Whamageddon (Last) Christmas

[Dannyalcatraz]

So how many folks would you expect for Christmas Eve?

We’re having 3 Christmas Eve vigil services (2 English, 1 Spanish), caroling starting at 11:30PM, and 4 services on Christmas Day (including the midnight mass). Last Christmas* the 4PM Christmas vigil mass (for the families with little kids) had 4k attendees.

Funny thing- our main sanctuary is undergoing renovations right now, so all services have been shifted to other venues on the “campus”. So the pastor is urging people to attend services at times they usually wouldn’t, just to spread the crowds around.

So the answer is that we don’t really know, but it’s going to be thousands. Spread over 3 masses, yes, but it’s going to be SRO for anyone who doesn’t get there early at all of them.

I mean, I’m a good singer, but I have ZERO interest in the caroling. But because of the crowds, we’re going to be at the caroling just to ensure we can get into a handicapped parking spot. (Mom needs a wheelchair for covering long distances.)


* couldn’t resist

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

my brain did this

Too bad you couldn’t flip the visual…

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

We’re having 3 Christmas Eve vigil services (2 English, 1 Spanish), caroling starting at 11:30PM, and 4 services on Christmas Day (including the midnight mass). Last Christmas* the 4PM Christmas vigil mass (for the families with little kids) had 4k attendees.

Funny thing- our main sanctuary is undergoing renovations right now, so all services have been shifted to other venues on the “campus”. So the pastor is urging people to attend services at times they usually wouldn’t, just to spread the crowds around.

So the answer is that we don’t really know, but it’s going to be thousands. Spread over 3 masses, yes, but it’s going to be SRO for anyone who doesn’t get there early at all of them.

Thousands!!! That's wild. I can't even picture that. Is there more happening besides the service (and the caroling...)? If you have that many folks, seems ripe to have so much more going on.

Honestly, this sounds like a great experience... happy for you.

I mean, I’m a good singer, but I have ZERO interest in the caroling. But because of the crowds, we’re going to be at the caroling just to ensure we can get into a handicapped parking spot. (Mom needs a wheelchair for covering long distances.)

Good singer huh? I'm sure there are some good non-Christmas stories to unearth here...

* couldn’t resist

Yes you could have Well-played though... I always try to stone face my way through a pun, but this one got me.

 

[The Soloist]

Damien Robitaille Whamed us today, on my FB feed:

185K views · 5K reactions | LAST CHRISTMAS • Wham! Chanson du Jour / Song of the Day #381 | Damien Robitaille

LAST CHRISTMAS • Wham! Chanson du Jour / Song of the Day #381

www.facebook.com

 

[Morrus]

And it has passed midnight--I made it! The first year I ever survived Whamageddon!

 

[Lidgar]

I blew it last night. My son was trying to remember this terrible Christmas song from the 80’s on his phone, and next thing I knew I heard those synth chords…

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Thousands!!! That's wild. I can't even picture that. Is there more happening besides the service (and the caroling...)? If you have that many folks, seems ripe to have so much more going on.

Nope! Songs & service.

Well…there’s probably a nativity display somewhere on the grounds. They’ve had live ones the past, but I don’t think that’s happening this year.

Honestly, this sounds like a great experience... happy for you.

Good singer huh? I'm sure there are some good non-Christmas stories to unearth here...

Not really. I’m gifted with a4.5 octave range and good sustain, and I know how to use it. On top of that, Mom was a music teacher (specialized in voice). I’m good enough that I sometimes surprise people with what I can do- including my Mom.

But I don’t really use it like most would expect because:
1) my allergies make my voice somewhat undependable, and
2) I’m seriously introverted.

So most people never hear me sing unless they’re next to me in church or riding in a car with me. (My college roomies & suitemates probably heard me in the shower, too.)

Beyond that, I’ve also got 20 years as a cellist and 20+ as a guitarist…all hampered by my introversion.

 

[Zaukrie]

Since congrats didn't count, we are somehow still alive.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Well, got in the car and drove to our service…unWhammed!

Turned on the car, got Motley Crüe’s “Doctor Feelgood”, followed by commercials. Got all green lights, cutting travel time in half. The station was still in commercial break when I turned off the car after parking.

 

[greymist]

An hour and half into Xmas Day…and I an Unwhamified!

I was in the car for maybe an hour, running some last minute errands (I.e. buying my wife a gift) and it did not come up. Came home and decided to put on my Xmas Day playlist, after scanning it, and somewhat surprisingly seeing that Last Christmas was not on it.

At some point I downstairs to play a bit of Solasta (video game). When I came back up, my daughter said I was lucky I missed Wham on my playlist. I replied it’s not on there, and she corrected me that it was! If I had waited two more songs I would have been out.

Really need to get new glasses.

A very Merry Xmas to all.