quote:

Posted by kendocubano
Well, forgive me for not having died yet. My very reasonable expectation is that my wife and I will stay together for the rest of our lives. Tell me how long we need to go so you can start the calisthenics.

Hilarious comeback k/c.

Christmas? Bah Humbug! I'm with hudson on most of this, other than trashing someone else's marriage. My gf wants a diamond ring and I refuse to support that industry, its become a sore point with us. No-conflict diamonds? Is that like Dolphin-safe tuna?

quote:

Originally posted by mymindsblank:
No-conflict diamonds? Is that like Dolphin-safe tuna?

Yeah, it probably is. You do your best, but it's hard to guarantee. Is the issue that your g/f wants a diamond ring, or is it that she wants the commitment that a diamond ring supposedly signifies?

When my wife and I were engaged, we were too poor for a diamond. She got a much more modest little sapphire. We're just as married today.

quote:

Originally posted by kendo"snow miser"cubano:
Is the issue that your g/f wants a diamond ring, or is it that she wants the commitment that a diamond ring supposedly signifies?

A little of both I'm afraid

quote:

Originally posted by mymindsblank:

quote:

Originally posted by kendo"snow miser"cubano:
Is the issue that your g/f wants a diamond ring, or is it that she wants the commitment that a diamond ring supposedly signifies?

A little of both I'm afraid

quote:

Originally posted by kendo"snow miser"cubano:
Well, forgive me for not having died yet. My very reasonable expectation is that my wife and I will stay together for the rest of our lives.

Well of course you expect to stay together for the rest of your life, no person expects to get divorced. It just happens...a hell of a lot.

I wasn't trying to be harsh with the "big deal" comment. But i'm trying to put things into perspective for people. Most in our society actually think that a marriage of 17 years is a loooong one. That's the sad thing. Marriages used to last 50,60, 70 years.

Lifelong marriages and families that stay together impact heavily and positively the stability of our society. But now, you don't see that stability. And I think it's all connected to the "me, me, me" mentality of our society.

But anyway, I don't want this thread to get off track.

The idea of Christmas, as it originated, is wonderful. It used to be about love and sharing. But now, it's about consuming.

Corporations have overtaken the holiday and used it to brainwash people into buying loads of useless crap, and I hate that, because it's indicative of the economic, debt crisis facing this country right now.

I'm half, half on this subject. Most of my friends parents (including my own) are divorced, However I DO know plenty of people whose parents are still together. I agree that selfishness can play a key factor into the break up of marriages, but when you say:

quote:

Originally posted by hudson the snowman:
Most in our society actually think that a marriage of 17 years is a loooong one. That's the sad thing. Marriages used to last 50,60, 70 years

Are these claims based off statistics or are they just an observation? Personally I think 17 years is pretty good, I think that once you’ve past the 10 year mark and you’re still a very happy family, it’s likely you’re on the right track.

How do you know whether or not just as many families were splitting up 50, or even a hundreds of years ago without any recorded evidence to refer to? It seems like you're grasping at straws when you blame "corporations" as being the root problem because you believe they're fuelling selfishness into the average marriage thus being the reason that marriages fail. Selfishness wasn't just invented yesterday, mankind has been plagued by selfishness since the dawn of its existence. I believe it's yours and everyone else’s personal responsibility to make an effort to be more ethical and moral in your decisions. And I think it's unfair to just generalize marketing and advertising as being the over all cause for broken homes, UNLESS the corporation was directly involved.

Do I think society can take further steps to insure that parents are maintaining a constant teaching of a universal standard of morals and ethics into their children? Yes.

quote:

Originally posted by Keeper of the Cheese:
And I think it's unfair to just generalize marketing and advertising as being the over all cause for broken homes, UNLESS the corporation was directly involved.

I never made that generalization, ever. Go back and read my posts in this thread and you will clearly see that I am very strict about holding individuals responsible for their own choices. Yes, corporations are too powerful and greedy and impersonal, but as I've said several times in this thread, only we can choose to or not to give them our hard earned money.

Also, you call into queston whether or not divorce was the norm 50 years ago as it is today. I'm not sure why you would question it. It's common knowledge that divorce occured relatively rarely in our society previous to the feminist movement.

As recently as the 60s and 70s, divorcees where shunned in our society and divorce was scarcely even considered as an option. Nowadays, we encourage divorce if one of the spouses isn't getting what they want. It's all about getting what we want.

And believe me, I know. I'm out there in the dating world, meeting women. I meet them and the conversation is basically a long list about them and what they want and expect. It's never about what they could possibly have to offer, only what they can gain for themselves. It's quite pathetic actually. I've never seen so many women within a society that are so unfit for meaningful relationships. They don't want to invest in a relationship, they want add a man to their lives like an accessory, a piece of clothing or jewelry. And once they tire of that accessory, they chuck it.

