Pa-Rum-Pa-Pum… D’OH!
Normally at this time of year, I welcome Christmas songs with open arms. We’ve made it through the Thanksgiving food-fest and I begin to look forward to decorating my apartment with lights and balsam-scented candles from Bath & Body Works. This year was no different, until, that is, a friend of mine alerted me to the game he and his friends play every year at this time. It’s called The Little Drummer Boy Challenge, and the only real rule is that once you hear The Little Drummer Boy, you’re out. Avoid that song, and you’re still in the game.
He created a Facebook page where players post their status and brag about narrow misses. Ever since I started playing, I have become even more paranoid and high strung than normal. I peeked my head into my hair salon and yelled, “Are you playing Christmas music?” before walking in for my appointment. I snatched up the first Christmas tree I saw on the lot and paid for it before Silent Night was done playing. I almost trampled a small child at Target while blindly shoving boxes of ornaments into my cart.
“The Santa Claus is a lie! Just pick out a damn stocking and move out of my way!”
I’ve been trying to avoid all the high-risk locations – shopping malls, Starbuckses, marching band practices. The funny thing is that I actually like the song. I mean, how can you not? Just listen the lyrics – this kid has nothing – NOTHING – to give, except the gift of music. And by golly, he’s going to play his little heart out. Even the ox and lamb kept time – what greater stamp of approval could a drummer boy hope for?
I’m not sure my heart can take the stress of this competition for the next 19 days, so I might just pull a Kamikaze at some point and hang out at the ice skating rink at Millennium Park. I would expect Little Drummer Boy to be playing on rotation there about every 30 minutes or so.
If you want to join the madness (and you haven’t already heard the song since the day after Thanksgiving), you can find fellow LDBCers here.
Until then, stay strong.
Filed under: General on December 4th, 2011
December 4th, 2011 at 5:52 pm
Hmm… TV could really do one in. Not sure I need to intentionally add more OCD behavior to my life, but it’s really nice to see you all the same!
And good luck!
December 4th, 2011 at 6:55 pm
I’ve been out of this game since the day after Thanksgiving. I hear it at least once every night I work. Oh Christmas music.
I’m glad to see you posted! I keep poking Vahid to email you (don’t want to lose touch and all that) and maybe I can even guilt him into posting something himself. It’ll be a Christmas miracle.
December 4th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
Still in! I have no TV and I hate shopping and I never, ever listen to radio stations that play Christmas music. So I “liked” the page and, as the commercial says, here we go!
December 4th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
As the friend who created the thing, I’m flattered and tickled to have stumbled upon this while Googling the game to see who was talking about it. Thanks, Jenny—and good luck, all!
December 4th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
You don’t know me, and I only know you from Don’s reading list, but holy shit, the internet has put us 1 degree of separation from Mr. LDBC, who is also an old friend of mine.
December 5th, 2011 at 7:53 am
claire: thanks! and it’s so true – like any of us need more things to be obsessed about.
sarah: anything can happen if you just believe in the power of xmas. even dusting off old blogs. say hi to that vahid for me!
don: good luck! but don’t get too complacent – this song is showing up in the unlikeliest of places.
LDBC: too funny! once again, google saves the day.
aileen: ok, now that’s just crazy! but any friend of Mr. LDBC, as they say…
December 5th, 2011 at 9:34 am
Aileen? Whoa, that IS funky. ‘Tis indeed a small world we’re all bumping around in.
December 5th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
surprisingly, i would still be in the game! that is my absolute favorite christmas song, yet i have not heard it yet. although now i am kinda longing for it. see what you did there?
December 9th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Does it count if both my sons play the drums? I mean, in a sense, I’m ALWAYS listening to a little drummer boy…
December 12th, 2011 at 9:26 am
Haven’t heard it once, yet. But I hear “jingle bell rock” in my head. It takes very little to trigger it. Makes me snap my fingers and puts a little bounce in my step.
Oh gawd kill me now.
December 15th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
last night in the grocery store i was listening to piped in christmas tunes and realized i was still in this game. made it through my shopping adventure still in.
then this morning i got into my car and when i turned the engine over the blaring song on the radio was toby keith, singing the little drummer boy. you were the very next thought in my head. so i turned to twitter to tell rather confused people that i was out.
https://twitter.com/#!/hellohahanarf/status/147308383500894208
amazing the impact the internet has on my thoughts and actions!
December 20th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
All right, fine, I’m playing but only because I’ve made it this far with reckless abandon. Almost thought the hold music was going to get me today, but I survived!
January 29th, 2012 at 10:34 am
At first I thought, well this is an old post having not been superseded by a, you know, newer, post, but then I heard Little Drummer Boy, on January 28th, no less. So, maybe this post is still relevant. But then I thought, no, because OF COURSE I DIDN’T HEAR LITTLE DRUMMER BOY ON JANUARY 29th. But, anyway.
December 24th, 2014 at 12:58 pm
I was trying to remember when I got into this game and knew this post was the catalyst. I am now 4 for 4 with the LDB Challenge which means next year I’m going to have a breakdown trying to maintain the streak or I’ll be so fast & loose I’ll be out on Black Friday.
Merry Christmas, Jenny!
January 26th, 2015 at 8:51 pm
Four for Four? Dannng. I think I’ve only made it through once… nice work!