all get along.

But sure enough I had a 99 degree temp yesterday and 99.4 this morning. Not much but enough to know what was coming. In full denial we completed the last of our Christmas shopping anyway yesterday and today. But caught the shivers and passed the 100 degree mark of actual clinical fever. So ok. I’m not going north even late. But maybe this crew will go up without me. That’d make me happy.

So tomorrow I’ll be quarantined. I was smart and made a vat of chicken soup while I had energy. Fridge stocked with food. Can’t get my kid sick since she already had it. And when she heard I was sick she asked “does this mean I can hug you again?”

Blessed with a kind 15 yr old. Love my job and various side hustles. Meaningful volunteer work. And arguing with you dunderheads. Grateful for all the graces that do show up. So okay. I can take an off Christmas to appreciate the bits that work.

That said. When my brother says he’s scraping bottom for the moment I’ll offer from my plate. I generally have about as much as I need and that’s good for me. Today at the store a guy had a handful of good items and asked: hey can you buy this for me? At first I said maybe. Not yet. Was in a hurry to get something in that part of the store. But forgot what. And realized hell, I’m probably in that section just to help this guy out. So pivoted and said sure man I got you. For like 9 bucks of crackers and soup and tinned meat. Guy gets to eat something on Christmas Eve. So. I tune in here and see my long term friend Dat is struggling too, and seems to me I can do no less. Let me know if you will let me help my friend. And either way know this part of the universe sees you knows you and appreciates you’re here. Wasting time with the rest of us idiots

Never change my guy! When I need reminders of how a pure soul acts and treats others, you are one of the first people that come to mind. I have learned so much over the years from you on how to look at things, to focus on the positives. To not ignore the bs, but the recognize the potential & uniqueness in others and focus on that. Thank you for being an incredible example of how to live and love life to the fullest!

[BearlyBallin]

When I think of the things I’ve been blessed with I include this board. I’ve lurked around here for what seems like decades and I must love it and its members because I still visit it daily.

Happy Holidays to All

[bsilver]

Life is easy and I can't complain though I do.
I'm the Board Chair of a soup kitchen, and do get other perspectives. We're closed today, but I was there yesterday.
Spoke with Billy who suffers from PTSD from foster care and 25 years in prison. He finds mindfullness to be very helpful, and is now housed after years on the street and shelters, which is probably more helpful.
A man I don't know asked for a belt and demonstrated his pants falling down. Fortunately we had a good supply of belts. He also asked for gloves and we're unfortunately out. I'll have to order from Amazon - about $50 for 50 pair, and they do the job.
Michelle asked for a hoodie, telling me her clothes were stolen recently. Not sure if that is true. She is pretty fashion conscious and frequently has specific requests. (We're co-located with another non-profit and we do have access to a good supply of women's clothes.) Brought Michelle several hoodies to chose from including a Boston Red Sox hoodie. She said she'd explode if she put that on and asked for a Yankees hoodie.
Robert was playing the piano. He's a talented musician, having attended the Philadelphia School for the Performing Arts. Mental illness curtailed his career and life in general. After more than 20 years of homelessness he recently got Section 8 housing.
We were able to give out blankets. New Haven does have shelters and warming centers, but they were full recently. Many sleep out in the cold. There were 2 deaths from exposure in the last several weeks.
Ann, a volunteer, brought is a new supply of books for our library. The library is very popular. There are no rules. Our guests can take what they want. They frequently make requests for specific types of books. Fortunately we have access to an endless supply of books, which are donated to local libraries, and they can't use them all.
I have many stories. Some are here in a photo exhibit which was in a local library last year.
https://bobsilverstein.smugmug.com/Exhibits/Sunrise-Cafe-Stories

[payitforward]

I'm thankful, or at least I'm still am at the moment lol. I always see the light at the end of the tunnel and there's still plenty of reason to believe in it as an entrepreneur but the weight of burden is becoming overwhelming when trying to overcome so much in such a short time. From losing a gov't contractor job, losing a nice place, an office, dealing with major credit reporting errors impacting ability to get a loan or a new place: my LinkedIn getting hacked & not being able to recover it, etc and still managing to help represent some of ths hotest artists/streamers at the same time. When a $200k or more commission on a publishing deal (basically done and signed) falls flat because a major artist keeps getting hit with sexual assault lawsuits it really can break you despite everything looking great on the face. Christmas in a Red Roof Inn is crazy and makes me re-evaluate things. Life is wild, you think you had it mostly figured out and then it throws you curve ball after curve ball until you eventually strikeout.

I guess I'm thankful, because I still have my health, my faculties, a place to sleep, at least till the 26th lol. There are so many potential breakthroughs on the table. Income that should come in. So things can easily turn around and this dry spell will subside but I can't help but feel tired and drained trying to make this last $18 work in a Giant supermarket parking lot.

I may have to delete this post simply to avoid too much visibility considering some of the stuff I'm involved in but I wanted to share, even if briefly, to my online family, the folks I've basically grown up through the last 25 years. I needed to let go and air out the pain, I'm sorry for the vent.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to everyone! I love you all!

Back at you, brother! You are a high quality person. Keep at it, & life will return to good order for you!

[AFM]

MERRY XMAS!!!!!!!!!!

Watch on YouTube

[dobrojim]

Thanks for sharing everyone. Y'all are awesome.

As I approach my 69th birthday, I wish I had a more
optimistic outlook about my future. I have a great
deal to be thankful for: loving wife and incredible adult kids, seemingly solid finances. I just have this
depressed feeling about my trend lines and how able
I am likely to be to continue to enjoy the things and
people I love. But it is my nature to live life to the
fullest so I will do the best I can and seek out joy
where I can find it.

Humorous note - I hope I live long enough to see our
'zards become good again.

Until then, there is always music. This is a hopeful
song by an amazing songwriter

Watch on YouTube