The Saturday 6-Pack

innerspaceboy · 12-25-2021, 08:13 AM

1. What's the best Christmas present you ever got?

I had a classroom mentor who meant the world to me in my sophomore year of high school and who had a profound impact on my adulthood and independence. For Christmas in 1997, he gifted me a hardcover copy of Richard Bach’s book, Illusions with an embossed feather on the cover and an inscription which read:

“It’s so easy to get lost in the illusions. You are the biggest illusion of them all. If you remember this you won’t go far wrong.”

It helps my perspective to revisit that memory every year.

2. Christmas trees: real one or artificial?

I don't decorate much at all, but I have a 1950s ceramic light-up tabletop tree that my late father thrifted years back which I set up on my dining room table in his memory.

And last January I procured a tiny artificial pre-lit tree with a velvet base which I decorated with Muppet ornaments I crafted from a set of cake toppers I picked up on the cheap, saving me hundreds over the cost of the official Hallmark versions. I keep it decorated all year so it only takes me 2-3 minutes to set up for the holidays.

3. How early do you/did you begin to do your Christmas shopping?

I don't have anyone to shop for, but on the occasions when I have I'm generally done by the beginning of November.

4. What's your favourite Christmas decoration (as in, one you put up)?

The first full-length Muppet film I saw as a young man was The Muppet Christmas Carol. The songs and scenes will forever be close to my heart. Fellow fans may be familiar with the incredibly detailed limited edition figures available exclusively from Palisades Toys some years ago before the company folded. The sets command hundreds of dollars on eBay.

In 2020, I was able to secure sets of the Mini Muppets produced 17 years ago from Wave 2, Series 3 and 4 which capture all the magic of Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit, Kermit’s nephew Robin as Tiny Tim, Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, the hecklers Statler and Waldorf as Jacob and Robert Marley, and the ice skating penguins from the film, as well as the jovial and absent-minded Ghost of Christmas Present.

These premium and exclusive figures are the absolute likeness of the characters I so fondly remember from my childhood. My new tradition is to have them encircle my late father's vintage ceramic Christmas tree in my dining room as a centerpiece to the home.

5. How early, generally do you wake up/are you awoken on Christmas morning?

I wake up at about 6:30 before my alarm every day of the year. I generally don't have Christmas plans or company during the holidays so I just stay in bed and watch documentaries and take in my latest musical research. It's a cozy day off.

6. What's your favourite Christmas song?

Low - "Just Like Christmas"

6a. Do your kids still believe in Santa Claus?

I shall never produce hell-spawn, the only crux of which is that my library will end with me.

jadis · 12-25-2021, 01:57 PM

1. What's the best Christmas present you ever got?

My family is more into Новый Год, being Russian. Also, don't remember.

2. Christmas trees: real one or artificial?

6. What's your favourite Christmas song?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_2QaNWQs3s

6a. Do your kids still believe in Santa Claus?

Good question, dunno. This is literally how that conversation would go

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI-57solwsA

BassoonPlatoon · 12-26-2021, 05:21 AM

1. What's the best Christmas present you ever got?

Books. I still use them.

2. Christmas trees: real one or artificial?

Real.

3. How early do you/did you begin to do your Christmas shopping?

If I end up doing it at all it's after Christmas.

4. What's your favourite Christmas decoration (as in, one you put up)?

Elf on a shelf.

5. How early, generally do you wake up/are you awoken on Christmas morning?

I'm up at the crack of dawn everyday. No later than 6:00AM on days I have off.

6. What's your favourite Christmas song?

Mr. Grinch

6a. Do your kids still believe in Santa Claus?

Don't have any.

Trollheart · 12-31-2021, 08:50 PM

1. Assuming money was no object, what kind of car would you like to own?

2. What is the security like in your building/estate/apartment/condo/cardboard box/wherever you live?

3. What was the first pet you can remember having?

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give younger you? And would younger you take it?

5. What was the best bargain you ever got?

6. If you were the undisputed leader of the world, what are the first three laws you would pass?

HAPPY 2022 EVERYONE! Here's to another **** year!

**Marie Monday** · 01-01-2022, 05:00 AM

1. Assuming money was no object, what kind of car would you like to own?
My favourite car is a Porsche 911 but **** cars anyway
2. What is the security like in your building/estate/apartment/condo/cardboard box/wherever you live?
My door has a lock...?
3. What was the first pet you can remember having?
Two cats. A goofy affectionate black one who's still alive, and a grey one with the softest fur ever. She died a long time ago sadly
4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give younger you? And would younger you take it?
I've talked about this before, but to stop trying to fit in at the expense of being comfortable with my own identity. I'm not sure if I would take the advice, but I think so if I'd make the point convincingly
5. What was the best bargain you ever got?
Man idk I'm not good at getting bargains
I guess the second hand jacket that I bought for a few euros, not because it was very cheap for what it was (it's pretty worn and torn) but because I'm happy with it and it has served me well for a long time
6. If you were the undisputed leader of the world, what are the first three laws you would pass?
No armed forces, some healthcare ****, and a law that says all muzak for when you're on hold gets replaced by riot grrrl punk

rubber soul · 01-01-2022, 06:03 AM

1. Assuming money was no object, what kind of car would you like to own?

A 1966 Olds Cutlass convertible that I'd call the Batmobile

2. What is the security like in your building/estate/apartment/condo/cardboard box/wherever you live?

We have a killer guard cat.

