SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Holiday Television Programs: Day 23 - "Seinfeld - The Strike"

ed note: This article was first published on December 18th, 2016

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 23 "Seinfeld - The Strike"

Original air date - December, 18th 1997 

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen,  Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty-One, Twenty-Two

For SeedSing's Advent Calendar of great holiday television shows, today, I'm going to write about the "Festivus" episode of "Seinfeld". I know the episode is called "The Strike", but lets be honest, I think we all know this as the Festivus episode. The Festivus episode of "Seinfeld" ranks right up there with any "Simpsons", "The Office" or any other TV show we have written about for the Advent calendar. In fact, I'm going to say that the Festivus episode of "Seinfeld" is the best holiday television show ever. I may quote "The Simpsons" more, or laugh at "The Office" more, but this particular episode of "Seinfeld" has literally changed the way I view the holiday. Today marks Festivus, and I will be airing grievances, showing feats of strength and getting the big pole out for this wonderful pre holiday holiday. 

The episode starts off funny. We all learn that Kramer was/is a worker in a bagel shop, and the strike that he has been seemingly on for years, has ended. Funny right off the bat. The whole thing with the bagel shop, and Kramer's past, and now present, are all classic "Seinfeld". We also get another story involving Elaine giving some creeps a phony phone number and there is some wackiness that happens with this plot line throughout. But, the true gem of the episode is when George's dad tells the world of the joyous day of Festivus.

We learn that when George was a kid, his dad was in line waiting to get him a toy, a doll in fact, and someone else got the last one. He pleaded and prodded the person to give him the doll, but they just would not budge. This caused Frank to lose his mind. He got very, very upset, as he almost always does.  This was when and where he Frank decided he needed to have a "holiday for the rest of us", and thus, Festivus was born. He decided that everyone needs to do many things to make themselves feel a bit better during this holiday season.

Let's be honest, this time of year brings out the anxiety and anger in the best of us. The holiday season can be pretty rough. So, the fact that Frank came up with a holiday where everyone can air their grievances, I love it. I wish this was a real thing and people would not get upset at the outcome. Imagine how nice it would be to tell everyone how you feel, but with the caveat that they cannot get mad at you, and they are allowed to do the same. This would be terrific. To let it all out, that would feel great from both sides. I love that the Costanza's do this every year, because who has more grievances than the Costanza's? No one, that's who. Imagine Frank, Estelle and George sitting around airing their grievances, it must be magically hilarious.

Then, the feats of strength. This would be my absolute favorite. This gives you the chance to prove who is the strongest in your family. I would crush this part of Festivus (ed note: no he would not), and I think my whole family, while they might disagree at first, knows that I would dominate. Now, imagine once again, the Costanza's doing this. I can almost guarantee that Estelle would be the strongest in the family. She may not look it, but I think she would absolutely dominate George and Frank in a feats of strength competition. I bet George is also the weakest, even at everyone's advanced age. He is so meek and mean, but that is just his attitude, I'm sure that does not translate into actual strength.

Then, we have the Festivus pole, which is the alternative to the tree and menorah used during this time of year. It is just an unadorned pole that sits in your living room on December 23rd. It does nothing, but it adds so much to this episode. The fact that Frank just wanted an alternative to all the glitz and glamour of the holiday's is a perfect representation of Frank and the Costanza's. They do not conform to social norms at any times, and I love that.

What makes this episode even more wonderful is the fact that people have made Festivus a real holiday. This has become a real thing. At the time of its airing, it was just an idea that Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David and the "Seinfeld" writing crew came up with, but now, it is real. The computer hasn't proclaimed that I have spelled the word wrong once, there is actual written facts on the internet and most people actually celebrate the day. This has become a world wide, nationally celebrated holiday. I know for a fact that when I go see my family later today, we will celebrate some of the best parts of Festivus, and I cannot wait (ed note: also the fact that Ty will once again lose the feats of strength).

The fact that Festivus is a nationally recognized thing should be more than enough to get this episode on our list, but there are so many more reasons. It is a funny, goofy, Costanza heavy episode, which are usually the best that "Seinfeld" has to offer. While I love "The Simpsons", and it will always be my favorite show, this episode of "Seinfeld" is one of the best episodes of just general television, but it is also the best representation of this holiday that TV has ever put out. It is magnificent.

Go out and have a wonderful Festivus everyone. After all, it is a holiday for the rest of us.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Did we mention that Ty always loses the feats of strength. He does always lose. Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Happy Festivus

Today is Festivus, and that means I have some grievances to air.

I could do the cliché thing and just say all of 2020. And while this has been a rough year, some good has come out of it. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the election. The NBA bubble was a massive success, no matter what the ratings may have said. I have gotten to spend way more time with my wife and kids, which rules. And I’ve re learned some old math while helping my kids when they were learning virtually. I’ve also run more than 1,000 miles this year and pushed myself running more than I ever imagined. But, there’s still some grievances. And there always will be.

Let’s begin.

I haven’t seen a live music show since February. It was great, Tyler, the Creator, and if that’s the last live show I ever see, I’m okay with that. It’s fine. But I like live music. It’s fun and shows me how good the band actually is at playing their music. I miss that.

Michigan football was an utter disaster. They shouldn’t have played in the first place. But they did and they stunk. They’re beginning to clean house, which I expected. And more changes are on the horizon. I’m also sick and tired or rooting for a middling, mediocre Big Ten team. I want the old Michigan back. I want the team that, even when they weren’t as talented, they still battled, they still played hard.

I’m annoyed at all the new streaming services. Netflix and Hulu are all well and good, but there’s more and more, and it’s not as cheap as promised. We got Disney+, and that’s another expense. I’m sure we will get Peacock and Vudu and whatever in the hell else we may need. But it’s going to be as expensive as cable, if not more. Cutting cable was supposed to be the cheaper alternative, but it’s looking more and more like it’s going to cost more than people imagined.

I’m bummed I can’t play basketball. This is purely by choice, but I feel like it’s the smart and safe choice. I still miss it though. I miss the pickup games and competitive nature and just the game in general. I love watching it, but I’d much rather play. I’m not going to until we are almost all vaccinated too. But I’m still upset that the people I play with continue to play during the pandemic. Hopefully I can be back soon with them though.

Finally, and I know I said I love all the extra family time I’m getting, I do miss my downtime. I used to get three hours everyday, well Monday-Thursday, that were just me and my dog. I loved and adored that time. I’d get things done. I’d go on long runs without having to do something or be somewhere. I’d clean the house uninterrupted. I’d take my time at the store. I’d sit down and have my coffee and eggs without being bombarded. It was rad. I know I’ll get that back someday, but damn it, I really miss it.

That wraps up my airing or grievances for 2020. Now on to feats of strength. I challenge RD first. Bring it.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 22 - Patton Oswalt talks about The Christmas Shoes

ed note: This article was originally published on December 22nd, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy.Day 22: Patton Oswalt talks about The Christmas Shoes (language NSFW)

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten,

 Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen,Sixteen,Seventeen,Eighteen,

Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty One

I really love Christmas music. This entire Advent Calendar project is a way to show the people who hate Christmas music that there are great tunes available to the uninitiated. My love for holiday music is directly related to the fact that while I was growing up my parents would regularly take me and my brothers to church. I was never super psyched to go to our little suburban catholic cathedral, except for one time of the year. The Christmas season was the only times of the year I was happy to go to mass, and it was the songs that created my excitement. Many of the best holiday songs come from the religious tunes the congregation would sing. Hope, light, the betterment of mankind. That is the true religious meaning of Christmas, and it sounds beautiful.

A couple of years back I heard the song "The Christmas Shoes" and I was left dumbfounded. I first thought that this "christian" song was some kind of SNL parody. It was atrocious. The basic plot centered on the story of a poor kid who wants to buy shoes for his mom on Christmas. These shoes are very important because the kid's mom is dying, and he wants her to look pretty if she meets Jesus. That plot is dumb enough, but what puts "The Christmas Shoes" into the stratosphere of appalling is that the song is from the point of view of some grumpy dude in line behind the kid. The narrator thinks that "God" sent this kid, and his dying mom, to be in this man's life so he will feel the Christmas spirit. It is a truly disgusting message.

