I'm Triggered

"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
10/04/2020 at 20:35 • Filed to: None

When I was small, my parents divorced and when I was an adolescent, it was airports and party for a week at Mom’s house. ORF to ORD. I would arrive home an emotional wreck. Soon after I separated from the Army, 1991 or so, I realized that Christmas wrapping paper was triggering me, but this was long before the term triggering meant anything to me as it does now. Therapy and religion and years have allowed me to leave most of that behind, but the sight of Christmas things can still bring a faint echo of those old feelings. N ow, I love Christmas and my immediate family gathering together, and this year, there will be a grandchild hollering in the midst and I dig the feelz.

Happy Hallowe’en!

DISCUSSION (74)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 20:39

It’s too damn early.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/04/2020 at 20:39

It’s definitely very early.

Svend > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 20:43

I’m more triggered by the OxiClean boxes. After so many years working in retail, seeing so many boxes upside down, back to front, etc... is wrong.

Stack it, stack it right.

We’ve had christmas stuff in our store for over a month. We have two seasonal areas. Right now, one is halloween and the other is christmas advent calendars, etc...

Just Jeepin' > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/04/2020 at 20:43

Earliest I’ve seen was September at Walmart (last year) but I think I’ve heard someone here say they saw it in August. TOO DAMN EARLY.

Dr.Jeckyl > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/04/2020 at 20:49

August. That was when I saw the first Christmas displays going up in Menards. There was a group of employees putting up Halloween merch while another group worked on Christmas.

ttyymmnn > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 20:52

Thanksgiving no longer exists.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 20:53

I walked into the grocery store yesterday and there was EGGNOG!

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Svend
10/04/2020 at 20:57

That’s a valid juxtaposition.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > ttyymmnn
10/04/2020 at 20:58

It went away soon after Black Friday became Black Second Six Months Of The Year.

jeepoftheseus > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/04/2020 at 20:59

Wait wait wait... now this is a part of early Christmas 2020 I can support.

For Sweden > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 21:04

But it's still March of 2020

flatisflat > ttyymmnn
10/04/2020 at 21:05

That which cannot be egregiously monetized shall be sacked.

Just Jeepin' > For Sweden
10/04/2020 at 21:18

I’m unconvinced it won’t be 2020 forever .

ranwhenparked > ttyymmnn
10/04/2020 at 21:20

Too hard to commercialize, the most they can do is maybe an ornamental cornucopia centerpiece and some novelty Pilgrim shaped salt and pepper shakers. Can’t make an entire seasonal planogram off that.

ranwhenparked > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 21:21

Pretty sure Thanksgiving and Christmas 2020 have both been postponed to sometime in 2021 (date TBD), while Halloween is cancelled.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Just Jeepin'
10/04/2020 at 21:23

I hadn’t considered that possibility. Like maybe we’ve checked in at the Hotel California.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 21:32

I’ve been there, it’s in Todos Santos! I bet it has changed a lot though.

Svend > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 21:33

Being a shop worker and an atheist. I hate christmas with a passion. Everybody is made to feel like they have to be happy and jolly, because if your not you get called Scrooge or they say, ‘oh bah bumbug to you!’.

Nobody ever does tha t for Buddhist, Bodhi Day or Jewish, Hanukah or Wiccan/Pagan, Yule, etc... in December.

Not to mention, everyone asking, have you got your tree and decorations up yet?

If I asked if someone had put a tree in their living room in April, I’d be looked at funny, yet it’s an acceptable question from the tail end of the year.

I mean. Look at it. Mary has an ‘immaculate conception’, and three guys turn up at the birth with gifts. I think Mary has a confession to make. Lol.

I’ll stop now. No, wait, one more.

How about, Ruddolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

You know the song.

# Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows

All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Join in any reindeer games#

Were singing a song about reindeers bullying another reindeer for being different. Good one.

It’s only because Ruddolph saves christmas that they accept him.

That’s a great kids story. Lol.

Okay. I’m now finished.

Chariotoflove > Svend
10/04/2020 at 21:42

Just a little piece of trivia for you, in case you’re interested. The immaculate conception does not refer to the conception of the Christ. Rather, it means that Mary was preserved from the original sin of Adam from the moment of her own conception, so that she would be a fitting mother to bear the Christ.

Chariotoflove > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 21:44

It is early. I don’t think about my Christmas decorations until Thanksgiving. On the other hand, my daughter and I have been working on our Halloween plans since June.

Chariotoflove > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
10/04/2020 at 21:44

Seriously? I didn’t realize there was a physical place associated with that song.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Svend
10/04/2020 at 21:46

I agree with you.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Chariotoflove
10/04/2020 at 21:47

That is interesting but it doesn’t change my overall opinion which aligns with Svend’s.

Svend > Chariotoflove
10/04/2020 at 21:47

Ye’, good point.

It’s still a very dodgy, Jerry Springer type story.

