Drew this stuffed doll of Bert. Thought it was missing something. No idea what the other is, or why Bert’s wearing headphones…maybe he likes music. Maybe he’s from somewhere else.

Afrikaans – Geseknde Kersfees en ‘n gelukkige nuwe jaar!
Albanian – Gézuar Krishlindjet Vitin e Ri!
Amharic – Melkam Yelidet Beaal!
Arabic – I’D Miilad Said ous Sana Saida!
Aramaic – Edo bri’cho o rish d’shato brich’to!
Armenian – Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand!
Aromunian – Crãciunu hãriosu shi unu anu nãu, bunu!
Azeri – Tezze Iliniz Yahsi Olsun!
Bahasa Malaysia -Selamat Hari Natal
Basque – Zorionak eta Urte Berri On!
Belorussian – Winshuyu sa Svyatkami i z Novym godam!
Bengali – Shuvo Baro Din – Shuvo Nabo Barsho!
Bicolano – Maugmang Capascuhan asin Masaganang Ba gong Taon!
Bohemian – Vesele Vanoce!
Brazilien – Boas Festas e Feliz Ano Novo!
Breton – Nedeleg laouen na bloav ezh mat!
Bulgarien – Vesela Koleda i chestita nova godina!
Catalan – Bon Nadal i un Bon Any Nou!
Cantonese – Seng Dan Fai Lok, Sang Nian Fai Lok!
Cebuano – Malipayong Pasko ug Bulahang Bagong Tuig!
Chinese – Shen tan jie kuai le. Hsin Nien Kuaile!
Chinese (Cantonese) – Sing Dan Fae Lok. Gung Hai Fat Choi!
Chinese (Mandarin) – Shen Dan Kuai Le Xin Nian Yu Kuai!
Choctaw – Yukpa, Nitak Hollo Chito!
Cornish – Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth!
Corsican – Bon Natale e Bon capu d’ annu!
Cree – Mitho Makosi Kesikansi!
Creek – Afvcke Nettvcakorakko!
Croatian – Sretan Bozic!
Czech – Stastne a vesele vanoce a stastny novy rok!
Dänisch – Glaedelig Jul og godt nyter!
Duri – Christmas-e- Shoma Mobarak!
Dutch – Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar!
Dutch – Prettige kerstdagen en een gelukkig nieuw jaar!
Egyptian – Colo sana wintom tiebeen !
English -Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !
Eskimo (inupik) – Jutdlime pivdluarit ukiortame pivdluaritlo!
Esperanto – Felican Kristnaskon kaj Bonan Novjaron!
Estonian – Rõõmusaid jõulupühi ja head uut aastat!
Euskera – Zorionak eta Urte Berri On !
Faeroese – Gledhilig jol og eydnurikt nyggjar!
Farsi – Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad!
Filipinos – Maligayang Pasko!
Finnish – Hyvää joulua ja onnellista uutta vuotta!
Flemish – Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig nieuw jaar!
French – Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!
Frisian – Noflike Krystdagen en in protte Lok en Seine yn it Nije Jier!
Friulian – Bon Nadâl e Bon An Gnûf!
Gaelic – Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ur!
Scots Gaelic – Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath yr!
Galician – Bon Nadal e Bo Ani Novo!
German – Frohe Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr!
Greek – Hronia polla ke eftihismenos o kenourios hronos!
Greenlandic – Juullimi Ukiortaassamilu Pilluarit!
Hausa – Barka da Kirsimatikuma Barka da Sabuwar Shekara!
Hawaian – Mele Kalikimaka ame Hauoli Makahiki Hou!
Hebrew – Mo’adim Lesimkha. Shana Tova!
Hindi – Shub Naya Baras!
Hungarian – Kellemes karacsonyi uennepeket es boldog ujevet!
Iban -Selamat Ari Krismas enggau Taun Baru!
Icelandic – Gledhileg jsl og farsflt komandi ar!
Ilocano – Naimbag a Pascua ken Naragsac nga Baro nga Tawen!
Indonesian – Selamat Hari Natal dan Selamat Tahun Baru!
Iraqi – Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah!
Irish – Nollaig Shona duit!
Irish Gaelic – Nollaig faoi shean agus faoi shonas duit agus bliain nua faoi mhaise dhuit!
Italian – Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!
Japanese – Meri Kurisumasu soshite Akemashite Omedeto!
Jèrriais – Bouan Noué et Bouanne Année!
Kadazan – Kotobian Tadau Do Krimas om Toun Vagu!
Karelian – Rastawanke Sinun, Uvven Vuvenke Sinun !
Korean – Sung Tan Chuk Ha!
Krio – Appi Krismes en Appi Niu Yaa!
Kurdish – Seva piroz sahibe u sersala te piroz be!
Ladin – Bon Nadel y Bon Ann Nuef!
Lappic – Buorit Juovllat ja Buorre Oddajahki!
Latin – Natale hilare et Annum Faustum!
Latvian – Priecigus Ziemsvetkus un Laimigu Jaungadu!
Lausitzian – Wjesole hody a strowe nowe leto!
