The Grumpy Old Gits Thread

Think you might just be amazed at what you learn over the next twenty years, if you are willing too. Age is a learning experience if we allow it to be. I am certain you teach your daughter things you have learned, which is quite relevant in my books.

 

how did this thread turn into a character assassination of some members.

i am 60 year old and have learned a lot over the years I.E tolerance/patience/humility and most of all the ability to respect the views of others without imposing my ideals on them.

i find it better to discuss a subject without the need to become childish and start "name calling" that is the approach of a bully in the school yard.

age is irrelevant as "you are never too old to learn" i am learning every day, there are some very astute and clever people on this forum who are always ready to discuss and help and impart their knowledge to others so as Rikki said lighten up and enjoy the freedom you get to make your point.

http://www.getsmile.com/emoticons/smileys-91853/p/dialog.gif

 

Pretty much what I was saying.



Age really doesn't have that much to do with it, as much as the person.

Note the original comment.

Then mine.

Ignorance knows no age boundary when it comes to computers. There are those who know it, and those who think they know it.

There are young prodigies, and senior idiots. There are plenty coming from the other direction, too.

For you people taking what I said out of context, you should be ashamed of yourselves. rolleyes

 

Chronological age, we don't have any control over. Whether we choose to be 'grumpy' or a 'git' (or both), is up to the individual. Of course, social skills are another matter. As said, (more or less), knowledge does not always equal wisdom. We all grow older, and some may even grow wiser. Up to us whether we want to 'grow' in every sense of the term.

I’m done being grumpy with life (rants don’t count, eh). I'll let others decide whether they think I'm an 'old git', or not, LoL!

 

As far as I can see Lev, my postings have offended none of my friend’s sensibilities, I have lived and worked in many countries of the world and seen most of the continents. Most of the Scots I know would agree that anybody who throws stuff at firemen, while they are trying to put out a fire, is “scum”. My Aussie friends know that when I slag off their country, I’ll take the same back without malice. I have great fun whenever England play India or Pakistan at cricket. I’ve been there, I understand their culture. Oh, and the local Jehovahs Witnesses know me as well. As I have pointed out on many occasions on this board, my daughter is mixed race and the light of my life. She was born in Uganda of a Matooro mother wholivs 3 miles up the road from us.

As far as Halloween is concerned, it has only become an issue in the last 10=15 years in this contry. Perhaps some people do go for it in the USA. I don’t really care. It is not a British tradition to celebrate Halloween and you cannot get away from that.

My original posting? Your comment that “it is not the norm” says it all really. The day when MustardCharlie is “the norm” will be the day the sun freezes over.

The idea of this thread was that a few posters, over the age of say 40, could sit around and have a whinge and a whine about the “Youth of Today” If you want to “lighten up” and pick an uncontroversial topic, start your own thread. My name is not Joe King.

 

Quite, Age is always relevant. I an 55 years old. Sometimes I forget things. I am fitter, faster and more quick-minded than most guys 15 years younger than me. My age is still relevant. You, at 31, are in the prime of your life. I can't take you on over 100 yards unless you want to come to the UK, but if you want me to blow you away at chess or backgammon, I'm up for that.
Please stop having a dig at me every time I post here. There's guys saying I should "lighten up".

Give me a bit of space here!

 

Agree with you wholeheartedly there Grumbles. It wasn't the incident in (near) Aberdeen so much. Just the general idea. I can understand people getting angry with the Pollies. Ambulance and Fire Services though? For heaven's sake, even in the middle of mass conflict and slaughter, people usually honour anything with a Red Cross/Crescent on it! Perhaps this is one case where age is irrelevant. "Scum" is the most appropriate description I can find. If the Fire Brigade (who recently had the biggest loss of personell for many a year in the UK) are trying to put out a fire in your house and a 10 year old kid hoys a brick a them, do you go "Tut, young man don't do that." or do you reach for the nearest bit of 2 by 4?

A 15 yr old tried to mug me a few years back. 'Cos I gave him a slap (he lost a couple of teeth), the Pollies gave me a caution for "unnecessary use of violence". OK, perhaps dragging up the station steps by his ankles was a bit unnecessary, but I was cross. Nobody was interested in the fact that the litlle sh*** was out of his brain on nasties or that he had threatened me with a Stanley knife.

If these were just children throwing bricks and bottles (can they really afford to hoy golf clubs?), why did the rest of the neighbourhood not come out? Where were their parents?