In 2009 comedian Patton Oswalt dedicated part of his stand up set discussing "The Christmas Shoes" Everything he says is spot on. Oswalt talks about how manipulative and downright sinister the message behind "The Christmas Shoes" is. He also imagines a world with a God being pissed about people being grumpy on Christmas and a Jesus who is bitchy about a person's fashion sense. What Patton Oswalt does in the YouTube video attached to this article is take one of the worst Christmas songs ever, and give it a new hilarious life. You can skip the song and get a dose of the Christmas spirit by hearing Patton Oswalt tear this piece of trash apart. His thoughts on "The Christmas Shoes" makes the song listenable, because I hear Patton Oswalt's words behind every horrid verse.

A few weeks back my son was being rude to the checkout person at a store. When we were heading home, my wife and I were scolding him about his behavior. At one point I told him that Christmas is about being nice to your fellow person. My son was not listening and being quite defiant. As I was getting more angry and frustrated I heard the opening notes of "The Christmas Shoes". My wife and I stared at each other and smiled. My son was forgiven. The rest of the car ride was filled with joy and laughter. Patton Oswalt has made "The Christmas Shoes" a holiday tradition. Not the song, it is awful, but his thoughts about the tune's idiotic message is what Christmas means to me. Mr. Oswalt, I owe you a pair of some great Christmas shoes.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the host of The X Millennial Man podcast. Every year he tries to buy his wife some ugly shoes for Christmas, but he never has quite enough pennies. Help him buy those shoes by supporting SeedSing.

Aldi Coconut Blend is Some Great Coffee

I have mentioned on this site how I am fairly new to the coffee scene.

I didn't start drinking coffee until my son was born, and he will be nine next month. When I started to drink coffee it was all about getting as much sweetness as possible, to mask the coffee flavor. I wanted the caffeine, but I didn't want the taste. So I would have every Frappuccino and sweet drink you could imagine. Hell, I even enjoyed a pumpkin spice latte in my coffee infancy. Soon I started to get away from the super sweet coffee, and opted for blonde roast, and then I would add cream and Splenda. I have never been a real sugar guy for my coffee. It takes far too much to reach the taste I want. But, Splenda does do the trick with a very little bit. And lately I have even had some coffee that doesn't require any flavor add ons. Sure, an occasional oat milk honey latte or a mocha or even some kind of Xmas themed drink is fine.

For me there are some places here in Saint Louis where the black coffee actually tastes like the description. There are a few spots, namely Sump, Stone Spiral and Shaw's, that need nothing extra. The coffee on its own is fantastic. Especially Sump. I had a black coffee there that had fruit notes of peaches and pears in it, and I could legitimately taste it in the cup. It is, in fact, one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had.

So in my, now almost nine years of coffee drinking, I have found ways to try and make the drinks from shops I like, or I just find ground coffee with flavors in it that do not require much, if any additions. I still take my coffee with cream no matter what. But there are some ground coffee flavors that need no sweetener, be it fake or real. I have recently discovered a new flavor that does just that. I get most of my ground coffee at Aldi. Say whatever you want about me coffee snobs. I love the price point of Aldi, it works just fine in my Keurig, again, say what you want nerds, and it tastes damn good. I do buy the occasional on brand stuff at Schnucks, but the off brand stuff they have at Aldi is just as good, and the toasted coconut flavor is one of the best ground coffees I have ever had. I am not a fan of straight up coconut. The texture turns me off. It is all grimy and gritty and just not for me. I am not a fan of Mounds bars, I do not like when they add shredded coconut to a fruit medley mix, and I would rather throw out ice cream than eat it if it has coconut in it. But, I do like the flavor of coconut. Yeah, I'm weird. When you separate the texture, and just add the flavor, chef's kiss. My favorite Bai drink is the coconut one. I love these low carb granola bars I found that are coconut flavored. I don't like milk, but I do enjoy coconut milk in coffee and in cereal. I also like coconut water. But this toasted coconut flavored coffee is to die for.

First off, it smells like coconut when it brews. I feel like I am at the beach or the pool when I make my cup every morning, and I love it. But the taste, my goodness is that where this stuff shines. It does have that toasted flavored, but not over roasted. You know how Starbucks roast coffee tastes kind of burnt? This coffee straddles that line to perfection. It truly is toasted, not burnt. Then, with a touch of cream, it goes down so smooth. It gives me both the coffee taste I have grown to like, but with a hint of coconut. You know how LaCroix is like sparkling water, with an essence of flavor, but Spindrift actually has that flavor? This coffee is like the Spindrift of coffee. It is so much better. I really dig the flavor, and the fact that I do not need to add much, if any sweetener. When I do, it takes the flavor up a notch, and that is great. But the coffee is just as good, maybe better, with a splash of cream.

I cannot recommend this coffee enough, and this is coming from a coconut skeptic. Check it out, I bet you will enjoy it.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Television Programs: Day 21 - "Saturday Night Live - TV Funhouse December 17th, 2005

ed note: This article was originally published on December 21st, 2016

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy.

Day 21 "Saturday Night Live - TV Funhouse December 17th, 2005"

Original air date - Read the title 

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen,  Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty

We all need that special time where we rule the world. I can do no justice to the master work of Darlene Love and the people at TV Funhouse. 

Enjoy

RD 

RD Kulik is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He also did not wait in line for King Kong on Christmas Day. He wish he had.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

This Year's College Football Playoff is Made for TV

Next week will be my best of lists. I am still working on some things, and I need a little more time. It is a bit tougher for certain things because I have been busy watching old shows or movies with my kids. With that, this week is going to be some sports, a movie review and some random pop culture things.

To start this week, I want to talk about the College Football Playoff. The four teams that made it, Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and the university of Ohio State, were totally expected by me, and some others I knew. And I am not here to shit on two teams I despise, or how it really feels like it will be Clemson-Alabama for the title for the third or fourth time playing for the title. That is not my point at all. And while I feel bad for Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Florida, they each had reasons why they didn't get put in. The only team of these three that has a real argument is Texas A&M. But they didn't get picked, and they will just have to get over that. I actually feel worse for Cincinnati and Coastal Carolina. Both those teams finished their seasons undefeated, playing double digit games. But they both play in lower level conferences, and the playoff is constructed to keep these teams out. It is just like the BCS, and how they treated Boise State. The lower level teams do not get a fair shake, and that has to change. They need to add more teams. Now is the time to make it an eight or twelve team playoff. They could've easily expanded this season, used COVID as to why, and no one would be griping like they have for two days now. It would have been cut and dry, and everyone would've been happy.

My real point today, the four teams that made it are in there strictly for TV purposes. Alabama and Clemson deserve their spots. Alabama is undefeated, won every game, and won them mostly by wide margins and no one put a real scare into them. Clemson is 10-1, but the 1 was with a backup QB on the road, and it took overtime for Notre Dame to beat them. We just saw in the rematch what a fully healthy Clemson can do against the very same team. Now we have Notre Dame and the university of Ohio State. The university of Ohio State is undefeated. They beat four teams by well over 30 points. They have a Heisman candidate at QB. They were picked to run away with the Big Ten. They did win the Big Ten title game, but it was too close. They also only played six games. One cancellation was their fault, the other two were their opponents. The Big Ten also changed their rules to allow them to play in the conference title game. Do I think they will play well against Clemson in their matchup, yes. Do I think they will win, no. They still have COVID issues, Justin Fields does not look as good as he did last year and they barely beat Northwestern and Indiana. Those are two ranked teams, but the university of Ohio State didn't do to them what Clemson just did to Notre Dame, or what Alabama did to the whole SEC. The reason the university of Ohio State is in is because they will draw so many more people to TV than Coastal Carolina, Cincinnati or even Florida and Texas A&M. They have one of the biggest fanbases in the world. And hey, they did win every game they played. Notre Dame did beat Clemson early in the year, albeit shorthanded. They won every game they played until this past week. They did struggle with some inferior opponents, but found ways to win. This Notre Dame team reminds me of the team that played Alabama in the BCS title game when they had Manti Teo. Or even better, the one that made the playoff a few years back and got crushed by a freshman led Trevor Lawrence Clemson team. Notre Dame is a solid team, with a good run game. But, I don't trust their QB to win a game, and their defense should get shredded by Alabama. This may be Alabama's best offensive team, and that is saying something. I think they will fight and play hard, but, just like this past weekend, Alabama is just a better team. I wouldn't be stunned if Alabama wins by four touchdowns. But again, Notre Dame has fans all over the world. They will draw so many eyeballs because we are all home and watching games from our living rooms. And that matchup, Notre Dame and Alabama is much more enticing than Alabama and Cincinnati.