Lithuanian – Linksmu Kaledu! Maltese – Nixtieklek Milied tajjeb u is-sena t-tabja!
Livian – Riiemlizi Talspividi ja pagin vonno udaigastos!
Low Saxon – Heughliche Winachten un ‘n moi Nijaar!
Luxemburgish – Schéi Krëschtdeeg an e Schéint Néi Joer!
Macedonian -Streken Bozhik!
Malay – Selamat Hari Natal dan Tahun Baru!
Malayalam – Puthuvalsara Aashamsakal!
Maltese – Nixtieklek Milied tajjeb u is-sena t-tabja!
Mandarin – Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan!
Manx – Nollick ghennal as blein vie noa!
Maori – Meri Kirihimete!
Marathi – Shub Naya Varsh!
Modern Greek – Kala Christougenna kai evtichismenos o kainourios chronos!
Mongolian – Zul saryn bolon shine ony mend devshuulye!
Monogasque – Festusu Natale e Bona ana noeva !
Norwegian – God Jul Og Godt Nytt Aar!
Occitan – Polit nadal e bona annada!
Oriya – Sukhamaya christmass ebang khusibhara naba barsa!
Pampamgo – Malugud Pascu at saca Masayang Bayung Banua!
Papiamento – Bon Pasco y un Feliz Aña Nobo!
Papua New Guinea -Bikpela hamamas blong dispela Krismas na Nupela yia i go long yu!
Pashto – De Christmas akhtar de bakhtawar au newai kal de mubarak sha!
Pennsylvania German – En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr!
Polish – Vesowe Boze Narodzenie!
Polish – Wesolych Swiat i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku!
Portuguese – Boas Festas e um feliz Ano Novo!
Punjabi – Nave sal di mubaraka!
Pushto – Christmas Aao Ne-way Kaal Mo Mobarak Sha!
Raeto-Ramance – Bella Festas da zNadal ed in Ventiravel Onn Nov!
Rapa-Nui – Mata-Ki-Te-Rangi. Te-Pito-O-Te-Henua!
Rhetian – Bellas festas da nadal e bun onn!
Romanche – Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!
Romani (GYPSY) – Bachtalo krecunu Thaj Bachtalo Nevo Bers!
Romanian – Craciun fericit si un an nou fericit!
Russian – S nastupaiushchim Novym godom i s Rozhdestvom Khristovym!
Romanche (sursilvan dialect) – Legreivlas fiastas da Nadal e bien niev onn!
Sambal – Maligayang Pasko at Masayang Ba-yon Taon!
Sami – Buorrit Juovllat!
Samoan – La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou!
Sardian – Felize Nadale e Bonu Cabuannu!
Sardinian – Bonu nadale e prosperu annu nou!
Scots Gaelic – Nollaig chridheil huibh!
Serbian – Hristos se rodi!
Sicilian – Bon Natali e Prosperu Annu Novu !
Singhalese – Subha nath thalak Vewa. Subha Aluth Awrudhak Vewac!
Slovakian – Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce!
Slovak – Vesele Vianoce i na zdravie v novom roku!
Slovene – Vesele bozicne praznike in srecno novo leto!
Slovenian – Vesele bozicne praznike in srecno novo leto!
Sorbian – Wjesole hody a strowe Nowe leto!
Spanish – Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo
Sudanese – Wilujeng Natal Sareng Warsa Enggal!
Surigaonon – Malipayon na pasko sanan bag-on tuig!
Swahili – ºKrismas Njema Na Heri Za Mwaka Mpyaº !
Swedish – God Jul Och Ett Gott Nytt Ar!
Tagalog – Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!
Tamil – Nathar Puthu Varuda Valthukkal!
Thai – Suk san wan Christmas!
Thai – Suk san wan pee mai – Happy New Year!
Tok Pisin – Meri Krismas & Hepi Nu Yia!
Tongan – Kilisimasi Fiefia & Ta’u fo’ou monu ia!
Trukeese (Micronesian) – Neekiriisimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Trukeese – Neekirissimas annim oo iyer seefe feyiyeech!
Tswana – Keresemose o monate le masego a ngwaga o montsha!
Turkish – Noeliniz kutlu olsun ve yeni yilinis kutlu olsun!
Turkish – Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun!
Ukrainian – Srozhdestvom Kristovym!
Ukrainan – Z novym rokom i s rizdvom Hrystovym!
Ukrainan – Khrystos Rodevsia!
Urdu – Naya Saal Mubarak Ho!
Vepsi – Rastvoidenke i Udenke Vodenke!
Vietnamese – Chuc mung nam moi va Giang Sinh vui ve!
Waray – Maupay nga Pasko ngan Mainuswagon nga Bago nga Tuig!
Welsh – Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Da!
Xhosa – Siniqwenelela Ikrisimesi EmnandI Nonyaka Omtsha Ozele Iintsikelelo Namathamsanqa!
Yayeya – Krisema!
Yiddish – Gute Vaynakhtn un a Gut Nay Yor!
Yoruba – E ku odun, e ku iye’dun!
Zulu – Sinifesela Ukhisimusi Omuhle Nonyaka Omusha Onempumelelo!

