Hello, Again!

Hi Everyone, It has been a while since I have posted here. I have been busy trying to get some personal things done, and not spending a lot of time blogging, going on Facebook, etc. It never goes as fast as you want, but I keep on trucking. In the meantime, I try to get what I can get done when I can. Working two jobs (although I only consider the "day job" a job), getting an average of five hours of sleep a day, and doing one job or the other every day of the week (four days doing both) makes it rough. With the state of the economy and most people having financial issues, I speak on behalf of many. Even though I am off from the "day job" until December 10, I am trying my best of not being so on-the-go. It is hard, but I will get adequate rest, at some point. Regardless of which holiday(s) you celebrate, I wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. May 2014 be your best year yet. Take care! William N. Phillips, Jr. "Bill" Phillips Philes founder

Advertisers...Don't Fire Santa Claus! By Erin Reilly

Ugh. My first post. The pressure to amuse and entertain is giving me hives. Not really, but if saying that gives you an unpleasant picture than I have succeeded. ;)

As I look around there are many, MANY things going on outside my window that cause me great frustration. Whether it'd be the neighbor not picking up their dogs' waste, drivers who take my Jedi skills for granted (please, no need to signal, of course I knew you were turning there), or that when I wake up Obama is still President. Even with those delights on the buffet table of daily annoyances, one thing that I can count on to really twist my under-roos is that TV ads are killing Santa. Let me digress...

As a child, before I put the emphasis of Christmas where my Irish Catholic guilt reminds me it need be, I was a soldier in Santa's army. Truth be told that during the months of January-November I may not have been the epitomy of a golden child, but I'd be damned if come December 1st my name crossed over to the naughty side of Santa's list. But now here I sit, a few decades later, with children of my own, gulping down my wine in fear that my spawn will put the connection together..."Mommy? Why is Target telling parents to shop there for Christmas toys? Why is Walmart telling you that the place to get all your Christmas gifts is with them? " And Toy R Us????? I have no comment.

Contrary to popular belief, not many things get past me; some days it's just easier to play possum. So yes, I understand capitalism. I understand what the holiday "spirit" does to the once almighty dollar. I get it. But with our children's innocence being stripped away on a day to day basis, can't we just try to set aside a schmidge of belief for good 'ole Saint Nick? I mean, think about Rudolph, think about Mrs. Claus and oh my Heavens THE ELVES, not to mention the parents damn it! We feed your need to make $$! Show some love and STOP KILLING SANTA CLAUS! Try to embrace your childhood memories of sitting on Santa's lap, and for those of the non Christian faith, think about the beauty of the season. Putting Santa in the unemployment line would take a great deal of that away (and your Christmas bonus).

Santa gets one gig a year, let the poor guy Ho Ho Ho and eat his cookies.