So when my friends that I chat sports with ask me if the committee got it right, I say no to the teams, but unequivocally yes to the TV market. These four teams, this playoff, during this pandemic, was all about getting people to watch so the NCAA could try and recoup some kind of money they lost from all the cancellations and postponements and lack of fans at the games. The teams they pick actually makes so much sense to me, even if I disagree with their top four. College football is a business, and the people at the top know that. That much is clear with the CFP this season.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 20 - Alone on Christmas Day

ed note: This article was originally published on December 20th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy.

Day 20: Alone on Christmas Day by Phoenix and Special Guest Bill Murray

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen,Sixteen,Seventeen,Eighteen, Nineteen

I have spent many Christmas nights all by my lonesome. I was not alone for the whole day. My Christmas mornings have always been about waking up way earlier than normal and opening tons of presents with my family around. Once the intense excitement of Christmas morning was finished, I would pack up my bounty and head back to my 15th floor studio apartment in downtown St. Louis. Most of these Christmas nights I would stare out at the Gateway Arch on the usually cold evening and decided I would get a drink, at the fancy hotel a few buildings down. I would put on my Christmas sweater, wrap a scarf around my neck, and head to the hotel bar. Once inside I would find a seat in a corner booth and observe all the travelers who were truly spending Christmas alone. I would sip my Manhattan, listen to the piano being played, and was thankful I was not alone on Christmas Day. 

Earlier this December, Netflix premiered the Sofia Coppola directed Bill Murray holiday special A Very Murray Christmas. During the course of the program a lonely Bill Murray asks the catering staff at the hotel to play him a song. The staff happens to be french indie rock band Phoenix. The band, with help from Paul Shaffer on piano, Jason Schwartzman on drums, David Johanson (as Buster Poindexter) on martini shaker, and Mr. Bill Murray himself on featured vocals, cover the Beach Boy's rarity "Alone On Christmas Day".

Phoenix and gang take an unknown and discarded Beach Boys tune with "Alone on Christmas Day" and create a new holiday standard. The Beach Boys tune was originally unreleased in 1979, and after Phoenix requested to cover the tune, Mike Love changed some of the lyrics and released his own version. The Phoenix cover is light years better. The tune alludes to the sadness of being by oneself on Christmas, but "Alone on Christmas Day" encourages us to think of the gladness, and to keep moving on. Plus if you listen to the tune, no one is truly alone on Christmas Day. You will still have the bar patrons and employees to sing you a joyful tune.

I was never truly alone on Christmas Day. In the morning I had my family and in the evening I had the travelers and  employees at the hotel bar. We all came to the bar as individuals, but on Christmas evening we were together. The piano played on in the background, our drinks warmed our spirits, and we all got ready to move on, together.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the host of the X Millennial Man podcast. He has given up the Christmas Night bar scene and traded it for his family sitting around the fireplace. He did not give up on his yuletide Manhattan. Celebrate the togetherness of Christmas by liking SeedSing on Facebook.

SeedSing Classic: The Advent Calendar of Good, and Bad, Holiday Eats: Day 19 - Fruit Cake

ed note: This article originally premiered on December 19th, 2017

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a treat associated with the holiday season. Many will be awesome, some will be terrible. Enjoy.

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen,                           Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen

Day 19: Fruit Cake

The holiday season is filled with emotions that swing from one range to another. We are filled with joy and happiness one moment, then we are filled with dread and anxiety a minute later. The excitement of finding a perfect gift, followed by the dread of seeing the price. The warm fewling of being with long not seen family, followed by the realization of why you only see these family members once a year. The holidays are filled with feelings that are in direct conflict of each other.

Fruit cake is the perfect holiday dish to reflect this emotional dichotomy. Fruit cake is either an awesome dish, or it is dreadful. Go to your local grocery store and buy a cheap fruitcake mixed with bad walnuts and over sweetened dried fruit, it is a holiday chore to get through. Find a special homemade connection with real brandied fruit, and you can sometimes taste holiday bliss. The lesson here is skip the chain store fruit cake, and find a nice artisanal made one that has spent years wrapped in brandy soaked cheesecloth. That is the only reason to eat fruitcake.

We go from the greatest highs to the lowest lows during the holiday season. We experience the joy of charity, and the dread of sticker shock, sometimes within the same act. Fruit cake is the perfect holiday treat to represent this swing. Sometimes it is great, sometimes it is terrible. Yet fruit cake will always be part of the mystery of what our holiday season is all about.

RD

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. Fruit cake can be enjoyed with any holiday feast. Devo knows no matter what you believe, none of it is true, a Merry Something to You.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing. 

SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 18 - Tree of Life

ed note: This article was first published on December 18th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 18: Tree of Life as performed by Princess Leia

Opened doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen, Fourteen, Fifteen,Sixteen, Seventeen

I am the father of a young son. One of my primary duties as a father is to teach my boy about being an intelligent, kind, and curious person. During the winter holiday season I have tried my best to introduce my son to the variety of holidays celebrated be different peoples. We put up lights for Diwali, we lit the Menorah for Hanukkah and will light the Kinara for Kwanzaa. I have also made a point of showing the boy all the great holiday entertainment of my youth. Because today is the opening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I have been trying get my son excited for some new December entertainment. Yet there is one piece of holiday nostalgia that my kid will not get to celebrate this year. This will be another year without the infamous "Star Wars Holiday Special".

In 1978 Star Wars was a national obsession. People were enthralled by the film, kids were excited to be getting empty figurine boxes as Christmas presents, and CBS aired the only official showing of "The Star Wars Holiday Special". The public was not impressed. The comedy stylings of Bea Arthur, Art Carney, and Harvey Korman were made permanent members of the Star Wars mythos due to their involvement in the special. Disco legend Diahann Carrol gets to be Chewbacca's father's (Itchy) fantasy girl. A certain bounty hunter, who was fond of disintegration, was introduced through an animated short. In fact, the Boba Fett cartoon is the only part of "The Star Wars Holiday Special" that gives anyone fond memories. The only celebration was to be for a paid killer, not our heroes.

Then there was the music. The aforementioned Caroll sings, Jefferson Starship started their downward slide into 80s kitsch with a tune. Bea Arthur gets to sing with the Cantina Band (Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes). But the topping on this disaster cake was Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher)singing the song "Tree of Life" to the original Star Wars theme. 

Life Day was a Wookie holiday similar to Thanksgiving or Christmas. Like any great holiday, Life Day had it's own kind of carol. "Tree of Life", or also known as "A Day to Celebrate", hits all the important notes of any species celebratory season. Peace, harmony, togetherness, and many more themes are sung off key by an extremely sincere Princess Leia. "Tree of Life" and it's seasonal message has become more famous for being a "what the hell" type of song than one that makes people, or wookies, celebrate. Princess Leia did not ruin "The Star Wars Holiday Special" with the awful song, but she made sure the crash was as explosive as possible.

Today is a great day. We get a new Star Wars movie as an early Christmas present. I am very excited to infect my son's mind with all things Skywalker, Jedi, Solo, and more. I will not infect his mind with Star Wars lore that should be crushed in a trash compactor. "The Star Wars Holiday Special" may be spectacularly bad, and "Tree of Life" may be the rotten cherry on the trash dump, but we still have new Star Wars for the holidays. Today is a day to celebrate, to laugh, to dream, to grow, to trust, to love, to be.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the host of the X Millennial Man podcast. He wonders what happened to Chewie's wife Malla, and their kids, between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. Did the Midichlorians get them? Make this a day for SeedSing to celebrate by liking us on Facebook.  

Eggnog is the Worst

Yesterday I came at you all with a hot holiday take about a good treat, something I like that maybe others do not. Today I am going to do a similar thing, but this is my hot take of the worst holiday treat.

I could take the easy way out and say Xmas dinner is the worst. It is just a rehash of Thanksgiving, with very few exceptions, and maybe people, my family included, replaces turkey with ham. You have two of the same meals in a one month span of time. But that is boring. I could also call out hot cocoa or any type of chocolate. These are all well and good, and the Reese's peanut butter trees are the best version of that, but that is also a little lazy to me. None of those work. The clichés are way too cliché. For me, here it comes, the worst holiday treat to have at this time is eggnog, be it alcoholic or non.

