Neil Faulkner writes about how The Fool can help you relax over the Christmas holiday.
As much as I like both music and Christmas, I can't stand Christmas music. So what I'd really like to write about is which shops are not playing it, so we can go shopping without the risk of our ears bleeding.
Alas, I don't have time to research this at present. So I shall despair for humankind (that we play this music at all and, worse, that people actually enjoy it!) and move on. Instead, I'll tell you how to escape from the family over Christmas and make new friends in the Fool Cafe and the Fool Fringe, where we discuss numerous non-financial topics.
Jokers Corner
In the Fool Cafe you'll find a way to beat the Christmas-cracker-joke blues by visiting Jokers Corner. Look for the posts with the most Recommendations, as these will be the most entertaining. And they're often home-made jokes. Recently, for example, NomoneyNohoney proved that there is just one virgin and no teetotallers in Ireland. (Read the discussion: Good looking women in Ireland URL.)
Grumpy Old Fools
The Fool Fringe has a refuge for those of us who have a surly side (or, in many cases, people who are all surly side). You can hang out with Grumpy Old Fools, sharing your gripes or hearing about grievances about such things as Christmas-cracker jokes or Christmas music. Or you can simply 'lurk' there, writing nothing, but basking in the warm glow of moodiness and cantankerousness that emanates from your fellow GOMs and GOWs (Grumpy Old Men and Women). Be prepared for a disgruntled reply if you post here!
Riddles and Brain Teasers
If you like puzzles but didn't get any for Christmas, you can get free ones at a table in the Fool Cafe, called Riddles and Brain Teasers. This month, you might want to catch Shiggaddi's seasonal riddles: Christmas Crackers.
Powder Room
The Powder Room, also in the Fool Cafe (it's a big cafe) was originally going to be called Grumpy Old Women, as an alternative to Grumpy Old Men. (This was before the latter caught up with the 21st century and changed its name to Grumpy Old Fools.) However, as SugarKane, the founder of the Powder Room, said: "...but I didn't want to be accused of only posting here on a couple of days a month".
This room is intended for women to talk about the things they talk about when they go off to the toilet together, but it's also said to be for guys to listen in to try to "...further understand the dark recesses of the female mind..." (I've learned nothing about the dark recesses, but I have learned about make-up, clothes and astrophysics, amongst other topics.)
Comfort Cafe
This smaller, but very busy, cafe is in the Fool Fringe. If you're feeling rather low this Christmas and could do with talking about your problems, or if you need a shoulder to cry on or a cyber-hug, you'll find it here. The Comfort Cafe is surprisingly uplifting.
Beerpig's Snug
Our second pub*, Beerpig's Snug, opened just weeks ago, but it already has that familiar old ale smell which is a comfort to many. The founder, Beerpig, says his metaphorical "real traditional 'snug' type boozer" is located oop North.
The Snug is an old type of pub bar where its customers gather to have a good drink and to chat about friends, experiences of youth, football, being crossed in love, adventures and anything about life. You can air your problems and ask advice from the regulars. Getting roaring drunk is encouraged and smoking is permitted. Drop in for a drink.
*The first being the long-established Paulypilot's Pub.