halloween??
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Paul, What's Punja? and thanks for the info. Nish
hehe :-O I miss-spelt puja. As Amit Dey says: well the puja is 'Durga Puja' and it goes on for about 10 days (although only 6 days are really celebrated). The puja is all about the coming of godess Durga(and her 10 children) and reflects the ageold idea of good over evil. The demon 'Mahisasura' gets whipped by Durga in a war and eventually the good prevails. Anyway, the 6th day onward to the 10th(the immersion day) the idols of Goddess Durga and her children are worshipped very elaborately. The 10 th day is Dussera( kind of a new year) and people wish their friends and neighbours and distribute sweets. Actually this festival is the first in a whole string of pujas usually ending with Kali puja( in about a month's time), and celebrated throughout the night with fireworks. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
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Children pretending to be the Evil Spirits that the Bonfires drive off... BTW BonFires are light at Halloween, Children dress up as Evil Spirits and dance around the BonFire ... Regards Ray "Je Suis Mort De Rire"
It basically involves being interrupted every 5 minutes by little children dressed in binbags, who expect money in return for their shoddy effort. And what's trick or treat about? I normally just say "Go on then, trick. I f**king dare you". They usually haven't planned on people saying that so they just walk away and unroot one of your flowers from the garden. :) --- Simon Proud member of the RSPCT - The Royal Society for the Prevention of the Creation of any more TLA's
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:rolleyes: yes I know, I read the history I posted :) But I was referring to the Halloween celebrated by the modern world. Halloween is about as celtic now days as a dreamcatcher or the sickle moon. It has all been Americanised, worse than a caramalised onion. I don't see little kiddies running around scribbling ancient celtic runes, or chanting Scandanavian ryhmes. I see them in masks with "Toys'r'Us" printed on the label. Getting dropped off at the top of streets in SUVs and waving about light sabres which rattle "Use the force Luke!" with every swipe. That is the Halloween of today :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
But I was referring to the Halloween celebrated by the modern world. Halloween is about as celtic now days as a dreamcatcher or the sickle moon. It has all been Americanised, worse than a caramalised onion. Why do the people of the UK, Ireland, South Africa (or anyplace else) feel the need to celebrate/participate in an American holiday that they obviously don't understand or like? Just ignore it like we ignore your specific holidays. All these complaints of "Americanizing" this or that reek of petty jealousy. Or do they point to some deep rooted inferiority complex? I don't mean to be a prick here, but it gets old after a while. Mike Mullikin "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy."
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But I was referring to the Halloween celebrated by the modern world. Halloween is about as celtic now days as a dreamcatcher or the sickle moon. It has all been Americanised, worse than a caramalised onion. Why do the people of the UK, Ireland, South Africa (or anyplace else) feel the need to celebrate/participate in an American holiday that they obviously don't understand or like? Just ignore it like we ignore your specific holidays. All these complaints of "Americanizing" this or that reek of petty jealousy. Or do they point to some deep rooted inferiority complex? I don't mean to be a prick here, but it gets old after a while. Mike Mullikin "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy."
Mike, believe me I hate it as much as you do. I hate seeing kids in South Africa running around with American t-shirts, buying American pop-band CDs, speaking like Americans, pretending to be American. I cannot stand them wishing South Africa was America. You are probably dead right. Most of the world is simply jealous of the American way. Jealous of the wealth and life style. But America is also to blame. America does tend to advertise it's way pretty strongily. Peter Stuvesant ad's, Britney Spears posters, Budweiser trucks. Every day all day we are bombarded by "America, America, America. America the great. To be like us buy our stuff.". And the sad thing is that it works. It works very well on young impressionable minds who see their favourite movie stars doing rockstar things. Kids like to act out fantasies and well most of these involve Las Vegas or California or being Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. I am just frustrated that we cannot make our own identity and enjoy our own culture. Even at my old'ish age I get berrated for wanting to read a South African book when the latest Stephen King horror is out, or wear a pair of shorts when the latest trendy Levi Strauss jeans have hit the market. *shrugs* I don't want to be American, I want to be South African. But it is hard in an American world :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
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As confused as me eh, Kannan? Well these guys won't understand if we told them we know as much about halloween as a chicken knows about the big bang and now they bring in St. Patrick's day just to confuse things :-) LOL Nish
AFIK St. Patrick's day is an excuse to drink extreme quantities of Guinness and party until you fall over or get arrested (whichever comes first). :-D Andy Metcalfe - Sonardyne International Ltd
(andy.metcalfe@lineone.net)
http://www.resorg.co.uk"I'm just another 'S' bend in the internet. A ton of stuff goes through my system, and some of the hairer, stickier and lumpier stuff sticks." - Chris Maunder (I just couldn't let that one past ;))
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hey I dont think I even got the spelling correct.. But just whats this halloween thing all about? is it an American thing? or british? just curious... Nish p.s. does it have anything to do with guy fawkes day?
