MetaFilter posts tagged with Santa

Santa Pope

blue_beetle — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:39:29 -0800

6 to 8 Black Men. Christmas in the Netherlands as described by David Sedaris (SLYT)

Everyone knows Santa isn't real

Rhaomi — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 22:10:12 -0800

As households across the world quietly deploy presents from St. Nick, Kate Beaton, author of the charming historical webcomic Hark, a Vagrant! (previ ously) remembers the tradition in a bittersweet light. In spite of venerable op-eds (and their animated offspring), such pain moves some to question whether parents should teach their children to believe in Santa Claus at all.

Santa, cleared to land runway 36, ceiling 300 feet.

pjern — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:55:53 -0800

What does Santa need after a night of delivering presents in bad weather? An instrument approach to the North Pole.

Still Life in Snowflakes

Hardcore Poser — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:43:31 -0800

Christmas statues are commonplace in countries around the world. There are the usual snowmen (previously), reindeer, and other types of fauna (an update to a previous post). But the most sought-after model is of course the Fat Man. Some come to praise almighty Santa, others to bury him. But in the end, don't we all want to see a little more of the inimitable, irreplaceable, caffeine-free, clothing-optional Santa? (Apparently, not everyone does).

Santa's Death Panel

Navelgazer — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:12:02 -0800

Abandoned in a hat in the middle of a snowdrift as a newborn, rescued by a woodsman and guarded by a lioness, stolen and raised by a wood nymph, instructed in the ways of all the languages of the animals as a child, on the threshold of manhood he visited medieval Europe, feudal Japan, and Arabian markets to learn the inherent evil of humanity. For his insistence on toymaking, he was terrorized and repeatedly captured by a race determined to corrupt young minds, until his immortal protector came out to defend him with a laser-shooting axe which eradicated the malevolent culture. But can that same protector defend his ward's life to the likes of the Commander of the Wind Demons? The Life and Adventures of Santa Clause, a Rankin/Bass production, Part [1] [2] [3] [4] [5].

Keeping an eye on and old friend

Burhanistan — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 16:47:55 -0800

Russian strategic nuclear forces - an online watchdog of the movements of Russia's nuclear forces. With informed comments, a book, and six years of archives. Also, the Russians are going to name a ballistic missile submarine after Santa.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town...

ericb — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:43:00 -0800

Since 1955 NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) has been tracking Santa's Christmas trek around the globe by way of radar, satellites, fighter jets and now Santa Cams. In addition to tracking via Google Maps, you can also follow his journey in 3D via Google Earth. Also, be sure to check the Santa Cams which capture video of the places he's already visited on his trip.

"Last year, NORAD's Santa tracking center answered 94,000 calls and responded to 10,000 e-mails. About 10.6 million visitors went to the Web site, which can be viewed in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese and Chinese."^*

[Previously - 1, 2 , 3, 4.]

Penguins in Santa outfits playing in the snow!

hermitosis — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:39:19 -0800

Penguins in Santa outfits playing in the snow!

Santa Job

twoleftfeet — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 08:14:26 -0800

Maybe you didn't get into the oldest Santa Claus School for an elite education. So you considered schools in other places. But being Santa Claus is something you can learn on your own. It's just a matter of learning how to dress and act. If you can handle the hours, the job insecurity, the union, the corporate pressure, and the customer relations, you may just find a jolly career.

Santa visits some interesting places

zerobyproxy — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 12:19:25 -0800

Ho, ho, ho! Santa visits Iraq. Seen via NORAD. I am torn about this. Innocent seeming...but...I dunno. Thoughts?

Clement Clark, No More?

Miko — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 07:59:56 -0800

What to my wondering eyes should appear but the suggestion that "A Visit From St. Nicholas," the classic poem which has defined the American Santa Claus, from red suit and big belly to reindeer and chimney-delivery method, was written not by classics professor Clement Clarke Moore but by poet and military man Henry Livingston. Though some think the authorship controversy is sugarplum vision of Livingston's descendents, other scholars the claim: literary 'detective' Donald Foster agrees (though his sleuthing record is not unblemished). Leading historian of Christmas Stephen Nissenbaum, says that either way, St. Nick is the product of the same social world, that of the wealthy white elite in the New York of the early Republic. If the claim is true, then in the convoluted history of the manuscript we've gotten some reindeer names wrong.

