Checked it Twice...

As the Day of Christmas draws even closer, it is fun to remember the Past and look towards that day...but do you ever look to the Christmas of the Future? Maybe when you are shopping the after Christmas sales you think you are getting ready for next year, but have you already made out a list of things you want or things you want to give? Things you really wanted or things you wish you could have afforded this year? Funny while we celebrate the present, we sometimes recall the past, but rarely look to the future.

5. "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" - Henry Rollins
Taken from an Australian Christmas album, this song sis much more scarier than Eazy E song ever thought about. No cussing in here, just the true sounds of Christmas in Sarajevo. If Call of Duty: Modern Warfare had a Christmas soundtrack, this song would be all you need. He starts you off with a regular coffee shop type ambiance only to fool you when the gunshot and helicopter starts. While Rollins' voice is deep enough to frighten (see: "Liar") it is that background noise that makes you wonder what exactly is going on. Is Saint Nick an invader? Is he avoiding the gunfire and bombs to deliver toys to the good boys and girls in a war torn city? You can almost see the sleigh ride the skies as flares light the atmosphere. The song is so odd it makes you think.


4. "The Tweleve Days of Christmas" - Bob and Doug McKenzie
Good Day. If you ever wanted to know what those 12 days of Christmas was Bob and Doug give you them...and I'm still wondering what those mystery days are. Plus they also give you ideas if you don't know what gifts to give someone. One of the cutest Christmas songs around that somebody went out and even did an cartoon about the song portion, which missed out on those mystery days (see: youtube Animax). Of the countdown songs for the season, I enjoy this one the most...who could argue with giving Beer in a Tree? Good Day.

3. "Carol of the Bells" - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
The first time I heard this song I was instantly hooked. At last a Christmas song that you could bang your head to. Little did I know that there were different people already doing this at the time (Mannheim Steamroller, Gary Hoey). Still, I place this song at the top since it was the first and still allows me to rock at this time of the year. Plus, seeing it live is something to experience.

2. "O Tannenbaum/O Christmas Tree" - Vince Guaraldi Trio
This song is also on the "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Soundtrack. While most associate the Christmas time song with the special, I think of this song first. The song represents the reality of things if you will. It starts out slow, almost sad and lonely like Charles. His life is always falling apart and some of his friends are always on the look out to tease or exploit him. But, the song becomes jazzier and has other instruments join in as one. Christmas is a time for family and friends, but sometimes you have to think about those people who are lonely this time of the year. Think about your parents who visit you that one day to open up gifts on either the 24th or 25th only to spend the other day alone with each other. Or those widowed who are happy to see their children come to visit a few times out of the year, only to have them go away and be lonely once again. We look forward to this time of the year because if we are lonely, we can hope that we can see our families all together and happy at least for one day. Then we go back to the rest of our lives with the occasional email or post. This time of the year is happy for many and stressful for just as much...but we have to remember that some of us that no matter how many people we surround us with are fearful that it will soon end and have it go back to being just like Charlie Brown. A MacGyver episode summed it up best for me: We should celebrate Christmas all year 'round.

Now with any list there is usually a break between Number 1 and Number 2 to give a recap or a note to those that almost made it. In reality it is a buffer to sneak in additional advertising. Just one more commercial break for those that might have missed the previous commercials and thought to skip all the way to number one. I chose to remember those that almost made it:

"The Hanukkah Song" - Adam Sandler
While the song is catchy and many people have it memorized, I still feel like it is an easy checklist for any anti semitics out there to put to use. Still it is festive and fun to hear, both versions. And anyone that put O.J. Simpson in his place (See: Denis Leary) is good in my book.

"Delicious Dish: Guest Pete Schweddy" - Teri Rialto, Margaret-Jo McCullen, Pete Schweddy
I can never get enough of this sketch from Saturday Night Live. It makes me smile every time no matter how naughty it was.

You know, David Letterman always has a Top 10 list. Every night he and his writers come up with a current event related list that makes you laugh all the way up to Number 2. Then the Number 1 on the list is always kind of off. Many times the second one was funnier than the first. Makes you wonder if Letterman is letting some of his humor show through. "Why don't we make it so that the second one is the one that is funniest since every other list has the best at the top. That way they get to the punch line and it makes them wonder. Besides, they aren't gonna remember it by the weekend anyway." Mine might reflect that too, but in a way it is more of my personality that shows through...as well as a little humor.

