Jingle Bell Rock

The holiday season is at its close. Now when we go shopping, we will once again be listening to the music we are all used to hearing throughout the year. We can take a break from the bombardment of Holiday music. These songs are successful in inciting our emotions in one way or another. I am especially susceptible to one particular song: Jingle Bell Rock.

It was 1986 and I was in the fifth grade. The school had a holiday concert bash planned and each classroom in the school was going to perform a song. As a Jehovah’s Witness kid I was not allowed to participate. Up to that point I never felt I was missing out on celebrating the holidays. Unlike many other kids I knew that were in my situation, I could easily explain to you why I did not. I was the type of Jehovah’s Witness kid that would carry his Bible to school so that I could explain to my teacher why I could not salute the flag, “If you see here in Deuteronomy 4:15-20…” The Christmas explanation was a breeze. I had a lot of love in my house, from my mother and my siblings. Holidays or not I was a happy kid.

The day of the concert came and since I was not going to participate I was left with some activities to complete in the classroom. Our classroom was on the third floor of the school. Out of curiosity I walked over to the window and saw the set up they had on the playground. Then the singing began. I continued to watch and realized that I was the only person in the whole building. Everyone was outside. Once all the grades sang their songs, they all sang Jingle Bell Rock together. I loved the song! Listening to everyone sing it together was inspiring. That’s when I felt it. The one time in my whole childhood I felt I was missing out on the holidays was when I heard all those kids happily singing Jingle Bell Rock as I sat there alone.

When I hear Jingle Bell Rock today I am mentally transported to that moment to that feeling of being left out on what was just good clean fun because of a judgmental point of view that was inculcated by my church. At that one moment, I knew. It would not be until many years later that what I knew would be clear to me. Jingle Bell Rock reminds me of what the holidays are about, a celebration, a time for fun, and a time of giving. There is nothing wrong with choosing an occasion to share joy with others and there is no need to exclude yourself from it just because you disagree on the origins of such a celebration. Whether it was Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, or any other good old fashioned winter solstice celebration, I hope you enjoyed yours.

Top 25 things I learned from watching Paranormal Activity (2007)

I saw Paranormal Activity (2007) for the first time a few days ago. I would like to share the top 25 things I learned while watching this movie.

25. Demons are invisible.
24. Demons bite – never knew that!
23. Micah has ugly feet.
22. “I trust you as far as I can throw you,” does not apply to demons.
21. Having a demon is like having a new born baby.
20. Demons close the door on your face just to knock on the outside.
19. Demons can be sensitive; they keep pictures from your childhood.
18. Demons live in the attic.
17. “I’m going to fucking solve the problem,” is a rational response to demons in your home.
16. Demons leave footprints, which is a good thing for demon hunters.
15. Micah is the worst boyfriend…EVER!
14. Demons will play and burn Ouija when you’re not around.
13. I didn’t buy it! I borrowed it! That is showing her!
12. If you talk in your sleep “I wouldn’t call it talking.”
11. Demons want to watch TV but each time they try they get static.
10. Even if you KNOW you have a demon, say “Who’s there?” every time.
9. Your concern for your camera comes first above all else, including your girlfriend.
8. Do whatever a condescending prick will tell you.
7. Demons like to leave keys on the middle of the floor.
6. Demons will make you stare at things.
5. Demons only come out at night, apparently they can’t handle sunlight.
4. “What is your quest? What is your favorite color?” These are acceptable questions to ask a demon.
3. Dump your girlfriend if she has a stalker demon.
2. Demons have nothing better to do.
1. Demons hate cameras more than the Amish do.

What a piece of shit movie!