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Subject: Ramblings About Comics and Stuff #119: Christmas Ramblings | Author | Messages | 
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
 | Posted: 12/23/2008 4:02:31 PM | • On this Christmas Eve Eve, I feel fortunate to have some time off from the day job and to have all of my shopping done. This allows me to sit back enjoy some eggnog in front of the Fireplace Channel. I’m told there really is such a thing. Both eggnog and a fireplace channel. I think it’s called Yule TV or something. I discovered today that Comcast offers this and other such scenes in its lineup; if you don’t want to imagine yourself sitting in front of a fireplace, for example, you can watch a scene that shows an entire living room with a fireplace, Christmas tree, presents, and the usual holiday trimmings. You know, in case your home doesn’t have a living room, either. They also offer outdoor wintry scenes, undoubtedly for those in warmer climates who really wish they could be outside freezing their mistletoes off. Ah, the things you discover when you’re idling your time away.
• Oh, and if you leave the Fireplace Channel on long enough, your TV will heat up, just like a real fireplace.
• The truth is, I don’t really like eggnog. I mean, it tastes okay, but it’s a little sweet for my liking. And it’s a little too heavy; I feel like I’m drinking that stuff they give you at the clinic that makes you glow in the dark for a couple of days afterwards. And why bring down a perfectly good shot of rum with such a sugary, thick substance? Never trust a liquid you can’t chug, I always say.
• Actually, I never said that. Until now.
• Two days ago, I attended not one but two shows by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra as they made their way to the Detroit area during their annual tour. TSO’s grandiose, holiday-themed rock show has become an annual holiday tradition for many, if you didn’t know. Myself included. I’ve mentioned how wonderful the band’s music is, how awesome their show is, and how cool the band members are in the past; both here and in other topics on these boards. So I won’t belabor that here, at least intentionally. Other than to say that their show this year is no less impressive. At least that of the so-called TSO East; to meet the demand for their shows during a limited holiday touring timeframe, the band splits themselves into two touring companies, East and West. Visually, the production values for both are identical and are equally impressive, at least as far as I can tell from the YouTube clips. But performance-wise, I’ve got to give the nod to TSOE; I’ve heard full recording from both incarnations, and collectively the musicians from that line-up are slightly better and put on a little higher-energy show. But either version is more than worthwhile, and tickets are always reasonably priced. They’re on tour for another ten days or so; if they haven’t hit your area yet, go. You’ll be glad you did.
• So TSO, for me, is a bigger holiday tradition than eggnog, that’s for sure. And there is a gossamer-thin connection between the band and comics fans in the form of artist Greg Hildebrandt, who is known to many for his fantasy illustrations. But he’s also provided the art for not only TSO’s album covers, but also their concert programs each year. All are nice pieces of art, and this year’s was no exception. This year’s is shown below. And no, they don’t all come autographed; I scanned my own copy because I couldn’t find a clean version online. Some other pics from the show are posted below, as well. So to speak. And if you want even more, check out my albums on Facebook for the TSO matinee and evening shows.
• One thing I’ve always found cool about Christmas is how pervasive it is. I guess some don’t appreciate that, but it seems that no matter what you’re into, there’s no escaping it. If you’re into comics, DC and Marvel typically put out special featuring holiday-themed stories. If you’re into sports, the studio sets of television sports shows are adorned with wreaths and poinsettias. If you’re a traveler, decorations are in airports and hotels everywhere. Cynics might find such pervasiveness excessively commercial, or unfairly invasive, or overly-sentimental, or politically incorrect. But to me, it’s always been a unifier; no matter what you do, or like, or see, Christmastime brings everything together. It’s something that many of us have in common, when no such commonality would otherwise exist. It’s an opportunity to come together that doesn’t often exist at other times of the year. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
• So with that, I wish all of you the Merriest of Christmases, and the Happiest of Hanukkahs. May your days be merry and bright.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 12/23/2008 4:02:31 PM | • On this Christmas Eve Eve, I feel fortunate to have some time off from the day job and to have all of my shopping done. This allows me to sit back enjoy some eggnog in front of the Fireplace Channel. I’m told there really is such a thing. Both eggnog and a fireplace channel. I think it’s called Yule TV or something. I discovered today that Comcast offers this and other such scenes in its lineup; if you don’t want to imagine yourself sitting in front of a fireplace, for example, you can watch a scene that shows an entire living room with a fireplace, Christmas tree, presents, and the usual holiday trimmings. You know, in case your home doesn’t have a living room, either. They also offer outdoor wintry scenes, undoubtedly for those in warmer climates who really wish they could be outside freezing their mistletoes off. Ah, the things you discover when you’re idling your time away.