Chariotoflove > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/04/2020 at 21:49

Oh, I wasn’t trying to change anyone’s mind. That would be pointless. I’m just giving information.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 21:50

B rave post for revealing that much. Therapy is a good thing for most people, i ncluding myself. I personally don’t do the religion thing though.

old-busted-hotness-still-cant-comment > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 21:50

Three solid months of jingle-bells pop is the only way 2020 could possibly end.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Chariotoflove
10/04/2020 at 21:51

Not pointless but it does seem that way nowadays. Particularly over the internet.

Chariotoflove > Svend
10/04/2020 at 21:51

It certainly is something that has to be taken in faith. Or not, of course.

I do agree with you about Rudolph. I always thought the other reindeer were dicks to him.

Chariotoflove > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/04/2020 at 21:55

What I mean is that I am happy to talk about faith and religion with my friends if they like, but I see no point in hitting them over the head with it when they clearly say they are solid in their position. I merely thought the bit of information would be appreciated. Think of it as a bit of religious trivia if you’re an atheist.

MM54 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/04/2020 at 22:02

The only good part of winter arriving is the ‘nog

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Chariotoflove
10/04/2020 at 22:05

Yep, I was there surfing in the 90's and the owner said the Eagles went on a bender there back then. The place it all remodeled now from what I can see. He showed me a picture of them there.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Chariotoflove
10/04/2020 at 22:07

Thank you. I avoid discussion of politics and religion but I do like knowing things in general including religious trivia.

facw > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/04/2020 at 22:09

Eggnog always strikes me as something that should be delicious, and then I have a sip and hate it.

DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever > ttyymmnn
10/04/2020 at 22:20

Are you talking about the Christmas warm up in November?

user314 > Just Jeepin'
10/04/2020 at 22:28

Kinja'd!!!

user314 > For Sweden
10/04/2020 at 22:33

Kinja'd!!!

Or we’re stuck in the Endless Eight ....

ranwhenparked > Svend
10/04/2020 at 22:35

Have you seen Jim Gaffigan’s holiday traditions standup routine? I mean, he’s a pretty devout practicing Catholic, he does a good job pointing out the absurdity of it. Bring a tree inside and decorate it for Jesus, put a bunch of decorations on the lawn, etc.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Chariotoflove
10/04/2020 at 22:42

I didn’t know that.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Svend
10/04/2020 at 22:45

You have been bulldozed by the capitalists. The reason for the season is not actually money. But please forgive me in advance if I forget not to forget to wish you a Merry Christmas in a couple of months.

For me, factoring out all of the Christianity, it’s just a nice opportunity to set everything aside for a moment and appreciate people. Even the grinches.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/04/2020 at 22:48

It’s okay, I still love you. I can’t promise you I won’t forget to forget to wish you a merry one in a couple of months. Like I was telling Svend, I enjoy having an impetus to set everything aside for a spell and just appreciate some people and wish them well.

PS: Screw the capitalists who have coopted the occasion.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/04/2020 at 22:51

One of the central tenets of the religion I subscribe to is agency , and you have exercised yours. It’s good.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. I think it’s worth sharing things like that so folks know they’re not alone. Certainly, what I’ve experienced is not a song that many people haven’t already heard.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > facw
10/04/2020 at 22:56

It’s more tolerable if you cut it with milk, but it’s also good in coffee.

Svend > ranwhenparked
10/04/2020 at 22:57

I'll have to look it up. Lol.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Svend
10/04/2020 at 22:59

But if you do some elf bowling, you might feel better. (The X-key is the key you need to shoot and advance.)

https://arcadespot.com/game/elf-bowling-1-2/

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > VincentMalamute-Kim
10/04/2020 at 22:59

I prescribe elf bowling.

https://arcadespot.com/game/elf-bowling-1-2/

The X-key is the key you need in order to shoot and advance the game.

interstate366, now In The Industry > ranwhenparked
10/04/2020 at 23:02

Having recently left retail, I can say that companies kinda just lump Thanksgiving in with general autumn merchandise, which starts debuting around the first of August, and just doesn’t get the post-seasonal discount for awhile.

ranwhenparked > interstate366, now In The Industry
10/04/2020 at 23:07

I don’t have to worry about that anymore. I used to be a sales manager with Mars/Wrigley with a bunch of Walmarts - they loved buying truckloads worth of Halloween merchandise, then leave it in the storeroom, and complain that it didn’t sell and they’d have to reduce next year’s order as a result. Or, they’d put it out, then take it all down in favor of Christmas a week before Halloween.

I sell tobacco products now, much easier. We don’t do seasonal merchandising, cigarettes and cigars are the same all year round.

Chariotoflove > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 23:15

A lot of people don’t.

Chariotoflove > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
10/04/2020 at 23:17

Cool!

Svend > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 23:19

Lol. That’s another thing.

Saying merry christmas. People say it and then work colleagues, friends and family give you an envelope with a card in it, that pretty much says, ‘merry christmas’, why!?