3. What was the first pet you can remember having?

A German Shepherd named Thor

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give younger you? And would younger you take it?

Go to college and you're damned right I would.

5. What was the best bargain you ever got?

I found an original copy of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Street Survivors at a local Goodwill. This was like maybe 15 years ago.

6. If you were the undisputed leader of the world, what are the first three laws you would pass?

1) No more wars
2) Eliminate the need for money. Everyone would have a role in the welfare of all
3) Compulsory education for all under 18. Free college.

HAPPY 2022 EVERYONE!

Bah, humbug

Mucha na Dziko · 01-01-2022, 06:11 AM

1. Assuming money was no object, what kind of car would you like to own?

None, just like now
I once wished I had a camper, so I could go to India in it, and stay forever there like a hippy traveler
But really, the environment is more important than my childhood dreams

2. What is the security like in your building/estate/apartment/condo/cardboard box/wherever you live?

Doors and Keys

3. What was the first pet you can remember having?

Loulou, we took her home from the animal shelter some four years ago

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give younger you? And would younger you take it?

„Don’t smoke so many joints and go to music school sooner”
I probably wouldn’t listen

5. What was the best bargain you ever got?

That if I’d go to a music school, my girlfriend would buy me a trumpet
I did go to music school, but in the meantime we broke-up, so I never got that trumpet from her
It gave me the motivation to actually start learning music correctly, so I guess the bargain was quite good

And I actually got a trumpet from my parents for christmas this year

So all in well and fine

6. If you were the undisputed leader of the world, what are the first three laws you would pass?

1. Demilitarisation
2. Stop any space programs (the ****load of money that goes into it could be spent on much more useful things, like healthcare and stuff)
3. Guaranteed basic income

HAPPY 2022 EVERYONE!

Plankton · 01-01-2022, 08:00 AM

1. Assuming money was no object, what kind of car would you like to own?

I'm fairly content with what I have now.

2. What is the security like in your building/estate/apartment/condo/cardboard box/wherever you live?

FA&FO applies here.

3. What was the first pet you can remember having?

A bunch of kittens.

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give younger you? And would younger you take it?

Stay the course. If a future me somehow was able to do this, you bet your sweet bippy I'd be freaked out enough to listen.

5. What was the best bargain you ever got?

A pair of JBL L200 Studio Master speakers for free.

6. If you were the undisputed leader of the world, what are the first three laws you would pass?

Free Healthcare
Free Education
Stricter Environmental Laws across the board.

Trollheart · 01-01-2022, 08:40 PM

1. Assuming money was no object, what kind of car would you like to own?

Ferrari Testarossa, gold or yellow. Because, you know, Ferrari Testarossa!

2. What is the security like in your building/estate/apartment/condo/cardboard box/wherever you live?

Our house door locks from the inside, that's it. Mind you, during the day if you don't lock the door from the inside, it can be opened by anyone outside. Luckily, we're so poor that anyone trying to rob us would more than likely end up leaving something for us in pity!

3. What was the first pet you can remember having?

Rocky, our Collie dog. He ran away, or so I was told. I remember him vaguely.

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give younger you? And would younger you take it?

Save some ****ing money!
Probably wouldn't listen though.
Oh, and buy shares in Apple. (Probably end up investing in a chain of orchards)

5. What was the best bargain you ever got?

Unlimited power, money, sexual prowess. I'm still waiting, but that guy in the red cloak said he'd be back. Mind you, that was thirty years ago...

6. If you were the undisputed leader of the world, what are the first three laws you would pass?

1. Covid vaccine is ****ing MANDATORY! You don't take it, you're sealed in to your house till you do. Supplies will be dropped in to you and you can take exercise in your garden at specific times, but otherwise stay the **** there till you get the shot. Anyone trying to escape will be shot. With the vaccine.

2. Hate crimes get you an automatic jail sentence of 10 years minimum

3. Anyone even so much as humming "The Birdie Song" will be shot. And I don't mean with the vaccine.

Lisnaholic · 01-02-2022, 08:12 AM

1. Assuming money was no object, what kind of car would you like to own?

A car is a metal box on wheels and I have always admired this vehicle for reminding us of that:

It's very basic but it's not OTT macho; it's discreetly rugged.

