Yes, even as I typed the date at the top of the original document that would become this blog- the old habits die hard, and I wrote “08” instead of “09”…hopefully, I will catch myself and correct it when I do it again and again in the next two weeks…

All right- it has been confirmed- those government $40 coupons that you can request to discount your purchase of a digital television converter box? Well, the government well has run dry…and they’ve used up their budget for the coupons. What this means is- if you haven’t gotten your coupons yet- and you send in- you will be put on a waiting list.

What are you waiting for? Well, you’re waiting for the government to see how many people who got their coupons did not USE them before the expiration date. Therein was one problem some people didn’t seem to grasp- the coupons have an expiration date printed right on them, and you have to use them before that date, or they will be useless…AND- once you’ve been issued two coupons, you cannot apply for any more. It’s the old “use it or lose it.”

So- when the government sees how many coupons have not been redeemed- and statistics already show that there are hundreds of thousands that have expired- the government will issue new cards, up to the amount of the old ones that expired without being used. They will simply go down that waiting list, and send them out, first come, first served. Please note- you can still buy one of the converter boxes without the coupon- you’d just have to pay full price. That seems preferable to shelling out the cash for a completely new TV with a digital tuner.

While you may scoff at the repeated messages on TV about the conversion- there are a lot of people who still don’t understand things about it. For example- no, the tuner in your old VHS machine (if you still use one) will most likely Not work- BUT- if you hook up the conversion box- to the VCR (which you’ll set at channel 3 ) and then hook that up to your TV – also set to channel 3 or 4 –whichever your set use for the VCR- you will still be able to record shows- BUT- you will NOT be able to watch one thing and record another. And-you would tune in the channels on the converter box, not the VCR or the TV set. See how it could confuse some people? I won’t even get into the fact that you can watch one thing and record another by having TWO digital converter boxes, one for the TV, one for the VCR, and-oops! There go BOTH the coupons that the government might give you…

But- it really isn’t too complex- in a lot of cases, you just hook the box up to the TV where you’d normally hook up the antenna (the antenna gets hooked up to the converter box now- and, here’s a hint- getting an amplified antenna doesn’t hurt as far as getting the digital signals)- and set the TV to channel 3.Yes, it doesn’t take a huge technical mind to do it. If you can read, you can figure it out- really. Plus- more help is on the way! I know that there are plans for more explanatory programs on the air to help you. The good thing is- they’ll occur before that February deadline, so you’ll be able to see them before the digital change!

Somebody was saying, there are tutorials online for those having problems- to which, a friend responded- “I don’t think that a majority of the people who are confused are necessarily online…”-true or false?

I’ve heard from a lot of my friends that they are in what we used to call “the January Doldrums”- in other words, a dull sector of the winter when it seems like a lot of the fun stuff has passed, and it may be a while until more fun stuff comes up. I’ve always thought it was mostly the let-down after all the holiday hustle and bustle, added to the usual cold weather that tends to keep most people in the home cocoon.

From the sound of the reports, Oprah seems to be in those doldrums- or, has been even before January. See, kids- even if you have the world in your hand, countless people who follow your every word, and all the money and ego in the world- it doesn’t necessarily make you happy. Boo friggin’ hoo, O. (I found out a fun fact about Oprah last weekend- her mother had originally wanted her to be named “Orpah”- after a person in the Bible- but the name ended up mis-spelled on her birth certificate. So much for the rumor that she was named-backwards-after a Marx Brother, and the second choice was Ohcuorg…)

This’ll cheer up the doldrums-dwellers…also last weekend, I went to a store with some friends- and found a bizarre holiday souvenir- you’ve seen pens that have a little character at the top- a reptile, monkey, space alien, whatever, with two arms, and little controls on the back so you can make them punch like a fighter? Well, I found one that seemed a little out of line- it’s a punching Santa Claus! Just hit those little pads with your thumb, and Santa delivers more than a gift- he delivers a right jab or a left hook! Even more unnerving- as you press the buttons, his eyes light up in a sinister red glow! It looks like some kind of killer Santa-bot from a cheap horror movie. Needless to say, I bought one…

Additional weekend fun- I also played “Guitar Hero” which the friends had at their place. Need I remind you that I am a two-fingered typist, and my expertise trying to hit those buttons with even more fingers was, at best, interesting!? It was fun, though- I can see how so many have gotten into playing the game- and, I only had the song ended early with jeers and boos a couple times!