When I was 5 years old my parents made me go to Sunday school at the Temple. I’m sure it sucked like a church Sunday school; it’s the same thing for all you Christ-e’s. Anyways, our teacher asked us to draw a picture of what we thought God looked like and to draw something ”he” created. Being a 5-year-old I drew someone who resembled Ernie (Bert’s lover) next to a wishing well. After the drawings were finished the teacher came around and held up each of our pictures…then ripped them up. One by one she ripped them saying, “That’s not God. God is alllll around you and doesn’t have a face.” Why am I taking you on a walk down eff’ed up childhood lane? Because today I read an article that is as shocking as it is amazing in 2009. An 8-year-old boy was sent home from school after asked to “draw a picture that reminds him of CHRISTmas” because he drew a crucifix. Not just that though, he was told to undergo psychological evaluation. WTF is wrong with people? Who the F says what that vision looks like to you in your mind? Is that not a form of brainwashing?? Oddly enough I was behind some white-trash guy in a pick-up truck with a sticker on the back that said, “There is no Christmas without Christ.” Ironic. Check out the video here… http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34433914/ns/us_news-education/?GT1=43001 un-f-ing believable. I wonder what the school would have done if he had drawn this….

White walls. Nothing interesting at all. My mind draws a blank; as blank as the barriers that uphold the boundaries of my battle keep. At least make it interesting. I mean lined paper is white, my eyes are white, I’m a white boy; white, white, white. I want to see epic designs and intriguing shenanigans all up in my grill! Why is the default color white? There should be a universal law that people cannot occupy rooms unless the walls have at least a tidbit of pizzazz to it. This is serious business. Give me color, or give me death!

Anytime I’m having a hard time, whether it’s just another Monday or something more serious…I can always look to my children to help me unwind and enjoy life.  Today I took a nap while lying on the couch with my toddler.  He loves cuddling with mommy if Backyardigans is on.  I woke up from my light sleep, and made us lunch.  Then I watched most of Y&R while pretending to fight a robot with him in the middle of the floor.  I looked at the clock and realized that I had not thought at all about my miscarriage for almost 2 hours.  It was bliss.  I smiled.

