This is ****ing depressing

richlevy · 12-14-2009, 10:07 PM

From here

Quote:

A wintry measure of hard times can be found this holiday season on the knee of white-bearded, red-suited men around the country. A couple of years ago, children were shooting for the moon, asking St. Nick for Xboxes, iPods and laptops. But with the economy still fragile, many children are requesting basics such as shoes, library cards and even eyeglasses, say dozens of Santas who work at malls or on the party circuit.

Quote:

Mike Smith, who works as Santa at the Polaris Fashion Place in Columbus, Ohio, says a 5-year-old girl wearing a Dora the Explorer sweat shirt last month hopped in his lap and asked, "Can you turn my daddy into an elf?" "Why?" he asked. "Because my daddy's out of work, and we're about to lose our house," she said.
The girl's mother, standing by her little brother's stroller, burst into tears. A stunned Mr. Smith asked the girl if her father was good with a hammer, and the girl said yes. "I didn't know what to say after that, so we just took the picture," he says with regret.

Well...........s**t.

lumberjim · 12-14-2009, 10:32 PM

i like the first quote.

the second one, not so much

Sundae · 12-15-2009, 06:46 AM

Why did he ask if Dad was good with a hammer?
Was he trying to ascertain whether Daddy was likely to go mad and launch a hammer attack of his wife and kids now that he could no longer afford to provide for them?

The fact that he wasn't able to help and felt bad makes it ring true a little more I suppose. Still, Mum shouldn't be taking the kids to see Santa in November if things are that bad.

Pie · 12-15-2009, 07:27 AM

I think he was asking if he would be good as an elf, you know, making toys?

Trilby · 12-15-2009, 08:33 AM

/sarcasm/

I'm just glad all those Wall Street pukes are safe and rich, ya know? Poor people - who needs them! Prolly their own damn fault they lost the house. Teach those kids a lesson.

/sarcasm/

Spexxvet · 12-15-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna

/sarcasm/

I'm just glad all those Wall Street pukes are safe and rich, ya know? Poor people - who needs them! Prolly their own damn fault they lost the house. Teach those kids a lesson.

/sarcasm/

Danny Noonan: I planned to go to law school after I graduated, but it looks like my folks won't have enough money to put me through college.
Judge Smails: Well, the world needs ditch diggers, too.
Lacey Underall: [to Danny] Nice try.

monster · 12-15-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Still, Mum shouldn't be taking the kids to see Santa in November if things are that bad.

lookout123 · 12-15-2009, 09:33 AM

Yeah, that's the important point SG. Damn moms trying to give their kid as normal a Christmas experience as they can.

Trilby · 12-15-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spexxvet

Danny Noonan: I planned to go to law school after I graduated, but it looks like my folks won't have enough money to put me through college.
Judge Smails: Well, the world needs ditch diggers, too.
Lacey Underall: [to Danny] Nice try.

I've no idea who Danny Noonan, Judge Smails OR Lacey Underall is.

OH! Caddyshack! such a dude movie!!!!!

xoxoxoBruce · 12-15-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

...Still, Mum shouldn't be taking the kids to see Santa in November if things are that bad.

What? Nooooo, take 'em to see Santa, take 'em to see the lights and nativity scenes, and free public ceremonies. Have 'em write notes on cards to friends and relatives, decorate the house with strung popcorn, make construction paper chains, and a wreath from a coat hanger and greens. A couple of inexpensive gifts will suffice.
Years down the road, they'll remember all the things they did, and you did together, when they can't remember any gifts from any year. Christmas should be about family, not loot.

skysidhe · 12-15-2009, 10:39 AM

great stuff bruce

I was thinking just yesterday as I was driving to my moms and passing my son's old second grade school that I wish they could always be second graders. lol well not really but it's a great time for them and usually they are just too much fun at that age.

Sundae · 12-15-2009, 10:44 AM

Okay, fair enough.
Here you have to pay to see Santa.
I can only assume from the negative responses to my post that it's not the case over there.

xoxoxoBruce · 12-15-2009, 10:46 AM

Here you can see him for free, you just have to pay him not to fondle you.

Juniper · 12-15-2009, 10:49 AM

Well, I did my bit, and donated a gift for a child in our church's outreach program. A box for a 12 year old girl with a pair of PJ's, fuzzy slippers, and a movie. If everyone who can afford to do that would do it, a lot of kids whose families are struggling would have at least a weensy bit more joy on Christmas.

We donated a bag of goodies to the food pantry too.

Juniper · 12-15-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Okay, fair enough.
Here you have to pay to see Santa.
I can only assume from the negative responses to my post that it's not the case over there.

Heck no SG. Santas are everywhere - park events, shopping centers, festivals, etc. The hardest thing is explaining to your little kid why there are so many of them or why he's everywhere at the same time.

12-14-2009, 10:32 PM	#2
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	i like the first quote. the second one, not so much __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

12-15-2009, 06:46 AM	#3
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Why did he ask if Dad was good with a hammer? Was he trying to ascertain whether Daddy was likely to go mad and launch a hammer attack of his wife and kids now that he could no longer afford to provide for them? The fact that he wasn't able to help and felt bad makes it ring true a little more I suppose. Still, Mum shouldn't be taking the kids to see Santa in November if things are that bad. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

12-15-2009, 07:27 AM	#4
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	I think he was asking if he would be good as an elf, you know, making toys? __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

12-15-2009, 08:33 AM	#5
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	/sarcasm/ I'm just glad all those Wall Street pukes are safe and rich, ya know? Poor people - who needs them! Prolly their own damn fault they lost the house. Teach those kids a lesson. /sarcasm/ __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

12-15-2009, 09:33 AM	#8
lookout123 changed his status to single Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Right behind you. No, the other side. Posts: 10,308	Yeah, that's the important point SG. Damn moms trying to give their kid as normal a Christmas experience as they can. __________________ Getting knocked down is no sin, it's not getting back up that's the sin

12-15-2009, 10:39 AM	#11
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	great stuff bruce I was thinking just yesterday as I was driving to my moms and passing my son's old second grade school that I wish they could always be second graders. lol well not really but it's a great time for them and usually they are just too much fun at that age.

12-15-2009, 10:44 AM	#12
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Okay, fair enough. Here you have to pay to see Santa. I can only assume from the negative responses to my post that it's not the case over there. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

12-15-2009, 10:46 AM	#13
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Here you can see him for free, you just have to pay him not to fondle you. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

12-15-2009, 10:49 AM	#14
Juniper I know, right? Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,539	Well, I did my bit, and donated a gift for a child in our church's outreach program. A box for a 12 year old girl with a pair of PJ's, fuzzy slippers, and a movie. If everyone who can afford to do that would do it, a lot of kids whose families are struggling would have at least a weensy bit more joy on Christmas. We donated a bag of goodies to the food pantry too.

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