A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all….
Hope you had a wonderful 2008 as we had, didn’t see the amount of money I was hoping for – but quite a nice year anyway.
As I mentioned earlier we are escaping Christmas this year, no Christmas decorations and no presents. Well.. not entirely true, Connie’s and my present to ourselves is a 2 weeks holiday, taking off the 24th and are probably back 3rd or the 4th .
Already the last decade in Sweden (The 1980’s) was quite annoying for many of us seeing the “present hysteria” and the “gift competition”. And since arriving to Australia we have seen an ever intensified retail industry and media emphasis and fueling of this “present hysteria”.
But this subject is worn, and most of us are in agreement, problem is I guess that people have no defense against the bombardment from TV commercials and subsequent indoctrination of our children.
So, the “gifts” the “artificiality” and “spending frenzy” have long been a substitute GOD, replacing and putting the original one way back in the conciseness.
“THE NEW GOD!!”
But I just realized that many people have adopted a new God, this God is living in the “forwarding Button” in your E-mail software. It is absolutely amazing!!! All you need to do to please this God is to click the button with your mouse curser – and woalaaaaa…
You immediately have:
Cured young dying girls from cancer.
You immediately stop child abuse in Sweden.
And you reverse thousands of years of Chinese dog killing tradition.
You even stop organ theft in Australia, although it is of concern that I received the same E-mail for 5 or 8 years now. And the same poor old fellow is still in a bathtub in Sydney somewhere with both his kidneys cut out.
But on a more positive note:
You make Bill Gates throwing his Billions around the world if you just please this “Forwarding God enough.
In addition both Eriksson and Nokia are throwing tons of mobile phones to these worshippers.
But all the above is still the amusing part – all-might a bit of “stretched humor” sometimes.
What “pisses me off” with all this is the threats that are always attached.
“If you don’t send this to 500 people your will break both legs when you leave the computer desk.”
“Your life will be miserable and not worth living if you don’t forward this in 5 minutes.”
“You have to forward this otherwise you will lose all your friends.”
“If you don’t forward this you are the most heart-less person on planet earth”
And we have the once you have to send back to the sender to prove you are his / hers friend!!
Then the sender have to send it back to me, I have to return it and so on – are we going to bounce this bloody E-mail back and for all through 2009!!!!
In these latter mails you have to prove that your are someone’s friend, and you have to find out how many friends you have.
Well, I can’t help but wondering how much “friends” these “Forward-Button-Worshippers” really are?
Pardon me for being an “old fashion fart”, but I thought “friends” spoke to each other, or in these day and age said “Hi how are you” with a few written lines. Maybe telling something about themselves, sending a picture, and even asking how the receiver are feeling at the moment.
But not the “Forward Button Worshippers” that attempts to force the “friendship” out of you, they have 30 seconds to spare maximum – and they are committed to spread the word of their “Forwarding God” to the entire mailing list and beyond.
Have a very fun and Marry Christmas, maybe even with a seconds thought of the reason for our Christmas. And if you intend to send me further Christmas Greetings, PLEASE add a line of your own words.
On a very positive and friendly friendship note – in my own words, I hope you all have a marvelous, prosperous and happy 2009.
"I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health" 3 John 2
Marry Christmas and Happy New Year.
From all of us at Mudgeeraba Hilltons…