You may be in the doldrums this January, but I’m hoping it’s just a passing phase- please think of the people who are a little worse off than you are. That’s what our company here has asked us to do- through mid-January, they have asked us to give back by bringing in nonperishable food to donate to the Greater Chicago Food depository. A lot of people give right before Christmas- but, once the holidays are over, it’s sort of put out of their minds. The sad truth is- with the current economy, more and more people need the help of the Food Depository- and, if the donations drop now, a lot of people will go hungry. So, I’m going to run across the street to the grocery store and buy some cans to donate- and I hope you will donate, too. To find out how- you can just go to this site- www.chicagosfoodbank.org - and give them a hand. Maybe those January doldrums won’t seem so bad when you know you’re helping others through a tough time. You don’t even have to let them know that your old pal Sven told you about it- and do NOT donate any rubber chickens.(Take it from me, they tend to spoil really quickly…)

Back at work, and trying to keep ahead of all the things I need to handle here! First of all, thanks for all the nice comments regarding the article in last Wednesday’s Red Eye. A lot of people were especially interested in that photo of the chickens being tossed! Some felt the big picture might have limited the prose content, and wanted more. Come on, folks- it was just an article, not an in-depth study. Maybe someone will do one of those someday…anyway, the comments I’ve received were all very complimentary, and agreed that it was a great way to wind up Sven’s 2008.

Okay- and here’s a new publication you can check out- the DC Comics “Justice Society of America”- Feb. ’09 Issue 22 that went on sale last week! If you check out the VERY LAST panel in the story, plotted and painted by our pal the incredible Alex Ross…you just might notice that the one future citizen waving in the corner just might be a certain “Stooge-a-palooza” host! Our thanks to Alex for including us in what he stated as the final chapter of his classic “Kingdom Come” story! (Now, about his idea to someday drop Sven into the Marvel Universe…)

I think I may have written something in error- I stated in talking about our feature last Saturday, ”Zone Troopers,” that the actor playing the Sarge was “the LATE Tim Thomerson”- and that appears to be an error. I could’ve sworn I saw an obituary for him a while back, but in doing research now- I have yet to find any word of his passing. My apologies- now, I’m wondering who it was that died that I mistook for Tim?!

Speaking of people who have passed away- let’s give a big round of jeering to the local morning anchorwoman who was sitting and giggling as she and her partner came back from a break, and the partner was delivering further word on the tragic passing of John Travolta’s son. This idiot should have known what the subject would be coming back from the break, if she was doing her job. Professionalism? It’s a foreign word to some air personalities.

I’ve gotten some e-mails from people who were confused about which channel carried our Stooges marathon and countdown on New Year’s Eve- it was on our Me-Too channel, not on Me-TV. That was pretty clearly stated in the promos. I’m glad that so many of you “got the joke” of our “recycled” countdown show, with the purposely heavy-handedly redubbed and graphically reworked segments!

In case you’ve been ignoring the messages- you have just a little over 40 days until the broadcast signal for television goes digital. I know a lot of people think they are being beaten over the head with the information- especially those who have cable or a dish and are not affected by the change…but, I still find a goodly portion of people still aren’t sure how it’s all going to work out, and what they need to do. If you still haven’t sent for those little government discount coupons-good for 40 bucks off the cost of that converter box- you’d best send for it NOW!!! Rumor has it you’ll be put on a waiting list, since the government is afraid they’ve used up their funds- but a lot of the coupons sent out have NOT been -and may not be- redeemed before they expire. Just go to www.dtv2009.gov, and apply right away. When the program  officially ends,  you’ll have to pay full price for the boxes that will convert your rabbit-ears signal to the new digital format! (Oh- and last I heard, only one person I know has been able to pick up channel 2 on the box- but- the folks at 2 keep saying that they’ll throw the switch to full power when the actual transition happens, and all will be well. They’d better hope so…)

I’ve been mentioning that we have a really great selection of various films for the Sven show this year- some might surprise you, when you see the titles…but I’ve often written blogs about movie titles I’ve seen that I’d just love to have a crack at on the program…

So, let’s explore a few more. These are titles I’ve come across in various books, articles, etc.- and have never seen- but think might be fine Sven fodder.

