What On Earth?-Column #31, December 2004

Well, here we are in December, the second half of the holiday season (Hannukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa). While we're into the spirit of the holiday season, I think we'd better start off with some sports.

I decided to start with sports, since the big talk has been about that big brawl during the Indiana Pacers-Detroit Pistons game last month. 9 players were suspended and fined, with Pistons' forward Ron Artest getting the longest, as he's suspended for THE REST OF THE SEASON. This all stems as a fan throws a cup at Artest, so he lunges at the fan, and all hell breaks loose after that. Is it just me, or is there not enough security at any sports event? WHAT ON EARTH has happened to fun during sports? Has it just vanished? Nah. I think we really need to see more security at sports events to prevent things like this from happening again. I've been to 3 sports events in the past (2 football games during HS, and one NBA game at the start of 2003), and I managed to leave the stadium IN ONE PIECE, no injuries.

Now, onto the holidays we go. As you may expect, I'm starting off with Lottery Tickets. The Connecticut Lottery launches a $10 gift pack, with a variety of tickets. Not bad. For more info, click HERE. The Michigan Lottery is also launching one of its own, also with a variety of tickets. But again, you'll really be off your feet when I say this: The NEW JERSEY LOTTERY has DONE IT AGAIN. This is their 4th year of offering gift packs of 6 tickets and a chance to win up to $20,000 for just 5 BUCKS (Dollars, not live bucks). The California and Florida Lotteries are offering Gift Tag style Tickets. And while we're on the topic, one year ago, Texas became the 11th state to join the Mega Millions game (formerly The Big Game). We've had at least one winner in Texas so far, but it only gets better from here. Ohio AND New Hampshire offer Gift Cards and Gift Certificates, and you can give those to your friends and family and let them choose the tickets THEY want. For info on New Hampshire Lottery Gift Certificates, click HERE!

And speaking of those Gift Cards and Gift Certificates, those are in abundance at this time of the year. Remember to check the balances of the cards, because usually the backs of the cards say that after some inactivity, the balance may drop. So, once you receive them, use them, and use them wisely. UNLESS....by chance you happen to have American Express Gift Cards. Unlike store gift cards and gift certificates, these gift cards are rechargeable, and never expire.

Speaking of shopping, if you ever plan to do ANY shopping this holiday season, remember the rules of thumb: DON'T CARRY A LOT OF CASH, and instead, carry 1 or 2 credit/debit cards. After shopping at one, two, or maybe even three stores, head to your car as fast as you can, and drop off those bags, before going back into the mall. I know, because the holidays are the perfect time for pickpockets and robbers, and idiots like that, and their motivation for crime is pretty easy: MONEY.

One year ago, THIS MONTH, former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was captured while hiding from coalition forces in the country. One year later, we're still going with the insurgency. It has been a mess over in the country, and it could get better or worse.

4 years ago, on Christmas Eve, Dallas police officer Aubrey Hawkins was shot and brutally killed by 7 prison escapees. About a month after the murder, 6 of the escapees would eventually be captured in Colorado, with the 7th escapee taking his own life rather than surrendering. More than 2 years after their capture, all 6 would be convicted in the murder, and sentenced to death, a sign that they most likely won't kill again.

2 years ago, Christmas Eve, Scott Peterson brutally murdered his wife Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner; in San Francisco. Last month, a jury convicted him in the murder. Whether he gets life or death is also in the hands of that same jury.

Do you plan to do any donating, whether it be toys or cash? Well, if you plan to donate, find the charities that YOU CAN TRUST. Not just some nameless charities who claim they'll use the money for good things, and it turns out that they're using it for bad things. Some of the most famous names to lool for are Toys For Tots and the Salvation Army. If there are any local charities in your area, be on the alert for radio and TV ads promoting the charities, or find them in your local paper.

