Academy Awards 2006

It is that time of year again where the women wear dresses that are designed to stun, but often end up leaving us to say, "Huh?" The men typically wear their tuxes, except for the occasional incidence of "Duh?"

Last year we did okay with the predictions, but this year we are ready to rock and roll with our picks:

Best Actress: Reese Witherspoon, just because it was the only movie I saw with a best actress nominee and because my daughter lives in her hometown of Nashville.

Best Supporting Actress: Rachel Weisz. I don't know why, but I do like her accent.

Best Actor: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, because Truman Capote's In Cold Blood was the first creative non-fiction book that I read and couldn't put down.

Best Supporting Actor: William Hurt, still one of the best around.

Best Original Screenplay: The Squid and the Whale. I thought that Jeff Daniels should have been nominated, but this will have to do.

Best Adapted Screenplay: Brokeback Mountain just because it is going to win.

Best Foreign Film: Tsotsi. I like the way the letters rolllllll off of my tongue when I pronounce it.

Best Animated Film: Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were-Rabbit because it was funny and fun to watch.

Best Documentary: March of the Penquins, though Murderball may surprise.

Best Song: It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp because somewhere Heidi Fleiss is laughing.

Best Director: Ang Lee. See Best Adapted Screenplay.

Best Feature Film: Brokeback Mountain, though wouldn't it be great if it didn't win. I mean if Shakespeare in Love can somehow beat out Saving Private Ryan ( a travesty in voting if there ever was one in the Academy Awards) then perhaps Crash can somehow pull a win out of the wreckage that is the culmination of this year's movies to choose from.

Film That Was Robbed: Walk the Line. I'm biased toward this film. I admit it without reservation!

Thanks for the Memories

Today I want to thank the readers of my column, "For the Love of Community," that is found in The Journal-Standard each Thursday. This past week I have received numerous letters thanking me for the column on Father Norbert Richter (see previous post). Your kind words and remembrances of Father Richter were so heartfelt. The pleasure I have in sharing memories and thoughts of special people in our community is well worth the time and effort to write the column each week. Of course, there is a 700 word limit for the column, so it isn't possible to always convey all of my thoughts about a person or topic. I guess that is the beauty of having another outlet for writing.

To date there are no blog sites available online through The Journal-Standard, though a recent column by one of the editors did state that they are planning on updating the website to match current trends in online news availability. It would be nice to see the paper have some of the same format as many of the major newspapers, i.e. The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, The LA Times, WSJ, or New York Times. I know that there are other small town papers that are updating their websites on a regular basis to give other voices a chance to be read.

I do see some of these changes happening in the near future. So for now, enjoy Pretzel City Logic and keep reading the column. Thanks to all of you who respond either through the written word or in person. It gives the inspiration to keep writing.

Father Norbert Richter

Happy Anniversary, PCL

It is hard to believe that it has been over a year since I started Pretzel City Logic. We've added our publishing web site Kastle Publishing since then with a link to this site. I've rearranged this sites links several times since then and hope to continue to keep it current. I've realized that I do not have the time to write for this site every day, as I do have a wife and children, a full time job, a part time profession as a freelance writer, civic obligations and am rediscovering the joys of exercising daily (well, almost daily).

The first entry was about the loss of a dear friend and mentor, Reuben Baumgartner. Today I attended the memorial service for another Freeport leader, Reverend Robert Bush of Open Bible Church and School. He and his dear wife, Irene, have served thousands in the Freeport area for more than 45 years. His passing, while not unexpected, still leaves a void in our community.

Last week it was Father Norbert Richter who died after a prolonged illness. He, like Rev. Bush, continued to serve to the best of his capacity until his final months. These two men of God, while serving different denominations, nevertheless served the same God. Both men were good shepherds to their respective flocks and will be sorely missed.

I hope that in some way people realize in our community that they have a number of quiet leaders who care passionately about them and their well being. Whether people are Christian or are of another faith, they benefit from the dedication of servants like Pastor Bush and Father Richter. We, as citizens of the area, are the better for the efforts of men and women who strive to improve the lives of those they touch.

See last week's column "He Walked By Faith" for more on Father Norbert Richter.