• Oh, and if you leave the Fireplace Channel on long enough, your TV will heat up, just like a real fireplace.
• The truth is, I don’t really like eggnog. I mean, it tastes okay, but it’s a little sweet for my liking. And it’s a little too heavy; I feel like I’m drinking that stuff they give you at the clinic that makes you glow in the dark for a couple of days afterwards. And why bring down a perfectly good shot of rum with such a sugary, thick substance? Never trust a liquid you can’t chug, I always say.
• Actually, I never said that. Until now.
• Two days ago, I attended not one but two shows by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra as they made their way to the Detroit area during their annual tour. TSO’s grandiose, holiday-themed rock show has become an annual holiday tradition for many, if you didn’t know. Myself included. I’ve mentioned how wonderful the band’s music is, how awesome their show is, and how cool the band members are in the past; both here and in other topics on these boards. So I won’t belabor that here, at least intentionally. Other than to say that their show this year is no less impressive. At least that of the so-called TSO East; to meet the demand for their shows during a limited holiday touring timeframe, the band splits themselves into two touring companies, East and West. Visually, the production values for both are identical and are equally impressive, at least as far as I can tell from the YouTube clips. But performance-wise, I’ve got to give the nod to TSOE; I’ve heard full recording from both incarnations, and collectively the musicians from that line-up are slightly better and put on a little higher-energy show. But either version is more than worthwhile, and tickets are always reasonably priced. They’re on tour for another ten days or so; if they haven’t hit your area yet, go. You’ll be glad you did.
• So TSO, for me, is a bigger holiday tradition than eggnog, that’s for sure. And there is a gossamer-thin connection between the band and comics fans in the form of artist Greg Hildebrandt, who is known to many for his fantasy illustrations. But he’s also provided the art for not only TSO’s album covers, but also their concert programs each year. All are nice pieces of art, and this year’s was no exception. This year’s is shown below. And no, they don’t all come autographed; I scanned my own copy because I couldn’t find a clean version online. Some other pics from the show are posted below, as well. So to speak. And if you want even more, check out my albums on Facebook for the TSO matinee and evening shows.
• One thing I’ve always found cool about Christmas is how pervasive it is. I guess some don’t appreciate that, but it seems that no matter what you’re into, there’s no escaping it. If you’re into comics, DC and Marvel typically put out special featuring holiday-themed stories. If you’re into sports, the studio sets of television sports shows are adorned with wreaths and poinsettias. If you’re a traveler, decorations are in airports and hotels everywhere. Cynics might find such pervasiveness excessively commercial, or unfairly invasive, or overly-sentimental, or politically incorrect. But to me, it’s always been a unifier; no matter what you do, or like, or see, Christmastime brings everything together. It’s something that many of us have in common, when no such commonality would otherwise exist. It’s an opportunity to come together that doesn’t often exist at other times of the year. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year.
• So with that, I wish all of you the Merriest of Christmases, and the Happiest of Hanukkahs. May your days be merry and bright.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 12/23/2008 4:04:40 PM | Here's a sampling of some of the pics I snapped.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 12/23/2008 4:04:40 PM | Here's a sampling of some of the pics I snapped.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 12/23/2008 4:07:03 PM | And a few more.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm |
Jim Johnson
Posts: 461
| Posted: 12/23/2008 4:07:03 PM | And a few more.
- JJ
"You can live your life in a thousand ways,
But it all comes down to that single day
When you realize what you regret,
Which you can't reclaim but you can't forget."
www.facebook.com/QuiGonJimm
www.twitter.com/QuiGonJimm | 
Gary Dunaier
Posts: 542
| Posted: 12/23/2008 9:48:03 PM | Originally posted by Jim Johnson:
This allows me to sit back enjoy some eggnog in front of the Fireplace Channel. I’m told there really is such a thing.
I don't know about the Fireplace Channel, but the "Yule Log" program has been a New York tradition for over 40 years; Channel 11 (WPIX) first broadcast it in 1966. (Wikipedia has more background on the program.)
Originally posted by Jim Johnson:
The truth is, I don’t really like eggnog. I mean, it tastes okay, but it’s a little sweet for my liking.
Too much egg, not enough nog. Forget cowbell - what we really need is more nog!!!!! 
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