This evening, after cooking dinner and speaking to several people on the phone, I sat down and played Mario Kart with my oldest.  We discovered a mutual liking of a certain coin catch track.  We played it over and over again and had a lot of fun making the characters jump and catch coins.  I had fun with him and smiled some more.

Tonight I felt more like myself than I have in the past 3 days.  It still hurts, but it’s bearable now.  The hurt is subsiding a little bit…just enough to let the good things back in. 

What’s the happy hap? It’s your boy Blap. I’ve got some buds, with names such as Claxx, Mant, and Bert. We’re doing work son, as well as getting money, whereby upon getting said money, getting paid shall occur. Ya dig? So any hizzles, my friendlies are sitting beside me, doing big things with their blogs. It’s good stuff. We’re big men, and big men backwards is nem gib. I thought you’d like to know.

Glad to be here in the land of stroodle noodle. May the mythological beasts by the name of snarfs steer clear of us homo sapiens sapiens. We’re the Co Pro Bros, and we’re doing it big. Peace!

Hello all, I am Mant. My friends are Blap Claxx and Bert. We are all friends. We made a blog because we need to share our wonder with the world. We are pretty ghett. If you take my meaning.  My friends are with me in my place of being, which is in a classroom of sorts. We are here because we are forced to by the MAN. You all are farmiliar with the man, are you not?

So my name is Mant, and my friends are Blap Claxx and Bert. I am a cool guy and am very ghett. I have some words that I like and they are mahogany and blemish – these are them. Colors I also like and it is green. You may also like colors.

Mant – this is me – I do not mind being disturbed such as has been said by friend Bert. However for friend Claxx this is different. Friend Claxx does not want a lengthy post, so I am afriad I should perhaps save my writings for a later time.

Day Fourteen is exactly what it says on the ‘trashcan’ (“hey already!” – Herring) - a compilation of highlights from various Christmassy efforts from the residents of Sesame Street. Don’t forget the Big Birds at Christmas!

I finished my last final this morning.. so I’m officially on Winter Break!!  I feel like dancing.. and Dean just linked me to some excellent celebration videos.

It’s a celebration.. clap, clap, bravo.

“Hang Ten Ernie”

Happy holidays from Bert and Ernie!

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year! However, as much as I love the holiday season, now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it is difficult not to feel a little frazzled as well.  I tend to overexert myself while trying to create unforgettable experiences for my loved ones and this of course can cause one to cross over the line between joyful holiday celebrations and obligatory activities. It is not easy to find a balance, but it is important to separate a sense of obligation from our desired experiences for this festive (though hectic) time of year.

With holiday parties, caroling, community events, gift wrapping, shopping, toy drives, family gatherings, special worship services and the like, it is hard not to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season! After all, everything individually is enjoyable. However, when you heap it all together in one month, the joy fades away and you are left with stress.

So, should we boycott the holidays this year? Absolutely not! Instead, embrace the season. Spend time with family and friends and focus on a handful of experiences that bring joy to your holiday season. And when a commitment arises that feels more like an obligation than a celebration of the season, kindly decline. The holidays should be a time for you to focus on what matters most to you.

Gospel: Jesus said to Simon, who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

Word: to fish – To attempt to find or get hold of an object by searching among other objects

Though I have gone fishing properly, my strongest memory of fishing is of a sketch from Sesame Street when Ernie and Bert go fishing where Bert, ever the realist, fishes with his pole while Ernie shouts for his fish.

Spoiler alert: Bert, using conventional methods, catches no fish while Ernie coaxes dozens to jump into the boat simply by calling for them.

Ernie’s fishing tactics remind me of Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel. While they didn’t cry fish in a crowded movie-house, both Ernie and Jesus used their words to not only get people’s attention, but also to attract who they wanted to. Though yesterday I wrote about the importance of our actions backing up our words, today I’d like us to remember the of our words.

“It’s not what you said, it’s how you said it.” “Say what?” “Could you say that again?” “Don’t speak to me that way.” “Speak up!” “Did you hear what he said?” “I just called to say I love you.” “Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?”

