My Christmas Wish

     The Christmas season is a time when many become mindful of others, but why does it only happen during the holiday season.  You hear many stories this time a year about strangers helping strangers, paying it forward in some way, some are small gestures and others are big but it's not the size of the gesture it's the fact that people make the effort.

     My wish for this Christmas is that we make the effort to carry over this Christmas spirit to the rest of the year.  Being a rational person I know that we cannot expect people to be in the Christmas spirit 12 months a year but maybe we can start small by changing a few things we do.

I have just three things in mind:

First, try looking at life through the eyes of a 4 or 5 year olds when their minds are open to the world.  They are curious, questioning everything but they don't rush to judgment of others.  Everything seems to be a new exciting experience to be enjoyed.

Second, think before you act.  It seems like many times people just meander through life without much thought given to the impact of their actions on others.  What a different world it would be if we took a little extra time to consider others before we made a thoughtless decision.

Third, promote understanding without ignoring justice.  This is probably the hardest to do.  The news is filled with stories about people and their problems and it always seems as if it is slanted one direction or the other which makes it hard to be understanding of some situations.  It can be hard to separate your personal beliefs from influencing your opinion about a hot news topic but it's worth the effort.  In any case justice cannot be ignored even though it may be opposite to your opinion.

     We could do these things all year around, at least make an effort.  You may want to pick your own ways to bring Christmas spirit to the rest of the year, that’s great.  All we really want to do is “Strive to make everyday a little better than the day before”. 

     Hey, we're not shooting for perfection here just some improvement, which I think we all can agree is needed.

Have a wonderful Holiday and a successful year!

Women have Shopping Legs

     Over the years I have always been physically active and therefore felt in reasonably good shape.  I still cycle frequently, play tennis weekly and work out semi regularly. I'm not saying this to brag just to state the fact that I make an effort to stay in good shape and this makes me feel good about myself.

     The thing is no matter how good I feel physically going shopping wears me out quickly.  I can play tennis for 2 hours and I'm tired afterward but it doesn't compare to the fatigue I feel after 20 minutes of shopping.  After about 10 minutes I start looking for a place to sit down as my legs start screaming relentlessly, it's not walking around the mall that's tiring but it's the roaming around the clothes racks while my wife tries on clothes.

     I notice other husbands standing or roaming around the clothes racks and they look as tired and listless as me but my wife and their wives look as if they just received a shot of adrenaline.  It almost seems like the women have become energized by the shopping experience.  We all know that men and women have physical differences but one not spoken about is the fact that women have what I choose to call "shopping legs".  Men's legs may look more muscular but they do not have stamina to compete with women's legs when trekking through the mall.  Maybe it's carrying your wife's purse and coat that throws off your balance and causes more leg fatigue, No, it's got to be something else.

     After much thought, I believe it is what I described above, women have "shopping legs" possibly an extra tendon that relieves shopping fatigue, it's possible.  I know women don't understand why men can play or 18 holes of golf or a round of tennis yet become exhausted after 20 minutes of shopping.  Women need to understand that men have a genetic deficiency, we are missing that extra tendon which gives women "shopping legs" or maybe it's a mental deficiency, I'm sure we could get a few women to agree with that.  Oh! Beer has always been a part of sports activity for men, try serving beer to men that are shopping, that might work.  "Just Saying...."

Another great Holiday Movie "It's a Wonderful Life"

     This movie was released in 1947, before I was born but it remains a classic with great message.  It's timeless because of the message and the pure, simple way it is conveyed.  Jimmy Stewart stars in this black and white film and to some young people it may seem corny but it's a great movie.  It has been remade in color but nothing can replace this original film.

     You will feel better after you watch this movie, as you watch George Bailey struggle with life and the decisions he makes, you can't help it. We all have difficult times in our lives and need to believe we are living a life that makes a difference. You've heard the protesters in Ferguson chant "Black Lives Matter", no question about that, all lives matter and this movie shows how a person’s positive influence can impact others even though they may not realize it.  Inspiring!  The key is positive influence because negative action or taking no action will also have an impact on others as well.

     This 60+ year old movie has a message for all of us just as relevant today as in the past so if you haven’t seen this movie (I don’t know anyone that hasn’t) take the time to watch it or watch it over again.  This movie is filmed in black and white, which seems to enhance the experience.  Don’t let the lack of color deter you.

     I’m sure there will be some movies from today’s generation, which may have a lasting memory for young adults of today but whether they become a true classic remains to be seen.  

The Fascination of Movies

     I love movies.  They can touch your emotions, inspire you or scare you but they are there mostly to entertain you.  Movies are meant to appeal to many different people so there are some I like and some I don't like.

