christmess eve!

Lulz to this Korea Times article "Uniqueness of Christmas in Korea", which can't be serious:

"Another interesting aspect of the Christmas season in Seoul is the holiday music. Nearly every shop, cafe, and department store can be heard playing popular Christmas music. Ironically, it is unlikely that you will hear any American business playing songs with Christmas lyrics. Instead, shops play muzak, or elevator music. These are the low quality instrumental versions of Christmas classics without the singing... The phrase 'Merry Christmas' is used uniquely in Korea. In the U.S., it can only be heard in churches and privately among family members who recognize the holiday. You will not find businesses advertising 'Christmas sales' or giving 'Christmas greetings'."

Huh? Obviously this dude never worked in retail. My last North American Christmas basically tainted any scrap of appreciation I ever had Xmas tunes, after being mind bashed daily by the "Christmas" Radio station our company demanded we play (studies have shown it puts people in the mood to spend, spend, spend.. good tidings indeed). And I can't count how many "Merry Christmases" I had to parrot through gritted teeth after every customer paid for their organic soy eggnog lattes.

After working in the service industry, I am actually thankful to be free this year from the shrill vocal stylings from the axis of evil that is Mariah, Whitney, and Celine. Nevertheless, there are some decent xmas tunes that, while they may not make the ipod, will probably get some youtube hits tonight as I make rumballs, buttertarts and pumpkin pie.

happy holidays, and so on, hope everyone is keeping well, and knows that i am missing all those near and dear, here on my second xmas in this tiny Korean town :(