That ye olde phrase “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is a load of crap that even our child-selves recognized the first time we heard it. Words can hurt or heal, and remember young Skywalker, what you say will lead to who you catch.

I’m republishing my post from last year. Because it’s still true. Don’t know if that makes me boring or lucky.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thanksgiving 2008

Recently my blogging buddies have been sharing what they’re thankful for and it got me thinking…and then of course I do my best thinking while writing…so you get to share in my thoughts. Lucky you.

Bert. I’d write all about what an amazing person he is but that would take pages and pages (really more along the lines of War and Peace) so I’m just going to say that I’m thankful we’re together. I’m always bubbling over with pride at his amazing photos so I gotta share them with you too…The Bert V Jensen website and at Flickr.

Now Voyager. Best horse a girl could ever have. Thank you Bev (from the bottom of my heart every single moment of every day) for the gift of this amazing creature. It’s like I was living in a black and white world – happy enough but horse free. And then Now Voyager arrived and my days became technicolor and rich and right. After a 15 year hiatus I became a horse-crazy girl once again.

Here’s a super cool shot Bert took of me cuddling with Now Voyager:

Zinger the super cat. I don’t have kids so yes, I pour all the love and hugs and kisses I would shower on my children right into my cat. And he just soaks it up. Thanks Zinger for putting up with us.

Blogging. I took a writing class a year ago from Jon Carroll, a favorite columnist of mine at the SF Chronicle. I’ve been reading his column for years and it was a real treat to learn from the master of the personal essay. Jon shared much advice that day but the thing he repeated A LOT was “writers write.” Blogging started me writing daily. And I’m loving it.

Health. I am so deeply thankful that I am physically strong and healthy and becoming more so each and every day. Discovering the sport of triathlon has this amazing side benefit too…a host of fun loving, supportive and entertaining triathlon bloggers who’ve kindly allowed me join their club and play along.

happy thanksgiving everyone!
Kathleen

…from “Sesame Street,” and it is a fun segment; but what’s really great about the skit is that the legendary Frank Oz plays the lead character, Mr. Draper.

What’s awesome about this is that it’s Frank’s first “Sesame Street” performance in nearly 15 years. Bert, Grover and Cookie Monster haven’t been the same since.

Check it out here:

Weird hearing a “Sesame Street” version of Rjd2’s opening song,

-Shady

Freestyle w ostatnim czasie przechodzi swoją drogą młodość. Drugie pokolenie raperów pojawia się szturmem na scenie, podchodząc niekonwencjonalnie do swojej zajawki. Zawodnicy tacy jak 3-6 czy też Solar pokazują, że nie trzeba być w grze od 10 lat, żeby dobrze nawijać. Trzeba przede wszystkim grać na imprezach, battlować się.

Kolejną okazją do sprawdzenia się na przeciw ciekawych graczy będzie Bitwa o Gryfa, której pierwsza edycja odbędzie się 16 stycznia 2010 roku w Tczewie.

Słuchaj – jeśli chcesz wziąć udział w bitwie – sprawdzić się – nie ma problemu. Napisz na adres bitwaogryfa@gmail.com i podaj tam imię, ksywkę i miasto. Wpisowe to tylko 10 zł, a będzie ono w 100% przeznaczone na nagrodę główną.

Bitwę oraz całą imprezę poprowadzi Bert, który zagra także kilka swoich numerów. Kolejnym graczem, który 27 listopada zaczyna promocję swojej płyty, czyli Małpa również zagości na imprezie i zagra coś dla uczestników tego niezwykle ciekawego wydarzenia, do udziału w którym serdecznie Was zapraszam.

Ważne jest miejsce, w którym odbędzie się impreza. Wpadaj więc na Pomorze, do Tczewa na ul. Kościelną 6/7. Tam mieści się Alternatywne Centrum Kultury “Zebra”

Warto też sprawdzić myspace organizatorów imprezy, który znajdziesz pod tym adresem:

http://profile.myspace.com/505193514

Wow with these cute Google banners Sesame street is really gaining some adult popularity. Several people have been trying to relate the advanced psychological testing that goes into Sesame street with pop-blogging.