1. "Santacide" - The Toadies
Few people have actually heard this song. It is as it is, a song about the murder of Santa Clausi. A guy (mentally ill?) is discussing how Santa invades each season and this year he is ready. As each Santa falls, Baby Jesus is happy. Such a morbid song at Christmas? Not really. Each year we have a silent war between our symbols of Christmas: Jesus Vs. Santa (which by the way is an anagram for "Satan"). While most of us don't see it, it is there. Christianity and it's belief of good will vs the spirits of giving and as some believe commercialism. We see the man in the red suit and think "Christmas." We think also that it is Jesus' Birthday (observed). There is a war to some, but in reality we shouldn't we be like the rest of us and just do what we are supposed to? And that is be happy for each other. Yet each year malls get busy and money is spent on our families to get the coolest gifts. Each year people go to church, even if they haven't all year. Each year children get happy about getting presents or seeing the pretty lights. And at the risk of sounding like a South Park episode, if you get rid of one the rest of society might fall. Many retailers rely on these months to keep in business. Others see it as a time to get back in touch with religion if only for a day. While the song is a bit on the darker side, it does say one important thing in one of it's lyrics "The true meaning of Christmas is love." No matter how dark the tone, we should all love at Christmas. And it is a fun song to play at family gatherings....don't argue, some play songs about the deaths of grandmothers.

Argue if you will or accept them all that's just what I listen to and helps me remember what the season is really about this time of the year...fun and love. I'll have one more Christmas note to share later, something that ever since I heard of it happening I recall it every time the season starts and long after the season ends.

A Christmas List..of sorts

Everyone likes lists...right? I know I do. I enjoy reading what critics and authorities in the industry claim to be the best whatever: Top 100, Greatest of the Decade, Top 500. In all it allows us to complain, mostly, on what they decide to pick. Others debate, but those list seem to exist to make us think, to me it often makes me think "what were they thinking?" Ultimately, those lists really don't mean any thing do they? For 2008, top "vote" getters were different everywhere. Those listed at #1 include: Coldplay - "Viva La Vida", Kings of Leon – “Sex On Fire”, Estelle Feat. Kanye West - "American Boy", & Hercules and Love Affair - "Blind." (BTW, I know that usually you put the comma inside the quote marks...I think it looks funny). As you can see there is no set constant of the top song. Best song of the decade of the 90s list Nirvana - "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Britney Spears - "...Baby One More Time", and Alice in Chains - "Man in the Box."

So with that I give you my list of my favorite songs of the Christmas season. This list doesn't really have to make you debate, it really doesn't give any more reason that you should listen or even like these songs. What it does is give people insight to what it is I listen to at this time of the year. It is a festive time of sharing, so I share this with you.

10. "I am Santa Claus" - Bob Rivers
Nice song about a dude that looks like a biker and delivers presents to good boys and girls. Set to the tune to "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath, Bob Rivers makes Santa Sound naughty but cool and nice at the same time. Don't think you'll find roasting chipmunks or anything, just a reference to kiddies bringing St. Nick some festive beer with his cookies.

9. "Feliz Navidad" - Jose Feliciano
There was a time where I couldn't get away from this song during the holidays. I used to be annoyed by it by the time December actually came around for hearing it every day. Then came the year I didn't hear it at all. I felt there was something missing in my life. Luckily, my mom got me a little dog that sings it so I can hear it all year 'round. It is such a happy song full of fun and joy. Plus, it is educational in that we can speak a little more Spanish, take that Dora.

8. "Carol of the Bells" - Mr. Mackey the School Counselor
After Charlie Brown, South Park has provided us with fun Christmas cheer in animated form. "Ummkay" tied into an already addictive song makes for a song that once in, gets stuck up there. Ding, Dong, Ding Dong, Ummkay.

7. "Christmas Coming to the USA/Seasons Greetings from Saturday Night Live/The SNL Christmas Song" - Sanz, Fallon, Kattan, Morgan
As a child growing up with Saturday Night Live (or "SNL" as Generation Text currently calls it) I have fond memories of Christmas sketches. But as far as catchy tunes goes, this one transcends the holidays and even appeared at Easter. Plus, that Simon guy from American Idol even joined in the fun, and if he likes it...never mind. Who can argue with a song that has a lion growl or a guy who's only job is to hold a keyboard and shake his head back and forth.

