Friday Follies...

Welcome to the end of the week at last.
Hard to believe that this time NEXT week, it will be CHRISTMAS once again.
I know time is "supposed" to be both relative and constant, but this year sure flew by.
Kinda wish some days there was a "speed-control" dial...lol.
Our Hoosierland weather seems a LOT more "wintry" with a high today barely getting above the freezing mark to only 33 degrees,  mostly cloudy skies, breezy conditions, AND a snow shower sometime in the afternoon.
THAT sounds like the Decembers we remember, doesn't it?
And it will continue being cold through most of the weekend. So what say we get a nice warm cup of Friday fortitude poured and parked close by, as we see what has been going on in some of those familiar places, hmm?
*** First out of the forests of Endor is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature.
December 18 -
---Today is NATIONAL ROAST SUCKLING PIG DAY

(okay, now THAT sounds yummy)
---It's also FREE SHIPPING DAY

(check local stores - save some money)
---It's ANSWER THE PHONE LIKE BUDDY THE ELF DAY

(you're NOT serious, right?)
---And, it's INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY

(I refer my migrants to remain INTER-national and NOT national)
---It's NATIONAL UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER DAY

(Never had one...people KNOW better when it comes to me and clothes...LOL.)
---It's also UNDERDOG DAY

(one of my personal favorites, and not because I liked the old cartoon)

There's no need to fear...

*** Since it's the end of the week, let's see what is going on over the next 72 hours:
December 19 -
---Saturday is NATIONAL HARD CANDY DAY

(feel free to suck away)
---It's also NATIONAL OATMEAL MUFFIN DAY

(sorry, I like my oatmeal in a bowl with milk and sugar)
December 20 -
---Sunday is NATIONAL SANGRIA DAY

(break out the bottle and enjoy)
---It's also MUDD DAY

(not to be confused with FUDD, as in Elmer)
---And, it's INTERNATIONAL HUMAN SOLIDARITY DAY

(Shouldn't this be most EVERY day?)
And there you have it. Plenty of things to keep one busy and OUT of the local jails.
Moving on...
*** Next, got to watch one of a few Christmas shows that I try not to miss - Disney's Prep and Landing and the sequel - Naughty vs Nice. Best hour I spent this season.

I've watched this since it first came out in 2009 (wow, has it been THAT long already?).
It's great fun, still makes me laugh, and the animation is top-shelf.
Now, onto White Christmas and Scrooge.
*** Next, Fort Wayne's North Side Redskins have become THE LEGENDS...thanks to a "forced" change of moniker because someONE got their nose out-of-joint over this "Native-American" slight (where there was none before over the last 82 years).

Not anymore, thanks to PC-BS!

I'm sure it won't be long before another asshole takes offense at THIS name for some reason.
I've never seen so many spineless people succumb to someone who gets  "offended" at the smallest things.
Wonder what those people want to be when THEY grow up?
(hope it's NOT a politician - we're screwed enough already).
*** Next up, did any of you see WHO the most recent inductees into the ROCK AND ROLL HOF were?

The RAP group NWA was inducted (they should be arrested...along with their development).
Other inductees were Cheap Trick, Chicago, Deep Purple, and The Steve Miller Band ...
THOSE groups are part of what "rock and roll" is all about, but a frigging (c)rap group?

Yeah, I know that Public Enemy was inducted back in 2013, and THAT should also have NOT been allowed.
Now, if these rappers want to start their OWN HOF (would be more a "Hall of Shame"...lol), you go right ahead, but DON'T inflict what you think is MUSIC into a venue that is filled WITH music, got it?
This kind of crap pisses me off, because we have this FORCED "integration" (sounds familiar?) of music genres that are not EVEN similar, but should some white musical artists wish to enter a BLACK music HOF...can't do that.

It's for BLACKS ONLY (apparently).
How f$cked up is THAT, people?
Never saw a pendulum ONLY swing ONE way before, but this IS Bizarro World, isn't it?
Someone needs to straighten out this musical mess, because I'm not the only one that sees how wrong this induction is.
It IS called rock and roll...no mention of rap anywhere, right?
Guess Quiet Riot will be inducted into the COUNTRY MUSIC HOF next?
*** Next up, today THE FORCE AWAKENS...well, it actually woke up last evening with showing around 7 PM (our time).

And like I said, this flick will easily make over $200 MILLION this weekend.
Merchandising will be unbelievably lucrative (and plentiful).
This WILL become the top-grossing movie in America...ever.
Not bad for a franchise that started out damn near broke, and managed to cajole the actors to take 1% of the profits as a "paycheck". And my, how much MORE that turned out to be, right?
It did manage to launch the careers of many people, both in front of and behind the cameras.
Episode 7 would seem to be much like episode 4 (A New Hope), in that we see more people starting "The Hero's Journey", while characters from episodes 4-6 help them on that journey.
Again, we see a classic battle of good vs evil, and isn't that the basis for much of what we see these days?
In essence, it's the SAME story all the time, BUT...it's told with different players, places, and ancillary situations that serve to embellish the tale.
Yeah, I can wait for the DVD to come out.
*** Next up, this is a wonderful article about how  people will come together.
Here's the story link:
http://wane.com/2015/12/17/veterans-funeral-doesnt-matter-what-war-or-who-it-is-its-family/

A man who never married or had children dies. All that's known was that he served in the 'Nam.
So, D.O. McComb steps up and offers a full military funeral for the man.
But James Beavers got a send off  he probably never saw coming...a LONG line of strangers showing up to give their last respects for someone that never met.

Personally, I don't think anyone should die alone, but it does happen (I've had such an experience in my family).
Figure it's only fair, because we're never alone when we come into this world.
*** Last back to the Mos Eisley Cantina...while it's quite easy to get into the holiday spirit, and understand the real reason we celebrate this time of year, it's also a time for people to feel a bit melancholy.

Many of us can relate to George Bailey.

I know I fight this demon every year, and with good reason - it's not the Christmas I recall from my youth.
Aside from presents, it was more about the FAMILY.

And some of us know how Charlie Brown felt...

Being fortunate enough to have two great parents meant the world to me, and I hope I haven't managed to disappoint them as the years have rolled by.
Dad's been gone since 1978, and Mom since 1998, and yet, you never get over missing them.
As more time passes, friends you grew up with leave this world, as do many of your mentors...those who helped shape who you have become, like bosses (yes, there are GOOD ones out there), co-workers and educators.
I think the best way to deal with any of that "negative" feeling you might get this time of year, is to NOT give into it, because that is not what those who went before you would want for you.
You have to be the strong person here, carry on with who you have become, and let everyone else around you know that it is because of the ones NOT here this time of year, were the people who made the deepest impression upon your life.

Don't be sad...it's CHRISTMAS!

Their memories ensure that none of those that have passed will ever be truly gone. Their light will shine through you, and you need to let others know that, and see that.
THAT is one gift that keeps on giving, year after year.
Do have yourselves a great weekend.

Be well, make a difference to someone today, and as always...
Say SAFE out there, America.