What On Earth?-Column #18, November 2003

Here we are in November. Now, this is the first month we start the holiday season. But for some people, we're still reeling over the following loss of a game show legend.

Rod Roddy, the Fort Worth native who succeeded Johnny Olsen as the permanent announcer of the long-running daytime TV game show "THE PRICE IS RIGHT" after Olsen passed away in 1985 of a brain hemhorrage, died last month of cancer at the age of 66. Many of us thought he was going to beat this cancer. He was chosen as the permanent TPIR after a long line of announcers auditioned for the vacant seat left by the late Johnny O, and he was one of those announcers vying for that job. And eventually, he won that job. Now, having grown up in the D/FW area for 20 years, I've grown to like him. From his days at Press Your Luck to his "COME ON DOWN!" days at TPIR, no one could even top his way of telling people to "COME ON DOWN!", which, as we know was first said by Johnny Olsen. He went to TCU, and after that, was a DJ until heading to Hollywood, where he'd get his big break. Last year, he was inducted into the Texas Radio DJ Hall Of Fame. I tip my hat off to you, Rod. Godspeed to you. And, of course, who could forget the following quote: "If you would like to be a contestant on Hit Man, FORGET IT!"

This is the first month of the holiday season, or should I say, the first month of a BETTER holiday season. Last year, it was short, but this year, it's lonter! I love that! Now, as you may have seen, IF you've done any shopping at all, the usual holiday stuff, like lights and ornaments, cards and gift wrap, that is in stores now, and many state lotteries have released their Holiday Instant Tickets. Like the tickets of Lotto, Pick 3, and those other number-picking games, these are the cheapest holiday gifts money can buy, all season long. In 1996, the Texas Lottery launched its first $5 game, "Happy Holidays," and after that the $5 ticket sales are still going strong. In 2000, it launched its first $10 game, "Jingle Bucks," and since that ticket sold in big numbers, they launched a 2001 sequel, "Jingle Bucks II." In 2002, after having learned that other lotteries have launched $20 games, the Texas Lottery launched its first $20 game, "Holiday Million," which offers, you guessed it right, a top prize of $1 million. That's right, ONE MILLION DOLLARS! ONE MILLION BUCKS! See what you can spend that money on during the holidays! That's real Christmas Cash! This year, it's launching "$2,000,000 Spectacular," with a TWO million dollar top prize. See how you can spend that this year! If you think that's a lot of money, wait till you play the "Instant $5,000,000 Spectacular" from the New York Lottery. Think what you could do with FIVE MILLION BUCKS! I could do a lot, and so can you! Due to the success of their sales in 2001 and 2002, the New Jersey Lottery is re-launching its HOLIDAY GIFT PACKS! You get a nice little gift pack with 6 instant tickets and a chance to win up to $20,000; for just 5 BUCKS! (Yep, 5 dollars, and not 5 LIVE BUCKS!) I am so hooked on these. If you're like me, and are not willing to spend a lot of money on individual tickets, this is the way to go. You get One Gift Pack with 6 instant tickets, and a chance to win up to $20,000; for just 5 bucks! This is the perfect stocking stuffer and is perfect for Lottery fans on your list! So, if you're looking for the perfect stocking stuffers and/or anything for the Lottery fans on your list, go out there, buy those tickets, and make someone really rich this holiday season! In addition, if you're buying any tickets, all the Lottery retailers in the states that do have lotteries are supplying some gift envelopes to store those tickets in. Those envelopes are usually FREE, if you buy any tickets at all.

Speaking of holiday shopping, I've continued with it as usual, because my family and I want to beat those crowds! I know how hectic it can be, but shop now, and you'll save some dough, and I mean, SERIOUS DOUGH! Shop early, and you'll be happy, while the Scroogy people who like to wait till the last minute, or want to be involved with those big crowds will be saying "Bah Humbug!" A "Bah Humbug!" to them! Remember, my family and I started our shopping over the summer, just to avoid those crowds! It can be realy hectic out there, but shop now, and save some bucks, and be merry!

