What does Christmas mean to you?

I'm sure you all remember Steve Martin's Christmas wish on SNL years ago (that all the children of the world would join hands and sing, etc.), but have you ever heard this? I hadn't, until just yesterday.

The Almighty Betamax

If this isn't a Man's Couch Christmas...well... nothing is.

Enjoy!

http://betamaxmas.com/

~Skooch

I want to be friends with this guy

Christmas in China?

Ahoy from my favorite city in the world, Beijing. I come here about four times a year on business, and this time was a spur of the moment thing, as I flew for 14 hours to have two days of meetings and fly back, so I am using my last day to do something productive: Christmas Shopping! Skutch's Squeeze recently got to experience this magical place as part of her standard Olympic activities, and knows exactly what I mean when I say that I never get tired of this city. The afore-mentioned world-uniting games have had an amazing affect on this city and its people, and as much as I have had an affinity for all that they are, I love them even more now.

Although, I think the recent economic panic is hitting things at the most base level here in the city. As odd as it is to walk down the thoroughfare in Mao's shining Buddhist pearl and see Christmas lights twinkling everywhere, it is even more disturbing to be propositioned by young girls asking if I want "..girley massagey or sex" a record six times in less than a mile on an evening with 0-degree wind chill. Usually my little walk to the Silk Street will feature one proposition (last time I was here one rolled up to a German colleague and I riding a bike!) But 6 times? It makes me so sad for these poor, beautiful girls who think their only means of living is pleasing fat Australian businessmen for, and I quote, "...cheap money, no probrem!"

On the lighter side, I am glad to see that the 'Couch is in full Yule-tide swing. Every time I listen to "The Charley Brown Christmas" album by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, I always think of hanging with Skutch at the Man's Pad in Murray. Good times. I fly back today, and fully look forward to rocking with y'all in the City of Salt. Peace on Earth, and Good Will to All!

Skooch Holiday Music

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year but mostly for the lights and the eggnog. Lots of eggnog... anyway, here is my contribution to the Man's Couch Holiday experience (in no particular order):



Jingle Bells as sung by Lena Horn.

Find it on the Ultra Lounge Christmas Cocktails 2 collection. Few women in the world can sing it like this and get away with it. (Dudes are out-right!) Honorable mention in the Jingle Bells division: Lisa Loeb (she's dreamy!)




Santa's Beard by They Might Be Giants.

Not a traditional holiday song, and not really even about Santa. God bless They Might Be Giants!




Oi! To The World by No Doubt.

"If God came down on Christmas day/I now exactly what he'd say/Oi! to the Punks/Oi! to the Skins/But Oi! to the world and everybody wins!"





The Restroom Door Said Gentlemen by Bob Rivers

The 12 Pains of Christmas is fun, but sort of obvious. This one sneaks up on you when you think you're safe.





Winter Wonderland by Johnny Mathis.

Can't help it, it's just not Christmas until I've heard this song come out of the stereo at home. Johnny Mathis is the King of smooth Christmas!







EDIT:



Bittersweet Eve by Belsana

This is the perfect song to bring back (or keep burning) that New Year's Eve angst we all know and love. It's actually a really good tune and I think the lyrics are clever. So There.





My usual Christmas listening involves a mix tape I made called ChrisMix. These songs are all on it and namy, many more. If we are able to hold the Man's Couch Christmas it will be heard.




Enjoy! Oh, and pass the eggnog!

Need gift ideas?

You've come to the right place. This is your one-stop Christmas shopping experience!

Banana Bunkers. Keep your bananas safe!

Hillary Clinton Bowl Scrubber. I'd be afraid to take her out of the package, for fear she'd kill me.

The Fizz Cup. I'm really not sure what this is supposed to be, really. But it looks sorta cool.

Sleeping Bags for Airplanes. Because it wouldn't be creepy to sit next to someone who was using one of these at all.

Paper Towel Cutter. I think this is a clever idea. Y'know, until you slice off your little finger with it.

Playing the Market. This is a CD of "music" made from sounds from the stock market. Apparently, this is what they were all doing while the economy was spiraling the drain.

Couldn't resist this one...

Had to post this too..it is short, but so Time Life-esque I had to laugh.

From a Fanilow

Could This Be Magic? I THINK SO!!

Hi boys-

After a DELIGHTFUL mini-Man's Couch reunion, I am now in the thriving rainbow metropolis of San Francisco. Reading all the Rick Astley commentary led me to post the above performance....and yes, this is a new track from Barry's latest. I now have confirmation that Barry and I share a connection since his 80's covers CD includes "Careless Whisper." Dean-o--have you found any Mash-ups that include Barry? Just a thought for your next compilation!

I do have a bit of a rant...or at least a bit of weirdness from home. So my baby sister, Lindsey, and I are chatting about her upcoming graduation from good old high school. The topic of class songs comes up and I ask her if they have picked one. She says, "Yes, and I think you might know it." I am hoping that I do since I don't follow everything as closely as I used to. But no worries, because they have chosen "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey as their song!! Now, I have no issues with the song..in fact I pretty much love everything Journey did and sing this regularly at Karaoke. However, this was put out like a billion years ago....is there no one out now writing great class songs? I mean, hasn't Fall Out Boy or All-American Rejects put out something? Or one of the many American Idol Pop Stars? Or maybe I should take comfort that this generation recognizes the greatness that was the 80's? I actually wish this had been my class song...we had a run off between U2's "Pride" and Motely Crue's "Changes" and Motely Crue won......

I would also like to second Mr. Fargo's love for the British group, McFly...who I love but I'm sure you are not surprised by Lovey loving all things British. I have actually been on a kick of British ladies vocal power lately but I am transitioning into my "Last Christmas" marathon. More later...

I hate "Christmas Shoes"

It's the worst song ever. It really is. I don't know anyone who will cop to liking that song, and yet, it's apparently the number one requested song this time of year. I just don't get it. Christmas songs are supposed to be happy and uplifting and fun, am I wrong? Songs about Santa, sleigh bells, and walking in winter wonderlands. That sort of thing.

But this "Christmas Shoes" song... Oh man.

Will someone explain to me how the real meaning of Christmas is best conveyed by a little kid who wants to buy some shoes for his dying mom? What, exactly, is the message being presented here? Seems to me that it's one of two things. Either it's A) that consumerism has become so paramount in our society that this kid feels the need to get that last minute gift, rather than y'know... being at home with his dying mom, or B) you can't get into Heaven unless you're wearing Jesus-approved shoes. I'm not sure which message is more unsettling to me, frankly.

I firmly believe that "Christmas Shoes" is like that M. Night Shamalayn movie where the plants tell people to kill themselves, because every single time I hear that song, I have the urge to jab myself in the brain with a fork.

Folks, if we can overcome our differences and extend to one another the hand of genuine friendship; if we can come together in a common purpose to get Rosie O'Donnell off the air, surely we can all do something to stop the further propagation of this song.

I suggest that the first step is to collectively agree what the greatest Christmas song of all time is.
I nominate "Christmas in Hollis" by Run-DMC.

It's the most wonderful time of the year