Pen's Nest

Click on pix to embiggen.

There is a Christmas Tree at The Forum in Norwich. I was utterly enchanted when I noticed it.



That little poster down at the bottom proclaims 'Timeucamensaurus'. The tree has been produced by a Nursery Centre... I *think* it's a garden centre rather than one where small monsters roam.

Higher up, the tree looks thus:



A close-up:



A more sinister close-up...



...shows that somewhere in the vicinity, large beasts lurk.

At the foot of the tree nestles a, uh, nest. Tiny creatures are beginning to emerge! How fitting, for Christmas!



But, oh dear — danger lurks here too!



Seriously, is this the Best Tree Ever? I mean. Nothing says Festive Season like a bunch of dinosaurs, amirite?

ephemera suggested Christmas music - favourites, pet peeves, and when should it start and stop.


A-HA!

I was in Sainsbury's on Tuesday, and by the time I had worked my way through the fruit and veg section I was ready to kill, and Johnny Mathis was warbling about When A Child Is Born.

This is Just Wrong.

Now, I don't object to Christmas music on principle. There are many jolly tunes, most particularly Santa Baby (preferably the Eartha Kitt version, because nobody does golddigger sexkitten like Eartha Kitt), Santa Claus is Coming To Town (Springsteen), Rocking around the Christmas Tree (?) (I used to know a tap routine to this one), Driving Home for Christmas (Chris Rea) and Merree Christmas Everybodee (or something like it, by Slade). Why yes, I did grow up in the 1970s. Less cheerful but also worthy are Last Christmas (by Wham), Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (by Judy Garland, accept no substitutes), Lonely This Christmas (Mud) and of course, O Holy Night (by Nsync, no other version is as good) (once, once, I actually heard this in a UK shop, and stood there happily until it was done). And I do not object to actual Christmas carols sung by choirs. But crooning is *not* appropriate for Christmas carols (and the little bloody drummer boy does not count as a carol anyway).

However. These tunes should be leavened through the day like little hints of tinsel. They should not be played non-stop throughout December. They CERTAINLY should not be played before December 1st.

There are incredible numbers of hideous, schmaltzy, monstrously sentimental Christmas songs around. It has been a long time since I enjoyed listening to Chris de Burgh wittering on about a spaceman. I have never, do you hear me, never wanted to hear Perry Como sing about anything involving chestnuts or snowmen or reindeer. There's a horrible sincerity that too many American singers bring to all this appalling crap that renders it unforgiveable. A little irony goes a long way, guys. Bing may sing about a White Christmas, and that's your lot.

You know the culprits. You know what they are. Sometimes I've been driven out of shops by the ghastly noise. And these excrescences are visited upon the hapless staff in supermarkets across the land, solidly, from the beginning of December. It is inhumane. One day, a checkout cashier will snap and rampage through the store with a cosh made of £1 coins in a felt stocking and destroy all the festive seasonal merchandise. And who shall blame her?

If the good Christmas songs were sprinkled across the month in a delicate way, and the bad ones featured only during the seven days leading up to Christmas, they might (I suppose, grudgingly) enhance the experience of fighting through trolleys in search of the last packet of stuffing in the shop. Except for the ones that should be incinerated, of course.

That's it.

(*whew!*)

Do you know, I think my Christmas icon might be quite appropriate here.

If you'd like to fill in any of the empty slots, go here.

If you'd like a card from me on or about the festive season, please put your name and address in comments. I'm the disorganised type, so don't assume I already know where you live... I love sending cards, so don't be shy about signing up if we're only slightly acquainted.

If you'd prefer a Christmas card, do say, otherwise you'll get something random from my collection.

Time for the CARD LIST.

If you would like a seasonal greeting card from me, please put your name and address in comments. I'm not restricting viewing of this post to Friends or Access, so if you can see it, you're welcome to put your name on it. I'll post anywhere. If you'd particularly like a Christmas card, say so—I don't have many of those, and will send more general cards unless otherwise stated, simply because that's what I have. Although with luck I will find a day to spend in the conservatory, creating (and listening to podfic), before Christmas.

If you have a card post up and I haven't signed up, do link me. But there's no obligation to reciprocate—I like sending cards and seeing when they get to their destination.

Also, fair warning: some of you may randomly receive an Object Of Some Sort in addition to the card. You are not obliged to go into raptures!


Also, yay! Two postcards received, one from M in Hawaii (whose LJ/DW name I have forgotten, mea culpa) and one from Saba in New York. :-D

I made a bundle of cards not very long ago and would love to have someone to send them to. So, would you like a card from me?

If yes, please gimme your name and address. If you'd particularly like a Christmas card, do say so, otherwise... it could be anything. Dinosaur, corset, fruit...

Time for a Christmas Card post. If you'd like a seasonal greeting card from me, please put your name and address in a comment. If you'd rather not have a religious-themed card, you're welcome to note that.

If I've already signed up for a card from you, *please* put your name down!