The Demise of the Blog

So, the Tribune thinks that the Blog is already a thing of the past? With 25 million blogs out in cyberspace, it appears to me that perhaps the Trib is engaging in wishful thinking. It is evident (by the lack of comments at this site) that while most blogs may not be widely read there are a significant number that are. Most major newspapers now have columnists that contribute regularly to blog sites. Eric Zorn has a nice rebuttal to his paper's editorial in his blog "Change of Subject."

There are a number of sites that draw higher numbers of readers, then there are those of us who rejoice when someone actually leaves a comment. That is the about the only way we know that any of our writings are being read. I realize that many people do not even know what a blog is, yet. Then there are those that feel that it is something written only by computer geeks or people with an agenda. I have found interesting reading in sports blogs from the Winter Olympics, from friends who keep us informed from far away places, news blogs, and in many cases humorous (though often sad, but true) political tales.

I don't think that the "Blog" is going anywhere soon. There will most likely come a time when freedom fighters from third world countries or those in communist countries will let people know of their plights via blogs or internet communications. I know that it is already happening in some instances and with the ever-expanding web presence in China there is no way that that many people can be "kept in check" by the government forever. The letters that were snuck out of communist countries in the days of "gulags" or the books that were brought to America or England and translated telling the stories of those who were imprisoned or politically persecuted will one day be the stories that come across the internet or via chips with information about similar atrocities. This is where blogs will be useful in disseminating the information.

For now many blogs are basically online diaries, online personal commentary pages, or a way of informing readers of what's happening in the world with a ready source of links to traditional news sites. Hey, that's a pretty good start!

State Speech Finals

It appears that if a competitor is from the norhtwest region of Illinois then you might as well count out the chance of finishing above 5th. That is if you even make the finals. I know that there isn't a conspiracy against the local schools, but out of 26 chances to get to the finals, only four made it from the Rock Island sectional. The highest finish was a fifth place for Anna Ruch in Dramatic Interpretation and a fifth for Kadie Threloff of DeKalb in Oratorical Declamation, as well as a 6th for Freeport's Kayla Kluck in the same category. Katie Quittschrieber in Radio Speaking. The three top team finishers from Rock Island scored a grand total of SIX points in the entire competition.

I would venture that either the sectional was very week, or that the Chicago suburban teams have much stronger programs or higher profile reputations that preceed them. I would say that from what I saw and heard at the Rock Island sectional the teams were very competitive.

We'll see what happens next year when many of the local seniors graduate. The area teams are to be congratulated on having such an outstanding season. Nine categories represented for Freeport and six for Eastland-Pearl City. That is still quite an accomplishment.

Sate Speech

The wait from afar is agonizing. So far the Freeport Pretzels have one finalist, Kayla Kluck, in Oratorical Declamation, out of four possibilities. I thought that Adam Moderow would definitely be in for Oratory, but alas it seems as if the suburban Chicago area is favored over other areas. So far, to the best of my knowledge, there have been only two competitors from the Rock Island sectional to make the finals and both were in the same category. There is definitely a disparity in awarding finalist positions. That may change, but it seems that if you are from Wheaton, Downers Grove, Thorton, Glenview or Orland Park you should plan on being in the finals.

This just in: Pearl City now has two in the finals, Katie Quittschreiber in Radio Speaking and Anna Ruch in Dramatic Interpretation. Freeport has three more chances to make it to the finals. One more event where a Rock Falls sectional winner is out of the mix. Nick Hoeft from Freeport did not make the finals as I thought he would. Two more categories for Freeport.... and then there was one category....and the results are taking forever.

He Said, She Said

There was an interesting response to this week's column about the state speech tournament. One grandparent, whose granddaughter lives in the Chicago area, decided to travel in to Oak Lawn to see her granddaughter perform in her category. I'm never quite sure how far-reaching the column is or how it affects people. Sometimes it is just one person, other times perhaps no one really cares about what is written.

I realize that the column is read by more people than are attracted to this site. Of course, the column is much more established going on 8 years. One person this past week said he appreciates that I write about issues that he feels are important. I know that others have said that I am pandering to the masses, but I think that the people who felt that way are often so much farther out of the mainstream that my writing appears to be centrist.

Oh well, I've gone throught my New Age phase, through the motivational stages, visited with Deepak Chopra, Tony Robbins, Marianne Williams, Joan Borysenko and many of the other people who have been integral parts of shaping lives in one way or another. I have found that all roads still lead home and into one's self. That, and for me, the foundation that God provides through faith, words, and deeds.

