Twenty-three Christmas presents in 16 days

I remember when I was the one receiving instead of giving.

… On one of my days off this week I'll spend approximately three hours shopping for Christmas presents. Last year it took me 2 ½ hours to do all the shopping and I hope it takes about the same.

Now some may say that my time spent shopping seems a bit rushed and that I might not put in as much thought in certain gifts.

Well, 13 of the gifts are for my nieces and nephews who are pretty much going to get what they ask for by my brother and sisters so my gift to them is just a bonus. Usually, I ask in advance all of my siblings what their kids would want. I only get one to reply. So, I have little help in the matter.

As for the other 10 gifts that are for family and friends, I have a pretty good sense. Not only that, but gift cards are always popular with most of the disaffected group I run with.

The longest part isn't the shopping, it's the wrapping. Last year I was able to watch two "Mystery Science Theater 3000" movies – three hours. About 30 minutes of that time was making the "To: From:" cards. I created speak out boxes and placed them on the wrapping paper. A friend of mine asked me recently if that was just a waste since the kids were just going to get the gift and not look or appreciate the effort it took. I told him to not remind me. But I look forward to doing that again.

I'm probably going to have a wrapping party and hopefully some of my friends can help me. If not, it's what I do.

… Of the many things I've learned in life, I know that people are the sum total of their life experiences. No matter how clear you believe an issue is, someone else may not look at it like you do.

Over the past couple of weeks I've been reminded of that. I've clashed with people trying to get my own perceived clear point across while they have done the same to me in reply.

Now, I've never claimed to say that my point of view is the correct one and anything else beyond that is incorrect. It's when there is a common goal with two different end results where we have the problem.

I'm also reminded that you can't change human nature.

I can do anything and everything to try and show my side. In the end it's not enough to change how people think and feel. What they think, what they want and what they are looking for are rooted in who they are.

It's not that I give up trying to get my point across; it's that I see the bigger picture. There is no need to try and swim across a river when you can use the bridge that is just right there.

… Football season ended today for me when the San Francisco 49ers were eliminated from the playoffs as the Arizona Cardinals won the NFC West.

Well, pitcher and catchers report on Valentine's Day. So I'll have one thing to look forward to on that day.