 

Agree with you wholeheartedly there Grumbles. It wasn't the incident in (near) Aberdeen so much. Just the general idea. I can understand people getting angry with the Pollies. Ambulance and Fire Services though? For heaven's sake, even in the middle of mass conflict and slaughter, people usually honour anything with a Red Cross/Crescent on it! Perhaps this is one case where age is irrelevant. "Scum" is the most appropriate description I can find. If the Fire Brigade (who recently had the biggest loss of personell for many a year in the UK) are trying to put out a fire in your house and a 10 year old kid hoys a brick a them, do you go "Tut, young man don't do that." or do you reach for the nearest bit of 2 by 4?

A 15 yr old tried to mug me a few years back. 'Cos I gave him a slap (he lost a couple of teeth), the Pollies gave me a caution for "unnecessary use of violence". OK, perhaps dragging up the station steps by his ankles was a bit unnecessary, but I was cross. Nobody was interested in the fact that the litlle sh*** was out of his brain on nasties or that he had threatened me with a Stanley knife.

If these were just children throwing bricks and bottles (can they really afford to hoy golf clubs?), why did the rest of the neighbourhood not come out? Where were their parents?

 

It would be a really boring world if we were all "the norm" I agree that you are only voicing your opinion, which you are more than entitled to do



So can I blame you when it snows here ! (sun freezes over) roflmao

 

Trust an old goat like you to speak so much great sense. Nice to see you still about.
As for me 41 and feeling 21 or was that 41 but feeling 91 hmm:confused

 

An old goat

I am younger than you

LOL

 

Ok - It's mid November. and I'll mention the C-word a bit early. I break a rule here by not talking about it before Advent, but as I've taken a bit of stick for it already, let's talk about Christmas. I don't know if you can set up a vote on this site and I am certainly not going to try.

However, if you could set "Christmas" between a scale of say (10), "a period where one should celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour" and (0), a period where "we should just be thankful we got a few days off work and let's drink, eat and smoke ourselves insensible", where do you place yourself?

I would put myself on a 6, maye 7, 'cos as a parent I can see the joy that it brings to a small child. I usually go to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. I am no Scrooge, to resent Christmas. I resent Christmas for what it has become. A mass orgy of gluttony and greed.

 

Hi
Easy to set up a poll
Start to set up a new post but before submitting, scroll down to near the bottom of the page and there is an option to Post a Poll: tick the box for yes and then decide the number of poll options (questions)

Should be interesting to see what the results are

G

 

Thanks G. Should be interesting. I will do that. I agree with your opinions on Halloween and Guy Fawkes (mostly) by the way. What is your opinion of ny posts and our loveable American cousins?

 

Christmas for me rates as an 8/10* according to my interpretation of your rating system, because in my opinion, it is all about celebration, particularly with the week long build up towards Christmas Day:

• The joy of catching up with friends and partying (food, drink, present exchanges)…those friends who are not Christians sometimes celebrate with us, as we also celebrate with their own cultural/religious festivities.
  
  
• In addition, street parties at the beach are always heaps of fun too.
  
  
• Christmas parties with a group of friends at the beach or on the water (sailing).
  
  
• Enjoying the company of those adults and children who also enjoy this time with their “extended family” who come along and contribute home cooked dish(es) and a Christmas gift for putting under the tree for their charity luncheon.
  
  
• Simply loving and appreciating the break from work…great holiday time with a wonderful atmosphere to boot.
  
  
• The commercial hype for me simply adds to the atmosphere, but in my honest opinion certainly does not detract for this special time of year.
  
  
• Love watching kid’s expressions at Santa or Nativity scenes in stores, Christmas decorations in store windows, or at a large, beautifully decorated Christmas trees in city streets, malls or in a corso.
  
  
• Christmas Mass is the highlight to which all the celebrations have lead to. Mass becomes a simple joy and pleasure of sharing with the community this wonderful celebration of the Birth; and added by contributing wrapped children’s gifts under the Christmas tree inside the church for those kids who don’t have a family/Christmas tree.

So, that’s pretty much it for me…family, friends, commercial hype, parties all bundled up are a perfect lead up to the Christmas Mass celebration for this special time of year. (*I would have rated this as a perfect TEN if it were not for a couple of my family members who yearly test the spirit of Christmas.)

That's my interpretation of "how to rate"...so ain’t gonna add any more or respond further on this either.


Cheers and Merry Christmas!

