Good Riddance 2008

New Year's Eve is a time for reflection and nostalgia. A time to take one last look at the year past, before setting our sights on the year ahead.

My friends at JibJab have created another piece of art, with an official review of 2008. *Warning, this clip is rated PG-13...




Keep up with nearly everything in 2009, subscribe to john blog.

Tis the Season...

for long lines, good "deals", ugly sweaters, and celebrating with friends and family (including the wacky ones.)

But what if it was about something else this year? Here's an awesome video that reminds us of that very thing...



I wonder what Christmas would look like if we spent less, but gave more?

Merry Christmas!
John

Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas

So which is it...do you say "Happy Holidays" this time of year, or are you a bit more specific with wishing a "Merry Christmas"?

I remember heading home for the holidays last year and seeing my wonderful parents sporting pins that read: "It's okay to wish me a Merry Christmas."

Of course, I now know that those were not mere pins. They were military badges representing their chosen army of enlistment in the War on Christmas. Every year, both sides seem to ratchet up their efforts in the ongoing battle.

This year there have been ad campaigns, forbidden Nativity scenes, and dedicated websites. Really?

I love the mass emails that go out this time of year reminding us what the season is all about. Or better yet, the ones that re-tell the "history" of Christmas.

The way I understand Christmas is that consumerism stole it from Christians who stole it from Pagans. What a holiday. But who really owns the rights to Christmas? Who cares? I think the way you celebrate Christmas is fine and dandy.

But let's make a deal...you can wish me anything you want (Happy Holidays, Chrismukkah, Festivus, Kwanza, etc) and I won't get offended.

As long as I can wish you a Merry Christmas and you won't be offended. Deal?

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

What a wonderful holiday. Instead of indulging in consumerism masked as a celebration of love, ghouls, or Christ's birth...Thanksgiving is different.

It's a time to be thankful for the things you already have. This year I think it's particularly important to pause and realize what we do have.

Tomorrow we will be whisked back into a whirlwind of gloomy financial news from Wall Street, terror attacks across the globe, and a rising tide of foreclosures and unemployment.

But not today. Today, we get to pause and reflect on the blessings in our life. So let's eat, drink, and be merry.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We Deserve A Break

Words of wisdom from Creative Beef...

Okay, I think the whole world needs to take a few days off. I mean look at what we’ve all been through in the past few weeks:

1. The end of a 2 year campaign that had us checking CNN polls every few seconds.

2. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

3. The Phillies won the World Series.

4. I think there was even some sort of dress-up holiday in there too.

And today I went to Target, and the store was filled with…Holiday stuff!

NOOOOOOOOOOO!

It’s too much. I’m not ready to face to holidays yet. We all need at least a week of sitting by the pool sucking on margaritas.