Just for the record, this site has the best overall history of Halloween that I have seen. http://www.locksley.com/halloween/ And everybody is right, it is a traditional holiday that was hijacked. Just like Christmas and Easter. The modern version is pretty much like the others described it. I just point this site out so you can read a firly accurate, more or less unbiased history. Have a good one! Jason Jystad Cito Technologies www.citotech.net >------------------------------------------------< "Luckily," he went on, "you have come to exactly the right place with your interesting problem, for there is no such word as 'impossible' in my dictionary. In fact," he added, brandishing the abused book, "everything between 'herring' and 'marmalade' seems to be missing." -- Dirk Gently (Douglas Adams) >------------------------------------------------<
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hey I dont think I even got the spelling correct.. But just whats this halloween thing all about? is it an American thing? or british? just curious... Nish p.s. does it have anything to do with guy fawkes day?
's a Microsoft thing - they've declared a standard and will be announcing activation details next week. It seems they had production problems and can't release it by the promised Oct 31 date. "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001
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Mike, believe me I hate it as much as you do. I hate seeing kids in South Africa running around with American t-shirts, buying American pop-band CDs, speaking like Americans, pretending to be American. I cannot stand them wishing South Africa was America. You are probably dead right. Most of the world is simply jealous of the American way. Jealous of the wealth and life style. But America is also to blame. America does tend to advertise it's way pretty strongily. Peter Stuvesant ad's, Britney Spears posters, Budweiser trucks. Every day all day we are bombarded by "America, America, America. America the great. To be like us buy our stuff.". And the sad thing is that it works. It works very well on young impressionable minds who see their favourite movie stars doing rockstar things. Kids like to act out fantasies and well most of these involve Las Vegas or California or being Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. I am just frustrated that we cannot make our own identity and enjoy our own culture. Even at my old'ish age I get berrated for wanting to read a South African book when the latest Stephen King horror is out, or wear a pair of shorts when the latest trendy Levi Strauss jeans have hit the market. *shrugs* I don't want to be American, I want to be South African. But it is hard in an American world :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
But America is also to blame. America does tend to advertise it's way pretty strongily. Peter Stuvesant ad's, Britney Spears posters, Budweiser trucks. I'm sure our corporate culture and it's advertising/comercialization is VERY much to blame. FYI, it annoys the hell out of us as well! I do have a couple of comments/questions though: #1 - Who is Peter Stuvesant? Really... I've never heard of him! :) #2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! #3 - Budweiser X| X| X| I'd much prefer a good Canadian beer or a Guinness. For what it's worth, Americans (especially the kids) are certainly affected by foreign pop culture as well. Probably started with the Beatles and hasn't stopped yet. :(( We were infected with the pop virus called "The Spice Girls" just like the rest of the world. :) During the last summer games, EVERYTHING was "Aussie" over here. It's hard NOT to root for the "Thorpedo"!!! :cool: Not to mention, even I, the "Ugly American", KNOW that the Rolling Stones are the greatest rock & roll band in history!!!!! Mike Mullikin "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy."
