While listening to The World on the radio they ran a piece on The Churches Advertising Network in the UK that had a competition to explain the Nativity in a 30-second ad. The winner is on YouTube, but hit the “competition” link to hear the runners up. Pretty funny stuff.

If you have never seen it, you should also see Eddie Izzard’s “Cake or Death” routine on YouTube.

Happy NODWISH Greetings

As a service to my readers I have compiled a list of useful terms for our modern global village.

It is time to wish family and friends: [select one]

Happy NODWISH
Merry Solstice
Happy Hanukkah
Happy Kwanzaa
С Рождеством Христовым
Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Vrolijk Kerstfeest
Nadolig Llawen
Fröhliche Weihnachten
Joyeux Noël
Buon Natale
Feliz Navidad
God Jul
Happy Hogwatch
Happy Christmas

[Read more →]

Harper stalls and the Governor General punts:

Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean has granted a request from Stephen Harper to suspend Parliament until late next month, the prime minister announced on Thursday, a move that avoids a confidence vote set for Monday that could have toppled his minority government.

“Following my advice, the Governor General has agreed to prorogue Parliament,” Harper said outside Rideau Hall after a two-hour meeting with Jean.

“When Parliament resumes Jan. 26, the first order of business will be the presentation of a federal budget.”

So, they’ll have to wait until the end of January to say they don’t like him, and nothing will happen between now and then, except that economic conditions will deteriorate.

Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, who is not running for President because it is too soon, is attending fundraisers in Texas, because a politician needs a lot of money not to run for President.

… and how can Santa Claus visit every house, go down chimneys, leave toys, all over the world in one night?

One of the answers is found on European Christmas trees.

Read about Finland’s version of the Julbock, Joulupukki.

Note: Don’t try this at home unless you have the kidneys of a reindeer. It also explains why gnomes are so cheerful.