Happy New Year

Wow, where did the Holidays go? It seems like only yesterday I was sending "Daughter " into the crawl space to drag out the Christmas decorations, and now it's New Years Eve. I hope you had a holly jolly Christmas and that your stocking got stuffed with all kinds of goodies. Christmas here at the casa went swimmingly. Santa paid a visit and "Daughter" was thrilled. Momma in her kerchief and I in my cap also received some nice gifts. We remembered the reason for the season and subjected ourselves to a two hour "children's mass" on Christmas Eve. I'll say this, a hundred crying babies will keep you awake during a sermon. It also reminded "Wife" and I how glad we are that "Daughter" is growing up and doesn't need to be fed Cheerios on a continual basis like a lab rat. We spent Christmas together and were thankful for the opportunity.

Normally, as the year comes to a close, people look back at major events and then look forward to the new year. I'm not that normal. Sure, I think it's important to look back, but what really changed this year from last? We still are losing hundreds of men and women in a war that most folks don't agree with, celebrities are still acting like buffoons by getting drunk, flashing their naughty bits and getting knocked up, people are losing their houses and gas prices keep going up. I don't want to dwell on that. Should we look ahead? What other choice do we have? I don't believe in making resolutions. I think it puts undo pressure on a person by labeling something a "resolution". If you make one slip, you feel like a failure and give up. I think we all know where we need to improve our lives, so instead of making a big pronouncement, just quietly work for change. That way if you screw up, no one will notice. Is that my wish for you in the new year, discreet failure? No, I wish us all rousing success, but let's be realistic, there's a good chance we'll blow it at some point, so know that going in and your occasional mis steps will be easier to stomach.

You may be wondering what a talented, entertaining man about town like myself will be doing to usher in 2008. Will I be attending a fancy ball, wearing a tux and hob-nobbing with other fashionable folks? Will I be swaying slowly to Guy Lombardo as the clock strikes twelve? Not me. Since no one saw fit to invite us to a swanky soiree, the Noonan family will be spending a quiet NYE at home. After much debate, we decided that there's no reason to go out just to say we went out on New year's Eve, so it's dinner and some movies and the hope that we can all stay awake until midnight. Boring? Perhaps, but comfortable, and the chance of a drunk driver plowing through my family room window is slim.

I want to thank those of you who continued to read this forum through what was, at some points, a lean 2007. I won't make any promises for 2008 other than to say I'll do my best to keep you updated and entertained. If I fail, feel free to see the above paragraphs. By the way, if you're up early on January 2 getting ready for work, changing the date in your check book or wondering how on earth your favorite bowl team didn't cover the spread and where you'll find the money to pay Nicky "the shiv", I'll be filling in for Steve and Johnnie on WGN from 2-5 am. Sure it's early, but sleep is for the week. Be strong. I wish you all a happy, healthy and productive New Year! Later...Brian

Open Wide

I was all set to write about the Mitchell report and the scourge of steroids on Major league baseball. You know what they say about best laid plans. Instead of writing first thing this morning, I went to an appointment that has ruined the rest of my day and changed the focus of today's posting.

After a four year hiatus, I went to the dentist this morning. I was experiencing a little pain, so I thought I should have it checked out because as you know, tooth pain is as high on the pain scale as having to listen to that "dog barking Jingle Bells" Christmas record. Today's visit consisted of X-rays, and a thorough cleaning. Sounds simple right? My mouth now hurts more than it did before I went to the office. I can't focus on anything else and my head is about to explode. It's making writing damn near impossible, but I do it anyway. Why?

Well, so I can remind you to listen to the big show tomorrow night/Sunday morning on WGN. Seriously, I have to go hunt my dentist down and knee him in the unmentionables. I think then we'll be even. Have a great weekend. Later...Brian

I've Got to Keep My Butt Off The Copier

Today is the WGN "Holiday Luncheon". This being my second year attending the truncated festivities, I'm not quite as nervous as I was last year. A few more people know me, so I won't appear to be some random giant ravaging the buffet line. I also haven't been wavering in my decision to attend as I did in the past. I figure it's always good to be seen by the bosses, and who wants to pass on a free lunch?