     For me there are a few movies that I watch more than once some are what I would describe as a seasonal tradition like "National Lampoons Christmas Vacation".  My kids although they are now adults also love the Chevy Chase movie and watch it every holiday season at least once.  There are other Holiday movies that I watch as well but they have not become a tradition.

     Inspirational movies are some of my favorites and there are many to choose from like, Remember the Titans, Argo, The Blind Side, Invincible, The Help, Erin Brockovich, Schindler's List, Dead Poets Society, Bottle Shock, etc. but most importantly for me is "Rudy".  This is not a Christmas movie but this is just the season I choose to watch it.  Most of these inspirational movies are also what I would call feel good movies as well.  If you haven't seen this movie do yourself a favor and watch it, put aside any dislike for Notre Dame (Steve, I'm talking to you) and watch this inspirational football movie.

     Comedies, suspense, romance are all be fun to watch and will make you laugh, cry or sometimes scare the hell out of you.  Good movies will brighten your day because they take you away from the harsh realities of life if only for a short time.  Christmas time should be a happy time for everyone and even if you are poor a good movie can give you a laugh, hope for the future or just a good feeling about life.

     Tell me you favorite movie, one that I should put on my list. 

The World needs more Laughter

     Lately it seems more people are less tolerable with others, taking every opportunity to judge the actions of others even if a comment or remark was meant as a joke.  As an recent example the news reported that Dave and Busters tweeted the following "I hate Tacos, No Juan said Ever".  Social media blew up claiming racial prejudice.  Are you kidding me, it was a joke, what's wrong with our society, Wow, have we become a humorless world.

     Maybe if we just laughed a little more we wouldn't get so angry over comments that were meant to be humorous.  If you're laughing you're not rioting.  Did you ever see a terrorist laugh, not unless it was a minical laugh?  Twisted angry faces is what I see.

     Laughter has a calming effect whereas anger does the opposite.  Laughter is a healthier choice.  Not to say there isn't justification for anger at times but if it becomes the norm it is a problem.  The news is mainly filled with angry people because that's what sells.  Unfortunately, the news media promotes anger and fear with only an occasional sprinkling of feel good stories.  Putting angry people on the news just fuels a bad situation and promotes more anger.

     Let's not fall prey to the anger promoted by others, take time everyday to smile and laugh with friends and strangers.  Don't look for offense remarks, look for humor.  Make the choice to improve your life by looking for a reason to smile.  "Just Saying...."

Ferguson Residents Destroy their own Community

     Reactions to the decision by the Grand Jury were violent and irractional as some expected.   Rioters destroyed their own community without a thought for their neighbors.  Many local businesses were burned and looted which does nothing but hurt the community.  Many of these businesses are locally owned by people who have taken a risk to achieve their dream.  Despite your beliefs regarding the Grand Jury decision the actions of the rioters only shows anger and retaliation toward your neighbors.

     I'm not naive enough to think this post won't change anything but destroying your community will change things.  You need to think if destruction of property is a good change or not.  It seems fairly obvious to me but it's the choice of Ferguson residents not mine.  Only you can decide to keep Ferguson dreams alive.  "Just Saying..."

My Favorite Christmas Song, one you Must hear

     There are many beautiful and classic Christmas songs written by many different songwriters.  These memorable Christmas songs have many different versions sung by a variety of singers.  I love them all but most of the time the newer versions can never live up to the version by the original artist.

     The songs I speak of include White Christmas (Bing Crosby), Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Judy Garland - from Meet Me in St. Louis), just a little plug for STL, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Jingle Bells, Joy to the World, The Chipmunk Song (David Seville), Frosty the Snowman (Gene Autry), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Gene Autry), etc.

     I enjoy listening to Christmas songs during the holiday season because they bring back fond memories.  These Christmas songs are all written to evoke memories of joy, happiness, togetherness, fun and some sad songs as well like Blue Christmas famously performed by Elvis Presley which happens to be one of my favorite Christmas songs and although Elvis has a great voice and popularized this song, the version I prefer is on the attached link.  Denny Brownlee recorded his version of Blue Christmas in Ocean City Maryland during a local’s only town Christmas party hosted by 98 Rock at that time sings this version. It was a parody during open mic session and had been released to play on the morning show (John Boy and Billy radio show).

     The original song by Elvis tugs at your heartstrings as he sings about a lost love, but the Denny Brownlee's version will make you laugh every time you thing about it.  I first heard this song many years ago while driving in my car and laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes.  This version is called Porky Pig's "Blue Christmas" and if you've never heard it you don't know what you’re missing.  You need to listen to the whole song because just keeps getting better, I especially like the middle section when Porky is talking to his lost love.  Listen to it now, it only takes 2 minutes, just 2 minutes to brighten your day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg7HvF3a_Iw