This drink is vile. It feels like drinking liquified eggs, with some seasonings in it. I am always afraid that it is going to curdle or give me salmonella or go bad. I am not a milk fan to begin with, and eggnog is just a thicker, sweeter milk. I don't drink any alcohol either. I have tried different alcohol, and none of it is for me. The closest I have ever gotten to liking any type of alcohol is Bailey's mixed in coffee. But that was probably just a one time thing. I have tried it again, recently, and it was too strong. I am such a lightweight because I never drink. My wife had some alcoholic eggnog the other night, I gave it a taste, and I told her, "this is awful, it tastes like paint thinner smells". That was about as honest an answer as I could give her. I don't know if it was too much alcohol in it, if it was the gross consistency of the eggnog, or if it were both. I'd have to say it was a little bit of both. It was too strong and too gooey. And for me, this goes for all things eggnog. I have bought my kids eggnog ice cream, tried it, and wanted to throw up. I have had regular eggnog, like a milk carton from the store, and thrown it away the moment I walked in my door. My mother in law has made eggnog cookies before, and she is a tremendously talented baker, and I couldn't even finish a small cookie. I have seen eggnog flavored milk. Why is this a thing? Who wants that? I mean, strawberry milk is gross enough, who wants to have an eggnog flavored milk? That is so gross. I just, I mean, I like eggs, but not in liquid form. It is too dangerous. There are too many things that could go wrong. I would rather try a sushi that could kill me if not prepared correctly. The idea of trying blowfish is more appealing to me than drinking eggnog. I would rather eat a pizza covered in sardines than have an eight ounce cup of eggnog. Give me a jar of olives, which I also despise, and I would choke that down before I would have some eggnog. It just doesn't do it for me. It is too gross. They try to cover up the taste by adding unnecessary spices. Who needs nutmeg and cinnamon in a milk based drink? I won't even put that stuff in my coffee. That is too much for me, and I put Splenda in my coffee.

My wife, my mom and dad, even RD, and I am sure my other brothers and their wives probably like the holiday concoction, I do not, not at all. Eggnog is vile and thick and just downright awful. There, I said it, and I feel better. Now I am going to go and have a good holiday drink, a peppermint hot chocolate.

Ed note: Ty is wrong

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing Classic: The Advent Calendar of Great Holiday Movies: Day 17 "American Psycho"

ed note: This article originally premiered on December 17th, 2018

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we will present a great movie associated with the holiday season. Many will be awesome, some will be extra awesome. Enjoy.

Day 17: “American Psycho”

Opened Doors: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14, Day 15, Day 16

The holiday season feels like a competition. We want to one up our friends and family with better gifts. We want to impress our neighbors with superior outdoor decorations. We want to be the most stylish, and the most recognizable, at our office holiday parties. The competition of the holiday season is not only annoying, it is also dehumanizing. It is not a shock that some of us have fantasies about murder and mayhem on all of those around us when the competition hits a little to close to our own neurosis.

At the Sundance Film festival in 2000 writer director Mary Harron premiered her film adaptation of the novel “American Psycho”. The film was a hit and featured future Oscar winners Jared Leto, Reese Witherspoon, and in a star making role, Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman. “American Psycho” revived interest in author Brett Easton Ellis’s work, and became one of the definitive films of the early 21st century.

Early in the film, Patrick Bateman is at a Christmas party with a fiancé he does not love, work friends he loathes, and massive insecurity about his place in the world. Drugs and alcohol are no help. The banality of 1980’s pop music is helping him get by a little bit, but Bateman needs more. He needs to destroy what feeds his insecurity. At the Christmas party, Bateman convinces Jared Leto’s Paul Allen to have dinner. The dinner is a disaster, and the evening ends with Bateman murdering Allen with a shiny ax while the dulcet tones of Huey Lewis and the News tell us all that it is hip to be square.

The weeks following Christmas find Bateman destroying anyone he sees as artificial. The false commercialism of the holidays have broken the young Wall Street worker. In the end, Bateman’s own artificial nature saves him from any punishment. He is free to wreck havoc on the poor yuppies of Manhattan next Christmas time.

The commercialism of Christmas is dehumanizing. We do not want the latest, expensive, gift, but we must participate. We really do not care about the fashionable holiday getaway, but we still make sure to book the trip. The fanciest business card from one of our office mate drones, who cares? You better damn well believe though that we are going to one up Brad from marketing. If we can not do better this holiday season, we may just go insane. In our insanity it is important to remember that ATM’s do not eat cats.

RD

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. Sometimes we go crazy during the holiday’s we discover something dark from Christmases past. The gang knows this all too well in “A Very Sunny Christmas”.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Those Peanut Butter Cookies with the Chocolate Kisses are the Best

Today I am coming at everyone with a steamy hot Xmas take.

First up, I love all the snacks and treats and the food that comes with the holiday. It is acceptable to gorge, you can eat as much as you want, and most people will not say a thing. Now that I have lost some weight, and I very much enjoy running, I cannot stuff my face as much as I used to. This is a good thing, but sometimes I do miss going nuts on holiday treats.

Now for the take.

The one treat I can still eat to my heart's content, that I will still stuff my face, and eat until I am sick, is the peanut butter cookies that have a Hershey's kiss in the middle. I believe they may be called thumbprint cookies. I am not one hundred percent sure if that is the name, or if it has multiple names. Whatever it may be called though, these cookies are, hands down, the best treat to have over the holiday. You all can have your eggnog or hot cocoa or fruitcake or other cookies or whatever. The thumbprint cookie destroys all other holiday snacks. They are easy to make, even easier to eat and taste better than all the other treats. I love peppermint bark, especially the Ghirardelli brand. Thumbprint cookies are better. I enjoy hot cocoa from time to time. Thumbprint cookies are better. I don't drink eggnog, but I know my wife and dad, and I believe RD himself, enjoys it. Give me a thumbprint cookie any day. Within my family and friends it is well known that I love sugar cookies, especially when you snickerdoodle them. But this time of year I prefer the thumbprint cookie. It is just so good. I also don't get to eat as much peanut butter as before, my daughter is very, very allergic to peanuts. So when I do have them, if my wife and I make them after the kids go to bed, I like them even more now. I guess I have an even deeper appreciation of this cookie, this treat. I am also not a big peanut butter cookie fan, again, I prefer sugar cookies. But this thumbprint cookie just works on so many levels.

The fact is that chocolate and peanut butter pair so well. We all love peanut butter cups, my favorite M&M's are the peanut butter ones, when I make oatmeal I like to add a little splash of chocolate to accent the peanut butter. The pairing just works. The thumbprint cookie takes it to a whole other level though. Maybe it is because the cookie is so small, and the kiss is almost as big, or that the two work so well with the chocolate kiss melting into the soft cookie or, I don't truly know, I just know that I absolutely love and adore this cookie. When I see a tray of them at my folks house, or when we could go to Xmas parties, please do not go this year, be safe, and I would see a tray of these cookies, I am always tempted to take the whole thing for myself. It just works on every level. The size of the cookie is perfect. The addition of the kiss is the cherry on top. And you can pop these things like they are going out of style. I really, truly love this cookie. I believe my wife and I are going to make some this weekend.

I am seeing my family this holiday, we have all been extremely safe and cautious and none of us have symptoms of COVID, and I am hoping someone makes them for us all to eat, even though I will eat most of them. The thumbprint cookie is, bar none, the best holiday treat. Please tell me I am wrong, and I will retort with a photo of myself enjoying the hell out of one of these cookies. It gets no better. I dare you to try and find a better holiday treat. It is impossible.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing: Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Television Programs: Day 16 "The Boba Fett Cartoon Featured in the Star Wars Holiday Special"

ed note: This article was originally published on December 16th, 2016

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 16: "The Boba Fett Cartoon Featured in the Star Wars Holiday Special"

Original air date - November 17th, 1978

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen,  Fourteen, Fifteen

Sometimes the thing we really want for Christmas turns out to not be that great. Maybe there was a big video game we were wishing for, and it was underwhelming. A new cool drone that crashes and breaks within ten minutes. A hoverboard that sets fire to your feet. Many times we have our heart set on something, and our anticipation is rewarded with shoddy craftsmanship. As we dig through the garbage that once was our wanted presents, we sometimes find something unexpected and spectacular.

It is well known that the Star Wars Holiday Special is an epic piece of trash. Premiering on November 17th, 1978, less than two years after the release of the original film, the holiday special was immediately greeted with disgust and disdain. George Lucas himself has wished for the destruction of every copy of the cash grab be destroyed. The story was idiotic, the guest stars were questionable, and the Tree of Life song was a special kind of stupid. The special only aired once, and has never been given a VHS, Betamax, DVD, or BluRay release. For almost two hours, the world was inflicted with holiday blues from a galaxy far far and away. It was mostly a major disappointment, except for a 10-minute cartoon smack dab in the middle.

