Archive for December 18th, 2009

Open thread: Christmas music that drives you nuts.

Friday, December 18th, 2009

The umpteenth repitition of “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” last night started me thinking, and I figured I’d do an open thread: what holiday music do you particularly loathe?

My thoughts, other than the aforementioned tripe (Hannah Montana did a cover? We are doomed, doomed I tell you!):

  • “Wonderful Christmastime”. Never been a real big fan of Paul McCartney solo. Sorry.
  • I don’t really care that much for “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, but if you look into the history of the song, the original lyrics are actually much more suited for the present.
  • I actually kind of like “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer”, in an ironic “This is so bad, it’s almost good” campy hipster way. I’d punctuate that statement by slamming back a cold Pabst Blue Ribbon, but I don’t have one on hand right now.
  • Edited to add: I say this as someone who likes Springsteen; that version of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” is tiresome.
  • One that I actually like: on my home machine, I have a wonderful cover of “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” sung to the tune of “Folsom Prison Blues”, but Google doesn’t turn up a link. Any help here?

So, dear readers, what songs would you like to see kicked around the Christmas tree until they stop twitching?

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Random notes: December 18th, 2009.

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Someone swiped the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign (which weighs 90 pounds and is 16 feet long) from in front of Auchwitz. This is the kind of work that doesn’t set you free; this gets you a short term in a pound you in the ass prison, and a long term in one of the lower circles of Dante’s Hell.

Three from the NYT:

  • Obit watch: C.D.B. Bryan, author of  Friendly Fire.

    He will be cremated in advance of a memorial service early next year, St. George Bryan added; until then, his remains are to be stored in martini shakers.

  • A touching and sad article about a retired policeman in Japan who spends his days trying to keep people from killing themselves.

    Mr. Shige and a group of volunteers he put together have saved 222 people so far, a tally that has made Mr. Shige a national figure in a country that often seems apathetic about its high rate of self-destruction. But he has also met with criticism from a conformist society that can look dimly on people who draw attention by engaging in activism, even of the most humanitarian kind.

  • Finally, on a much happier note, a review of “Chestnuts Roasting on the Flaming Idiots“. I saw one of their “last” shows at Zach Scott a few years back, and it wasn’t what I expected; I was totally blown away, not only because they’re talented performers, but their performance style is clearly influenced by people like Ricky Jay. I’m delighted to hear that they’re back; even better, they’re coming back to Austin.

Posted in Clippings, Geek, Loser, Media, Obits, Stupid, Theatre | Comments Closed