The lifestyles of the "rich and famous" often fall significantly short of the messages they are putting forth. It is one thing to speak eloquently and with great enthusiasm. It is quite another to actually lead by example, whereby a loving home environment is fostered through fidelity, love of one's children, community work, and giving of our selves through our times, talents and treasures. Yeah, I know it may sound old school, but it is through these actions that peace of mind is finally closer to reality.

I'm sure that some of the people I've met who are "leaders" in their respective fields have found that many of the same attributes guide their lives. It is often the biggest names, however, that preach success, while practicing excess. We all have our own daily challenges, but for me, at least, I couldn't handle these without a strong conviction to God, the love of family and the faith to know that without these there would be no inner strength and thus... nothing even close to peace of mind.

Global Warming...I'm Starting to Believe...No Wait, I'm Not

Okay, yesterday it was 60 degrees. Valentine's Day and it's 60 degrees! I'm starting to believe in the whole global warming premise. And then today...it's down to 30 and dropping. Winter weather watch and all of that. What gives? One day I'm out walking in shorts and the next day my cheeks look like I was hit in the face with red paint after my walk.

No one knows how to dress. Is it the effects of global warming? or is there another explanation? How does this account for 25 inches of snow in the northeast? Or the record cold weather across much of Europe? Do we pull out our parkas or put on our Bermudas?

If you live in the Midwestern United States, many days you'll be able to both. Well, gotta run and find my snow shovel or was that my sand shovel and pail?

It's Open Hunting for Votes

The election season is upon us in Illinois and other parts of the country. You see the candidates lined up throughout the state often in towns that they previously didn't know existed.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Today's candidate du jour is a Mr. O. He comes to us from some suburb of Chicago and he is asking for your support. Of course, there is nothing that he won't offer you, the voters, but there is very little that he can promise. Now that Governor Rod "The Reformer" Blagojevich has received the legal license that it is unnecessary to follow through on campaign promises I won't dismiss good employees on the back of the budget or the proximity of those words, he let go a number of prison guards and wardens. Their primary offense... none that could be justified, though it seems that most of them had sinned against the Governor... they were Republicans.

But back to the candidates at hand for the upcoming primary: all of the Republicans appear to be running on the Anybody but Blagojevich campaign. Judy Barr Topinka, who is the Republican frontrunner, unfortunately, is the most like the current governor. So, given the choice between the two, I would predict that most Illinoisans will choose to stay the course rather than switch to Ms. Barr-Topinka.

I'm guessing that before all is said and done that state Senator Bill Brady of Bloomington (talk about your alliteration) may emerge as the viable option to Mr. Blagojevich. He appears to be right-center with politainment appeal. He projects wit and charm. Women find him easier on the eyes than his opponents. He has state-level experience and doesn't seem to aspire to higher office (some sites have mentioned that Blagojevich for President T-Shirts are now available!).

No matter which candidate makes it through the primary, it will be difficult to unseat the epitome of "Politainment" governors, who has a campaign war chest that is probably about the size of most towns budgets, if not more. And as we all know by now... yes, elections can be bought with large amounts of advertising, campaign appearances, news exposure, and promises to big donors. We'll find out soon enough.

Okay, So I Yelled at the TV

Yeah, I know, I can't change the outcome of a play or the game by yelling at the officials through my television set. But, a guy can try, can't he? I really didn't have a favorite for the game, but I would like to have seen fair officiating for the game. If one saw it as I did, and if you're from Pittsburgh I know these are moot points, but look... touchdown pass taken away by a ticky-tack call of offensive interference; Jerramy Stevens catch and fumble, ball rolls out of bounds at near the ten yard line of Pittsbugh, but it is called incomplete and comes back; touchdown for Pittsburgh when the ball didn't appear to cross the plane of the goal line; Seattle on the one yard line- momentum about to change- phantom holding call brings it back to around the 30. A potential swing of +17-21 for Seattle and -4 for Pittsburgh if they had decided to kick the field goal. I know that Seattle looked liked they didn't have a clue at the end of each half, but it wouldn't have mattered if the plays had been called even remotely fairer for Seattle.