Some of you may have seen this, but I haven’t- “I’m Dangerous Tonight”- a 1990 film, based on a literary story. There’s a magical Aztec ceremonial cloak, which, when worn by someone, releases their darker instincts- that includes making the person a killer! Somehow, this fine historic piece of clothing ends up in the possession of a quite young student- who, for some reason, decides to craft it into a hot little cocktail dress. Now-ahem-remember the bit about releasing the dark side of the wearer? Well, this unassuming lass suddenly becomes a va-va-va-voom siren, with evil on her mind! This is a made for cable movie (not like HBO, more like USA) done by none other than Tobe Hooper! It stars Madchen Amick, whom I’ll guess does that red dress proud. Sounds like we could tailor this into a great Sven program!

Or- we brought you “the Howling” last year-how about the seventh (they made SEVEN of these?!) entry in the series, known as “The Howling: New Moon Rising!” It could be called “Country-Western Werewolf”- because it abounds with rednecks, and low class humor- such as (sigh) country bumpkins playing “Deep in the Heart of Texas”- on their zippers. Some reviews would suggest that there isn’t even a werewolf in the film! It’s low-to-no budget, and may well be the final “Howling” movie ever made. And, no- Sven wouldn’t do that week’s song on his zipper.

One that might take some creative editing and censorship would be “Fright House.” No, it’s not a combination of “Fright Night” and “Animal House’- though that sounds more promising. It’s a collection of stories, including one where a detective discovers a coven of witches (who decline to wear tops) who are trying to bring forth their evil Satanic master. Part of the cast is Al Lewis- Grandpa Munster! “Hey, Eddie- tell Marilyn to put her top back on!” The rest of the movie includes other tales, including one about- a killer toilet (no need to re-read that.) Hmmm- could this one be even too bad for the Sven show?

And, finally- what if we could show-“the Fear Chamber”- a Mexican horror film with a few scenes starring Boris Karloff (can you say “not his proudest moment?”) you get people in silver suits, babes in underwear, and some sort of creature that lives in a volcano- that reminds me- I ordered a couple of those “volcano tacos” at Taco Bell- drove home with them-and then found out that they forgot to put the volcano sauce on them. So they were just regular tacos in a red tortilla shell. Believe me, that story is probably more exciting than “Fear Chamber” from what I can read about it- but it just mighty make a fun Sven outing.

Will any of these show up on our show, eventually? Never say never…remember, we did “the raffle”- a dopey flick about guys staging a fake raffle to meet hot chicks. Not as hot as that volcano sauce would’ve been though…bummer.

I once heard a local radio personality talking about how he hated people who read Sunday papers. I kind of thought that was a strong statement- you HATE people who enjoy reading the Sunday papers? What’s it to you? Anyway, he must hate me- because I do like to read the Sunday newspapers-although, as I’ve stated before, the comics are pretty lousy for the most part these days…

Here are a few odds and ends from the papers…maybe not just the Sunday ones, but from the papers nonetheless…

A couple Sven movies (past and future) made the list of the National Film Registry for 2008. These are movies considered to be important entries in the history of motion pictures, and are honored by the Library of Congress and the National Film Preservation Board. One of the films is the 1933 Universal classic that we were pleased to present in the past couple of years- “the Invisible Man!” Starring (mainly the voice of) the great Claude Raines, this is a landmark film, not only as the presentation of a science fiction literary classic, but also as an impressive technical achievement for film special effects at the time. The general public was thrilled, shocked and frightened by this amazing film. Along with the great Universal contract character actors who abound in it- everybody from the hilarious Una O’Connor as the innkeeper’s shrill wife, to a cameo by Walter Brennan, it’s a fun movie to view.

Also on the list- a Ray Harryhausen spectacular-“the 7^th Voyage of Sinbad!” I’m hoping we’ll show this on Sven this year- it’s a great example of the Harryhausen stop-motion animation techniques, impressively mixing the animation with live action. This 1958 flick stars Kerwin Matthews as the legendary sailor, and he shares time with such unusual beasts as a Cyclops on an island chock full of monsters. You get a dragon, a giant bird, and a shrunken princess. I love Harryhausen’s work, and hope to bring you more of it.

I saw an article about a fellow who is living his dream job, working at Brookfield Zoo.

I’ve always been a fan of Brookfield- I know Lincoln Park Zoo in the city is often touted, because it’s free and right within the Chicago city limits- but I’ve really enjoyed Brookfield’s work in making more “habitat” type enclosures for the animals- they seemed to have started that well before the other local zoo got into it. I hope you got a chance to visit during their annual holiday nights- the lights and dozens of Christmas trees, provided and decorated by various community groups and towns, is a lovely sight.

