Happy Ramahanakwanzmas

That's right folks, it's that most celebrated time of year, Christmas. Of course it's not PC to outwardly celebrate such a blatantly Christian holiday, so i will therefore wish everyone i see this year a Happy Ramahanakwanzmas. This delicate mouthful of letters ensures that you don't piss anyone off nor “disenfranchise” or otherwise offend anyone by forcing your catholic views on them. Afterall, the holiday season's have nothing to do with Christianity or the bible. No, the time between thanksgiving and new years is simply an opportunity to buy things on sale, drink eggnog, and slack off at work while the new year approaches.

So Happy Ramahanakwanzmas.

I didn't make this word up, I'm not that creative. Rather i was emailed this festive greeting a few times last year and it just seemed to stick in my mind. It has such a festive ring. I think it is particularly applicable here in Europe where the US, including our (apparently) over commercialization of Christmas, is largely frowned upon.

But what does wishing someone a Happy Ramahanakwanzmas mean? Glad you asked. This festive greeting ensures that whoever you meet in your travels this season is properly recognized in your holiday greeting, be they Muslim, Jewish, African or Christian. As you breakdown the word, you will find Ramadan, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas all cleverly included. Genius..i know. I only wish i could take credit for this.

So let's all be a little more sensitive this year during this Ramahanakwanzmas season. While you're out shopping for Ramahanakwanzmas gifts, or decorating your Ramahanakwanzmas tree, or even enjoying some Ramahanakwansmas Caroles, please remember that the Ramahanakwanzmas season is a time for inclusion of all the worlds races and religions and not the birth of Jesus. If an old guy with a white beard and a red suit happens to show up to your house on the night of the 24th, remind him (or her) that Ramahanakwanzmas is a holiday for everyone, and if he doesn't visit all the little children of the world, you'll file a class action lawsuit. Now that's the American way.

As for me, i'll be hanging around Europe this year for Christmas. I've got a few ski trips planned, and I'm heading into Feldkirk or possibly Zürich for New years. I'm looking forward to a week off with no schedule and nothing to do. Over the past few weeks I've received a bunch of boxes from the states. Even though i was getting my own stuff, it was kind of like Christmas. My apartment feels much more homey.

I ventured to Brandnerthal this past Saturday and it was perfect skiing. It was snowing so hard that the groomers couldn't keep up. In fact, they all but gave up trying to groom a few of the trails. After an hour or so they were covered with 1 meter, sorry, 3 feet of virgin powder. It was great. Although my buddy from work, who's only skied for 1 yr, didn't share my enthusiasm. It's funny hearing the German's swear in English.