On December 25th, the Romans held Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, "The Birthday of the Unconquered Sun."

[jackshoegazer]

According to the Urban Dictionary, yesterday was Christmas Adam and today is Christmas Eve. I was awoken at 5am by the cats going crazy. Turns out they couldn't wait to open their gifts, new catnip sacks particularly.

Since I have to work tomorrow morning, we're going to open presents today sometime. I still have one gift for Jacquelyn to get, which means shortly after I write this message, I'm going to sneak out of the house and leave her and the boy to scavenge breakfast. Everything else is already under the tree, as we no longer have any Santa-believers in the house.

One day when Ethan was in fourth grade, on the way home from school, he says to me, "Dad, I don't think Santa's real."

"Oh?" I replied, "What makes you think that?"

"Well, I was thinking about it and... it just doesn't make any sense. I'm right aren't I?"

"Yes, son, you're right."

"And the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, they're not real either, are they?"

"Not that I know of, son."

He raised his fists in the air in mock anguish, "EVERYTHING I KNOW IS A LIE!"

Here is the tree with all the loot. You can click for a high-res version full of lotsa details.


Have a happy holiday, whatever your particular solstice-inspired holiday. The days get longer from here, as we move back toward the light. Much love to you, dear readers.

Warmly,
Jeremy
a.k.a.
Jack Shoegazer

P.S. Jacktopia has grown so large it now need people to visit it to make a transportation system. I still have no idea what the point is.

Comments

[blackbuttoneyes.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! I just told my whole family that Ethan story, that's hysterical. =) What an awesome kid. Merry Christmas!!!

[ms-elusive.livejournal.com]

Happy Christmas to all of you!
Your tree looks fab.
He raised his fists in the air in mock anguish, "EVERYTHING I KNOW IS A LIE!"...funniest line ever. What a great kid you have. :D

[scarlete.livejournal.com]

So far it only lets me click on it once for a change... hmm. I may have to get one, but my place will take forever to build.

[zegenta.livejournal.com]

He raised his fists in the air in mock anguish, "EVERYTHING I KNOW IS A LIE!"

hahaha, I laughed out loud. :D

[explodingalice.livejournal.com]

That's hilarious - my son did almost the same thing, only he said "You guys are *liars*" and gave us quite a disappointed look - like we should be ashamed of ourselves.

Have a great holiday yourself. I'm glad to have stumbled upon you here. :)

I'm glad to have stumbled upon you here. :)

[jackshoegazer.livejournal.com]

Ditto!

[sasha-feather.livejournal.com]

That one blue package looks like it has an AIDS awareness ribbon on it.

Glad the boy has been questioning society and thinking for himself. :)

[anubis75.livejournal.com]

Same to ya, J!

[turkeyanne.livejournal.com]

My brother is in the 6th grade, and he hasn't come and said outright that he doesn't believe in Santa, but last year he was counting on his fingers and saying "Wow, I've believed in Santa Claus for 10 Christmases now..."

My parents still leave the biggest shiniest things on our lists unwrapped and assembled on the fireplace on Christmas morning, even for the non-believers, just so they can capture that Publisher's Clearing House-type surprise when we wander into the living room. "Is it Christmas morning already— WHAT THE H, A UNICYCLE??"

[set-me-on-fire.livejournal.com]

Looks awsome. Merry Christmas. Love the pagan influenced tree!

Aww

[blackdreams.livejournal.com]

Ethan's a smart kid. I'm sure Jonah will figure it all out at an early age too. Well, so far we've never actually done the "Santa" thing.

Anyways, I just realized today you guys have opened your gifts! Did you like them? Jacquelyn can set up a date whenever she'd like. I can come and set up at your house if that's ok. I don't have my own space yet, and my house is pretty small. :)

[lagizma.livejournal.com]

I'm enjoying Jacktopia from the sideline, but I have NO IDEA what it is about.

[jackshoegazer.livejournal.com]

It's just like capitalism; it's about getting bigger FOREVER!