LS

 

On your scale I guess 0,Christmas is my favorite time of year the only traditions my family have are having dinner together and exchanging presents,we have a Christmas tree and decorations because they are cool but offer no symbolic gestures.

If I have kids I'll get do the same for them as my parents did for me get them presents and expect nothing in return to make Christmas morning magical for them and me.

 

I agree with the latter, but not the former. If it were just adults it would be a purely religious holiday, but with kids the joy is multiplied, especially the really young ones. Young kids have no major expectations, so every gift is fun (and it can be surprising which ones they glome onto, boxes anyone?).

 

The Christmas Mass? It is supposed to be a celebration of Christian Belief. I attempt to run my life according to the principles laid down by Jesus Christ. It disgusts me that a spiritual festival should be so degraded.

I still can enjoy Christmas. I am no Scrooge. Christmas is a time where we should celebrate the principles laid down by Jesus. Maybe we cannot adhere to those ideals day in, day out. But I try! We should at least try if we have any pretension to being Christian.

I see no correlation between an attitude of greed and gluttony and my firmly held beliefs as espousd by Jesus Christ.

I Know My Redeemer Liveth

 

Seriously Bill? I mean "if it were just adults it would be a purely religious holiday" (My offer of nice beach front property in Bedfordshire is is once again put forward ). Kids have many expectations, most of them inherent from their parents and any decent parent will strive to make their child's dreams come true. If anybody tries to take any joy out of my daughter's childhood, I destroy them without compunction. I get very Old Testament on that.

 

Actually (and I won't insult you by calling you a dude or a bimbo. I regard both terms as insulting) the day when I think I have nothing more to learn, will be the day I put a shotgun between my teeth and pull the trigger. So yes, I have a lot to learn. Is there anyone about here who doesn't?

 

OK but I'm nobody's "Dude". Call me "dude" in the real world, you eat my knuckles. In much the same way, I would expect to get a faceful if I referred to any female friends as "bimbo" My name is "Mustard" or "Charlie" as far ar this board is concerned. "Mouseturd" is acceptable. "Dude" is not. I think that's fair - don't you? "Pimp" and "Dude" are pretty much the same thing in my language. Then again, this is a "Grumpy Old Gits" thread

 

Hey, lets forget that issue and get back to some honest grumpy old whingeing and whineing

Do you light your front garden up like Heathrow Airport to celebrate Christmas, Laura?

Do you feel obliged to gorge yousrelf silly over the major Christian period of the year?

I put my opinions on the board so I can gauge the ideas of others?

I am a single dad and my ex insists that it is her "turn" this year. The courts have already decided that our daughter can make her own mind up. She wants to stay with me. To avoid another long and vicious court case, I should say to my daughter that she must go to her mother's or do say, "OK bring it on for another round"

 

Honey, you were just told by the big guy to give it a break. :wave

 

I'll add to the confusion and stir up some hatred.

December 25th was originally a pagan holiday.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

 

Darling - If the "big guy" tells me I'm out of order or am offending the forum rules, that's fine. but I have'nt seen it yet

 

Unsure which particular bit of "hatred" it was you wanted to stir up :cool. I know Christmas' origins and background better than you (probably). My gripe is not with Christmas. It is with what Christmas has become.

 

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=140876&page=4

 

Everybody thinks they know more.

To each their own, I suppose.

 

boy this is turning into a fist fight.

all it needs is a little respect for the other persons views and not trying to force our own down their throats.

but this name calling is like the school bullies at work.

this is a great forum lets not let it get out of hand and descend to the level of the others

 

This is where the principle of tithing comes in. Our church of about 50 people is self supporting, we also fully support our baby church that we sent out last year and overseas missionary works. I honestly dont know how we do it, as alot of our congregation are teens but every month the bills are paid. God works crazy behind the scenes.

Sadly, most people dismiss this biblical principal because they think they paying for the pastors benzrolleyes but its not usually like that. From my own life, I cant begin to explain how since I started tithing how things just come together - when I had no job, no income, and no money for 2 months, all my bills were paid and I never once went without, noone knew of my situation which made it all the crazyier (is that a wordLOL). It just works for me.

What do you mean by they all cause trouble? just curious

 

I'll stand by that. Tithing, no matter what my financial situation, has never caused me hardship. Quite the opposite, in fact. Be it to a church, or to charity, or to a needy individual who crosses our path - it has aways returned more value then was expended.

