Jonathan Green's Blog, page 51
December 16, 2019
Thought for the Day
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”~ Oscar Wilde
December 15, 2019
The Krampus Kalendar: O is for Chocolate ORANGES
As my Best Man pointed out during his speech at my wedding (almost 16 years ago), I have a think of chocolate and orange in combination, and I love nothing more than a Terry's Chocolate Orange (apart from my wife and children, of course), a product that was first created in 1932 at the Terry's Chocolate Works in York, England.
In 1823, Joseph Terry joined a York sweets company, which specialised in orange and lemon candied peel, as well as other sweets. Terry used his skills in chemistry to develop new lines of chocolate, candied peel, and marmalade. The company opened the Art Deco-style factory known as Terry's Chocolate Works in 1926, and began launching new products. These included the Dessert Chocolate Apple (1926), Terry's All Gold (1931) and the Chocolate Orange.
In 1954, production of the chocolate apple was phased out in favour of increased production of the Chocolate Orange.
Did you know...?
Chocolate Oranges appeared on the South Korean market in the GS25 chain of convenience stores in 2017.The Terry's factory in York closed in 2005. Chocolate Orange manufacturing was moved to near Jankowice, in Poland, but in 2017, with the sale of Terry's, manufacture was moved to France.Surveys have revealed that a Terry’s Chocolate Orange finds its way into one in ten British Christmas stockings. On 29 May 2016, the UK product size was reduced from 175g to 157g by changing the moulded shape of each segment to leave an air gap between each piece. Despite this, the price doubled in some retail outlets.
Take care when you examine the stockings in 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, as they may not contain a Chocolate Orange. But I might have to put one or two into 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, or maybe the RPG could come with a free one at future conventions.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
In 1823, Joseph Terry joined a York sweets company, which specialised in orange and lemon candied peel, as well as other sweets. Terry used his skills in chemistry to develop new lines of chocolate, candied peel, and marmalade. The company opened the Art Deco-style factory known as Terry's Chocolate Works in 1926, and began launching new products. These included the Dessert Chocolate Apple (1926), Terry's All Gold (1931) and the Chocolate Orange.In 1954, production of the chocolate apple was phased out in favour of increased production of the Chocolate Orange.
Did you know...?
Chocolate Oranges appeared on the South Korean market in the GS25 chain of convenience stores in 2017.The Terry's factory in York closed in 2005. Chocolate Orange manufacturing was moved to near Jankowice, in Poland, but in 2017, with the sale of Terry's, manufacture was moved to France.Surveys have revealed that a Terry’s Chocolate Orange finds its way into one in ten British Christmas stockings. On 29 May 2016, the UK product size was reduced from 175g to 157g by changing the moulded shape of each segment to leave an air gap between each piece. Despite this, the price doubled in some retail outlets.
Take care when you examine the stockings in 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, as they may not contain a Chocolate Orange. But I might have to put one or two into 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, or maybe the RPG could come with a free one at future conventions.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
December 14, 2019
The Krampus Kalendar: N is for NUTCRACKER
At Christmas time it is not uncommon for many families to attend the only ballet they will see all year. The name of that ballet?
The Nutcracker
. But how did a ballet about a mechanical device for cracking nuts become such a popular festive tradition?
The story itself upon which the ballet it based –
The Nutcracker and the King of Mice
, by E. T. A. Hoffman – is older than the version we see portrayed on stage, which is actually an adaptation by the French author Alexandre Dumas, better known for penning such classic novels as The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.
The Nutcracker was actually Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s final and least satisfying ballet, after he took on the project with a marked lack of enthusiasm. It is ironic then that it is The Nutcracker that has become one of the most beloved Christmas traditions of the modern age.
The Nutcracker premiered in Tchaikovsky’s native Russia in 1892, but it wasn't until 1944 that an American ballet company decided to perform the entire thing. That year, the San Francisco Ballet took on the task, from then on performing The Nutcracker as an annual tradition.
But it was really George Balanchine who set The Nutcracker on the path to popular fame. In 1954 he choreographed the ballet for a New York company, and not a year has passed since when the ballet has not been performed in New York City.
You may encounter an animated Nutcracker in 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, and possibly in 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas as well.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
The story itself upon which the ballet it based –
The Nutcracker and the King of Mice
, by E. T. A. Hoffman – is older than the version we see portrayed on stage, which is actually an adaptation by the French author Alexandre Dumas, better known for penning such classic novels as The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte Cristo.The Nutcracker was actually Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s final and least satisfying ballet, after he took on the project with a marked lack of enthusiasm. It is ironic then that it is The Nutcracker that has become one of the most beloved Christmas traditions of the modern age.
