It’s all about the packaging.

Today's Tids Issue 4,276

Beneath the Ribbons:

So, if everybody is out there buying Christmas presents, laughing while slogging though snow to cut down trees; decorating homes and rooms with the spirit of the season…then who is out there creating all of the rage and distrust in the world. I see people helping the unfortunate, remembering the pure beginnings of the day that lit up the world, yet I hear of discontent and anger. The vocal minority must be really loud to overcome all of the uncontaminated love in hearts of people everywhere.

A guy ordered a chicken and an egg from amazon. He said he’d let me know.

I’m thinking that supermarkets make more money form “Artisans” bread than anything else.

Check out your region for local breweries serving “Resilience” beer. It is a special brew originated by Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, which now will be brewed by 1300 local beer makers across the country. All of the proceeds from the sales at brewery locations will go to the victims of the Camp fire in Cal. Not only are the brewers donating all of their time and facilities, but the hops and malt shave donated by the national suppliers of those key ingredients. Yup, people do rise above the noise. Check your local brewmeister. (In RI, the Guild Tap Room of Pawtucket will be pouring for Paradise. They say the brew will be ready in about two weeks – just before Christmas. You remember Christmas, the giving day.) Raise a glass.

Erdogan of Turkey has pretty much declared war on the USA. Yesterday he threatened to launch a big campaign against US backed “Terrorist” Kurds in Syria. In fact, the attacks could begin in a few days. So, while Mueller aggression gets the attention here, a real war with possible seriously irritable ramifications for us may be breaking out in the old, traditional global powder-keg.

The Question:

What are the ten most binge watched shows on Netflix for 12018?

The Headlines:

--Markets Open Higher Led By Reenergized GE; Apple To Build Giant Facility In Texas; US Bourbon International Sales Much Higher Despite Trade War Restrictions.

--US warns Turkey Not To Attack Kurds.

--China Reportedly Preparing To Open Up Markets.

--Greenspan Sees Economy Slowing.

--Britain’s May Survives No Confidence Vote But Says She Will Not Seek Re-Election.

--Nancy Cuts Deal With New Nem Rebels To Assure Leadership Role; Did She Authorize Ok for Impeachment Assault?

--Sex Abuse Lawsuits Could Force The Boy Scouts To Seek Bankruptcy Protection.

--New Rock n’ Roll Hall Inductees To be Stevie Nicks, Janet Jackson, Def Leppard, Radiohead, The Cure, Roxy Music and The Zombies.

A good friend sent me a picture of a pleasant appearing woman in the maternity ward shouting, “Couldn’t! Wouldn’t! Shouldn’t! Didn’t! Can’t!” She was having contractions.

Promiscuity maybe danger to health. At least for sealions who have multiplied beyond control after being placed on protected lists. It’s all about eating. People like to eat salmon, but so do sealions, and they get to the salmon first – before they can get back upstream to replenish. So, it is now ok to start sniping at these often lovable mammals. Before humans, survival of the fittest would have worked perfectly among these eat or be eaten wild life creatures. But then, humans are part of the equation. And they prefer survival too. Almost more than liking lox.

It’s about time they put Stevie Nicks in the Rn’R Hall! Yay!

A congressman named Ted Lieu from guess, (California), wants to limit free speech. He acknowledges though that his opinions are basically stymied by the “pesky” first amendment. As one commentator says it, he views the amendment as a “Pesky legal antique”. You hear more and more of younger generations complaining about wisdom of those who knew what it took to make a better country. Sometimes oyu have to wonder if the critics have any clue about what America is.

The Six most cost-effective “Used” luxury cars are the 2015 year models of Audi A6, (Saving 54%), BMW 3 Series (48%), BMW X3 (47%), Cadillac XTS (50), Lincoln Navigator (60%) and Volvo XC 60 (48%). All range between $22K and $27K except the Lincoln at $35K. Save $30K and be happy.

It must be near the end of the NFL season because Saturday games are back beginning this weekend. There were many surprises this past weekend including the incredibly embarrassing give-awry by the Pats. (But then, their “D” was a sieve all day long.) 9-7 last week brings us to 126-79-2, still hanging around 61%. Tonight’s game looks like a winner and definitely a tough pick. I’d like to pick the upset. But KC should win at home like always. (Note a win by either team is bad for my Pats’ “Bye” prospects). On Saturday, I’m expecting the Texans to rebound and take down the Jets and for Denver’s thin air to wear down the mighty Cleveland Browns. I hate picking against a Browns team which this year seems to have found a winning attitude. How come when I misspell J-e-t-s, it always comes out Jest?

OK, on Sunday I’m saying the Falcons might be able to get a win against the Cardinals (Did you know that Ryan is the #1 passer in the NFC? But, winning is not his forte.) Tenn- NYG is very tough. Giants are playing well but Tenn needs this one for more than just pride, and they are pretty good. I’ll stick with Vrabel’s team. The Skins are tattered the Jags are scattered but they will finally  win at home. The Viking will win one at home against the Dolphins…I hope. Bills-Lions means nothing, but still a tough pick. Detroit to win. I’m taking the Red-hot Cowboys over the on and off Colts and Raiders to keep it going against the suspect Bengals. Baltimore is in it and will keep alive against the Bucs. I like the Bears over the Pack in a close game, Seattle over San Fran and LA Rams over the fluttering Eagles. Pitt hosting the Pats was supposed to be a war, but both look flawed. So now, this puts this contest in the surprise category – who makes the least mistakes. I think the Pats will overcome the red face loss of last week. On Monday, the Saints will take the Panthers, a team that just keeps on disappointing.

Millennials are telling us it’s Ok to pay extra for boneless watermelons, as long as they are organic.

The next time you get a spam phone call, answer it and give the phone your 3-year-old. Say, it’s from Santa.

The Answer:

These are the shows where people plunked down in soft couches and stayed and stayed and stayed. Number 1 was “On My Block”. The rest in order were Making a Murderer: Part2, Thirteen Reasons Why: Season 2, Last Chance U: INDY, Bodyguard, Fastest Car, The Haunting of Hill House, Anne with an E: Season 2, Insatiable, and #10 – Orange is the New Black. Netflix also announced three films that were watched the most multiple times: The Kissing Booth, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Roxanne Roxanne.

Marketers more than ever have learned how to put a pretty face on the ordinary and mundane. To gussy up the dreadful. Christmas sometimes is more about the glitz and the glitter and not the depth of love. I too love getting caught up in the spirit, but I also like sitting back and reevaluating, focusing on what life is all about beneath the traditional glow of these, where the best tradition is often based on giving love to all, reaching out with a helping hand; comforting and appreciating.