I have been reading numerous articles about the perils and traps that await employees at there holiday gatherings. According to various polls, more than 40% of employees know of someone who has been reprimanded or terminated (not by a cyborg, but by an automaton in H.R.) after getting a little carried away at the office party. Wild tales of drinking, "heart to heart" talks with the boss and carnal indiscretions abound. Those all sound like my stock in trade, and that has me worried. Thankfully, if this year is like last, the alcohol will be in short supply. The "party" is at the station, and the chance of someone having a wee bit too much holiday cheer and then broadcasting to half the country their thoughts on an account execs tight hind quarters is too risky to allow the Jaegermiester shots to flow freely. This is probably a very good move. While I rarely drink to excess (any more), free booze and her siren's song are sometimes too strong to refuse. I have also been known to wax philosophical after a few adult beverages, and I'm sure no one wants to hear my treatise on the future of radio, especially when shouted at them from close range.

I'll go, make an appearance and be on my best behavior. I suggest you do the same if you're off to your own company party. Remember, no matter how much you think the 21 year old receptionist has been eying you all year, grabbing a little bit of booty on Friday night will not seem like such a good idea on Monday morning. I'm off to iron and make myself pretty. Later...Brian

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

The North Pole exploded in my house. My absence from this space this week is easy to explain. Monday morning I was sitting here in the office going about my usual "business" when I realized it was December and I had done nothing to get the inside of the house ready for Christmas. Sure, I had spent hours out in the cold last weekend stringing lights in the trees, inflating my snowman and illuminating my nativity scene, but inside the house, it looked like any other day. The house resembled a Victoria's Secret lingerie model. No, it's backside was not exposed, it was beautiful on the outside and empty on the inside. ( I write that not to denigrate the "angels" but as a sour grapes statement.) There were no signs of the season and I was thrown into a mini panic. I had either convinced myself that there was another week before Christmas or, that like in some Hallmark Channel movie, a Christmas fairy would arrive and trim my trees and deck my halls. By the time I realized that the boughs of holly were my responsibility, it was December 4.

Last year, I spent many hours writing about my immense dislike of tree trimming. I have an unnatural fixation on lighting the tree which sends me into a tizzy and extends the chore from hours to days. This year I decided that instead of procrastinating and justifying said procrastination by saying I was writing, I would suck it up and, in the words of corporate giant Nike, "just do it". I won't go so far as to say there was no panic, but it seemed a little less significant. "Wife", sensing that I could go over the edge at any moment, took a day off and helped with some of the peripheral Christmas chores.

I decided to set daily goals for the decorating. Tuesday I swore that I would have all the trees assembled. I know that seems like a minor goal, but Tuesday was already shot with other tasks. Wednesday I set the goal of lighting and trimming the trees in the living room (or if you're a true Chicagoan, "the front room") and the foyer. (Yes, we have a foyer. I'm fancy that way.) Check and check. Yesterday I told myself that I could not sleep until the huge tree in the family room was lit. I got a late start, but by 11:30 last night I was sitting alone in the family room, enjoying a beer and some Law and Order :SVU while basking in the soft glow of my Christmas center piece. Who would have guessed that if you set goals and stick to them, things can be accomplished? Someone should write a book.

There are still a few minor things left to do, but the house is decorated and I can go back to stressing about other things now. I'm sure the holidays will serve up plenty of opportunities.

I hope you can stay up late or wake up early Saturday night/Sunday morning. We're debuting a new feature on the big WGN Overnight show. I'm not going to give it away here, but I think it's going to be big. If not, then we'll never speak of it again. Seriously though, the show is going very well, so I hope you get a chance to listen from 1-5am. Have a great weekend. Later....Brian