Failing Up

The minute the last trick-or-treater put's down their bag for the night, the clock begins ticking for Christmas.  We are reminded of the number of days left beginning November 1st.  Black Friday is everywhere you go, there is no escape!  Everyday you are being reminded only 35 shopping days, then only 20, then you better get packages in the mail by 12/15 or you are toast.  Run! only 20 days, get that tree, food, decorations, gifts. Only 10 days, 5 days, where is the eggnog!! ONE day until Christmas Eve, hurry!! Get to dinner, midnight mass, Santa, where is the damn milk, blast off, Christmas!!  
Then, the mad rush to get all this crap taken down!!   
It's the most wonderful time of the year!!

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The holiday season is upon, and Christmas is at the forefront with decorations, the tree, cookies, drinks, shopping Santa, Christmas programs, and specials, it goes on and on.  There is one thing that holds the season together like a bow on a gift, and that is Christmas music.  Christmas music is everywhere and for 6 weeks like a drug.  Rockstar's, popstars, country and classical singers all want the elusive classic timeless song,  There are many types of Christmas music:

• The happy songs, Frosty the Snowman, 
• The lesson songs, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. 
• The sad songs, I'll Be Home for Christmas, White Christmas, Have Yourself a
•  Merry Little Christmas. ( these should not be listened to alone in the dark) 
• The threat song, Santa Clause is Coming to Town.
• The protest song, Happy Xmas (War is Over).   

They are everywhere, then they are nowhere.  

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Thanksgiving is a holiday that belongs to everyone.  There are no specific religious, themes, it is not just a "red" or "blue" holiday, it is inclusive.  It was a holiday founded on gratitude.  There is no crazy commercialization,  just a big parade and football. It is a holiday based on sharing a meal and time with family and friends and those less fortunate.  It is a holiday where the smell and tastes of certain foods bring to life the memories of loved ones no longer with us.  A dinner with unique dishes that become traditions, beyond turkey, whether it is mashed potatoes, greens, seafood,  mac and cheese,  stuff shells, the food is the memory.  

This is the holiday of gratitude.  Happy Thanksgiving!! 

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Just like with the environment, when unregulated garbage, toxins and exhausts are dumped into our oceans, omitted into the air, and just tossed anywhere, the effects to the environment, and those that occupy this planet have unhealthy and life threating ramifications.  The same holds true for the mass amounts of information we are exposed to daily/hourly from a plethora ( I really wanted to use that word) of sources.  Fact and fiction blurred and sometimes just one.  A constant barrage of information designed to motivate, stimulate, and persuade, in many cases for the gain of profit.  This pollution like any other has long-term ramifications. 

timothymahar.org

Our great addiction to the phone, (which is not really a phone) is stronger than crack and I would argue would be just as difficult to kick.  Our phone, (which is really not a phone), this device is our photo gallery, weather system, medical tracker, financial advisor, trip guide, entertainment guide, match maker, calorie and step counter and much more.  People bury their faces in it while walking, shopping and even talking, what can they be looking at, who are they texting? I know ask Siri, who I believe is a best friend to many . Someday, someone will marry Siri, and truly be married to their phone.  Is that delusional, well that's what crack does. 

timothymahar.org

I grew up in a "blue collar family.  One grandfather was a firefighter, the other work at a plant.  My father worked at large plant then the power company, my mother was a nurse.  I have always looked at those people, nurses, plumbers electricians, police officers, fire and EMT as the true backbone of our nation.  You know it when you need them!
Also, I have been able to travel all over and can drop more names a places then then geese droppings in migration.  Although, it's at the local diner, or pancake breakfast, or spaghetti dinner where I feel at home. The wedding reception in the town center and coffee in the back yard.  I have my share of big time dinner/events in LA, NYC,DC with well know people, but it is home, with those that are the closest where I find my comfort.  I am a boring dude!

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In 1981 due to cutbacks in the school lunch program, then President Ronald Reagan attempted to have ketchup declared a vegetable.  Well, congress went crazy and said no way.  Now, for the purpose of replacing vegetables on school lunches I agree with the decision of congress at the time, however I do think ketchup is truly America's vegetable.  We put ketchup on everything, eggs, hamburgers, hotdogs, fries, meatloaf, burned food to make it taste good, food we don't like.  Hell, if you were starving you could put it on a sneaker!  It comes in bottles, plastic containers, little plastic pouches, and you can pump out into a little cup.  Ketchup as American as mustered! 

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This is the 200th episode of Failing Up.  As we celebrate this milestone I want to thank all of you who continue to download this podcast, which is really a form of self therapy.  I appreciate being able to share my fragmented ramblings on a regular basis, my mind is not a neighborhood to spend a lot of time in alone.  This program is my version of neighborhood watch.  Jungle Jim, and I look forward to our next 200 episodes.  There's a lot in my head to get out!

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There are the classic Halloween candies that continue to rise to the top of all goblin lists.  These are Halloween Hall of Fame (HOF) candies.  The Milky Way Bar, Three Musketeers, Snickers, Milk Duds, Butterfingers to name a few.  Then there are the retired treats, "the rocks", homemade popcorn ball, apples, Pez etc. 

I assume and thank God that "Bobbing for Apples"  has been retired to the Halloween HOF.  Gross!! 

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Show me some ID!  If you are old enough to drive a car or get a Learner's Permit or Driver's License, you are too old to Trick or Treat!  No candy for you 16yrs with just a hat on and a pillowcase telling me your in a boy band!! 

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