 

Well despite the fact that I don't actually get to see my own family at Christmas, or any other time, I still find things to be cheery about. It's only for a day or two (including Boxing Day, here), so it's not a big ask. I just have Christmas with my friends, who kind of adopt me a one of the family, so it's not too bad. I like the traditional Christmas fair, food and trees, and such. Most of all, I like making other people happy with their presents, good grub and drinks, and of course, the company.

I am also mindful of whose 'birthday' it really is. So it doesn't mean much/anything to some - whatever floats your boat. We also make sure a whole heap of Christmas presents get sent out overseas to those who would otherwise have little, or in most cases, nothing. Works for me, anyway.

The over commercialism I find irksome, and I stay clear of as much as possible. You don't have to be religious to extend peace and goodwill, at least one day a year, i.m.o.

 

Thanks MA, I missed that one. I trust, however, that you have asked Darlene not to refer to me as "Honey". I knew quite well what Darlene's name was. Some people prefer to call me me, "Mustard", others "Charlie". Some even know my real name. I subscribe to many boards. "Mouseturd" (not on this board), I found quite witty. I hadn't thought of that one. "Honey", "Sugar", "Sweetie", "Darling" and especially "Dude" (among others), I dislike. What are you saying here? It's OK for people to refer to me as "Honey" or "Dude", Bur it's uncivil/sexist for me to to refer to people as "Darling"? If it's the case where someone is allowed to use any terms they want towards me but I have no right to reply in similar fashion and style, then it is not a discussion, nor a forum nor a lounge. Just somewhere where everybdy agrees with everybody else. Nothing controversial? What's the point then?
I post my complaints about Halloween and Christmas. I get a tirade of abuse for this. Look at the title of the thread. It's for "Grumpy Old Gits" like me. A place where those of us more advanced in years can let off a bit of steam.

I generally try to read all the replies to my posts. Sometimes, as with Darlene's, while I'm looking, I see one that immediately catches my attention. From my point of view, if someone posts a response to me labelled "Honey", just after I have complined of "Dude", then I think "Darling" is acceptable.

 

Yup exactly December 25th has been celebrated millennia before Jesus popped up it wasn't until 350AD that pope decided that the birth of Jesus was to be celebrated on that date this was obviously done to ease people into Christianity,I don't know why Dec 25 is important in the Christian calender other than the pope deciding it was,if anyone knows please let me know and of course feel free to say everything I type is a load of :crap

The reason December 25 has been celebrated for millennia is because its the middle of winter,back in the day it meant you'd made it halfway through without dying and there will be more sunshine from now on,if you'v any extra wine or food laying around after rationing nows the time to treat yourself,the festival of light as it was called is when they lit torches because winter is the darkest time when the sun is at its lowest arc,of course now we have lights,same as today people work hard before December 25 then treat themselves,its also the only time of year when orions belt points to the position that the sun will rise in the morning hence the three 3 wise men knowing of the birth of the "sun" of God,in fact there have been a dozen or so Jesus like myths thousands of years before Jesus in Greek mythology.

So I'll let Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on "my" traditional get wasted and fat holiday

 

Entirely agree, well almost 100%. It's a time for people give and think of others. Why a day or two should be set aside for this, I do not know. I assume you mean Christmas "fare" Not "fair" as most Chrismas "fairs" are just another excuse for card companies and the like to extract our hard earned cash. Well, I am not over keen on turkey and rarely buy one. Goose is far more in keeping with British tradition. Mince pies, I don't like myself, neither do I like mulled wine/ale. Christmas trees and decorations - Ok. Lighting up the front garden to rival Heathrow Airport, I find disgraceful and usually done for no other reason than a wish to outdo the neighbours. It is money spent, which could easily be given to some African kid, so they don't starve to death. Of course I want to have a good time with the family. As you say though, each to his own. I also find the Jehovaha's Witness' attitude to the period wromg, although I agree with them on many other points. It is a time to celebrate, to give, to think of others. If you are or have Jewish/Muslim/Hindu friends though, ask them or yourself, how you would feel if you saw your religious festivals turned into this orgy. I would be very interested in the ideas of anyone who adheres to another faith here.

 

Believe it or not, I do not need a holiday to do either - glug glug glug :drool

 

I love them the more the merrier,I love walking around the streets where I live spotting the houses where someone has really made an effort Clark Griswold styleAgreed its a waste of energy and the money could be better spent elsewhere but when could money not?Seeing those few houses really make me feel good and kids love them.

I disagree most people do it to outdo the neighbors I think most people do it to be creative,for the logistical challenge and seeing how fast we can make the electricity meter spin