The game had the appearance of a Jerome Bettis feel-good story because he was coming home to Detroit and victory. I have nothing against Mr. Bettis, heck, I'm from Detroit myself, but Pittsburgh had about 5 good plays the whole game and every time Seattle was on the move and near the goal line, an official through out a yellow flag. On the "first" touchdown pass, which was disallowed, the referee was about to call it a touchdown until the Pittsburgh defender whined to the official. "Okay, I'll call it for you if that's what you want." Come on 99 times out of a hundred that is a touchdown.

I have only missed watching one Super Bowl out of the 40 played and this was the first time that I felt that the officials took the game away from a team. I know Pittsburgh was the "feel good/underdog" story of the playoffs, but with the exception of a few plays, they didn't play like a championship team during this game. Seattle, on the other hand, had to overcome two teams in their attempt to win, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Biased Zebras. It is hard enough to beat one team, let alone two teams, in the Big Game.

At least Detroit seemed to do themselves proud in hosting the game and all of the festivities. I do hope that some of the economic development trickles down to the surrounding neighborhoods, where there are scores of homeless. Read Mitch Albom's column to get an idea and learn about ways to help. Let's hope that one of these years the Lions actually get to play in one of these games. It is nice to host the party, but it would be even nicer to have earned an invite.

Oprah, Queen of all Media

So, Oprah was duped by a former drug addict, cum author, who told her what she wanted to hear to pass along her own form of "feel good spiritualism." James Frey told her the story about addction and recovery. He wrote about suicide and police confrontations and how he was addicted to drugs and what he did to get the drugs and how he became clean and sober. It was the "gist" of the story that mattered when she called Larry King to defend her "Oprah's Book of the Month Club" author. Her word meant that millions of copies of the book would be sold. He was guaranteed fame and success. Any subsequent books would result in large advances, national or international book tours, adoring fans. In other words, he would be exchanging one addiction for another.

But, then the house of cards on which this fame and his story were built, came crashing down with a good, old-fashioned Oprah butt -whuppin' on national television. And somewhere during the course of his comeuppance, public sentiment started to shift, even if ever so slightly. Poor James Frey had to suffer humiliation in front of millions of television viewers. Oh, the shame, Oprah. How dare you flog someone when he thought he was your friend?

Of course, public perception started to change as the Smoking Gun report came to light and the truth was about to unfold. Oprah decided it was time to cover her assets. Where once the overall message was what was important in Mr. Frey's book, now it was the "truth" that mattered. Oprah doesn't like feeling "duped" but most likely, Oprah doesn't like the public to think that she is anything less than "above the fray" or is that "above the Frey"?

The whole story reminds me of a recent Scrubs episode where Jordan was conned by a repeat-offender drug addict. He gave the sob story of not being able to see his son because of a lack of money due to his hospitalization. She gives him $500 and at the end of the episode he is sitting there handcuffed after being arrested for trying to buy drugs. The storyline is that when someone is so addicted they will do anything, say anything, or be anyone they need to be in order to get the next fix. It is the same whether it is drugs, alcohol or the need for recognition, fame or fortune.

For Oprah, I'm guessing, that the fix is public approval, though she should have garnered enough over the last two decades to last an eternity. Sometimes even that isn't enough for some people. Most likely, it will be long-forgotten in a few months when the next "story for the ages" comes along.

Goodbye, Again, Newell

Levolor and Kirsch are leaving Freeport and POOF! there goes another 115 jobs in a community that can ill afford any more job losses. The first round of lay-offs or should that be let-gos will begin on Monday. Once again, an icon in the local business community is uprooting for the greener (aka-cheaper) pastures of a third world workplace and American workers are left to look for another pay cut and job in the service industry.

Joe Galli took the company for a ride and moved corporate headquarters to Atlanta. Now, he is gone and jobs are leaving. I know that we are not the only community that suffers this fate. Just read any recent business headline from many communities in Michigan, other parts of Illinois or Ohio or Pennsylvania. The "Rust Belt" is definitely continuing to live up to its moniker.

Our Governor places unusually high fees on industries like trucking and businesses fold or leave the state. Governor Granholm of Michigan paints a rosy picture of the state's condition, but it looks like she must have her head in the sand dunes of western Michigan. Flint is dying with the auto industry, just like Wixom and other cities throughout that state. There, like here, and the other Midwest states see jobs heading south for cheaper wages and in many instances much farther south... like Mexico and Central America. Where and when will it end? How many jobs can Wal-Mart supply us with?