"The Faithful Wookie" was a small animated feature that split apart the mind numbing stupidness of the Star Wars Holiday Spectacular. The animated short is most famous for introducing the bounty hunter Boba Fett into the Star Wars cannon. It is considered so influential that the 2011 BluRay release of The Empire Strikes Back has the cartoon remastered in high definition as an easter egg.

The adventure itself centers around Luke trying to rescue Han and Chewie from some McGuffin, and Boba Fett appearing as a helpful ally. The 1978 audience had never seen this character before and did not know what the armored man's motivations were. Unfortunately, we learn that Boba Fett is in contact with Darth Vader, and the bounty hunter is trying to set a trap for Han, Chewie, and Luke. The ever resourceful R2D2 catches Fett, and our new enemy uses his jet pack to escape, promising that they will all meet again. 

The ten-minute cartoon shows why Boba Fett has become one of the most popular figures in the Star Wars hall of heroes and villains. His armor is awesome. He uses the things on his wrist, and his jetpack. "The Faithful Wookie" features more dialogue from Boba Fett than what will come in the next two films. The adventure from our heroes is basic stuff, but the premier of this incredible new resident of a galaxy far far away was the only gift worth keeping from the Star Wars Holiday Special.

It is disappointing to get the new great thing and then learn it is a poorly constructed cash grab by some focus group driven idiots in a corporate office. The whole ordeal leaves a scar on what was once a favorite piece of pop culture. But, sometimes if we dig through the trash, we will find a gem. Sometimes that gem even comes in the mail with a rocket that shoots off of its back. If you find that gem, hold onto it, it is worth an obscene amount of money.

RD

RD Kulik is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He was inspired to write this because he just got done seeing Rouge One. He is now hoping to get his very own Death Star engineer figurine in the mail any day now

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

A Time of Uncertainty with Michigan Wolverine Football

I know I have been on a sports kick recently, and I promise I am going to get back to more pop culture stuff in the coming days and weeks. I have my best of lists coming up, I am going to get caught up on some shows and movies I have been holding off on, and I will definitely be writing about them all. But I want to do one more, for now, piece on Michigan football.

I know we just did a podcast about it, and I have had a lot to say on the website. But, as of yesterday, their season is all but over. They had to cancel their game against Iowa because they have a COVID outbreak that is not getting any better. Reports said they would've been without upwards of 50 players had they tried to play this weekend. It would have been pointless to travel to Iowa City to let third stringers and scout players get the snot beat out of them. I also fully expect them to not take any bowl invite. I know every team is eligible this season, but they do not deserve, nor should they, go play in a bowl game. The season is over, let these kids go home and get better and start focusing on next season. This season has been a wash, it has been brutal and they were not good. Not at all. This may be one of the worst Michigan teams I have ever watched. They were unprepared, under coached and got flat out beat by most teams. They did beat Minnesota, a mirage game I have been calling it, and they had to go to three overtimes to beat Rutgers. They probably should have been 1-5. And if they played these three games they had to cancel, they would have finished 2-7, maybe 3-6. All of it would have been pointless, just like this whole college football season.

Originally I was all for these kids trying to play, but as I stated on our most recent pod, I have come full circle, and I do not think any of these kids should be playing. They are essentially free laborers for their schools, and the coaching staff. The players make zero dollars, and they are risking their lives to play a game. I would be saying this if Michigan were 8-0 right now too. This has nothing to do with how bad their season was, this is all about how dangerous, more so than ever, this season has been.

For all intents and purposes, Michigan football is done for 2020. A bad year was closed out by a third straight cancelation. Jim Harbaugh is telling current players and recruits he is "committed" to Michigan, yet a three year extension sits on Warde Manuel's desk waiting to be signed by him. This off season is going to be as odd as I can remember, and it will chart the direction Michigan is going to go in for the foreseeable future. I do feel for the seniors on this team that really wanted to play. I also feel for the underclassman that will be declaring for the draft. They didn't get a full year, it was bad when they did play, and who knows how many may have played their last football game ever. But, for the kids returning, and the ones that are signing their letters of intent today, and in the future, I wonder where their head is at right now. Harbaugh, as mentioned, is still keeping everyone in limbo. If he signs the extension he will be at Michigan for another four years. I think that would be best for the program. Yes, this year was bad, but it is one season. And yes, I know they have really struggled against top ranked teams and their rivals. But I'd like to give Harbaugh the life of the contract and the extension. I know some have said that he has interest in the NFL, but I don't know if that is reciprocated. Some people in the know say yes, others say no. I also don't know why his stock would be any higher now, after a few less than okay seasons. Also, why would he want to leave Ann Arbor when he can do whatever he wants there. He is the king of that city. He makes more money than any other state employee. He is a rah rah guy. None of that would be true in the pros. He would make less than most of his players, and he would essentially be a CEO. He would be told by the GM and owners who to play, and when to play them and how much time. In college he makes those calls, and no one else. That is not the case in the NFL. The people higher up make those choices. They want their rookies, and cheap guys to play. If Harbaugh does decide to leave, and this team needs to hire a new coach, they are rebuilding. There will be more attrition than ever, and they would easily be a bottom feeder in the Big Ten. I don't want that, and I know most sane Michigan fans agree. Michigan also has a solid recruiting class coming in, but all that crumbles if they overhaul the entire staff. They would also lose a ton of talent currently on their roster. The kids at Michigan now came to play for Harbaugh and for his staff.

I hope Harbaugh stays. With that being said, they probably should make some changes on both sides of the ball. I am as avid a Don Brown fan as can be. I love his attacking style and his demeanor. He has had some great defenses at Michigan. But his refusal to make changes will be his downfall. I think they need to move on from him, as much as it pains me to write that. He was great, but he just isn't cutting it anymore. Their defense has been bad against top flight teams his whole tenure, and this season they were bad against everyone. They need a change. On offense I don't want them to get rid of Josh Gattis. I want them to fully hand the offense over to him. It is clear that Harbaugh is still making choices on that side of the ball, and it has killed this team. They haven't really got to try the whole "speed in space" thing to its fullest extent yet. There has been too much running and predictability. I love establishing a run game, but to run it every second and long has become boring and easy to stop. I also want to see the QB, whoever it may be, let it rip. I want them to air it out. If the university of Ohio State and Alabama and Clemson can do it, Michigan can too. They need to adapt. This isn't the late 80's, early 90's three yards and a cloud of dust anymore. They need to start passing to set up the run game more. I do think some position coaches may need to change, cough cough, Jay Harbaugh, and let Gattis pick the replacements. This team also needs to get tougher and meaner and play with more pride. They need more Devin Bush like players. I miss him so much. Michigan is still Michigan. They can still play with anyone, and win 10 games and be important. They just need to remember that. I also think they should try and retain Harbaugh, but with all the caveats that are on the extension they are waiting for him to sign. This team can still be good. But, this off season will either make or break this team.

I really hope it works out for obvious reasons. But, as always, I have my doubts. Time will tell.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

Follow Ty on instagram and twitter.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing Classic: The Advent Calendar of Great Holiday Movies: Day 15 "The Christmas Shoes"

ed note: This article was originally published on December 15th, 2018

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 15: “The Christmas Shoes”

Opened Doors: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, Day 9, Day 10, Day 11, Day 12, Day 13, Day 14

Yes the movie I choose for day fifteen is a little film called “The Christmas Shoes”. First things first, I have never seen this movie, but I wanted you the audience to be aware of it’s existence. I put it on here for two reasons, the star and the song.

“The Christmas Shoes” premiered in 2002 and Rob Lowe, aka one Ty’s favorite actors, was the star. I do not know why. Rob Lowe has always seemed to make pretty good career choices. To star in a movie based off a terrible christian book and song, that seems noteworthy. Maybe Lowe, like us all, has his own guilty pleasures. Starring in this maudlin, convoluted, story is his I guess. God speed Rob.

The other reason I think you should all be aware of “The Christmas Shoes” is because of the epic take down Patton Oswalt does on the god awful song. (Here is a great animation with Oswalt’s epic piece.) It may not be a movie, but that under eight minute YouTube clip is probably more worth your time than the two hour made for tv movie.

My gift to you this season is to make you aware that Rob Lowe starred in a made for tv movie based on one of the worst Christmas songs ever. Now you know, and that is half the holiday battle.

