It appears some people crave tragic endings. Actions of self-destruction seem to outweigh common sense. They get no closer to piece of mind unless they are involved in events that cause horror to friends and family watching..
The only hope you can have about them as that, in their tragic consequences to mindless acts of self mutilation, they will learn that they are going down a path that they have chosen.. You reap what you sow. Karma.. It seems to happen that way ..

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It's been a tough year for shopping. I'm not having trouble finding gifts for people because I don't know what they want, instead it's because often they have most of what I'm looking at. It's very difficult to buy something new for someone.. And also, I missed this year's showing of the CHARLIE BROWN Christmas special due to being in school that night. I think it threw me off. Some have told me, "Just watch it on video or You Tube." Not good enough.. I liked watching it when I knew other people were watching it at the same time.. it made me feel more like I was apart of something bigger. A common nationwide emotion of Christmas joy..

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Speaking of gifts, the whole Christmas experience is overblown anyway. I think it's time we, as a nation, choose to go back to a deeper meaning of Christmas.. Sure, Jesus was probably born in June.. and yea, the Pagans were converted easier when the Catholic Church put Christmas on their winter tree worshipping, but there is still a valuable meaning to Christmas.. Spirit, joy.. Love. Happiness.. Family..

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But something sad happens at Christmas--it's awfully depressing for countless people. Awfully sad for so many that lost their family and friends.. So bleak and dark for people that have so little.. Help them, this year. Get more out of Christmas by giving more than material possessions made in different countries.. Volunteer.. Make your neighbors shed tears of happiness instead of sadness..
Easier said than done..

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Everything seems to come at us so fast anymore.. By Halloween time, Christmas decorations are up.. and when it's over, it seems like all that build-up took place for .. what? Wrapped gifts under a tree opened within minutes.. And by the time we recover a New Years eve celebrations comes and reminds us of all the things we didn't do this past year.. resolutions made (and broken within days)..

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But that's the spirit of Christmas. We are, after all, imperfect humans.. We laugh and cry, we live and die.. And around Christmas, all emotions seemed heightened.

And, as Sting and others sang in the 1980s, there won't be snow in Africa this Christmastime. Things haven't changed.. nothing grows, rarely rain or rivers flow.. Do we know it's Christmas time at all?

Here's to your Sunday morning sidewalk! Decorated and ready for Christmas, 2008. Don't be afraid.. Get the spirit. Even if getting the spirit means you have to go on a material good strike this season..

BRYAN SMOLOCK SCHMUCKRAKER.COM SUNDAY DECEMBER 14 2008 10:20 AM EDT