This is a humorous take on why those half-price candy sales that are popping up about now are really not half price.
As a matter of fact, they are the most expensive treats you will ever buy. Watch the video and see why.
The Very Best Holiday Treats
In a previous lifetime, when I was in radio, there was an expression:
“You can tell how successful a disc-jockey is by the size of the trailer attached to his car.”
This was a reference to how often on-air personalities had to pack up and move, usually seeking larger markets or better opportunities.
Such is the saga as to how Humboldt County became my home.
Much like Harry Chapin’s song, “W-O-L-D,” I bounced around the western U.S., ending up as morning personality and music director at a classic rock station in Southern California, where I also published an industry newsletter. A newly hired consultant for a pair of radio stations among the redwoods followed my periodical and brought me up here. Initially, my strategy was to remain “a couple of years” and take family and trailer to San Francisco. If 31 years constitutes “a couple of years,” I might still be on track. Elsewise, it looks like I’m here for the duration.
After leaving radio with a background in promotion, I earned my take as a marketing consultant (which I still do at times). Some of my clients were political campaigns.
Following so far? (There will be a test.)
Anyhoo, a dozen years ago, I was one cog in the wheel of a team that helped manage the successful campaign of a local official, who was since been re-elected twice, and is now retiring. We don’t see each other very much these days. It’s not that there’s any animosity, quite the contrary; he’s always very warm when we bump into each other. It’s just, you know how life is, right? He’s doing his thing and I do mine. However, recently his “team” personally reached out to me, extending a special invitation to his retirement soiree, basically saying, “You were there at the beginning. It would be great if you showed up.” [Read more…]
Honor All Cultures
Honor every culture and every religion. Accept yours proudly.
Image ©2009 Scott “Q” Marcus
Give room for others for to do the same with theirs.
We are all going in the same direction. However, we might take different paths.
Especially during this time of year, take time to understand other cultures and beliefs. It will enrich your own life and give you greater understanding.
Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Ramadan Mubarak. Happy Kwanzaa. Peace.
In whichever way you celebrate, may you find this season – and all others – to be full of joy and good health.
How to Have a Happier Holiday Season
The magic of holiday music, lights and excitement resonates with my soul.
Every year, I look forward to this time of year. But I haven’t always felt so positive; as a young adult, I struggled to enjoy the season.
During my childhood, the holidays were all about presents, snow and cookies. After I moved out on my own, I realized I needed to grow up, and the holidays began to lose their magic.
I now had to work to afford presents for my family and friends. I couldn’t always take off work to celebrate with my family. Some years, I didn’t even have gas money for the drive home. When my family decided to visit me, I had to keep the house clean and tidy. And I still had to go to work every day.
Keeping on track with my fitness routine was hard too.
I usually gained 10 pounds because I was too busy to work out, and I gave in to the temptation from all the seasonal sweets.
In time, the stress became unbearable. I started resenting the season. I wished I could crawl under a blanket in October and emerge in January. I stopped attending holiday parties and resented family get-togethers. I embodied Scrooge, and everyone around me knew it.
Then a few years ago, I heard about seasonal affective disorder. A friend casually mentioned that her sister always felt depressed during the holidays. Bright lights and a support group gave her a better outlook on the season.
I decided to talk to my doctor, and he discussed sources of the holiday blues. Physical fatigue, financial pressure, family conflict and unrealistic expectations were the cause of my depression. He suggested a few useful techniques that helped me overcome the holiday blues.
First, I stopped worrying about expectations. The holiday season is fun, but I can’t do everything. I have to choose the most valuable and important traditions and let everything else go. Holiday cards were the first expectation I dropped. I can always send a free electronic greeting card to the people I don’t see every day. My stress level lowered immediately, and I decided to cut down on the decorations this year. I’ll hang the lights, but the rest of the décor will stay in a box in my garage or get donated to charity.
Next on my list was the food. Homemade sweets and seasonal buffets taste great, but they’re not great for my waistline or mood. I decided to indulge in a few bites of my favorite sweets only during parties and keep up my healthy eating regimen.
I’m also going to stay physically active. Last year, I committed to following my normal workout schedule, and I felt good physically and emotionally.
My family will be visiting my house for a meal this year. I’ll tidy up before they come over, but they’ll have to clean up any dust bunnies they point out. I want to enjoy spending time with my family, not stress out over the cleanliness of my home.
We also decided to forgo gifts. Instead, we’ll enjoy being together as we play games and watch old home movies.
To adults, the holidays may never regain the magic they had when we were kids, but they can be enjoyable.
If you feel stressed, depressed or unmotivated to celebrate this year, talk to your doctor. He can give you tips on recognizing the signs of depression and finding the joy again. Bust the holiday blues this season when you give yourself permission to feel the magic again.
About the Author: Danielle writes on behalf of Sears and other brands she uses. This Christmas, she’s asking Santa for a treadmill so she can channel her stress into physical activity all year long. She hopes it will also help her deal with post-holiday blues as she exercises away all the extra calories she will inevitably consume.
The Greatest Gift of All
I am one of the underclass of the holiday season — those who wait to the last minute to buy gifts — so I find myself on Christmas Eve in yet another line. The customer at the front; an elderly, bearded, overweight gentleman with thick black heavy boots, and wire rim glasses resting on a pug nose; is having an animated discussion with an apathetic clerk. Shoppers buried under sparkly packages are restlessly shifting from one leg to the other, glancing at watches, and staring at the ceiling as the long-winded debate ricochets back and forth.
The sales person reiterates, “You can’t pay for that many toys using pennies.”
“That’s all I’ve got. I can’t pay you in milk, cookies, or crayon drawings; but sometimes children leave me pennies. That’s all I own.”
The clerk shrugged. “I’m sorry Sir, you’ll have to go elsewhere.” He abruptly turns to me, next in line, and disregards the pudgy gentleman.
Trying to avoid looking at the old-timer, but finding it impossible to notice his eyes losing their sparkle, I inform the clerk to charge me for both our purchases. “It is a blessing to give,” I tell the shopper as he looks on in amazement.
The heavy man shakes my hand profusely as he lets out a deep robust belly laugh, his middle shaking like jelly,
“I’m going to make sure you get something astonishing tomorrow morning! It’s my greatest gift!”
With that, he again laughed his full, rich, belly-quaking laugh, gathered his packages and hurried into the cold.
The next morning, I raced downstairs, not knowing what to expect — sure that whatever it was, it would be big, or expensive — or both. I surveyed the living room. Nothing. Then the obvious became apparent: “Come on Scott, you’re an adult. What were you thinking? How silly to even pretend. He was an eccentric geezer who cashed in his penny jar, that’s all.” I brushed aside my foolishness and started to exit when I noticed a simple envelope adorned with an embossed snowflake and a monogrammed “S.C.” Slitting it open, I pulled out a handwritten note on parchment: “Henceforth, you will realize how fortunate you truly are. Your life is full even when it seems not. Enjoy your blessings. Thanks for the help.” [Read more…]