Want to satisfy that sweet tooth? Well, there are tons of ways to do just that! From candy canes to fruit candies to chocolate candies, we sweet lovers smell a sweet scent! Speaking of candy canes, they're not just red and white like you think they are, no way. There are even some butterscotch ones with light brown, green peppermint ones, multi-colored fruit ones, chocolate ones, and even 100% white candy canes just to resemble snow. I happen to have a box of butterscotch candy canes that I hang on my Christmas tree every year, and in addition to those, I have the usual red and white candy canes, too. Legend has it, that the candy cane was shaped in the form a letter J, because the J stands for Jesus, our Lord.

But, while we're at this very hectic time of the holiday season, we shouldn't forget about Thanksgiving. We give thanks every year, and we can even thank Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, our so-called "Awesome God," named after the famous song by the late Christian singer Rich Mullins. We celebrate by eating a big feast with a turkey and cornbread dressing, and even pumpkin pie for dessert.

And, let's not forget for those big pigskin fans out there, it's Football time! The Cowboys have played on Turkey Day every year since the team was around in 1960. The day after, the colleges take the stage. But whether you're an NFL fan or a College Football plan, you're sure to score a touchdown each time you watch, every single year. Make sure to have plenty of chips and dip, sandwiches, water, juice, and some ice cold soft drinks, if you plan to invite any football plans to your house on Thanksgiving! Don't forget to save some room for dinner and dessert!

In addition, we could be in for some tragedy. 2 of these come in the form of drunk drivers and those who don't buckle up. Those who drink and drive are a nuisance to us, and if you've already drunk, don't get behind the wheel. Instead, designate a non-drunk driver. It saves lives. Hundreds of thousands, even millions of lives. Also, have you heard about the new "Click It or Ticket" campaign? Well, you'll be getting a ticket if any or all in you car are not buckled up. No excuses and no exceptions. So, snap on that seat belt, or expect the red and blue lights to show up in your rear view mirror!

If you're a parade fan, and I'm sure many of you are, you might want to put the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade into your Turkey Day plans. Each year, this annual tradition hails from the Big Apple, New York City. Several floats, balloons, marching bands, cheerleaders, and even Santa Claus make their way down the street just to send you the two-word message of "Happy Holidays!"

If you're a Radio City Rockettes fan, and I'm sure a few people are, you can see these nice ladies in the Macy's Parade, and in the Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular, which has been popular around the country, and not just in the Big Apple! Make them part of your holiday plans!

If you're a Nutcracker fan, and most of us are, there are several performances out there around the country. If you can't attend those, well, head to a video store, bookstore, library, etc., and get some books with and without audio tapes, CD's, video tapes or DVD's that feature performances just like those. Of course, who could forget the IMAX version, which came out in 1997? You'll get a kick of the history of the story, written by ETA Hoffman, and the music, written by Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky.

If you're a Night Before Christmas fan, like me, there are books with and without audio cassettes or CD's that'll get you a head start on learning the history of this classic poem, originally called "A Visit from St. Nicholas," and written by Clement C. Moore. There are even video cassettes and DVD's, too.

Also, the Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel holidays of the year! This year it'll be even busier, because this holiday season will be longer! I love that! And this month, for the first time ever, I'm going to be out of town! I'm heading to Houston, Texas, for a big Thanksgiving feast, and I'll be picking up some relatives and friends who'll be spending the holidays with us!

Then, the day after Thanksgiving, in what is known as Black Friday, in which many stores and malls are crammed with shoppers, and hope to finish in the black instead of the red, many malls and stores ARE crammed. So, what do they do to those who want to avoid the huge crowds? Well, they open the doors earlier! I love that! And I know you will too, and I hope you will head there as Early Birds!

Well, I'll just wrap this up now, by saying "HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all and to all a good feast! This is John Lee saying "Go HOME!"