Ford, Schmord

So the hype begins in Detroit and around the nation for Super Bowl XL to be played in Detroit at Ford Field. How ironic that the same week that all of this begins, Ford plans to lay off another 30,000 workers and close 15 plants. But yet, in the name of vanity and all that is great about America and promoting one's name---welcome to Ford Field, the home of unemployment, and the city that time forgot in the wake of the industrial age.

Maybe the Ford family should sell the Detroit Lions and rid its obligation of Ford Field (though I'm betting that much of it was financed on the backs of the citizens of Michigan, many of whom no longer have decent jobs) and use some of that money to pay its employees and retirees the wages and benefits that they deserve. Of course, Ford's stock jumped a few pennies from the abysmal level that it currently sits at. This once proud business seems to have lost its way. How many SUV's can Ford sell anyways?

Let the game begin. Let the hordes of people bring in their cash and deposit into the coffers of Detroit and Michigan for the first time in 25 years, because it may be another 25 before the Super Bowl comes that way again.

So Much for the Big Game Rematch

Good thing I'm not a betting man. First, New England loses yesterday. Now, the Chicago Bears take it on the chin. I did worry about the Bears' chances, especially when they started talking trash during game week. There are many intangibles in sports and one of the major ones is a sense of come-uppance. The Panthers shut down the talk on the second play of the game and finished business the way they wanted to... with a trip to Seattle.

Enough football for a while. Today was the heartbreaking tribute to the 13 miners who died in the coal mine in West Virginia. There is a nice perspective written by Homer Hickam for NPR or you can read the one that I wrote for The Journal Standard. The nation's lives change with each tragedy, but we find that we go on. It will be more difficult for the miners who are scheduled to return to work in the mine where the deaths occurred.

It looks like Judge Samuel Alito will be confirmed. I recommend the column by John Kass that spoke of the reaction of Judge Alito's wife during the confirmation hearings. I puts into perspective what the spouses of the nominees must go through since the Bork and Thomas hearings have put the political scrutiny and often outright cruelty of the interrogators into the mix. Of course, it is all politics of "us vs. them" and often has less to do with a candidates qualifications and more to do with trying to break someone's spirit.

Let's Play Some Football

I haven't sat this long in years. Fourth day without eating...nothing to do, but watch endless sports. Good news: Red Wings and Pistons win. Bad news: Michigan loses. Uncertain news: New England just fell behind by 11. They were robbed in the second quarter. Should have been offensive pass interference, instead Denver ends up with a TD on the next play. Then reliable Tom Brady throws an interception that is returned 100 yards. Next play, another Denver TD.

Have been rooting for a Chicago-New England Superbowl rematch. It was 20 years ago when the Bears emabarrassed the Patriots. It would be a lot closer this time...if it happens. We'll find out tomorrow if the Bears can make it to the NFC Championship game.

New England is on the move again...so I'm outta here.

Dumbing Us Down

Just finished watching the 20/20 special on schools in America. A few years ago while attending the Leadership Institute through Highland Community College there was a full-day discussion on education in general and Freeport in particular. One long-time (more than 30 years experience) brought out the interesting phenomenon of underprivileged children who entered her grade school classes full of desire to learn, but who by the fifth grade had lost that desire. The middle school teacher couldn't pinpoint what had happened in the intervening years, but a comment that another participant made stuck with me.

This person was asking about homeschooling, which we were doing at the time with our two oldest daughters. He said that his son had had straight A's until reaching the junior high level. The son started coming home with an occasional B and then started to see declining grades. It turned out, after some prodding, that the son didn't want to appear to be "too smart" because it went against his peer group, many of whom had lost interest in school at that early age.

The upside is that this student went on to have an excellent academic record despite the pressure of some of his peers. Many of these students never graduated, dropping out when they turned 16 or 17.

There were many ideas bantered about on the 20/20 show, including freedom of choice for schools; the issue of inept teachers who have such a deep safety net through union contracts that they are rarely fired; to teachers who are just there for the paycheck or health benefits; to too much money spent on administrative costs and luxuries. I didn't hear anything about the pressure of peers or the lack of responsibility by the parents to ensure that their children make good choices when it comes to education, whether it be public, private or homeschooling.

