Run 1921. December 20, 2021 -- A special Christmas run
It has been a controversial holiday on-and-off over the years. My ancestors, the Puritans, outlawed its observance in Boston in 1659. The ban was revoked in 1681 by an English appointed governor. It was not until the mid-19th century that celebrating Christmas became fashionable in the Boston region. Christmas isn’t an official public holiday in this country but it has not been banned, AFAIK. Chances for dressing up and having sanuk are usually embraced. A paragraph from an early law book of the Massachusetts Bay Colony reads as follows: “For preventing disorders arising in several places within this jurisdiction, by reason of some still observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other countries, to the great dishonor of God and offense of others, it is therefore ordered by this Court and the authority thereof, that whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas or the like, either by forbearing of labor, feasting, or any other way, upon such accountants as aforesaid, every person so offending shall pay of every such offense five shillings, as a fine to the county.” It appears that government edicts against having sanuk have been around forever. In these modern times, we no longer have to fear superstitions, right?
The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named Saint Nicholas who was born around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. Much admired for his piety and kindness, Saint Nicholas became the subject of many legends. It is said that he gave away all of his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. One of the best-known St. Nicholas stories is the time he saved three poor sisters from being sold into prostitution by their father by providing them with a dowry so that they could be married. White-knighting has been popular for a long time. It occasionally turns out well for the knight. Often it just goes unappreciated and the dogooder is disdained. Stuffing stockings is still practiced by many men and Hashers. The English band, The Police, sang, "Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light / Those days are over / You don't have to sell your body to the night..." Before that there was Gene Autry, who sang, "Then one foggy Christmas Eve / Santa came to say / 'Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?'..." The symbology of red lights and Christmas is a mixed bag -- Roxanne put out the red light, and Rudolph guided Santa with a red light -- maybe even to the three sisters.
The First Circle
The usual pep talk was given, and the Virgins were introduced. During the Virgins' interrogation, the Master doesn't really want to know exactly what shithole you came from, just a general country name is enough information. Two of the virgins got to drink a free beer from their shoes because they were accused of being new. They didn't seem to mind, but it is good to tell Virgins that they don't have to do anything they don't want to do at the Hash. Peer pressure can be strong -- experienced Hashers also can follow that advice and may eschew being pressured into doing things just to fit in with the group.
Sperm Polluter is our Hareraiser and it looks like we will be needing more Hares in the near future.
Dirt Looney told us how we can donate to the Hash's preferred charity.
The Run
A beautiful trail it was, Hared by Ball Ringer and Blow Lewinsky starting from Spermy's Lake. The weather was cool and dry. There was a walkers' trail and a runners' trail of 3.5 km and 7.5 km, respectively. It was quite flat; Strava reported a 50m elevation gain.
Every participant also got a special PH3 Hash logo motif black mask given out by Dirt Looney. Those are useful when the buses go on a long dirt road during the dry season and kick up a lot of dust. Those of us who like to fit in at 7-Elevens will also benefit.
Many enjoyed Chef V.V.'s delicious sandwiches. We also enjoy the beer truck which V.V. also organizes and drives.
Scar with Two Ts served us delicious mulled wine. It is sweet hot wine with spices and nuts. I imagined drinking the grog sitting around a fire with the snow blowing around us.
The Main Circle
The Beer Hunter leader Sir Really Sadistic Bastard got awarded for 900 runs (actually 904!).
There were presents for the Harriettes and the Rugrats. There have traditionally been presents given during the Pattaya Hash Christmas run circle. The presents on this day were a beautiful box of cookies. Our Hash Santa was said to be AWOL up-country that day. Normally the ladies sit on Santa's lap and talk about the first thing that pops-up.
Fleece Lifter announced having gotten a new espousal.
There were the usual activities during the circle of Hash Crash, Hash Trash, run discussion led by our Master The Wizard, a punishment session led by the Religious Advisor Scar with Two Ts who cleanses sins with frozen anal aquatic delights, Chicken Fucker's monologue, the Hares' Song (delegated to Chicken Fucker), Final Down-Down, Hash hymn. One nice feature was that anyone who missed being sat on the ice got to do so at the end.
Afterwards
Hustlers Sports Lounge and Diner hosted the group and sponsored some stir-fry with fried rice while we were having extra sanuk.
A FUN TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.