Friday, 19 December 2014

The Gift of the Magi

Watching the news I have been trying to decide what to write a post about. So many things of importance have happened; the Orion test launch, the horrible killings of so many at a school in Pakistan, the climate accord that was just reached, the inching forward of normalizing relations between the United States and Cuba. But I felt that maybe it was time to take a break from the realities and sadness of these times and reflect a little on the season.

As we watch the hoards of Christmas shoppers scrambling for deals on Black Friday it appears we have forgotten what this season is about. So I wanted to share with you a couple of my favorite stories. The first is a story written by O. Henry, which was adapted into a short Christmas story for television. My apologies for the commercial in the middle.



The second story revolves around a letter written by a little girl so long ago.




And last but not least one of my favorite songs. You're right Pete, these people are good. :)




It is a time to celebrate the goodness of humanity and if only for an instant to forget some of the strife in the world. I wish everyone a wonderful and magical holiday season. 



204 comments:

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   Lee C.  ―   U.S.A.     said...

  
      "At which point you informed me that the plain of the local horizon never
      changes
"
      Lee C.

      "Never said any such thing."
      Petes

Well now we know how he's going to deal with that.  But, then, there's this:

      "2) ‘Second, there's the shift in the direction (the plane) of the
      perceived horizon from point to point as one moves across the globe’. That's easy
      too -- the perceived horizon is always a circle surrounding you no matter where you
      are. At the earth's surface the direction to it is the local horizontal. Never changes.
      So the shift is zero.
"
      Petes @ Tue Dec 09, 06:20:00 am

I argued with him about that:

      "Again, incorrect. The local horizon extends…etc.  …so his horizon is
      angled approximately 53° differently in Dublin than would be the horizon he'd see at
      the equator…
"
      Lee C. @ Tue Dec 09, 08:40:00 am

But, like most arguing with Petes; he proved impervious.  He's now going to conveniently forget entirely about that part of the conversation, ‘cause now that he's finally figured out how it works, it's convenient for him to forget that part.

      "…Nope, it's not. Leastways not the displacement we were ever discussin'…

I'd say that remains an open question here.  Not one Petes gets to declare already answered to his benefit.

By the way, can't help but notice that ol’ Petey decided to suddenly get mum on the subject of whether or not the Common English term ‘parallax’ covers particular percieved shift.  He did not try to trigonometry on the definitions again.  But, perhaps when he gets settled in his vacation, or gets back he'll treat us to a long ramble ‘bout how he runs trigonometry on the common language and proves crap.

   Lee C.  ―   U.S.A.     said...

 
And yeah, I saw the typos just as it sent.  Let me correct it:

      "By the way, can't help but notice that ol’ Petey decided to suddenly get
      mum on the subject of whether or not the Common English term ‘parallax’ covers
      this particular perceived shift.
"

Lynnette In Minnesota said...

Happy New Year Everyone!

Good luck, Pete!

   Lee C.  ―   U.S.A.     said...

    
Hmmm…  Just spotted this from last night.  (Wasn't paying Petes a whole lot of attention there.)

      "Actually, no, I'd expect you want her to keep her opinion to herself. 'Cos there's
      no way it was ever gonna be in support of you…
"
      Petes @ Wed Dec 31, 05:58:00 pm

That kinda puts things in a different light.

Lynnette,

  If you think Petes has got something here I'd certainly urge you to let that be known.  I think we could discuss it civilly--Petes has himself so wound up in the notion that he's gotta win one eventually (and, right now he's absolutely convinced that it simply must be this one--he'll be just as adamant the it simply must be the next one when the next one comes along)  that civil discourse is no longer possible with him--I can't get a word in without it being challenged at knifepoint, and he's too busy thinking up new ways to call me a liar and stupid to bother to consider any of my arguments.  But, if you think he's got something here, I'd certainly like to know that--hell come out on ‘his’ side (as he sees things) if that's the way your thoughts lean.  I'll either be able to enlighten you on whatever you've figured wrong, or you can explain to me what it was I couldn't find through all that malice and invective he was throwing at me along with it.  I think Petes’ temporary absence provides us with a rare opportunity to actually discuss these things.

So, if you think he's actually got something valuable going on here, then by all means, come out in his defense and support.  This is too good an opportunity to miss.

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