Word has it that the zoo will have a special exhibit this year with life-sized moving dinosaurs! It’ll be just like being a part of a Harryhausen flick! Anyway, the article talked about the gentleman getting to work with the dolphins and seals, in what he and many others would consider a dream job. I love seeing dolphins- and have even been lucky enough to see them in the wild. It’s fascinating to watch them swim from the underwater viewing area at the zoo- it seems so similar to flying! I’d say he does have a dream job.

…But, then again, so do I. Yes, it’s work- but it’s also fun. Even having to write these blogs is work/fun…but, at least, I never have to feed the blog fish…

The first Sven show of 2009 takes us back in time- to World War II- as American soldiers battling the enemy stumble upon a crashed space craft- and its pilot- in “Zone Troopers!” Plus- revisit some old Sven songs with a countdown of popular Goolie gold from a few years ago!

“Zone Troopers” has some gallant US soldiers lost behind enemy lines after their platoon is attacked. One soldier swears he’s seen an alien- but his pals think the pressure of trying to survive is making him delusional! When a couple of the GIs search for food, they find an enemy camp-with documents and photos that seem to indicate that there IS a strange spacecraft somewhere in the forest- but, before they can get back to their comrades, they are captured by the Nazis! Meanwhile, some of the other soldiers discover the actual grounded UFO-and soon, it’s a battle to free their pals-AND the alien!

This movie is a pretty wacky mix of WWII action and sci-fi. You get actors like the late Tim Thomerson, a stand-up comic and star of several sci-fi films; Timothy Van Patten, son of Dick Van Patten; Art LeFluer, who’s been in tons of commercials and TV shows and movies, whose face you’ll immediately recognize- and guys like Biff Maynard- an actor, pianist and songwriter who used to show up on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight” show in the 60s! ) Plus- even though Tom Cruise isn’t around to take pot-shots at him- you get a glimpse of the Fuehrer!

I need to explain a little about this film- it was originally aired on our show in 2002-one time only! We ran it, and the broadcast rights expired the next week or so. But now, thanks to our tie-in that I’ve mentioned with MGM, thanks to our new digital channel 26.4, “This”-we will occasionally be able to show some older programs featuring movies that we had lost the rights to! “Zone Troopers” is one of them, and I’m glad it gets to air again.

The main Sven content of this show is a countdown of the 5 favorite songs from around 1997 or so through early 2002…hosted by our Casey Kasem clone, Coffy Koffin! (Yep, be aware that there’s some dated stuff in this one…) You’ll also get to see some songs that haven’t aired in a long time, so this is a great show for Sven fans who have only discovered- or re-discovered- the show in the past few years! As they used to say- “if you haven’t seen it- it’s new to you!” (Or-is that “U”?)

“Zone Troopers” should also be airing at 1 am on our sister station Me-TV, so you can catch it on the late shift…and, again, for those who missed the announcement- the late-night Friday Classic Sven shows that were airing on Me-Too have been taken off the schedule for now. So, get your minimum weekly requirement of Sven on Saturdays, on U or Me!

Are you someone who makes a New Year’s resolution or two every year? Do you manage to keep those resolutions? I personally don’t indulge in the resolution solution- (all right- just one- I resolve to NEVER watch “According to Jim.” See if I don’t keep that one.) But I know a lot of folks who do make resolutions- and with varying success. So, here, as a public service- is a list of resolutions that people I know have made for 2009- and already broken.

“ I resolve not to talk on my cell phone and get distracted while driving or-“CRASH!

“ I resolve to spend more time at work working, and not socializing-let me call Myrna in accounting and tell her that I decided to do that…”

“ I resolve not to succumb to road rage when-DON’T YOU KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR TURN SIGNAL, YOU FREAKIN” IDIOT?!”

“ I resolve never to date someone JUST because they are good looking or have money…”

“ I resolve not to waste so much time on Facebook-oh! A new friend!”

“ I resolve to stop eating sweets- right after this Three Musketeers…”

“ I resolve to save more money- as soon as I can earn more money…”

“ I resolve to stop trying to keep up with others, and be happy with what I have and achieve- not like that jerk next door, with his fancy BMW and big-screen TV and built-in pool and…”

“ I resolve to stop reading blogs written by dumbbell guys on TV that have no redeeming content…”

“ I resolve to never date a cop again, and- oh, what are they pulling me over for now?”