RD

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. Do you know what can be festive and tacky at the same time? Christmas lights. Thank goodness there is a joyous song about all the lights we see during the season.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty's 2020-2021 NBA Preview: Predictions

I finished my preseason countdown of the NBA teams yesterday, and I come to you today with playoff predictions, award winners and some surprises, both bad and good, for the upcoming season. I think, like last year, there is no definitive favorite, although the Lakers are close. But, I could see upwards of five or six teams winning it all, and none would surprise me. I think the West is still much, much better too, but the East's top five or six teams are going to be very competitive. With that, let's get to my playoff picks.

I'll start with the East as usual. Also, I know they have the play in tournament back this year, and that rules, but I am going to go with the top eight teams in both conferences to further my picks. Okay, from eight to one in the East I have, Orlando, Atlanta, Toronto, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Boston, Miami and Milwaukee. This is pretty much the same as last season, with Atlanta taking Indiana's place. I just don't think Indiana is quite good enough to make another playoff push. I also think they will trade some key guys during the year. And Brooklyn could very easily be a top three seed if KD and Kyrie play like themselves, or they could fall off if either guy isn't as good or focused or gets hurt. The other teams seem pretty solid to me.

In round one Orlando will get easily dispatched by Milwaukee in five games. Orlando always wins one game. Atlanta will be a fun first round opponent, but Miami is too good on defense to let it go no longer than six games. Toronto and Boston will be the best first round matchup in the East, and it will go seven games and be a bloodbath, but Boston has too much talent not to win the series. And I love the Philly-Brooklyn 4-5 matchup. It will be fun, probably brutal at times, but if KD is 75 percent of himself, and Kyrie shows up, the Nets best two players are better than the 76ers two best players. I will be rooting for Philly all year, but Brooklyn, if fully healthy, is just too good. I have the Nets in seven.

That would leave us with a Milwaukee-Brooklyn and Miami-Boston in the East semis. These are two good matchups, and I think it is the best four teams in the East. This was where Milwaukee blew it last year, and maybe they will again. I personally do not think they will. Giannis is going to be even better. Getting Jrue Holiday was a major upgrade, and Milwaukee is deeper and better defensively than Brooklyn. KD will give them a run, if he is healthy, but I don't see Milwaukee letting it go more than six games. Miami and Boston will be a rematch from the bubble, but this time I think Boston will get the better of Miami. Their matchup last season was great, and due to the fact that Boston will be pushed by Toronto makes me think that they will beat the Heat. It will go seven, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo will give the Celtics fits, but the Celtics are so young, so talented and have gritty playoff experience.

That leaves us with Boston and Milwaukee in the East Finals. I have picked Milwaukee to get this far the past two seasons, but not to the Finals. This is the year it changes. Giannis is more locked in, they upgraded the point guard position in a major way with Holiday, and they are the best defensive team in the league. This is the year the Bucks finally get over the hump and make the Finals. That pick is for you dad.

Now for the Varsity. The West has every team vying for a spot, save maybe for the Thunder. But SGA may have something to say about that. The other fourteen teams have legitimate cases for making the playoffs, and the play in tournament is going to be awesome. It may be better than the actual West playoffs. With that, in order from eight to one, I have Phoenix, Houston, Utah, Dallas, Portland, Denver, LA Clippers and LA Lakers. This could have been different if Klay was healthy, or if Sacramento could ever figure it out, or if the Spurs get coached the hell up, or if the Pelicans super young, super athletic talent figures it out. But right now, this is how I see the West playing out. The sprint of a season will make it a brutal run to get here, but these are the top eight teams to me. I wanted to put Memphis in there, and I hope they prove me wrong, but I just think they are going to take a teeny step back.

That means the 8-1 is Phoenix and the Lakers. This would be a sweep if Chris Paul wasn't on the Suns. He will not let this team get swept, and I feel like he will win them two games. But the Lakers will prevail in six, and I don't think they will have to use LeBron as much, saving him for later rounds. Houston, and this is totally dependent on if they keep Harden or not, will get easily passed over by the Clippers. The Clippers are on a revenge tour, they are a much better defensive team, and can score for days. That series will go no more than five games. Utah and Denver will be a very fun first round matchup. This was the first round in the bubble, and it was an incredible series. This time around, and I know I said I was going to stop doubting Denver, I think the Jazz will win. They will have everyone, hopefully, and they only lost last year when Conley's three pointer lipped out. I think Utah wins in a hard fought seven game series. Dallas and Portland is going to be a fun, defenseless, series. The scores of every game could be 150-145. Each team will light it up. Luka Doncic and Dame Lillard will go at one another. But I am going with Portland in seven. Dame is good in early round playoff series. Portland is deeper and a touch better on defense, and I feel like having Nurkic is going to be big for the Trailblazers.

That leaves us with the Lakers and Trailblazers facing off, and the Clippers and Jazz. I kind of thought this was how the West was going to play out last year before the shutdown. The Trailblazers are better this year. I love that Nurkic is back, and he was incredible in the bubble. But the Lakers are too talented, and with a, hopefully for them, well rested LeBron, they shouldn't have too much trouble with Portland. Dame and McCollum may do enough to pull out one game, but I don't see it going past five. The Clippers and Jazz looked like the West Semis in the bubble, until Conley's three rimmed out. I think a fully healthy Jazz could pose a problem for the Clippers. And given Paul George's inconsistent playoff career, who knows what he will bring to the table. I also think that Rudy Gobert could feast on the Clippers lack of size. But Kawhi is too good, Lou Will will have a game where he goes for 30, Beverly will shut down Conley and I think the duo of George and Kawhi will neutralize Donovan Mitchell. I have the Clippers in six.

This gives us the battle of LA in the West Finals. I thought this was what was going to happen last year. But unlike last year, I think the Lakers will pull out a seven game series win. This will be more competitive, the Clippers will show up, George will be better, Kawhi will give LeBron headaches. But the Lakers got better this offseason, and they have more size, and maybe even more depth now than the Clippers do. I think Davis will go nuts in this series too.

That leaves us with a Lakers-Bucks finals. If you had asked me to pick a winner 10 minutes ago I would have picked the Lakers to go back to back. But, Giannis just signed the super max, and that changes things. He won't be berated with questions about where he will play next season. He will be free to be himself. He won't have some weird burden looming over him. And Jrue Holiday was such a great pickup, I am really over the moon for the Bucks right now. Maybe this is for my dad, maybe I like Giannis too much, maybe I think Mike Budenholzer is due. I don't know why, but I am going with the Bucks to win the title, in a very good, very close seven game series. I have a feeling it will be epic.

As for awards, let's see. It is tempting to go with one of the first three picks in the draft for rookie of the year, but I think each of them have specific reasons why they won't win it. Edwards isn't even close defensively yet, Wiseman will be no more than a role player and LaMelo Ball is playing in Charlotte. I also don't like many other lottery picks to win it. I really, really want to pick Obi Toppin because he was my top prospect, and I love his game, but the Knicks are going to be real bad. I'm going to "go out on a limb here", and pick Cassius Stanley. He was a second round pick, and he may not even start the year. But at some point he will get some real run with the Pacers, assuming they blow it up, and I think he will have a Malcolm Brogdon-esque rookie season. For most improved I always want to give this to a player on the cusp of stardom. For example, I would have given this to Bam Adebayo last year. Hell, he may have won it for all I know. This season I am going to give it to Ben Simmons. I think he will feel more free to play his style with Doc Rivers at the helm and a slew of shooters around him. I think that will make him more prone to shoot from outside, and he already has the rest of his game intact. Sixth Man of the Year will be Norm Powell. No more Montrezl Harrell or Lou Williams. If Norm Powell meets the criteria, he will be instant offense off the bench for the Raptors, he provides solid defense and he is the definition of a modern sixth man. Coach of the Year I am going to go with Mike Budenholzer. Now that Giannis has signed on, and Jrue Holiday is there, and this team shoots threes and plays exceptional defense, I think Budenholzer will let go of the reins a bit, and let this team play to its fullest potential. He will loosen his minutes restrictions, he will let his best players play and his team will reap the benefits of it all. Defensive Player of the Year is going to be a big. I'm just not totally sure which yet. Will it be Gobert? He is the best rim protector and playing in a contract year. Will it be AD? He wanted it last year, didn't get it, so maybe he will go extra hard. Will it be Draymond? While not a big, he does guard every position, looks to be in shape, and if Golden State still has visions of making the playoffs, he will have to be the Draymond of old. Or will it be Giannis again? He won it last year, I'm sure he wants to win it again, and he is becoming a modern day Shaq on both ends of the floor. In the end I'm going to go with Gobert. He, as stated, is the best rim protector and wants to sign a humongous contract this offseason. He is going to be a problem this year.