As it is with many of these shows that tell us "what is wrong with America" there was a dearth of possible solutions to the crisis in education. What there wasn't a shortage of, though, were the number of excuses and glossing over the facts by state school administrators, principals, teachers' unions, and politicians.

There were schools that were highlighted that did show high levels of achievement and learning alternatives that provided educational assistance leading to significant improvement in certain learning areas. It seemed like John Stossel's only suggestion was "competition" in education, such as school vouchers for students to attend private schools or charter schools. While the onus is clearly on our educational system, which is outdated by several decades, it isn't going to happen as long as parents, guardians, and responsible adults continue to abdicate more and more of the children's responsibilities to the teachers, administrators and schools. Children need advocates for their health, education and welfare and those primarily responsible should be the parents, guardians or all-too-common nowadays, the grandparents raising grandchildren.

I Can't Feel My Face

The left side of my face has been almost numb for the past few days. I have been home from work for the past few days unable to do much reading or writing due to the swelling in my face from an infection. I'm just now able to look at the computer screen long enough to put a few words down on the screen.

I've spent several hours over this time listening to the Alito hearings. I know, what a nerd! In some ways it is like listening to the Old Time Comedy Radio series. You've got the windbags like Kennedy and Schuler and then you've got the panderers like Brownback and Hagel. Are the Senate hearings just an opportunity to hear the Senators expound upon the already overactive profundity or is it to actually have a clue about determining the next Supreme Court Justice. It appears that the vote will most likely go according to each party's line and with a Republican majority and enough crossover votes, Judge Alito will become our next Supreme Court Judge.

We Three Kings and An Old Lady

We spent the weekend in Madison for our annual pilgrimage to St. Dennis Church to see the annual performance of "Old Befana". Ken Lonnquist and his gang have been doing this show for years. Ken wrote the musical version of Old Befana 19 years ago and it has grown each year in popularity. This is a show that is appropriate for all ages. It tells an old Eastern European tale of a widow that was asked to join the Three Wise Men as they make their journey to the town of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the special child born who was born on Christmas Day. You remember the baby, don't you. They called him "Wonderful," "Magnificent," "Saviour," "Christ." Old Befana doesn't follow the Three Wise Men, instead she chooses to stay home and tend to the menial tasks. When she realizes that she should have followed them, it is too late. She then takes her baked goods, candies, and cookies throughout the land delivering them to each child on January 6th, the Epiphany, Three Kings Day, hoping that one of the children she delivers to is that "Special Child" who will make a difference in the world.

The music is entertaining, as well as the gifted vocals of his cohorts, who are professional singers, as well as a wonderful bass player. They bring together this show each year for about 3-4 weeks in December and January. We've become kind of "Old Befana" groupies, having seen the show in Madison for 4 or 5 years and once in Chicago. If you ever get the chance to see this tale (some say it is actually more than 3000 years old, preceding the birth of Christ), don't pass up the opportunity. You'll be glad you went.

For more information about Ken Lonnquist or his music, including Old Befana, go to his web site: www.kenland.com.

Happy New Year!

For regular readers (okay, you two know who you are!) I apologize for the more than one month delay since the last post at this site. The holiday rush has taken its toll, especially with the practice experiencing its busiest month in my 15 year history. Life tends to get in the way of a web log sometimes. Thank you to everyone who has written or called or just stopped to ask about Claire and her dog, Shia. We've taken Shia to two fourth grade classrooms and will take her to Claire's room on her birthday this Thursday. Yes, Claire, who was only given a few years to live when she was two, will be thirteen. God does work in mysterious ways, doesn't He? Again for more information about service dogs for children with autism or autistic-like conditions, please visit the web site at Working Class Dogs.

For regular column readers looking for some updates: Books were forwarded to my friend, Jennie, in Germany. Haven't heard back, yet, but am assuming that they are on Christmas break. Thanks for the number of responses about the 'Twas a Few Days Before Christmas column. It is always appreciated to hear from readers, either pro or con, but especially when the remarks are well-written and when they are constructive in helping to formulate new ideas for the column.

I'll look to keep up once the home computer is up and working again. For now, have a happy, safe, healthy, prosperous and generous New Year!