Fanfic Writers' Virtual Water Cooler

[selene0789]

I don't mean to start a religious vein of conversation here, but do you have some good info links on Yule? My only knowledge of it comes from a vague history lesson of the annual Yule log that some cultures bring in one night a year (for the solstice, if I remember correctly, to keep light in the home during the longest night of the year).

[fems]

Meh, these forum interactions can go off the rails over nearly anything, can't they?

I just know I've met people who would be offended by mashing together Christmas ("What? You didn't even finish the word, and how dare you put Christ's birth together with two lesser holidays celebrated by Jews and blacks, of all people?!"), Hanukkah ("Oh, sure, the only time a goy even so much as mentions a Jewish holiday is if they're looking for a laugh. Oy vey.") and Kwanzaa ("Third in a line of three? Dammit, after all this time we're still stuck in the back of the bus?!")

Ack.

If I wanted to look for reasons to take offense, I could point out that my own tradition's holiday (Yule) wasn't even mentioned, at least not until I brought it up myself. But, well, I'd rather just enjoy a good chuckle, some good cheer, and avoid the whole doggone hassle.

*With that, SF&C sets out mulled wine and glogg in their own crockpots, polishes the glass mugs, lays a tray of fruitcake and cookies nearby, and stokes the fire -- but ONLY the one burning merrily in the hearth*

Some people are just easily offended.

[SF_and_Coffee]

I don't mean to start a religious vein of conversation here, but do you have some good info links on Yule? My only knowledge of it comes from a vague history lesson of the annual Yule log that some cultures bring in one night a year (for the solstice, if I remember correctly, to keep light in the home during the longest night of the year).

*rummages around on Google and in her bookmarks*

Well, Yule is originally the midwinter celebration of Northern European paganism, especially Norse/Germanic paganism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yule...le_History.htm - covers a variety of modern interpretations of the holiday

I can probably find more if you need them.

[selene0789]

Some people are just easily offended.

Wanna know what easily offends me? My biggest pet peeve in reading/writing: "definitely" being spelled as "defiantly".

It happens all the time, and it bugs me because they're both real words, so I always end up doing a double-take to figure out which one they really meant. And it's almost always "definitely". I can't even remember the last time someone used "defiantly" in a fic and actually meant it.

What are some other ones that you all have run into?

[selene0789]

*rummages around on Google and in her bookmarks*

Well, Yule is originally the midwinter celebration of Northern European paganism, especially Norse/Germanic paganism.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/yule...le_History.htm - covers a variety of modern interpretations of the holiday

I can probably find more if you need them.

Oh good, it is Paganism. I was going to mention it, but erred on the side of caution. *clickies*

[SF_and_Coffee]

Wanna know what easily offends me? My biggest pet peeve in reading/writing: "definitely" being spelled as "defiantly".

It happens all the time, and it bugs me because they're both real words, so I always end up doing a double-take to figure out which one they really meant. And it's almost always "definitely". I can't even remember the last time someone used "defiantly" in a fic and actually meant it.

What are some other ones that you all have run into?

Well, "definately" springs to mind.

[fems]

Wanna know what easily offends me? My biggest pet peeve in reading/writing: "definitely" being spelled as "defiantly".

It happens all the time, and it bugs me because they're both real words, so I always end up doing a double-take to figure out which one they really meant. And it's almost always "definitely". I can't even remember the last time someone used "defiantly" in a fic and actually meant it.

What are some other ones that you all have run into?

Oh, the pet peeves thread is already full with things that bother me, definitely/defiantly definitely being one of them. Such wrong spellings are especially confusing for those whose native language isn't English, as it completely changes the context. Same with it's/its etc.

[Falcon Horus]

Happy solstice!

If I wanted to look for reasons to take offense, I could point out that my own tradition's holiday (Yule) wasn't even mentioned, at least not until I brought it up myself.

Err... hello! *points up* Must have missed my earlier post then...

[selene0789]

One of those Yule links mentioned it was a Sun Holiday. Does that mean there are Moon Holidays too?

[SF_and_Coffee]

Err... hello! *points up* Must have missed my earlier post then...

Oops. I guess I was looking for the name. Either way, thanks!

[SF_and_Coffee]

One of those Yule links mentioned it was a Sun Holiday. Does that mean there are Moon Holidays too?

Well, yes and no. Yule being a Sun holiday refers to its being viewed as the "return" of the sun in the sense of the nights becoming progressively shorter (and thus the days) longer after Yule.

The moon has bearing on other pagan holy days in a variety of traditions... Neopagan and Wiccan sabbats and esbats, for example.

[Starfist]

Greetings and Salutations to all.

Well at least the hours of daylight will be getting longer after today, or was that yesterday...?
All these festivals get me confused.

:: Admires the fire ::

[Princess Awinita]

Greetings and Salutations to all.

Well at least the hours of daylight will be getting longer after today, or was that yesterday...?
All these festivals get me confused.

:: Admires the fire ::

Yes, this is true, though last night was freezing!

[Whytewytch]

Woke up to 66F inside my house today! **sings "it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas"**

[Falcon Horus]

It's not nearly as cold as it should be for this time of year and it's bloody raining on top... I hate not having snow now. IT's BLOODY WINTER!! Stupid weather - please act accordingly.