THE CHRISTMAS THREAD.

For Craig my Christmas wish gift to you is a first class booth for eight to watch the fifth Ashes test in Sydney with a champagne limousine there and back home for all
First class booth yes. Last time brother and I watched Test cricket live at SCG we sat in the concourse (not undercover) and almost boiled. We were there because they messed up our booking. True Story. Sorry I digress. Fabulous wish gift Terry. And as Genie of the Lamp am throwing in a sumptuous spit pork roast supper in the private presidential room of the SCG Trust. Am inviting my harem too of course.😎
 
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Pity our test matches are so short, unlike the grass wicket at the MSG where they were too long!
No worries, you'll get an imaginary refund for two days, and a thousand Flybite points. 🪰😉🪰🪰
 
Who has a special tradition only for Christmas. I do as I always watch a version of Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol/ Scrooge. And I invariably get a touch watery eyed at the conclusion.

Do you guys/gal still listen to Chrissie carols like moir. I have two favorites, When a Child is Born and O Holy Night. Your favorites?
I watched the original version of Scrooge today, seen it many times but still enjoy it!
 
To cut back on smoking
My brother started smoking from age 16, became a heavy smoker then managed to kick the habit in his 50s. We both did but I was only a moderate smoker. Seems he was a touch too late as he now has lesions on his lungs and requires chemotherapy twice a month.

Probably too late to ask you to give it up now Terry.
 
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The 'harbor cities' New Year firework show will be different from past ones as this yr they are adding some Jewish inserts, such as a minute silence for the Bondi terrorist victims plus a graphic on the bridge and Opera House sail of a menorah, or a Jewish candle holder. Australian Army soldiers brandishing hi tech machine guns has also been added for security. They have been in force too at recent sporting events. This is un Australian and over the top for mine.
 
My brother started smoking from age 16, became a heavy smoker then managed to kick the habit in his 50s. We both did but I was only a moderate smoker. Seems he was a touch too late as he now has lesions on his lungs and requires chemotherapy twice a month.

Probably too late to ask you to give it up now Terry.
I only took up smoking again 2 years ago after years of not smoking.
Likewise alcohol after not drinking for 25 years.

Mark Twain said "Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I've done it thousands of times"
 
I only took up smoking again 2 years ago after years of not smoking.
Silly man Terry, why? Then again perhaps I know why. You were still having smoking pangs like me. Was astounding after 10, then 20 and still now after about 30 yrs since my last ciggie the pangs remain but thankfully not as strong now. I still satisfy them by sucking a mint at the same rate as I smoked, about 10 a day. Either that or nuts. Surprisingly I dont get the pang when drinking alcohol as the two went hand in hand when I smoked. Give em away again mate for your health's sake.
 
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Silly man Terry, why? Then again perhaps I know why. You were still having smoking pangs like me. Was astounding after 10, then 20 and still now after about 30 yrs since my last ciggie the pangs remain but thankfully not as strong now. I still satisfy them by sucking a mint at the same rate as I smoked, about 10 a day. Either that or nuts. Surprisingly I dont get the pang when drinking alcohol as the two went hand in hand when I smoked. Give em away again mate for your health's sake.
I was brought up to my early teens in a pub my parents ran, 20 miles south of Belfast in the coastal tourist town of Donaghadee.
I was smoking and drinking from 13 on, which was no big deal in Ireland then. I even served behind the bar.

As you said Craig, the urge to smoke stays with us. When an old pal died 2 years ago, that tipped me back into smoking again. More fool me. It was the same years back when my old Dad died. He'd said to crack open his precious booze cabinet for his Wake, .... and me 25 years without a drink til then. Twenty year old Whiskey .... Wake in my home ,,, say no more ..

Jessica, thanks for the advice about Vitamin C for smokers. I didn't know about that and googled around. Yes, smokers should up their levels of Vit C so I'll get some next shop.
My diet of mixed salads, tomatoes, kiwi fruit, oranges, berries, stone fruit, grapes,.. and delicious Mangoes 🥭 are full of vit C. I've started a fish oil capsule per day too.
 
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The 'harbor cities' New Year firework show will be different from past ones as this yr they are adding some Jewish inserts, such as a minute silence for the Bondi terrorist victims plus a graphic on the bridge and Opera House sail of a menorah, or a Jewish candle holder. Australian Army soldiers brandishing hi tech machine guns has also been added for security. They have been in force too at recent sporting events. This is un Australian and over the top for mine.
Not quite correct, riot police instead. But I did read that soldiers were being considered to protect the Jewish community. So because a race of people are vulnerable to violent acts we Aussies have to pay for their protection. Are the Indian or Greek, Muslim or Chinese communities being protected by soldiers or riot police. No.
 
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I was brought up to my early teens in a pub my parents ran, 20 miles south of Belfast in the coastal tourist town of Donaghadee.
I was smoking and drinking from 13 on, which was no big deal in Ireland then. I even served behind the bar.

As you said Craig, the urge to smoke stays with us. When an old pal died 2 years ago, that tipped me back into smoking again. More fool me. It was the same years back when my old Dad died. He'd said to crack open his precious booze cabinet for his Wake, .... and me 25 years without a drink til then. Twenty year old Whiskey .... Wake in my home ,,, say no more ..

Jessica, thanks for the advice about Vitamin C for smokers. I didn't know about that and googled around. Yes, smokers should up their levels of Vit C so I'll get some next shop.
My diet of mixed salads, tomatoes, kiwi fruit, oranges, berries, stone fruit, grapes,.. and delicious Mangoes 🥭 are full of vit C. I've started a fish oil capsule per day too.
A woman I know packed in smoking by using vitamin c, she would have oranges instead of a ciggy, it helped with the cravings and the dizzy spells that she got from withdrawal symptoms, she hasn't smoked now for over 20yrs
 
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