“ I resolve to stop making up obscene lyrics to commercial jingles- oh, there’s the furniture commercial that barely mentions furniture… “Walter- (expletive deleted)’”

“ I resolve to stop arguing with my talking GPS…turn left, my (expletive deleted)…”

“ I resolve to stop procrastinating today…well, maybe tomorrow- actually, next Wednesday seems like a good time to start…”

“ I resolve to stop using old jokes like the procrastination one right above this…”

“IresolvetocutbackondrinkingcoffeeIdon’tthinkthecaffeineisgoodformemaybe idon’tneed tobesowiredthisearlyinthe day…”

“ I resolve to never attend an outdoor hockey game in January…”

“ I resolve to take some night classes and not worry that I’m missing ‘Ghost Hunters’ or ‘Fringe’ or…”

“ I resolve not to be hit by rubber chickens ever again…”

Yes, it’s 2009- a brand new year, so try not to get it dirty right away…hope you had a good time last night, and are none the worse for wear. I enjoyed the night with friends and family, and it was a nice way to bring in a new year.

Have you ever had some unusual experiences on New Year’s Eve? I’m betting the answer is yes- I know I have. I recall one New Year’s eve when a massive snowfall was coming down, yet I really wanted to attend a party being held by an old friend from radio, so, I made my treacherous way from the northern suburbs into the city. It was fun- Jerry Taft was there, but I’m guessing he wouldn’t remember me being there- it was about six months before I got my show. I ended up driving some people home as the sun was coming up, making it through all the snow- in a Plymouth Cricket! (No, they don’t make those any more- they barely made them back then!)

Another unusual end to a year was when I brought the young woman I was seeing to a party held at the home of a couple I barely knew- another couple I was close friends with had cleared the way for us to attend. The only problem was- my date was already a little too “over-served”- and some weird stuff happened at the party. I’m pretty sure I never saw the hosts again…

There have been some very cool things that happened on the evening of the 31^st in other years- one year, I was one of the co-hosts for a big celebration at a downtown hotel sponsored by the Easter Seals organization. It was a lot of fun, and, we got a free room, overlooking a corner near Michigan Avenue! (No damage was done there, by the way…)

I’ve spent a few New Year’s Eves with my friend Steve and Johnnie on the radio, helping them bring in the New Year- a couple times, I was there live, in person, at the WGN Radio “Show case Studio”-also looking out at Michigan Avenue.

I also spent some New Year’s Eves live on TV, broadcasting our Fox New Year’s show from outside by the Rock and Roll McDonald’s! May’s the night I froze on that stage, and even was called upon to help calm a crowd that included rival gangs!

One of the coolest TV appearances was back when Rob Weller hosted a live broadcast- with Sven as a guest-“New Year’s Under Glass” in the glass atrium of the downtown Hyatt-looking up through the ceiling at the fireworks at midnight was just amazing, as confetti fell all around us! I’ll always remember heading up to my room, and a woman saying- “look! It’s Alice Cooper!” Obviously, there was no IQ test for entry.

So many New Year’s Eves- and I made it through all of them in fairly good shape- I hope you’ve done the same. Feel free to tell us about your weird New Year’s Eves… svengoolie@wciu.com …and- happy New Year!

Yes, the Svengoolie article is in the Red Eye today- again, let me know what you think- I’ll wait’ll I get a bunch of comments, and we’ll talk about it next week…if you’d like to seethe video of their giving me the official Geek Nerd Test, just go to this address:

http://weblogs.redeyechicago.com/geektome/2008/12/svengoolie-geek-or-nerd.html

…On to the brand new year! I’ve seen a few columns and such where the authors are saying “everybody writes about the past year, so I’m going to write about the future.” Okay, Nostradamus…I’ll just stick with remembering this past year.

It was a bittersweet year- but, for the most part- what year isn’t? We lost a lot of friends- the foremost was Bernie Mac- a guy whom I’d been watching for years, only to meet him and find out he’d been watching me, too! So many others have passed- Forrest Ackerman, Bettie Page, and many more- all of whom we’ll miss.

We said goodbye to the main portion of our Universal Classics- the Frankenstein series, the Dracula and Wolf Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon Trilogy- and hope they won’t be gone from our show for good.