In this day and age of being efficient, economical, saving the planet, etc... we get into our cars, go to a building, buy a large wad of christmas cards and envelopes, get back in our cars and go home, then waste time thinking who we are going to write them for. Our partners badgering us because we didn’t buy enough. Then we post a load of them, others, we take to work to hand to the person said card and envelope and say, ‘merry christmas’, etc... then sometimes we feel hurt because we didn’t get one off them.

Not to mention, the cards we really wish we didn’t have to send, you know, the ones to former friends and family members you’ve successfully avoided f or 11 months because they irk you to the core. But your partner insists you write them a card because they are your friend of family. But you know fine well, sending that card will remind them you are still there, they will take it as a sign you want to catch up and rekindle your friendship, etc... They get in touch and ask if you want to go round for dinner, meet up for a pint, have a family get together, etc... dear hell, you've now got to try and avoid them again for another 11 months and hope your partner forgets their name before next christmas and you have to write another card and continue the vicious cycle.

All because you wasted your money, wasted fuel, added miles to your car, had a tree cut down, had trucks delivering cards to shops, had factories making the cards, etc...

When you could simply say, ‘hey Tony! How’s you and the family doing?.... Cool, cool. Ye’, just wanted to say if I don’t see you again before christmas or new year, have a very merry christmas and a happy New Year to you and all your family, please tell your wife/husband/partner I was asking after then and my wife sends her regards’. All you’ve wasted then, is a few seconds before you’ve left work. For others, send them a text, for those you do genuinely care about, bloody phone them and have chat for a few minutes for goodness sakes.

Svend > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 23:23

Oh dear God. Lol.

zipfuel > Chariotoflove
10/04/2020 at 23:25

There’s a H otel Yorba too, I’ve seen it off the highway in the middle of Detroit; would not recommend

Aremmes > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
10/04/2020 at 23:44

It's more tolerable if you cut it with rum, but it's also good in whisky.

interstate366, now In The Industry > ranwhenparked
10/04/2020 at 23:50

When I turned my resignation in at CVS back in August, we’d already been getting Halloween stuff for a few weeks and my last week there some Christmas stuff had started arriving. Not the record I saw though...a year or two ago we got a Reese’s Easter display in October. Half the year away.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/04/2020 at 23:53

Now imagine how long it was sitting in the stockroom before it went out on the floor. Then how long it was in the warehouse before it got to the store. Then how long it was in transit from wherever it was made. Yeah.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Just Jeepin'
10/04/2020 at 23:55

At CVS we would get our first wave of Christmas merchandise in mid- August. Usually stuff that isn’t blatantly Christmasy. That would start arriving around the beginning of September.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Chariotoflove
10/04/2020 at 23:56

And screw the capitalists who coopted the occasion.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Svend
10/04/2020 at 23:59

I'm glad you got that off your chest!

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > interstate366, now In The Industry
10/05/2020 at 00:02

And it’s only October 4th. There’s a six-foot-tall plas tic nutcracker for $300.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/05/2020 at 00:10

Somewhere in a factory in China, next year’s version of that same nutcracker is already being made.

Svend > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/05/2020 at 00:12

Lol. There’s so much more, but I’ll resist.

Working in retail this time of year is just awful with it all. The incessant christmas music and downright nasty customers, they turn evil this time of year, it’ll put anyone off christmas.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy it enough for both of us. So if I forget to round the time. Have a fantastic christmas and New Year to y ou and your kith and kin, may it bring everything you want it bring and be everything you want it to be.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Svend
10/05/2020 at 00:15

It'll be even better because I have an internet friend like you.

Svend > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/05/2020 at 00:24

Away wit ya, you’ll make me blush. Lol.

You take care okay, I’m off up the wooden hills to Bedfordshire to catch some zzz’s in the land of knod*.

((*up the stairs to bed to sleep)).

Chariotoflove > zipfuel
10/05/2020 at 10:44

You make it sound like there are the makings of a song there too.

A Boy and His Longtail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/05/2020 at 10:48

I live Christmas as much if not more than the next guy, but not until the day after Thanksgiving, please. Why do the stores have to do this?

Chariotoflove > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/05/2020 at 10:58

Yes, I starred you for that above too. The festivities and lights are lovely, but every year, we do a number of things to keep in touch with the spiritual meaning of the season.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > A Boy and His Longtail
10/05/2020 at 11:48

Because capitalism.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Chariotoflove
10/05/2020 at 11:51

Thanks again for your post about Mary. For our part, we enjoy putting up a few lights, but we mostly enjoy having a few days when we just enjoy each other. And our fellow man.

A Boy and His Longtail > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/05/2020 at 11:58

That may be the best argument for communism: i t prevents Christmas before Thanksgiving

Chariotoflove > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/05/2020 at 12:02

Of course. And you now have the next generation of innocent eyes to watch open in wonder.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/05/2020 at 12:13

Oh man!!! I haven’t played E lf B owling in forever!!!

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW!
10/05/2020 at 12:56

I’d be like, two stars if they let me...

zipfuel > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/05/2020 at 15:33

Kinja'd!!!