Back on track again. Christmas sucks!

Merry Christmas hudson

quote:

Originally posted by hudson the snowman:
And believe me, I know. I'm out there in the dating world, meeting women. I meet them and the conversation is basically a long list about them and what they want and expect. It's never about what they could possibly have to offer, only what they can gain for themselves. It's quite pathetic actually. I've never seen so many women within a society that are so unfit for meaningful relationships. They don't want to invest in a relationship, they want add a man to their lives like an accessory, a piece of clothing or jewelry. And once they tire of that accessory, they chuck it.

Back on track again. Christmas sucks!

I'm so sorry Hudson. You are clearly meeting the wrong kind of women. Where are you meeting them? You need to try somewhere else.

quote:

Originally posted by kendo"snow miser"cubano:
Where are you meeting them?

I'd say, "EVERYWHERE!" I began to feel like Hudson when I was out dating. It seemed all women wanted was the BBD (Bigger Better Deal). I had a few girlfriends that "loved" me one minute... and "loved" someone else the next. It was frustrating! It really does seem like women are alot more selfish these days than they used to be. However, I did find someone whom I love very much (and she loves me) and we have 2 beautiful children together. Her love has recently been put to the test by my becoming somewhat of an invalid. I can't work and can barely take care of the kids, but my wife is still here. She has taken responsibility for her family and she works DAMN HARD to take care of us! In return, I've become somewhat of a "househusband" and keep this place spotless so she doesn't have the stress of a filthy house, laundry, cooking or dishes when she gets home after a long day. Everynight is spent with each other and NO ARGUMENT is left unresolved and they never truly end until we've said "I love you". I'm a FIRM believer in family and I can HONESTLY say that if my wife EVER served ME with divorce papers (which is HIGHLY unlikely), I wouldn't sign 'em. Every problem can be worked out and I think that's the BIGGEST problem we have: The fact that so many give up so easily. We've been together for 6 years and married 4 of 'em. I know that's not a long time, but it's longer than any of my relationships when I was dating!

Oh, and Merry Christmas!

Monkey! I didn't recognize you in your Christmas outfit! Merry Christmas!!!

What was it that clued you in, my signature or the fact that I'm too ill to work?

And right back at ya! Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

quote:

Originally posted by Round John Verjin:
What was it that clued you in, my signature or the fact that I'm too ill to work?

And right back at ya! Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!

Well, the post got me thinking, and the signature sealed the deal!

I won't have Internet for two weeks during the holidays, so i'll be back around january 9th, ready to post my final top lists and write unpertinent comments.

Merry christmas and happy new year!

P.S. When Santa Tweedy will come at your house at night to put the gifts under the chrismas tree, don't forget to ask him to play a nice ballad...but not Kingpin...and throw his cigarette in the toilet...smoking is bad...

Xmas in China.....beyond belief......outside one store I saw the sign 'Crismas Merry'.

'Hark, the cash registers sing' indeed

There are a couple of hours left before Christmas ends and I just wanted to share a few things. First of all, I hope everyone had a wonderful day—a day filled with love, companionship and togetherness.

I know I have been a bit of a grouch lately (didn’t I say no Christmas names?) but I did want to thank everyone here for always lending a listening ear and for being there for me. I am thankful for each and every one of you and I keep all of you in my prayers and thoughts every day. I hope you all have happy holidays and I will talk to you soon.

Heh. Was that Grinch suit itchy, hudson?

quote:

Originally posted by hudson:
Corporations have overtaken the holiday and used it to brainwash people into buying loads of useless crap, and I hate that, because it's indicative of the economic, debt crisis facing this country right now.

Right. I do actually agree with the gist of this, I just think your methods are pretty hamfisted. To quote Ghandi: "We must be the change we wish to see in the world."

You can alter yourself and your own behavior and actions, but you can never change other people. Lead by example instead of hot air if you really want to get something done.

I hope you had a great Christmas with your family, hudson, presents or not. I hope somewhere, you found a little kernel of love in your heart. And I hope someday, that little nugget makes it into one of your posts. 'Cos I've not seen a glimmer of it yet.

Merry Christmas, or whatever the hell you folks celebrate, Metacriticians.

quote:

Originally posted by Dork:
I hope somewhere, you found a little kernel of love in your heart. And I hope someday, that little nugget makes it into one of your posts. 'Cos I've not seen a glimmer of it yet.

Dork,

...you don't know what love is, you just do as you're told.

There's no home for you here, hudson.