6. "Chrismas Time is Here" - Vince Guaraldi Trio
Charlie Brown Christmas is something I try to watch every year, and it isn't that difficult. I still miss the original Coca-Cola references that appeared (in-show advertising, not drugs) that made the cartoon that more interesting since it was a show about the commercialization of Christmas. The soft, jazzy version of this tune rolls around in my head about the time stores start putting up their Christmas gear (which is now sometime in September?) and I catch myself humming along while shopping for rakes and other end of summer items. I get the warm feeling in the cockles of my heart when the song plays...which by the way are commonly associated with the heart valves of your heart. Since I really don't know how my valves feel I guess you can negate that last statement of warm feelings and replace it with "I have the pre-feelings of Christmas cheer when I hear that song."

So there is the first of the top songs. There will be more later, since no true list comes without an actual countdown if you will. Many times I had to sit all weekend long to wait to see what videos were going to make the top 10 on Mtv's list (back when it played videos). I was young and silly, I could have just watched something else until that time...but then again if my favorite videos were rated lower than a really bad song I wanted to watch...just so I'd have something to argue with myself about.

I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep.

With the recent song, character in Disney's latest movie...and, well, memories of Joss Whedon's canceled shows due to the fact that he has lost yet another great show...I decided to take a break from the regular discussion and think just whatever happened to fireflies. The last time I saw one was in my childhood and I've been in the country many times since then. Are they mysterious child-centric similar to Santa Clause and tend to disappear when we get older? Has there been a mass extinction event worthy of a movie? Or has big business covertly harvested the lightning bugs to mass produce a cheaper glo-stick?

This line of thinking has also brought up another matter: Are there children that have never seen these wonderful creatures? It is sad to think that there might be children or even adults who have never experienced a right of passage in seeing these insects. Running around at night discovering these strange bugs who glow, when we now well enough in our childlike mind that that isn't normal for bugs to light themselves. Then you could collect a few in a jar and use it as a small flashing flashlight. I recall it being fascinating that a bug could become a beacon in the night. It is sad to think, but maybe there are people who have heard of this mysterious creature but have never seen one and associate them with the Loch Ness Monster or Big Foot...which leads me to wonder if there are young adults who have ever heard of these creatures at all? Again, I recall the feelings of interest when I discovered these strange creatures and how people claim that they do not exist but others have circumstantial evidence proving otherwise. These stories then lead me to find interest in other creatures and places of lore: The Chupacabra, crop circles, the Bermuda Triangle, Stonehenge, the Mars face. It was fun finding information on these things and seeing how people react, positively and negatively, to those mysteries of the unknown. Maybe some are true...who knows. It is fun to believe in the possibilities.

Belief is a powerful tool...but how many people could convince that a bug could glow in the dark if they have never seen one do so?

Darkest Before the Dawn

Once again we come to the time of the year where our morality is really tested. While many people are enjoying the company of their families, there are those who are planning their routes for tomorrow's shopping extravaganza. Some think those shopping for bargains at 5am or even earlier are foolish, others think it is the best time to shop for gifts that may be even cheaper than usual. Either way, tomorrow is going to happen and no one can stop it because there are those who will stay in line to purchase that much needed television or camera. But in reality who are we kidding? Many of those purchases will be for gifts, but many will also be for the buyers...when have you ever gotten a flat screen television for someone else? Few people are generous enough to have say that they have given that to another (not to their wives)...but what of those standing in line right now, before midnight? Are they really going to be in the spirit of giving or are those televisions going to be set up in their living rooms before 10am? Have we lost not only the Spirit of Christmas but also the Spirit of Black Friday?

