I am, famously, a bit of a Grinch. I’m not especially fond of this time of year. I hate the music, I hate the crowds in malls – and I mostly hate all the “Christmas” food. Sure, I’ll delight in roasted meats with fervour, but nonsense like Christmas pudding and mince pies should be classified as psychological weapons.
I hate all that faux cheer, and the fake smiles – but really, it’s because I’m a jaded old grumpy bastard. What I do like is staying in Johannesburg during the festive period, as everybody from Gauteng make their way to the coast, leaving the roads and everything else up here in the north quiet.
I also like that I actually get a break, to play all of those games that I may have missed while playing games for review purposes. It also gives me a week or two away from Darryn, which is necessary for my sanity. Anyway – that’s me, and it’s a simple wrap up for the year – what are your favourite and least favourite things about the time of year?
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.
Last Updated: December 15, 2017
Magu
December 15, 2017 at 10:40
The worst things are these WWE adverts on CH that autoplay all over the page. >.> I’m trying to be discrete here my guys!
No but the worst is definitely the rapid increase in road accidents.
The best thing is the peace and quiet at work and generally around the neighborhood.
Lord Chaos
December 15, 2017 at 10:41
A bit? A BIT? You’re more like a terabyte of a Grinch
Original Heretic
December 15, 2017 at 10:47
Better than being a TeraFLOP!
The D
December 15, 2017 at 10:42
You can run Geoff, you can hide. You can even cry. Hell, you might as well do all of that right now anyway, because I will find you.
Magu
December 15, 2017 at 10:47
Oooooeehh.. G is gonna get the D..
Original Heretic
December 15, 2017 at 10:48
I laughed, then realized that my first name also starts with G.
Now I’m slightly disgusted.
R1ker
December 15, 2017 at 10:48
I love the traffic to work when everyone else is on leave. So use working through the December period now does not bother me anymore. December is dead quite at work anyway. And then I take my leave in Feb when everyone is back at work and things pick up.
Original Heretic
December 15, 2017 at 10:48
This. Totally this.
Lord Chaos
December 15, 2017 at 10:50
Haha, It’s like we’re twins
R1ker
December 15, 2017 at 10:50
lol
R1ker
December 15, 2017 at 10:52
oh yes – and i get to see Admiral’s 1000 comment article
Original Heretic
December 15, 2017 at 10:53
Not just see, but PARTICIPATE!
Oh, the shit talk in those comments reaches new levels of brown.
R1ker
December 15, 2017 at 10:54
True that
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2017 at 10:48
Who doesn’t like Christmas pudding? Warmed up, and before you serve you pour some brandy over it & set it alight for fun & giggles. Then you have the elfbread of cakes – Christmas cake. Leftovers for days from a gigantic lunch. Unwrapping presents. Christmas is awesome.
Just don’t go to the shops unless it’s very early in the morning.
Original Heretic
December 15, 2017 at 10:50
Do you like pudding or puddin’?
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2017 at 10:52
I love pudding, puddin’.
Original Heretic
December 15, 2017 at 10:54
You nearly made me do my Joker laugh now.
My wife frowns upon me doing that, the neighbours (literally) poke their heads outside to see what the hell is going on.
HvR
December 15, 2017 at 10:52
I would love to be puddin’
Magu
December 15, 2017 at 10:53
I prefer Putin
HvR
December 15, 2017 at 10:54
Woohoo
Original Heretic
December 15, 2017 at 10:54
Look at this!
https://www.sott.net/article/371298-Putin-Schools-Journalists-and-Western-Politicians-in-Annual-Q-A-Marathon
Magu
December 15, 2017 at 10:51
I don’t enjoy the puddings, but you just got SO MUCH FESTIVE SPIRIT I love it! :3
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2017 at 10:53
All these Sulky Sues & Negative Nancys. I think they all secretly enjoy Christmas but it’s not cool to admit it. 😉
HvR
December 15, 2017 at 10:53
I will take the brandy neat thanks
There is never a good reason to put raisins and glazed fruit in food
Kervyn Cloete
December 15, 2017 at 10:59
Christmas fruit cake and fruit mince pies can die in a yuletide fire
R1ker
December 15, 2017 at 11:00
We don’t do the whole xmas cake and pies thingy. We just braai.
Lord Chaos
December 15, 2017 at 11:04
Fire won’t destroy fruit cake, that stuff’s even harder than diamonds
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2017 at 11:08
And my mom’s trifle! Layers of brandy-soaked sponge and apricot jam, with cream on top, and none of that fruit kak people seem to love unless you count the glace cherries on top.
HvR
December 15, 2017 at 11:10
That is Christmas trifle not Christmas pudding
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2017 at 11:12
I know. We have the pudding, cake, mince pies, and trifle. 😀
Kervyn Cloete
December 15, 2017 at 13:50
Yes, TRIFLE! Now we’re talking!