The Nutcracker premiered in Tchaikovsky’s native Russia in 1892, but it wasn't until 1944 that an American ballet company decided to perform the entire thing. That year, the San Francisco Ballet took on the task, from then on performing The Nutcracker as an annual tradition.
But it was really George Balanchine who set The Nutcracker on the path to popular fame. In 1954 he choreographed the ballet for a New York company, and not a year has passed since when the ballet has not been performed in New York City.
You may encounter an animated Nutcracker in 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, and possibly in 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas as well.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
December 13, 2019
The Krampus Kalendar: M is for MYTHS and Legends
There are many myths and legends associated with the Christmas season, some significantly better known than others.
For example, 1st December is the feast day of Saint Eligius – the patron saint of goldsmiths and other metalworkers, including blacksmiths – who died on that date in AD 660. There are a number of legends which are often linked to Saint Dunstan (another smithying saint), but which have also been applied to Saint Eligius.
In one, the Saint, formerly a blacksmith himself, was working at his forge when the Devil paid him a visit. The Devil had disguised himself as a beautiful woman, with a view to leading his victim astray. However, the Saint spotted Satan’s cloven hooves poking out from beneath the woman’s dress, and grabbed the Devil's nose with his red hot pincers, thus foiling the Evil One’s diabolical scheme.
According to another legend, Satan returned again as a weary traveller in need of a horseshoe. The Saint saw through the disguise a second time and beat the Devil until he pleaded for mercy, and swore never to enter any house with a horseshoe above the door.
'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas was, in part, inspired by many of the myths and legends associated with Christmas, not least those concerning Saint Nicholas and Krampus the Christmas Devil, and so is 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, which is currently 78% funded on Kickstarter.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
For example, 1st December is the feast day of Saint Eligius – the patron saint of goldsmiths and other metalworkers, including blacksmiths – who died on that date in AD 660. There are a number of legends which are often linked to Saint Dunstan (another smithying saint), but which have also been applied to Saint Eligius.In one, the Saint, formerly a blacksmith himself, was working at his forge when the Devil paid him a visit. The Devil had disguised himself as a beautiful woman, with a view to leading his victim astray. However, the Saint spotted Satan’s cloven hooves poking out from beneath the woman’s dress, and grabbed the Devil's nose with his red hot pincers, thus foiling the Evil One’s diabolical scheme.
According to another legend, Satan returned again as a weary traveller in need of a horseshoe. The Saint saw through the disguise a second time and beat the Devil until he pleaded for mercy, and swore never to enter any house with a horseshoe above the door.
'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas was, in part, inspired by many of the myths and legends associated with Christmas, not least those concerning Saint Nicholas and Krampus the Christmas Devil, and so is 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, which is currently 78% funded on Kickstarter.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
Gamebook Friday: 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas
As of tomorrow, my current Kickstarter for
'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas
has just one week left to run, and approximately £750 left to raise.
The game is a multi-player roleplaying game, inspired by the adventure gamebook 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas , which is on sale now.
If you're new to roleplaying games, this is a perfect first taste, because it is rules lite and can be picked up and played with minimal preparation. And if you're an experienced roleplayer, it's a great way to get your friends and family involved in your hobby during the festive period.
So please pledge your support today , if you haven't already, and spread the word to all and sundry.
The game is a multi-player roleplaying game, inspired by the adventure gamebook 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas , which is on sale now.
If you're new to roleplaying games, this is a perfect first taste, because it is rules lite and can be picked up and played with minimal preparation. And if you're an experienced roleplayer, it's a great way to get your friends and family involved in your hobby during the festive period.
So please pledge your support today , if you haven't already, and spread the word to all and sundry.
December 12, 2019
The Wunderbar Wizard of Oz
Mantikore-Verlag
, who have had great success with
Alice im Düsterland
in Germany, are releasing the German translation of
The Wicked Wizard of Oz
next year, and here's the cover...
The Krampus Kalendar: L is for LA BEFANA
In Italy Father Christmas has sub-contracted his gift-giving duties to a kindly old witch called La Befana, who gives children sweets if they’ve been good and a piece of coal if they haven’t.
According to the Italian legend of La Befana, the three wise men stopped at her home on their way to pay homage to the Christ child, and invited her to go with them. But La Befana had lost her own child to the plague and found the prospect of seeing another baby too upsetting. But after the wise men had left she changed her mind.