I want a pony, I want a pony ...

madamjujujive — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:26:26 -0800

Secret lives: Santa Claus Steady Mobbin' - I fear this will lead to no good.

The "attractive nuisance" in the red suit.

chlorus — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 07:40:46 -0800

He keeps his white gloved hands where parents can see them. And buys liability insurance, just in case.

first facebook, now microsoft?

gman — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:40:35 -0800

You want me to eat what?!? It's fun to talk about oral sex, but I want to chat about something else. To see if you have permission, sign in. Or just add northpole@live.com to your IM. Failing that, see what Howard has to offer.

The Saint Nicholas Center: Discovering the truth about Santa Claus

goml — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:37:48 -0800

Learn all about Sinterklaas, find out if Santa and Saint Nick the same person, and so much more!

Lightly smooshed will get you lightly tased.

huckhound — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 16:33:24 -0800

"What do you think of that, Santa?" Yet another case of student 'art projects' out of control . . . other incredible violations of mall-Santa lap etiquette:1, 2, 3, and no doubt the most flagrant example, 4. Be careful out there.

No one ever cares about the opinion of farmers

Stynxno — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 09:58:45 -0800

Ho Ho Ho? Hellz No Fat Man!

Sin Destroyers - Gift to the World

pelican — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 17:14:29 -0800

Gift to the World (youtube) Tongue firmly in cheek is the modus operandi of the Sin Destroyers (on mefi previously here) a band best summed up in this press quote, “If Iron Maiden had attended Catholic school, this would be their garage band”. I’m not sure what series of decisions led to the formation of a parody Christian rock band, but the results are pretty damn funny (and rockin’). Dig on their holiday offering, Gift to the World. If you’re feeling particularly pious today, you might skip this one. (via)

Penguins With Angst

jonson — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 23:13:41 -0800

Penguins With Angst is the visual tale of a group of hoodlum penguins who vandalize a grain silo & threaten the life of Santa Claus. Easter Sacrifice is a photostory of the kidnapping of the Easter Bunny & his eventual decapitation by the Dove of Peace. Both art projects courtesy of Exclusionary, the online gallery of Jasper Thomas' work.

ho ho ho beard

brundlefly — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 18:32:35 -0800

Santa'd: Flickr's new holiday Easter egg.

Tis the season to be terrified

gottabefunky — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 08:52:00 -0800

Scared of Santa (via)

The Shame of Memory

squidfartz — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 23:30:33 -0800

When I first saw it, my jaw hit the floor. After years of thinking I would suffer alone with the memory, I found others who knew. Along the way, I discovered other gems... even though my personal tastes were more epic. When she asked why I loved them so much, I replied, "Because they are so ambitious. They try so hard".

Yes yes yes yes yes!

Robot Johnny — Fri, 19 May 2006 07:52:32 -0800

Zanta: The Movie. If you live or work in downtown Toronto, you've seen him. Shirtless, wearing a Santa hat, and most likely doing pushups, he's David "Zanta" Zancai, and one of the city's most enigmatic characters.

Barley for Harley

luckypozzo — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 12:38:04 -0800

Mr. Gonopolis and his 12 Holsteins. It’s December 24th and Santa gets the measles. Mr. Gonopolis, a bumbling dairy farmer from Minnesota and member of the Emergency Substitute Santa Claus Corps, gets the call and hitches up his 12 Holstein cows. Following a custom of naming cows after people he admires, for the 20th anniversary edition of his children’s book Uncle Hyggly renamed one of the cows “Oprah” and got into some hot water. Even so, this book is a welcome alternative to other cow temptation (NSF Farmers).

Government assisted myth perpetuation

Mr_Zero — Sun, 25 Dec 2005 10:38:07 -0800

Of course santa is real, even NORAD tracks him. With large corporate sponsors and a long list of b-class celebrities (except for Mickey Rooney), how could any child doubt that santa exists. How can mass societal lies be any good for children? Does it teach them that everyone lies and is it the reason that most adults do?