Warm Light Reminiscing
I've seen a smattering of Christmas lights around these here parts, and I tell ya, things just aren't the same as they used to be.
My elderly (mid-30s) eyes can't take the searing eyeball-piercing blue LED lights. Squinting in pain does not typically result in Christmas cheer for this ole gal.
I miss the old days of not-grounded electrical plugs that could/did shock the shit out of you. The kind that felt mildly like Russian Roulette as you plugged them in near the watery, murky water in your Christmas tree stand.
The kind of strings of lights that were a warm, comforting glow. Especially glowy when they heated up so much they either burned your fingertips off while decorating/stringing, or else melded many-a-fake branch together on the tree.
The kind firefighters lose sleep over in the Christmas months.
I loved the smell of smoldering synthetic pine needles becoming one with the lovely lights draped upon them. It WAS CHRISTMAS, Goddammit.
Now, I maybe, MAYBE (obviously) can see why there was a shift to those, I dunno, let's call them "safe" and energy efficient lights. I see they may have their place in the world these days. I maybe wouldn't use those old, cozy lights if you paid me a shit ton of money because I don't want harm to come to my loved ones, or to my house. But I still miss 'em.
I miss that warm, rosy glow. I miss REAL white light (that actually glows a soft yellow), and a true red, and a soft blue that doesn't feel like it's sticking it's pretend tongue down my eyeball-throat without asking first.
I've always felt like decorations just don't fill the cold, jaded cockles of my heart any more since the old went out, and the safe came in and replaced it.
And before you start telling me that they make new and improved LED lights that don't suck AS MUCH, I'd just like to say that I don't usually see them after Christmas, when I buy my lights and decorations at 75% off, thankyouverymuch.
Ah well.
At least there's snow. Oh, wait, I live in BC.
At least there's rain? No, that doesn't work.
At least there's Santa? Um... Shit.
Fuck it. Christmas is cancelled here.
_______________________
Pin It Now!
I've seen a smattering of Christmas lights around these here parts, and I tell ya, things just aren't the same as they used to be.
My elderly (mid-30s) eyes can't take the searing eyeball-piercing blue LED lights. Squinting in pain does not typically result in Christmas cheer for this ole gal.
 |
| Festive? Yes. Bright? Yes. But not cozy or warm. Kind of eye assaulting, though brownie points for execution. |
I miss the old days of not-grounded electrical plugs that could/did shock the shit out of you. The kind that felt mildly like Russian Roulette as you plugged them in near the watery, murky water in your Christmas tree stand.
The kind of strings of lights that were a warm, comforting glow. Especially glowy when they heated up so much they either burned your fingertips off while decorating/stringing, or else melded many-a-fake branch together on the tree.
The kind firefighters lose sleep over in the Christmas months.
I loved the smell of smoldering synthetic pine needles becoming one with the lovely lights draped upon them. It WAS CHRISTMAS, Goddammit.
 |
| Okay, I'm not a total asshole. This kind of thing is actually pretty horrific, and has led to real tragedy. I don't miss the danger, just the comforting glow. |
Now, I maybe, MAYBE (obviously) can see why there was a shift to those, I dunno, let's call them "safe" and energy efficient lights. I see they may have their place in the world these days. I maybe wouldn't use those old, cozy lights if you paid me a shit ton of money because I don't want harm to come to my loved ones, or to my house. But I still miss 'em.
I miss that warm, rosy glow. I miss REAL white light (that actually glows a soft yellow), and a true red, and a soft blue that doesn't feel like it's sticking it's pretend tongue down my eyeball-throat without asking first.
I've always felt like decorations just don't fill the cold, jaded cockles of my heart any more since the old went out, and the safe came in and replaced it.
And before you start telling me that they make new and improved LED lights that don't suck AS MUCH, I'd just like to say that I don't usually see them after Christmas, when I buy my lights and decorations at 75% off, thankyouverymuch.
Ah well.
At least there's snow. Oh, wait, I live in BC.
At least there's rain? No, that doesn't work.
At least there's Santa? Um... Shit.
Fuck it. Christmas is cancelled here.
_______________________
About the only thing that reliably induces Christmas cheer is eggnog, minus the icky egg bits. A long time ago I told my wife that I would be happy to put up Christmas lights. Once. And take them down. Once. She could choose when. When she was informed that the time between those events would be measured in generations, she declined the whole idea. Wise. I try to ignore Christmas as long as possible. One of these weeks I'll get around to shopping for a gift. I like to wait until after Christmas and get the sales, but now they move them up ahead of Christmas and that's just WRONG! So I feel your pain. Really. Here, have another cup of MY eggnog.
ReplyDelete