Kervyn Cloete
December 15, 2017 at 10:58
Yes, Geoff. I too hate faxes. They’re so archaic. And who the hell is cheering for them anyway?
HvR
December 15, 2017 at 10:59
All South African government departments apparently
Sock-puppet
December 15, 2017 at 11:02
The bloody promotional emails. I get it, you have a christmas sale, I heard the ad on radio, saw the billboard and watched the online ad. Now you are emailing me? Screw you takealot, I’ll go get my deals somewhere else.
Ross Woofels Mason
December 15, 2017 at 11:05
Best: I get to spend 3 weeks with my animals and not go to work.
Worst: People drive like absolute fucking idiots on the road worse than the rest of the year.
HvR
December 15, 2017 at 11:06
What is wrong with christmas music?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI7iEd_h-q0
Original Heretic
December 15, 2017 at 11:18
Leo Moracchioli is awesome.
Love his cover of Hello by Adele.
HvR
December 15, 2017 at 11:20
Lot of his covers make shitty songs better and good songs freaking awesome.
Let it Go
Toto-Afrika
Feel Good Inc
etc
Ottokie
December 15, 2017 at 11:12
People. But its not only this time of year… it’s only worse this time of year.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2017 at 11:13
Just be Happy for once, pony boy!
http://cdn2us.denofgeek.com/sites/denofgeekus/files/styles/main_wide/public/2017/09/happy-blue-horse-season-1-syfy.jpg
Original Heretic
December 15, 2017 at 11:19
What….is that?
Please tell me that’s just a hoof and not….something else.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2017 at 11:20
That’s Happy!
Original Heretic
December 15, 2017 at 11:22
That’s VERY happy.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2017 at 11:23
Original Heretic
December 15, 2017 at 11:27
Heh, I’ll watch this.
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2017 at 11:28
It’s so very wrong, on so many levels. 😀
RinceThis
December 15, 2017 at 13:05
THIS!
Lord Chaos
December 15, 2017 at 11:14
Get your delivery yet?
Ottokie
December 15, 2017 at 11:14
no
Lord Chaos
December 15, 2017 at 11:15
Better start being nice, or all your getting is a lump of coal 😛
Ottokie
December 15, 2017 at 11:16
Have you seen charcoal prices.
Magu
December 15, 2017 at 11:24
To cheer you up. 😛
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fe074cfbb0bfb276b3c3aa957ac27e87195ca598910574e2ceda131c676f83e7.gif
Ottokie
December 15, 2017 at 11:29
That reminds me… I used to post cat gifs a lot here xD
Time sure flies
Magu
December 15, 2017 at 11:52
You and a few others. I used to open articles without reading and just look for cat GIFs in the comments.
Ottokie
December 15, 2017 at 11:53
http://www.cutecatgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/fab.gif
Magu
December 15, 2017 at 11:54
Ah, the infamous. xD
Ottokie
December 15, 2017 at 11:54
https://media.giphy.com/media/wSd5OFq1f83i8/giphy.gif
Magu
December 15, 2017 at 11:55
I don’t know how to explain the kind of happiness I feel when I watch this. xD
Ottokie
December 15, 2017 at 11:55
I still have my folder with all of them from Lagz days xD
Magu
December 15, 2017 at 11:57
Gone with the good, the bad and the Geoffrey days.
Ottokie
December 15, 2017 at 11:59
Also gone are the actual Good, bad and ugly 🙁
Alien Emperor Trevor
December 15, 2017 at 11:59
https://i.imgur.com/P6A22bX.gif
RinceThis
December 15, 2017 at 12:30
hahaha gods I love this one
Admiral Chief Silver Dragon
December 15, 2017 at 11:16
Only thing I like this time of the year is my bonus. The rest can GITMFPOSS
Matthew Fick
December 15, 2017 at 11:48
I live in Jeffreys Bay, where do you think all that traffic goes to for the festive season? That’s probably the worst, having the roads choked up with holiday makers, but it’s less of an annoyance every year.
My favorite part is buying presents, and then wrapping them using half a roll of tape and watching the recipient spend ten minutes opening what’s usually a small object.
HvR
December 15, 2017 at 11:57
https://i.imgur.com/6EK6f53.jpg
Matthew Fick
December 15, 2017 at 12:09
This, I’m stealing this idea.
For the Emperor!
December 15, 2017 at 11:49
All those darn peasants in my way if I want to go to the shops!
RinceThis
December 15, 2017 at 12:02
Gods he really is a grumpy bastard. I love spending time with family, getting pissed and laughing.
For the Emperor!
December 15, 2017 at 12:16
I forgot best – It is Star Wars month!
Gavin Mannion
December 15, 2017 at 14:56
Best: Christmas tree’s, decorations etc
I have 4 tree’s in my house at the moment with a 5th going up tomorrow.. I love Christmas
Worst: whiny little bastards who hate Christmas and mince pies and post about it on websites