All of us in broadcasting in this town- and many other readers- said goodbye to Rob Feder’s media column in the Sun Times. For years, it was most likely the first stop in the paper for those in the business. Now, nobody covers the broadcast beat the way he did.

How many great things happened this year? Our director, my friend Chris Faulkner, won his Emmy for individual achievement for live –to-tape directing, and I was fortunate to win my eighth Emmy. At Flashback Weekend this year, I finally got to meet the legendary Elvira, who was a lovely person, and amazed me by telling me that she has been hearing about me for years! On Halloween, we had the pleasure of being a feature attraction at the Blackhawks game at the United Center- and I even got to ride the zamboni! You can see me attempt the “shoot the puck” contest on our show on January 10th, during “Creatures the World Forgot.”

I was honored by being the subject of a half hour interview with John Callaway on “Chicago Tonight” on WTTW.I made an appearance at the “Me Classic” basketball game, and visited the Chicago Horror Film Festival, Berwyn’s 100th Anniversary parade, Cicero’s 150^th Anniversary celebration, and the Willow Springs Halloween season happening.

We got a new bunch of movies, including some cool Sony/Columbia entries, and now, some really incredible upcoming movies thanks to our tie-in with MGM for our “This” digital channel.

I just recorded a special greeting at the request of Culver’s, to congratulate them on their 25^th anniversary- and celebrated my 14^th year here at WCIU…and- 2009 is thirty years since I first put on the top hat to host horror movies on TV. Who knows what special things will occur in celebration? Maybe….nothing at all?!

Don’t forget, you can welcome in the New Year on our “Me-Too” channel with the 3 Stooges all day and into the New Year, and with our- uh- “special” countdown which begins at 11 pm. (You’ll understand why it’s special when you see it!)

I wish you good luck, good health, and good fortune in the New Year. I hope you’ll stick with us, and thank you for all you support in this year. Thanks for coming by to check on the blog, the webisodes, and all the extra bells and whistles- and- we’ll have even more for you in 2009!

The time has come- this time for sure- I’ve been assured. The long awaited, long delayed article about yours truly WILL be in the Wednesday Tribune Red Eye! Finally- on the last day of the year- the article will appear! Go out and pick one up- remember, that paper is free -that’s FREE- so you have no excuse not to do so! And let me know what you think- svengoolie@wciu.com …

You may have seen me write before about how the news media sometimes tells a little too much about how someone pulled off a crime…thereby giving other evil chuckleheads a ‘how to’ guide on a new way to cause trouble. Well, although it IS an interesting story- and certainly news- I think they’ve done it again. I’m talking about the story about a family who kept finding things missing from their townhouse- and eventually, after finding a footprint on a wall- realized that somebody had come out of their attic. The story was- the guy was living in the townhouse attached to theirs, and had gone up into the common attic of the two homes, dropped down into their part through their attic trap door on their side-and was helping himself to everything- food, clothing, etc. When the guy was caught, he was actually wearing some of the family’s clothing (actually, he was wearing pants and shirts that belonged to the women…manly, yes, but he likes it too…)

Anyhow, I’m thinking- okay- there are probably other town homes like that, with a common open attic, and access to a neighbor’s place via the trapdoor or whatever on their side- and by giving all the details of the story, they’ve planted a fine idea in the heads of some unstable neighbors. My advice to everyone- put some sort of lock or latch on that attic door! You don’t want some disgruntled yahoo next door to make an unexpected visit while you’re out. And you certainly don’t want some guy wearing your clothing, do you, ladies?

I wrote about my old memories of that “Glass Wax” stencil deal where you could use the wax product to make lovely holiday scenes on your windows. Our old friend Elizabeth remembers that, too…she said that her mom absolutely HATED those! Things were made even worse the year a well-meaning relative gave them a spray can of flocking to attempt to use with the stencils! (Some of you may also remember that flocked Christmas trees were quite the craze for a while back then- they looked like the tree had snow- or cotton candy- or asbestos insulation- on them, often in very bizarre colors.) She said you can find a commercial for the Glass Wax stuff on YouTube- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_ZmmzwTzt8

By the way- Gina wrote to let me know her grandmother hid the pickle ornament on her tree this year- and Gina STILL hasn’t found it!

Okay- watch for that Sven Red Eye article tomorrow- and – come back here for a look at the past year! And, no- I have no idea why this blog’s font changed near the end.