She set of in pursuit on her broomstick (as you do when you’re a witch) but never found the Magi again. Instead, every time she came across a good child’s stocking she filled it with toys and sweets in an effort to make amends for her foolishness.
You may encounter La Befana during the course of the adventure that is 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, and chances are she will also make an appearance in 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, which is currently 77% funded on Kickstarter.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
According to the Italian legend of La Befana, the three wise men stopped at her home on their way to pay homage to the Christ child, and invited her to go with them. But La Befana had lost her own child to the plague and found the prospect of seeing another baby too upsetting. But after the wise men had left she changed her mind.
She set of in pursuit on her broomstick (as you do when you’re a witch) but never found the Magi again. Instead, every time she came across a good child’s stocking she filled it with toys and sweets in an effort to make amends for her foolishness.
You may encounter La Befana during the course of the adventure that is 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, and chances are she will also make an appearance in 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, which is currently 77% funded on Kickstarter.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
December 11, 2019
The Krampus Kalendar: K is for KRAMPUS
In the twenty-first century, we have become so used to the idea of Santa bringing gifts to good little boys and girls on Christmas Eve it is easy to forget that not so long ago, bad little boys and girls were likewise punished.In the wild heartlands of Europe such legends are not so easily forgotten, and so it is that in countries such as Austria and Hungary, on 5 December, communities remember Krampus, a demonic anti-Santa who accompanies St. Nicholas during the Christmas season, warning and punishing bad children.
In the Alpine regions, traditionally young men dress up as the Krampus and roam the streets, frightening children and women with rusty chains and clanging bells. In some rural areas the tradition goes so far as to include the birching of young girls!Images of Krampus usually show him with a basket on his back, used to carry away bad children and dump them into the pits of Hell. The name Krampus itself originates from the Old High German word krampen, meaning ‘claw’.
So when the chubby, cheery fellow with the bulging sack of presents asks if you've been good or bad, you had better have been good, for goodness sake…
Krampus is the Big Bad of both the gamebook 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas and the roleplaying game 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, which is currently funding on Kickstarter.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
December 10, 2019
The Krampus Kalendar: J is for JACK FROST
Humans have associated the winter season with deities since the ancient Greece god of winter Boreas, the Norse mythology god of winter Ullr, and continuing on in other cultures including Celtic mythology with the goddesses Cailleach and Beira. Over time, the old gods of winter transformed into new personifications of the seasons, including the elemental spirit Old Man Winter.A variant form of Old Man Winter, Jack Frost is the personification of frost, ice, snow, sleet, and freezing cold weather. (In Russia he is the rather more severe Grandfather Frost.) He is the one supposedly responsible for changing the colour of autumn foliage, and for painting the fern-like patterns of ice seen on cold window panes in the depths of winter.
Although originally a sinister mischief-maker, in recent years he has been transformed into a kindly, child-like sprite who simply wishes to enjoy himself and bring happiness to others, as in the 2012 Christmas movie Rise of the Guardians.Jack Frost makes an appearance in 'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas, but to say whether he is a kindly sprite or a sinister mischief-maker would be to give the game away.
Chances are he will also make an appearance in 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas, which is currently funding on Kickstarter.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
December 9, 2019
The Krampus Kalendar: I is for ICE
Did you know that it can actually get so cold that it doesn't snow? Because snow is frozen water, if there are not enough water droplets in the air it can't snow - simple as that.
As a result, the driest place on Earth isn't in the Sahara Desert or the Arizona Desert. It's actually a place known as the Dry Valleys and it's in Antarctica. The area is completely free of ice and snow, and it never rains there at all! In fact, parts of the Antarctic continent haven't seen any rain for around 2 million years!
But Antarctica is also the wettest place in world, due to the fact that 70% of the Earth's water is found there in the form of ice.
'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas is on sale now, while 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas is currently funding on Kickstarter.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
As a result, the driest place on Earth isn't in the Sahara Desert or the Arizona Desert. It's actually a place known as the Dry Valleys and it's in Antarctica. The area is completely free of ice and snow, and it never rains there at all! In fact, parts of the Antarctic continent haven't seen any rain for around 2 million years!
But Antarctica is also the wettest place in world, due to the fact that 70% of the Earth's water is found there in the form of ice.
'TWAS - The Krampus Night Before Christmas is on sale now, while 'TWAS - The Roleplaying Game Before Christmas is currently funding on Kickstarter.
To find out more about the festive season and its many traditions, order your copy of the Chrismologist's Christmas Explained: Robins, Kings and Brussel Sprouts today!
The book is also available in the United States as Christmas Miscellany: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Christmas .