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Mike, believe me I hate it as much as you do. I hate seeing kids in South Africa running around with American t-shirts, buying American pop-band CDs, speaking like Americans, pretending to be American. I cannot stand them wishing South Africa was America. You are probably dead right. Most of the world is simply jealous of the American way. Jealous of the wealth and life style. But America is also to blame. America does tend to advertise it's way pretty strongily. Peter Stuvesant ad's, Britney Spears posters, Budweiser trucks. Every day all day we are bombarded by "America, America, America. America the great. To be like us buy our stuff.". And the sad thing is that it works. It works very well on young impressionable minds who see their favourite movie stars doing rockstar things. Kids like to act out fantasies and well most of these involve Las Vegas or California or being Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. I am just frustrated that we cannot make our own identity and enjoy our own culture. Even at my old'ish age I get berrated for wanting to read a South African book when the latest Stephen King horror is out, or wear a pair of shorts when the latest trendy Levi Strauss jeans have hit the market. *shrugs* I don't want to be American, I want to be South African. But it is hard in an American world :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
Nobody with any cool wears Levis anymore. I guess we just shuffle them out to the sticks. As to "our stuff" I am sur that South Africa has an adverstising person or two around. Just make a better product and advertise. Don't get mad- get even Richard If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man. - Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar
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'Tis a ancient Celtic festival (commercialised by the Americans), The British have Guy Fawkes day instead of Halloween. Halloween is about several things, celebrating the Close of harvest, warding off the Evil spirts of Winter ... Regards Ray "Je Suis Mort De Rire"
By the way, we British have halloween as well as guy fawkes day. --- Simon Proud member of the RSPCT - The Royal Society for the Prevention of the Creation of any more TLA's
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But America is also to blame. America does tend to advertise it's way pretty strongily. Peter Stuvesant ad's, Britney Spears posters, Budweiser trucks. I'm sure our corporate culture and it's advertising/comercialization is VERY much to blame. FYI, it annoys the hell out of us as well! I do have a couple of comments/questions though: #1 - Who is Peter Stuvesant? Really... I've never heard of him! :) #2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! #3 - Budweiser X| X| X| I'd much prefer a good Canadian beer or a Guinness. For what it's worth, Americans (especially the kids) are certainly affected by foreign pop culture as well. Probably started with the Beatles and hasn't stopped yet. :(( We were infected with the pop virus called "The Spice Girls" just like the rest of the world. :) During the last summer games, EVERYTHING was "Aussie" over here. It's hard NOT to root for the "Thorpedo"!!! :cool: Not to mention, even I, the "Ugly American", KNOW that the Rolling Stones are the greatest rock & roll band in history!!!!! Mike Mullikin "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy."
>#2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! Ahem, I guess you must be thinking of a different Britney Spears to the one I've seen. You can't be talking about the blonde tart with the artifical implants. :-) Michael :-)
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hey I dont think I even got the spelling correct.. But just whats this halloween thing all about? is it an American thing? or british? just curious... Nish p.s. does it have anything to do with guy fawkes day?
American Halloween is a combination of several cultures. From what I remember, Halloween is All Saints Eve or All Hallows Eve. The day before the coming of the Saints. Spirits of the dead supposedly come out and play on this night. Mexican tradition is to dress up like the spirits and join the celebration. They also sat meals out on their door step for the spirits so they would not come into the house. I don't remember if the spirits would do something bad if there was not a meal for them but I believe this is where "trick or treat" came from. I learned this a long time also, when they still taught culture studies in American school, so this might be mis-remembered. I am also missing a lot cultural influences. If you are interested, I am sure Google will come up with something. I agree that the commercial industry has exploited this holiday like all others.
