Bob's Random Thoughts and Ramblings

This is the time of year when we are bombarded with tons of Christmas specials. They're on every channel you can imagine. I even saw a commercial for an Animal Planet Christmas special. I think it had something to do with animals dressed up for the holidays. Anyway, that's neither here nor there.

For the past several years it has become very apparent that there is really only one Christmas story. I don't mean the story of Santa Claus. I don't even mean the story of Jesus. You know, the guy retailers want you to forget about so that you can focus on the hot new toys this year. I'm talking about the story of the person who forgets the true meaning of Christmas.

In every special that you see, there is one somewhat mean-spirited person who seems to hate the holiday. They don't know why anyone would care about, what to them, is just another day. They never seem to have much family, and what family they do have is somewhat estranged. They pander about their miserable lives while everyone else gets ready for the impending holiday celebration.

Just when you think that this miser is incapable of true feeling, someone, often a small child, does something that reminds them of what the holiday season is all about. Scrooge had his three ghosts. Scott Calvin (The Santa Clause) had his son. This awakens them to the joy that the rest of the world is feeling. Also, it seems as though there is usually a county singer playing the sheriff. (See: Travis Tritt, Randy Travis, Kris Kristofferson) When all is said and done, everyone has a wonderful Christmas, and usually a town is saved. (See: the one with John Denver, the one with Tim Matheson, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas)

Throughout my childhood and into my adult years, I've seen just about every Christmas special that television and movies have thrown my way. I watch them each and every year with family and friends. We watch the same story with different names on the characters a thousand times from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Then we do it all over again. After 28 years, I like to make jokes and comments during the ones we've seen a million times. I like to pretend like I don't really know if Randy Travis will end up with Connie Seleca. I like to act surprised when Tim Matheson takes over the Bean's Tractor plant on a one year trial basis. I even wonder aloud if Jason Robards will fall in love with his Christmas Wife.

But secretly, I love the specials. They remind me every year of the true meaning of Christmas. They remind me of when I was a young child and the joy I felt this time of year. They make sure that I'm never the miserable miser that needs to be saved by the small child and the county western singing sheriff.

I took my first opportunity to do some christmas shopping today. I did everything as you are supposed to. I looked through the Sunday paper and found some items in circuilars that I wanted to purchase for loved ones. I headed out to the specific stores with a solid plan in mind: get in, get out.

Every year I get a bit more amazed at how this time of year brings out the worst in people. Cars will almost run you down in order to get the best parking spot. Rude and inconsiderate people will push and shove to get to the products they want. These same people will elbow their way to the shortest line and then cause a backup of monumental proportions.

I was one of the lucky ones today. I found everything I was looking for on the first try, and at the prices I was looking to pay. I was even able to stick to my time schedule and follow my plan. I don't know if it's the new area I live in, but the crowds and annoyance of the christmas shopping season didn't really seem to bug me today. I hope that's a new christmas tradition I'll be able to enjoy for many years.

I would like to extend an early holiday greeting to everyone. I hope everyone out there has a wonderful holiday season and happy new year.

The past two days have garnished a serious black eye for the game of baseball in America. It has long been suspected that some of the players have been using performance enhancing products. On Thursday it was confirmed for the first time by an active player. Jason Giambi, of the New York Yankees, testified in front of a federal grand jury that he knowingly used steroids during the 2003 season. He also stated that he had used other steroids earlier in his career.

Earlier today it was also reported that Barry Bonds told the same federal grand jury that he unknowingly used a steroid cream that he was supplied by his trainer, Greg Anderson. Bonds claims that he was told the cream was flaxseed oil. This statement has begun to wet the appetites of some of Bonds' biggest detractors, most of whom have believed Bonds to be a steroid user for some time.

Barry Bonds has been one of the most feared and respected players in Major League Baseball for many years. However, he has also been one of the biggest goats for fans. While Bonds wants to be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever step foot on the field, he has alienated him from the public court that makes those decisions. He has one of the most abrasive personalities in the league.

Jason Giambi has been one of the most prolific power hitters in the league over the past few seasons. Last season he sat out a total of 82 games due to injury and illness. The key difference between Bonds and Giambi is their 'likability' factor. Giambi is a much more personable player. He is well liked by other players and the fans. This is the sort of thing that he has long been suspected of, but it seems as though he should be able to weather the storm rather well.

I think the bigger issue is how this will affect not only the records these players currently hold, but also their lasting legacies. Tim Kurkjian of ESPN says that he doesn't see any reason why he wouldn't still vote Barry Bonds as a first ballot Hall of Famer. Bonds will most likely finish his career with the single-season home run record and the overall home run record. These are two of the most sought after and prestigious records in all of Major League Baseball.

I find it hard to believe that we would allow a known steroid user to hold, unattested, two of baseball's greatest records, and then annoint him one of the greatest players of all-time by putting him in the Hall of Fame while Pete Rose is left on the outside looking in. What Pete Rose did, while extremely wrong, does not even come close to being as offensive as actual cheating.

I fear that we have not even cracked the surface of the steroid issue with professional sports. I can only hope that the Major League Baseball Players Association will now help Commisioner Selig fight this awful smear on the game. Maybe then they can begin work on finally setting a hard salary cap.

This Saturday is my company's Employee Appreciation Day. It is a yearly day, held between Thanksgiving and Christmas, when our employee discount is extended to 30%. While this may seems like a very generous offer on the surface, it does have it's flaws.

The biggest flaw is the list of exemptions that fall under the discount guidelines. There are some that make sense: no tobacco, no alcohol, no lottery, no gift cards, etc. However, there is one that makes the whole gesture of an 'Appreciation Day' seem a little less heartfelt: no sale merchandise.

While the company has never offered our usual discount of 20% to be used on sale items, it is a discount that can be used at any time. This allows the employee to purchase the item at another time when the itiem is no longer on sale. The 30% discount is a one-day only event. Unfortunately, it almost always lands during the week of the biggest sale, leaving very little for the employees to purchase at the extended discount.

I understand that the company's objective is not to give away the store, but it seems as though things could be handled a bit more thoughtfully. Perhaps the company should consider making it so that all employee purchases on the designated 30% discount day ring at full price. The other usual exceptions could still apply (see list above), but the employees could purchase sale items at 30% off of the regular price. This would not only appease the wishes of the employees, but also maintain the profit margin that the company so rigidly protects.