Seattle Christmas Tree

[introspective]

[COLOR="Red"]Hello! I remember the tug of war between the artificial tree- real tree thing. My 1/2 Jewish aunt [who was married to a famous long island sculptor] solved the whole thing: she bought an artificial pink christmas tree. It was the talk of the family. The OTHER half did the plastic on the sofa and chairs thing.

I feel it is time for our male personages friends to throw a retro party. We want a christmas party hosted by Maeve - all twisty and so forth - the living room will be completely covered in plastic chairs and sofa, including some of the pillows: then we want a big artificial Christmas tree, but maybe in silver. All lots of guests mingling around in silver Tent dresses sipping SchnappsWe all trade small fencing gifts. I don't know what the men wear for this one.

And P.S. I don't know - maybe it is time that the Tree become a more global symbol, more embracing of many countries including asia.

[TrainingDummy]

Asia isn't a country.

[Phaeton]

You a half educated person. It means that their heritage includes people from the Jewish nation.

Well I'll make the assumption that you intended a verb to be there and that to be an attack against me which I do not exactly appreciate. I was making a point, I don't need to be attacked for it.

You can't be half a Jew. Judaism is a religion. Either you believe in the precepts of the religion or you don't, there's no haphazard way about it.

You could say, however, an individual was a child of a jew or of jewish descent. They are still, however, one given religion, or a weird syncretic nameless blend of both, not some ratio of each.

Jews are not a nation in any sense of the word. Even if you are going to go ahead and use it as "ethnicity" as opposed to the primary definition of a group that shares a common language, culture, and is of the same ethnic make up you have to go tell all those black ethiopian jews that they are the same ethnicity as all those white european ashkenazic jews.

Or you could tell it to the Yeminite Jews. Or the Arab Jews. Or the Chinese Jews.

.....................................

Maybe the Jewish Nation and therefore universal Ethnicity from which all these descend lives in the supposed pan-asian country which may eventually end up converting to the Catholic Nation...or rather I mean religion.....that rides unicorns and feasts upon the blood travertine floor tile.

[scrapinpeg]

The OTHER half did the plastic on the sofa and chairs thing.

No offense, but I have no idea what you're talking about most of the time.

What holiday tradition involves putting plastic on furniture? (At first I thought this might be a subtle punning reference to Christo, but I'm thinking that might be too obscure for this poster. Still, "Christo-mas" sounds like it has at least as much potential as "Festivus.")

[jeff]

Since I brought up the "plastic covers on the livingroom couch" thing, I suppose I should explain. It has nothing to do with religion whatsoever - it's a joke on some homemakers who "protect the good furniture" (indefinitely) by leaving it encased in plastic covers. Sorry if it mis-led.

[I_luv_saber]

Is the argument really going to be made that a Christmas tree is not a Christian symbol?

Just an observation...

It may be that it is supposed to be a Christian symbol, but from personal observation, seems to me that many people who aren't Christian, or even really religious at all (atheists as well), put up Christmas trees and lights every year.
I wouldn't care at all if a facility put up a menorah and not a Chrisrmas tree. Decorating for a religion, and forcing a religion upon you are two very different things that I think are becoming a little too confused here.
(I want Jediism represented! )
Just a thought...

[jeff]

Article in today's New York Times about a family that put up a big Christmas display - the whole shebang: trees, lights, etc, in their front yard. What makes this more interesting is that this is a Jewish family in a mostly-Jewish neighborhood! Some of the neighbors didn't like it, some thought it was fun.

I just returned from post office mailing out Christmas cards and end-of-year charity, and saw stamps offered for Christmas (Madonna and Child), Hannukkah (a dreidl), Kwanzaa (a graphic with people in colorful robes), Eid (very nice calligraphy). I think we got most of 'em covered, though there could also have been symbols for Hindu and Buddist religions as well. Maybe next year, but I don't know if they have any holidays this time of year.

PS: Don't forget the Pastafarians!

[scrapinpeg]

I'm starting to get all wrapped up in the idea of celebrating Christo-mas now. Thanks, Jeff. I wonder if there are any Christoans already out there.

[Have At You]

Well, if we're going to start celebrating artists for the holidays, at least let us celebrate GOOD artists.

What're you doing for Picassomas, or for Rembrandt Eve? Who do you hope to kiss under the Michaelangel-toe?

[introspective]

That may not be a bad idea. We need to add another day off on our employee calendars. We could just have a day off to celebrate 'art' in general and celebrate with a parade in our downtown areas. With creative floats that depict: modern art, ancient art, pop art, op art, abstract art, french impressionism, american impressionism, realism, surrealsim,etc... it could be fun. We could dress as our favorite artist and build floats covered with "arti-facts". It could be a winner.