Finally we have MVP. Will it be LeBron, or Giannis for a third straight year, or Kawhi, or someone way off the radar. I don't think Giannis will win it again. It seems that voters in the NBA are very wary of giving back to back, let alone three straight times, the same award to someone. LeBron may not have enough minutes. The Lakers are coming off a title, they have so many good options that LeBron will be able to sit games and they can still win, and AD will steal votes from him. I don't think Kawhi will get it because he is not that type of player. He just wants to beat the hell out of people and win titles. He could care less about those other trophies. So that leaves us with a total outside option. I'd love to pick Brad Beal, but the Wizards will not be a playoff team. Luka and Trae are awesome, but neither plays a lick of defense. Zion and Ja aren't ready to be MVP options yet. Maybe next year. But, in my mind, the MVP should come from a playoff team, preferably a top three team in either conference. Going by this criteria narrows the list for me, but actually makes it a little easier. I am picking Jayson Tatum to win the MVP this season. Look, I do not like the Celtics, never have, but Tatum has only gotten better each year, he goes hard every night, and this just seems like the next logical step in his career. I feel like he is going to have a great year, and I think the NBA will reward him by giving him the MVP.

Okay, that does it for my NBA preseason predictions. We are officially one week away from the start, and I cannot wait.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 14 - Fairytale of New York

ed note: This article was originally published on December 14th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 14: Fairytale of New York by The Pogues (featuring Kirsty MacColl)

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven Twelve, Thirteen

I once spent a magical December evening in New York City. My wife and I had an overnight layover in the city on our way for a tropical Christmas vacation. It was bitterly cold that evening. We bundled up and caught the subway to have a nice dinner in Manhattan. The few cold hours we spent in New York City that December were amazing. The city was decked all out for the upcoming holiday. It was magical. On our plane leaving the city I glanced down for one last look. The joys of New York City during Christmas was a memory I will never lose. I am glad I did not stick around to see the hopefulness of Christmas give way to the brutal realities New York City is home to the rest of the year.

"Fairytale of New York" was released by the Irish band The Pogues on their 1987 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God. It is rumored that the song was written based on a bet between Elvis Costello and The Pogues lead singer Shane MacGowan. Costello bet that MacGowan could not write a hit Christmas single. Once the music and lyrics were set, singer songwriter Kirsty MacColl joined MacGowan to sing the song as a duet. Elvis Costello must have lost the bet, because "Fairytale of New York" has spent the last few decades as one of the most popular Christmas songs in the United Kingdom.

"Fairytale of New York" starts off with the magic of New York City during the holidays. MacGowan and McColl are young, in love, and inspired.Being in the drunk tank on Christmas Eve cannot dampen their spirits. They have each other and the wonders of the city. The song treats their ideals as fake as the decorations around town. Love and admiration quickly turns to name calling and regret. Behind the holiday facade of the city lies a brutal, and ugly, reality. The two lovers were embracing the facade, but once the decorations are gone, their hate and despair shows through. They love the imagery and magic, they unfortunately do not really like each other.

The build up to Christmas can make us forget all the unfortunate things that confront us during the year. Our hopes, dreams, and love seem to get amplified in December. Once our holiday drunken stupor turns into a post December 25th hangover, our realities come into sharp focus. I enjoy the magic, and I am trying to prepare for the headaches. Thank goodness I will have the fine Irish ditty "Fairytale of New York" to be my musical companion through the transition.

RD Kulik

RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. He is embaressed to say that his dinner in New York that night was at Trump Tower. Come and tell your tales of Christmas in the city by writing for SeedSing.

Ty's 2020-2021 NBA Preview: Can Win It All

Today is the final day of my NBA countdown. We are eight days away from the start of the regular season. I will do predictions tomorrow, but as far as my rankings, this is it. These are the best of the best. These are the teams that have the players, coaches, staff and fortitude to win it all. The only thing stopping these teams are COVID or injury. I hope neither happens to any of them.

At number 5 I have the Boston Celtics. The Celtics are loaded with great young talent, they have one of the better head coaches and they have, for such a young team, lots of playoff experience. They also got rid of an albatross contract. The only thing that worries me with this team is depth. But man is their starting five loaded. Jayson Tatum is a straight up star. He can score from anywhere, he is lethal, he has the killer mentality, he plays defense and he just gets better and better. I am a true believer that he is a future face of the league. Jaylen Brown is an elite defender, and he is hyper athletic. His jumper is improving and he is asserting himself as the firm number 2 on this team. He may waffle from time to time, but he always makes up for it. Marcus Smart is the new age Tony Allen. He is a menace on defense. He can guard pretty much all 5 positions and he can draw fouls and mess with opponents heads. He isn't great offensively, but he is good enough. When Kemba Walker is healthy he is one of the better scoring guards in the NBA. He is also a solid perimeter defender. He is a better fit on this team too. He is so much better fitting in than being the star. He is injured, and will miss a month or two, but when he is back, the Celtics have three guys in the starting five that can go for 20 every night. Robert Williams may float in and out of games, miss some meetings and over sleep. But when he is engaged, this kid is good. There is a reason he slipped to the Celtics in his draft, but there is also a reason he was considered a lottery pick. He is starting to show flashes, and if he can reach some of his potential, he will only help this team. Daniel Thies is a solid defender. He does the dirty things for this team. Jeff Teague is a fine player, and that is all he has to be here. Grant Williams got decent, important minutes in the playoffs, and that is big for him. After these guys is where it gets murky. They gave Tristan Thompson too good of a contract for him. Tacko Fall is more of a spectacle than a player. Carsen Edwards and Romeo Langford haven't done much in their two years. Semi Ojeyle seems to be getting passed over. This is the worry for me with this team. But that starting five, and first two off the bench are more than enough for me to like them as a contender out of the East.

At number 4 I have the Miami Heat. Some said it was the bubble, others said it was Jimmy Butler, but I just think the Heat are a very good team, and they deserved to be in the Finals last season. Jimmy Butler proved yet again how important and viable he is on a top team. He willed them to the Finals. He had them as prepared as one player could. Bam Adebayo just keeps ascending. He is one of my absolute favorite players to watch. He goes hard, he rebounds and plays defense and he is becoming a great low post player. Adebayo is awesome. Tyler Herro has done more at 20 than I could ever imagine. He averaged double figures in the Finals. He averaged double figures as a teenager in the early playoffs. This kid is a straight up scorer. Now he has to play defense. Duncan Robinson is one of the most lethal shooters in the game, and the kid has earned every minute he now gets. He has made a name for himself, and all he has to do is shoot. He too needs to improve defensively. Goran Dragic re-signed there, and he is a perfect sixth man on this team. He runs their second unit so well. Kendrick Nunn had some ups and downs, and didn't play as much in the Finals. But, he can heat up at any moment. Andre Iguodala and Udonis Haslem are old, and their primes are way past them, but I would love to have two guys like that on my team. They are additional coaches when on the floor. Getting Avery Bradley will help their already good defense. Meyers Leonard provides front court depth. This team is good, and a return trip to the Finals wouldn't surprise me at all. Jimmy Butler is that dude.

At number 3 I have the LA Clippers. I was so very high on this team last year, and they totally blew it. They ran out of steam, they let the bubble get to them, and they lost a 3-1 lead to the Nuggets. They led to Doc Rivers leaving, and them letting a few other players walk. But this team is still loaded, they have to have revenge on their minds and I love hiring Ty Lue to take over as the head coach. Kawhi Leonard is not going to break down like he did in the bubble again. He will be back and he will be back with a vengeance. I wouldn't be shocked to see him return to his Spurs and Raptors self. He is a robot, but a robot that will be out for revenge. Paul George just signed a max deal, he is engaged to be married and it looks like he is having fun again. I know he said some stuff about the coaches last year, but who cares. This guy is an elite scorer and an even better defender. He just needs to stay focused. They also have Patrick Beverly and Lou Williams and Reggie Jackson back. Beverly is still an upper tier defender and his shot is better, Lou Will is a great, great bench scorer and Jackson plays all out every night. He may shoot too much, but he goes hard. Marcus Morris is a good dude to have on your side, and his shot is solid. Ivica Zubac is an underrated, solid big man. I like replacing Montrezl Harrell with Serge Ibaka. He may be older, but he is taller, he is a better shooter and still a bit better around the rim on defense. Luke Kennard adds long range shooting. And Nic Batum can still do some little things. The Clippers should bounce back. I would not be surprised to see them really challenge the top of the West. Some guys will need to step up, and play better than they did in the bubble, which I think they will. The Clippers will be just fine.