I attend the Friday after Thanksgiving events sometimes. I am one of those people, but in reality I am not. One year I was, I spent an hour in line outside a store so I could get an item my mother wanted at a cheaper price than usual. After that day I refuse to be the one who waits in line. Now, I pick up the occasional good buy, but what I really attend them for is not really entertainment but more of a study of human behaviors. It is the one time out of the year that I can actually view my interest at a real level. People will show their true colors, get out from behind their masks at these events and well...sometimes it is ugly. I consider myself lucky to have not witnessed a death, and what I have seen is pretty much mundane to what you hear on the news but scary non the less. I've seen our society's system of order crumble because someone wants a toy that their child wants. I've seen parents on the verge of tears because the store had run out of one product, only to see them begin to berate a customer service employee about the "false advertising" practices of said company a moment later. I've seen one man accidentally hit another in the head with a box on his shoulder only to have both of them continue on as if the contact had never happened. I've seen grown adults force their way into places as if they are going after a quarterback. I've seen people position their carts in ways as to keep others from getting items and employ younger members of their family to do the same - does a five year old really need to be up that early? I've seen parking rules ignored so that the capable can park nearer to the store. Certain people should be banned from getting up at that hour of the day since they really can't function properly.

You can say that it is an interest of mine, this Black Friday as we like to call it. Usually, when a day in history is labeled as "Black" it is often taken in a negative way - Black (insert day of the week) relate to stock market falls due to almost anything and recently due to devalues in currency. Black (day of the week) was also given to days where riots, mobs or unexpected weather occurred killing many people. Only Sunday seems to be the day where most bad things don't happen...except in Thomas Harris' world...or Raiders fans. Granted people claim that being in the red is bad and being in the black is good...still seems like a bad omen.

While I take all the festivities as a sort of social experiment, where I am the observer, I have to wonder what it is that really makes me get up in the wee hours to partake in a ritual of commerce. I came across the answer one idle Tuesday...Hope. Hope that one day I will see something good come out of all the chaos. That someone might be not full of avarice and actually do something nice for some stranger that is doing the same thing they are. The people of the early dawn are there for reasons, but there is a sense of camaraderie out there. That you too have decided to wake up at an earlier hour just to perhaps get something cheaper. But sadly each year is the the same, a repetition of the previous year where people get angry at not getting what they want. Maybe getting that television wants supposed to happen. Maybe being the 11th person in line behind 10 family members all getting the limit 10 free games to be given away is a sign. Maybe it wasn't meant to be for you to get that cheap mp3 player or cheap Blu-ray player. Because as we all know, you get what you pay for.

Maybe one day I will find that one kind person and will get to end the foolishness of rising early...that is unless there is a really good bargain.

H1N1Y Viris

I'm lucky to be in an industry that has connections. Hand sanitizer was all the rage just a few months ago. Everyone's supplies were gone and shelves were empty. Wal-Mart and Target were hit hard after the first scare. Even the dollar stores fell victim to the empty shelf syndrome. The smart ones searched and found the anti-bacterial wipes in the baby section(felt sorry for the people that might actually need them). Our shelves too were empty, but the soap was plentiful. In this quick society it didn't surprise me that healthy hand washing was being replaced with today's quick fix of 99.9% active squirt.

After the first scare wave, the industry decided to apply typical business practices of supply and demand: not only did they increase the pricing but began rationing. It was as if there were some military expert in charge. It looked like hand sanitizer was going to become the next black market item. One of our wholesalers even sent out memos declaring that businesses would only be allotted a similar amount this season according to their purchases last year...which means that the bigger accounts would get first dibs.

This next wave has been different, which means the general populous as a whole has learned not to fear as much. The news is covering it the same, the pandemic is "here" and people are still standing in line to get the vaccine. The difference this time is that the sanitizer is still there on store shelves. Sam's still had a big ole pallet full of their brand. Target was low on their store brand but the others were still decently stocked. And if you have a baby, Wal-Mart has plenty of items for you. Maybe the people learned not to be scared, or maybe they already had plenty stocked up from the initial scare. But what is funny is that soap sales are down.

Re-Introduction

Since my old account was erased to the data hill of unused pages in the sky, I'll be attempting to keep up with this blog again. Can't say I'll be doing this venture at any specific time or weekly occurrence, but sometimes I just need to write (whether people read it or not). Whether it be about the past or present or just some random philosophical discussion, it will go here. Some things are just too long for twitter or Facebook...but sometimes they just need to be said. Though, don't come here looking for political reviews or some kind of agenda. This is just musings of mostly a philosophical sort.

Well now isn't this special.

Think I logged into this place a long time ago. Will have to see if that account is still active. Guess until then I'll be using this one.