2. What is the security like in your house?

Pretty normal: never go out without locking up. Perhaps unusual to some would be the security bars on every window: standard practice here.

3. What was the first pet you can remember having?

A couple of cats which my mum fed and which I took no interest in at all.

4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give younger you? And would younger you take it?

"Don't hobble your youth by being unnecessarily shy". I would have accepted the advice but been unable to implement it.

5. What was the best bargain you ever got?

About 20 years back I bought a second-hand bike for about 10 dollars; kind of racing style but without any gears. Still works fine. (Although probably everything but the frame has been replaced over the years)

6. If you were the undisputed leader of the world, what are the first three laws you would pass?

To fix the world of today? I think I need more than 5 mins on a Sunday morning to answer that one.

12-31-2021, 08:50 PM	#10474 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	1. Assuming money was no object, what kind of car would you like to own? 2. What is the security like in your building/estate/apartment/condo/cardboard box/wherever you live? 3. What was the first pet you can remember having? 4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give younger you? And would younger you take it? 5. What was the best bargain you ever got? 6. If you were the undisputed leader of the world, what are the first three laws you would pass? HAPPY 2022 EVERYONE! Here's to another **** year! __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-01-2022, 08:00 AM	#10478 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,765	1. Assuming money was no object, what kind of car would you like to own? I'm fairly content with what I have now. 2. What is the security like in your building/estate/apartment/condo/cardboard box/wherever you live? FA&FO applies here. 3. What was the first pet you can remember having? A bunch of kittens. 4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give younger you? And would younger you take it? Stay the course. If a future me somehow was able to do this, you bet your sweet bippy I'd be freaked out enough to listen. 5. What was the best bargain you ever got? A pair of JBL L200 Studio Master speakers for free. 6. If you were the undisputed leader of the world, what are the first three laws you would pass? Free Healthcare Free Education Stricter Environmental Laws across the board. __________________ See location...

01-01-2022, 08:40 PM	#10479 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,996	1. Assuming money was no object, what kind of car would you like to own? Ferrari Testarossa, gold or yellow. Because, you know, Ferrari Testarossa! 2. What is the security like in your building/estate/apartment/condo/cardboard box/wherever you live? Our house door locks from the inside, that's it. Mind you, during the day if you don't lock the door from the inside, it can be opened by anyone outside. Luckily, we're so poor that anyone trying to rob us would more than likely end up leaving something for us in pity! 3. What was the first pet you can remember having? Rocky, our Collie dog. He ran away, or so I was told. I remember him vaguely. 4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give younger you? And would younger you take it? Save some **ing money! Probably wouldn't listen though. Oh, and buy shares in Apple. (Probably end up investing in a chain of orchards) 5. What was the best bargain you ever got? Unlimited power, money, sexual prowess. I'm still waiting, but that guy in the red cloak said he'd be back. Mind you, that was thirty years ago... 6. If you were the undisputed leader of the world, what are the first three laws you would pass? 1. Covid vaccine is ing MANDATORY! You don't take it, you're sealed in to your house till you do. Supplies will be dropped in to you and you can take exercise in your garden at specific times, but otherwise stay the ** there till you get the shot. Anyone trying to escape will be shot. With the vaccine. 2. Hate crimes get you an automatic jail sentence of 10 years minimum 3. Anyone even so much as humming "The Birdie Song" will be shot. And I don't mean with the vaccine. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018

01-02-2022, 08:12 AM	#10480 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	1. Assuming money was no object, what kind of car would you like to own? A car is a metal box on wheels and I have always admired this vehicle for reminding us of that: It's very basic but it's not OTT macho; it's discreetly rugged. 2. What is the security like in your house? Pretty normal: never go out without locking up. Perhaps unusual to some would be the security bars on every window: standard practice here. 3. What was the first pet you can remember having? A couple of cats which my mum fed and which I took no interest in at all. 4. If you could go back in time, what advice would you give younger you? And would younger you take it? "Don't hobble your youth by being unnecessarily shy". I would have accepted the advice but been unable to implement it. 5. What was the best bargain you ever got? About 20 years back I bought a second-hand bike for about 10 dollars; kind of racing style but without any gears. Still works fine. (Although probably everything but the frame has been replaced over the years) 6. If you were the undisputed leader of the world, what are the first three laws you would pass? To fix the world of today? I think I need more than 5 mins on a Sunday morning to answer that one. __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953 Last edited by Lisnaholic; 01-02-2022 at 08:21 AM.

12-25-2021, 01:57 PM	#10472 (permalink)
jadis Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: dont ask Posts: 1,413	1. What's the best Christmas present you ever got? My family is more into Новый Год, being Russian. Also, don't remember. 2. Christmas trees: real one or artificial? 6. What's your favourite Christmas song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_2QaNWQs3s 6a. Do your kids still believe in Santa Claus? Good question, dunno. This is literally how that conversation would go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI-57solwsA