At number 2 I have the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks have the two time reigning MVP. Giannis is one of the best players in the league, and listening to him in interviews only furthers my belief that he is still getting better. Once he starts to hit his outside shot a bit more consistently, he will be as unstoppable as Shaq. He is also the best defender in the league. I love the addition of Jrue Holiday. He is a major upgrade over Eric Bledsoe, and he and Giannis will be a very formidable duo. Khris Middleton is another lockdown defender, and he can really shoot the ball. He needs to play better this year, but he will have ample shot opportunities playing next to Giannis and Holiday. He just needs to knock them down. Brook Lopez adds size and shooting. Donte DiVincenzo is inconsistent, but he can light it up. I wonder if his name being in trade talks will affect his play. Same thing for DJ Wilson, except he was barely seeing the floor anyway. Giannis brother Thanasis is there, and while it is cool that they are on the same team, I don't know how much he will truly see the floor. Bobby Portis is okay, but he shoots a bit too much, and people still only really know him from punching out another teammate in Chicago. And adding DJ Augustin adds a nice veteran, but also age. This team will be all about Giannis and Jrue Holiday. If they coalesce as I expect them to, they will be on top of the East.

The final team, the best team going into the season is the defending champs, the LA Lakers. They are here, they deserve it and they are, at least on paper, a much better team than the one that just won the title. They have LeBron back, and that is humongous no matter what. He was amazing in the bubble, and especially in the Finals. I still like Jordan as the GOAT, but LeBron is definitely the second greatest player ever. And no disrespect to Dywane Wade and Chris Bosh and Kyrie Irving, but he will be playing with his best teammate ever again this year, Anthony Davis. The two of them were a devastating pair. And Davis actually played a little better without LeBron on the floor. Davis is one of the best defenders in the league, he is probably the best big on offense and he showed some strength and ability to not get injured last season. He is also just now entering his prime. If they just had these two guys, and three of my friends I hoop with starting, they'd be a playoff team. Lucky for them though they have real NBA players, and they are solid. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope took a major step last year, and I fully buy him as a solid third or fourth option. He was awesome in the Finals. They replaced guys they let go of, Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard, with Marc Gasol, Montezl Harrell and Dennis Schroeder. Gasol is a better defender and passer than both McGee and Howard. Harrell is a bull dog and a force on offense. Schroeder is a younger, and better offensive scoring version of Rondo. They upgraded all three of those positions. Alex Caruso is a solid player. I don't like the hype surrounding him, but that isn't him, that's the ESPN's of the world. He works well with LeBron's game. Talen Horton Tucker looks like a steal in the preseason. And Kyle Kuzma and Wes Matthews will be solid bench guys, if they keep them both. The Lakers only got better, and they should be the hands down favorites heading into this season.

There you have it, my teams ranked from 30-1. This feels right. I will be back tomorrow to wrap up my preseason NBA preview with predictions and award winners. Also, I want to wish my wife a very happy birthday. She is cooler than any other wife out there. That is just facts. Happy birthday, I love you.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.

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SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Television Programs: Day 13 - "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

ed note: This article was originally published on December 13th, 2016

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 13: "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

Original air date - December 18th, 1966

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve

Sometimes there is something so popular, and for reasons one cannot explain, that thing will drive you insane. Ten years ago Justin Beiber was the big thing, and many people could not stand him. The same phenomenon is going on today with Taylor Swift. It is impossible to like anything from these pop culture sensations if you have invested so much of your heart in hating them. It does not matter if a large group of people like these things, your hatred is blind. The world you live in would be much better if someone took all of these songs and shoved them off of the highest mountain.

In 1966 Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! became an instant holiday classic. The previous year saw the debut of A Charlie Brown Christmas and two years earlier was the premier of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The mid-1960s was the golden age for holiday television specials. Since 1966, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! has aired on television every year, winning its timeslot regularly. It has more than earned a spot as part of the holy trinity of must watch holiday specials.

For those living under a rock, the story centers around a lonely creature who has chosen to make residence directly above a group of people he hates. The Grinch is akin to a modern-day prepper. His cave is extremely well stocked with all the necessities. He has scissors, red cloth, a sleigh, anything a creature would need in the who apocalypse.

Yet even in his state of preparedness, The Grinch cannot stand the whos, he especially hates them around Christmas. The whos make an incredible racket, cook non-canned food stuff, and all blindly follow the brain dead joy of Christmas. The Grinch is on edge waiting for the end times, and his hate has become downright irrational. This year is the final straw, the Grinch is going to rob all the whos, and then they will know pain.

The Grinch succeeds in his thievery, but those weirdo whos still get up and have a festive Christmas. This breaks the Grinch's brain, and he decides his years of lonely prepping were pretty pointless. Not only does the Grinch get in the holiday spirit, but he learns that a freshly cooked roast beast is way better than a 10-year-old can of creamed corn. 

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!  was not just a perfect adaptation of a classic book, it also had a great look and incredible music. Animation legend Chuck Jones gave the special its look, classic Hollywood Frankenstein Boris Karloff told the story, and awesomely voiced Thurl Ravenscroft sang the iconic song. Of all the great Holiday television specials, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is the only one that is perfect.

It is a lonely existence to live in a world where one rejects what everyone else loves. There is no reason to fully embrace that piece of pop culture, but you should not totally dismiss it either. In all of the stuff you hate, there may be a shiny gem that made the journey worth while. If you will not give the popular thing a chance, then you are just a common hipster, or worse, a Grinch.

RD

RD Kulik is the Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He was a little under the weather today so he mustered up the strength of ten bloggers, plus two, to get the article written.

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

SeedSing Classic: Advent Calendar of Awesome Holiday Music: Day 12 - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

ed note: This article was originally published on December 12th, 2015

The pre-Christmas Day season of Advent is upon us. Here at SeedSing we love the chocolaty goodness of getting a piece of candy once a day until we get to open our presents. As our gift to you we are looking back at the great holiday music, movies, television episodes, and food of this great season. Enjoy

Day 12: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas performed by Judy Garland

Opened Doors: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven

There are a few cultural icons produced by the 1944 film “Meet Me in St. Louis.”  For example, it’s where Judy Garland met Vincente Minelli, thus creating Liza.  I had a film TA in college who theorized that the film inspired “Night of the Living Dead.”  But the one I care about the most is that staple of treacly holiday radio, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

A great many BAD versions of this song have been produced.  James Taylor has brought his special brand of anodyne blandness to it.  I once heard a bowdlerized version of it that replaced the word “fates” with “Lord.”  I guess the original line is just too pagan.  I’m sure it’s only a matter of time until Taylor Swift yell-sings her way through with her trademark lack of vocal subtlety.  (To whomever decides these things, I would happily pay $1.29 to hear Josh Groban do it.)  But Judy Garland’s lovely, heartfelt original is one of the finest pieces of Christmas music ever produced.

A great many of our holiday standards are unabashedly joyful.  Those are fine, I’m happy to hear “Silver Bells” and “This Christmas.”  But my favorite pieces of holiday art are the ones with a touch of melancholy about them, like A Charlie Brown Christmas.  To me, as a non-religious person, the holiday season is about finding light during the darkest time of year.  Most religions have a similar holiday, usually around the winter solstice.  Christmas, Hanukah, and Diwali, for example, are all about miracles and triumphs that chase away the darkness (metaphorical and otherwise).  Whether it’s baby Jesus born to bring hope, or lighting the way for Rama after his defeat of evil, it’s basically the same idea.

In Meet Me in St. Louis, the song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is sung by Esther to her youngest sister Tootie after they learn they are leaving their St. Louis home for New York.  The song is Esther ostensibly trying to comfort Tootie by assuring her they will always have Christmastime to come with their loved ones, in person or in spirit.  But Esther is really singing about her own sense of loss at moving, and trying to remind herself that there will be joyful times in the future, even if all is bleak right now.  We can all use that reminder some years.

A very merry whatever to all!

Tina S

Tina is a sometime contributor to SeedSing and occasional guest of the X Millennial Man podcast. One time we even let her host the show.