Are we taking Christmas too far?

Don't get me wrong. I love Christmas as I'm sure everybody does. Cards are welcome from the people you know but what about the ones you don't. Like Wilson Parking in New Zealand who sent me an e-card this Christmas. Who are they. Does anyone know? I don't and I'm the guy who got the card.


It's Christmas eve - so what are you upto?
Me - just lolling about the way I usually do. Have to fix Christmas lunch which is going to be roast chicken, roast vegetables and a nice bottle of red. It was supposed to be pork sorpotel as well and vindaloo but I think those recipes are a bit beyond my capabilities. A good warrior as Tsun Zhu says knows his weaknesses better than his strengths. I even have a back up plan in case the chicken doesn't turn out right. Cold Storage. They'll be open all Christmas and will have chickens from 10 am onwards - for those who may find themselves in a predicament similar to mine.

Its a dull grey day here in Singapore 
And it's going to be like this on Christmas Day too I believe. So if you're in London or Canada no need to envy the sunshine here - there aint going to be any. And no snow either unless you're at Tanglin Mall where they have a snow machine with about 300 screaming kids making you wonder why they do.

Watched this programme about Alexander the Great last night
It was all about his conquest (or attempted) of India. Its funny how different countries interpret events differently. It is true - you see only what you want to. According to the documentary (which I think was quite fair and neutral in its analysis), Alexander gave King Porus the kind of thrashing Father Rufus used to hand out when he was principal at St Andrews in the seventies.

Three quarters of Porus' army was destroyed. Porus had, what most leaders today don't though - the ability to stand tall in defeat and still challenge and refuse to give in to his opponent.

Alexander respected him so much for this, he let him keep his lands though he had won them fair and square in what can be described as a little bit more than a arm wrestle ....the battle of Hydaspes.


Alexander had to turn back though because after Porus he had to confront a myriad different Indian Kings who had put aside their differences and mustered more than 300,000 men to face him. His army was also tired and cold (who wouldn't be if you had to march all the way from Greece to India with a helmet, metal skirt and strange footwear) and had apparently made souvlaki a condition of pressing ahead. Souvlaki couldn't be found anywhere on the continent at the time and so Alexander had to turn back  - apparently. 

Rainy day or not,Christmas still is Christmas and there's joy to be had. 
I plan to fill my cup to the brim with it. I suggest you do the same too.

Merry Christmas