Last month, at the end of November, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree was lit. There are others out there, and tons of decorations. Drive around, take pictures, and be happy you took the time for the sights and sounds of the holidays. Speaking of the trees, if you buy a real tree, remember, WATER IT, or it'll catch fire, since the branches will dry out. Rub them together, and you could create a recipe for disaster.

And what would Christmas be without the MUSIC? Tons of new songs are available for you, and it's not just about Decking The Halls or having a Silent Night. Britney Spears is giving Santa her Only Wish This Year, and Whitney Houston is asking Who Would Imagine A King? As usual, the Oak Ridge Boys have every right to Thank God For Kids, as do we. Jackie DeShannon, Janice Harrington, and Al Green and Annie Lennox remind us that we should Put A Little Love In Your Heart, and you should. Some are available as links on my Miscellaneous page. Nutcracker fans REJOICE. Plenty of US cities are making the Nutcracker ballet available TO YOU, in a variety of formats, from the regular ballets you can see in person, to ice skating on TV (you can watch the ballet versions on TV, too).

And what about MOVIES? Last year marked the 20th anniversary of A Christmas Story, all about a boy wanting a BB gun for Christmas. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the animated classic Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, named after the song of the same name. Of course, you still have the more than 20 year old It's A Wonderful Life with the late Jimmy Stewart, and of course, my two top favorites Home Alone 1 and 2 (I saw 3 earlier this year, and I hated it. I ABSOLUTELY DID NOT FIND IT FUNNY.).

Game Shows are also gonna be in the Christmas spirit. If you're a Jeopardy! fan, you may feel bad that the show is now Ken Jennings-less. But don't worry. Maybe someone will be lucky enough to meet or beat his record (which WILL take time). You WILL see him again, however, in next year's Tournament Of Champions. At the end of November, he was finally dethroned by Nancy Zerg, a realtor from Ventura, CA; who'd win one day of her championship, and take home over $14,000. Jennings, meanwhile, takes home over $2.5 million to Salt Lake City. Jeopardy's sister show, Wheel Of Fortune is in its second season with the new colored lighting, and I'm starting to like it. And if you're a Price Is Right fan, you know how last year was the first TPIR Christmas without Rod Roddy. But this year, this will be the first TPIR Christmas with the new voice in the announcer booth, RICH FIELDS.

You know how hectic it is in terms of shopping, but mailing and traveling is also hectic during this time of the year. If you're gonna fly, plan ahead, since the weather's getting colder. If you're mailing anything, get it mailed on time, so that it gets delivered on time.

And speaking of colder, winter begins during the week of Christmas. Remember to move in those plants and pets and cover up the pipes! And during the colder months, Christmas Eve is the time for last-minute shopping, but to give you a break from it, I present you this, from December 24, 2003:

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through John's House
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that great gifts soon would be there.
John dashed out of his bed, for CBS Daytime,
Because, with The Price Is Right on Christmas Day, that's no lime.
"On Pricing Games, On Big Wheel, On Showcases, too!
Let's give away some cash and prizes for me and you!
To the top of the stage, to the top of the wall!
Now, win away, win away, win away all!"
But I heard him exclaim as he dashed out of sight:
"MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!"

Now that I have THAT out of the way, we can finally focus on New Year's Eve. This year will mark the 100th anniversary of the famous ball drop in Times Square in the Big Apple, New York City. Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve, which has been a 12/31 staple on ABC for 32 years, will, for the first time ever, be without Mr. Clark himself. However, we managed to get Regis Philbin to fill in for him as Clark recooperates from a stroke he suffered on December 6, and all of us send our well wishes to the New Year's Rockin' Eve and Pyramid legend we also like to call AMERICA'S OLDEST TEENAGER. Now, of course, before he got into Pyramid, he did get into music, as host of the music show AMERICAN BANDSTAND, which profiles the biggest names in pop music, and continues to do so to this day.

Well, that wraps up the final column of 2004. My well wishes to everyone for a very, very, very, very, very HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON AND NEW YEAR TO BOOT! This is John Lee saying, "Go HOME!"