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's a Microsoft thing - they've declared a standard and will be announcing activation details next week. It seems they had production problems and can't release it by the promised Oct 31 date. "...the staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - Jason Jystad, 10/26/2001
Microsoft Halloween for Windows When you run it, it displays a message box "Trick or Treat?". Clicking Treat sends 5 cents to Bill Gates and Windows works. Clicking Trick and you get a blue screen of death but with an added ghost face. Oh and of course the treat only happens once a year on October 31. Michael :-)
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Nobody with any cool wears Levis anymore. I guess we just shuffle them out to the sticks. As to "our stuff" I am sur that South Africa has an adverstising person or two around. Just make a better product and advertise. Don't get mad- get even Richard If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man. - Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar
I think Microsoft have proven that it is not the better product that wins but actually the louder you shout :) America has more money, simple as that. Good South African advertising people get head hunted by American firms, to push American products. We are too deep in the cycle now to easily get out. What I am really disgusted with is my fellow South Africans for towing the line so well. They don't think for themselves, they let the adverts and brands do that. I don't want America to stop advertising or pushing products, I want us to get a backbone and our own culture. Nobody with any cool wears Levis anymore I don't subscribe to Fashion Victim monthly anymore, so I am behind the style. Forgive me *sic*. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
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By the way, we British have halloween as well as guy fawkes day. --- Simon Proud member of the RSPCT - The Royal Society for the Prevention of the Creation of any more TLA's
Yeah that is what I thought. Isn't Guy Fawkes day on the 5th of November. Remember, remember, the fifth of November I can't remember the rest of the rhyme :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
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>#2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! Ahem, I guess you must be thinking of a different Britney Spears to the one I've seen. You can't be talking about the blonde tart with the artifical implants. :-) Michael :-)
You can't be talking about the blonde tart with the artifical implants She swears she has never slept with one of the Backstreet Boys or anyone from NYSYNC. However I agree with you, lots of artificial implants have passed her gates. :-D hehe sorry I could not resist twisting what you said about... yeah I realise you mean artificial implants as in silicon ala Pamela Anderson :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
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>#2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! Ahem, I guess you must be thinking of a different Britney Spears to the one I've seen. You can't be talking about the blonde tart with the artifical implants. :-) Michael :-)
Ahem, I guess you must be thinking of a different Britney Spears to the one I've seen. You can't be talking about the blonde tart with the artifical implants. Nothing wrong with a blonde with a nice rack! I look at it this way, she's 19 yrs old, single, rich and beautiful. I'm 38 yrs old, married, middle class and... ummm... not beautiful.:-O I'm never gonna meet Ms. Spears, let alone get any "rack time", so why do I care if they're real or not?? Mike Mullikin "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy."
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But America is also to blame. America does tend to advertise it's way pretty strongily. Peter Stuvesant ad's, Britney Spears posters, Budweiser trucks. I'm sure our corporate culture and it's advertising/comercialization is VERY much to blame. FYI, it annoys the hell out of us as well! I do have a couple of comments/questions though: #1 - Who is Peter Stuvesant? Really... I've never heard of him! :) #2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! #3 - Budweiser X| X| X| I'd much prefer a good Canadian beer or a Guinness. For what it's worth, Americans (especially the kids) are certainly affected by foreign pop culture as well. Probably started with the Beatles and hasn't stopped yet. :(( We were infected with the pop virus called "The Spice Girls" just like the rest of the world. :) During the last summer games, EVERYTHING was "Aussie" over here. It's hard NOT to root for the "Thorpedo"!!! :cool: Not to mention, even I, the "Ugly American", KNOW that the Rolling Stones are the greatest rock & roll band in history!!!!! Mike Mullikin "It might look like I'm doing nothing, but at the cellular level I'm really quite busy."
#1 - Who is Peter Stuvesant? Really... I've never heard of him! Ok you are pulling my leg, right? I miss-spelt it. Peter Stuyvesant. An american cigarette brand. Their ad's come on before every single movie I have ever seen. Buxom blondes, handsome hunks, skiing, rich life style, healthy life style, mansions etc. etc. The image of Peter Stuyvesant. #2 - Britney Spears = No talent, but a hell of a good looking young lady! I would not touch her with a ten foot barge poll. She is as fake as a crash proof Windows. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
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Yeah that is what I thought. Isn't Guy Fawkes day on the 5th of November. Remember, remember, the fifth of November I can't remember the rest of the rhyme :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass Cape Town, South Africa "The greatest thing you will ever learn is to love, and be loved in return" - Moulin Rouge "In other words, the developer is dealing with an elephant, the accountant is dealing with a bunny rabbit." by Stan Shannon - 16/10/2001
Yep, that's the one. I don't know the rest of that rhyme either. :rolleyes: We have to put up with constant fireworks and bangers for the month in the run-up to Nov 5th. Shops start selling fireworks way too early! We have to seal the letterbox on the night as well, there's always some idiot who wants to do something stupid... Simon
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Yep, that's the one. I don't know the rest of that rhyme either. :rolleyes: We have to put up with constant fireworks and bangers for the month in the run-up to Nov 5th. Shops start selling fireworks way too early! We have to seal the letterbox on the night as well, there's always some idiot who wants to do something stupid... Simon
Ah yes, 10 year old kids running around playing with fireworks. Round my way at the moment it sounds more like I'm in Afghanistan. I have to wonder what kind of of society lets children play around with explosives for fun. Michael :-)