]]> http://fatkidsuit.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/60-day-raw-food-log-day-28-if-raw-food-is-so-great-why-do-i-feel-bad/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:38:34 +0000 fatkidsuit http://fatkidsuit.wordpress.com/2009/11/22/60-day-raw-food-log-day-28-if-raw-food-is-so-great-why-do-i-feel-bad/

It’s Sunday in Palm Springs, 75 degrees out, beautiful mountain backdrop, happy friendly people and their pets are out enjoying the life…

And I feel like shit.

Why?

My first week eating only raw food was rough.  Imagine cutting yourself off cold-turkey from drinking over 100 adult beverages per week, abstaining from your morning cup of crack with the pretty mermaid on it, and suddenly refusing your body any access to pizzas and Mexican food…NOT a fun transition.

If you’ve seen New Moon, and watched Kristen Stewart’s “Bella” writhe and scream in her sleep over her lost Edward (who I still maintain looks an awful lot like Bert from Sesame Street), you have an inkling of what my first week raw felt like!

Weeks two and three were a different movie…I felt euphoric and “high” and ate up all the positive comments I was getting from friends and strangers.  EVERY SINGLE DAY I saw a thinner, sexier, happier, healthier, more in-tune version of me in the full-length mirror.

Having a cute young raw foods chef at a Santa Monica cafe ask me if I was “raw” the second I walked in the door surprised me.  When I answered yes, and she told me she “thought so, because my eyes were so clear and I really had a case of the glow” I was beyond flattered.

But here I am near the end of week four, a week of apathy and fatigue.  What’s up?  I feel like I’m doing this right…I’ve slowly been upping my intake of greens, I’m making sure I get natural fats like hemp oil, I’m still eating a lot of juicy organic fruits…

Also, I eat very little dehydrated raw foods (they make me feel as dry as they are) and most days just eat foods in their whole simple form without trying to “doll” them up.

I’m hoping that it’s just another cleansing level I’ve hit?  I would expect my recent toxic past to haunt me for awhile. Maybe it’s a little bit mental…one month is the longest I’ve ever gone before raw…? But Jesus do I hate the idea that some or all of the benefits of raw eating might just be in my head.

One interesting distinction I’d like to make: I’m not depressed.  I’ve spent much of my life in moderate to severely depressed states, this isn’t anything like that.  I’m clear about things–almost scary sober–but I don’t necessarily like how that feels…

Sometimes eating raw makes so much sense to me, and I see it as the answer to a lot of peoples problems both on a personal level and a collective one.  That’s how I mostly feel…at other times the whole thing seems ridiculous and absurd!  Not eat ANY cooked foods?  Not get drunk and stupid?  WHY?!?  What am I trying to prove? To whom?

As an example last night a guy at the bar wanted mashed potatoes.  We don’t have that on the menu, but Mike the Chef made some for him anyways, that’s the kind of old school cool we serve up.  When I bring him the potatoes I’m drooling.  When he adds a few dollops of real butter I’m butter.  So I try and remind myself that when I get home later I was actually going to make my own version of mashed “potatoes” which are made from soaked cashews and cauliflower blended up with salt & pepper.  They taste pretty good.  But they are NOT potatoes, and they are cold.  For some reason it just seemed stupid to me…am I too good for potatoes?

My intention with this blog is not necessarily to inspire anyone to do anything.  I simply want to reveal what eating raw is doing for me (now and in the future).  So please take what I say with a grain of pink Himalayan crystal salt.   I’m half-way through my trial and will continue to candidly share my peaks and valley floors with anyone interested…

If the names Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch and The Count don’t bring back memories that make you smile, you must have missed out on Sesame Street, the beloved children’s show. Either that or you didn’t have a TV when you were a child.

Created by the Sesame Workshop (or more fondly remembered as the Children’s Television Workshop) back in 1969, the show was built on the idea that television — long believed to be an entertainment device — could actually serve as an educational tool. Within years, the show would become a worldwide cultural phenomenon. It would be lauded for its ability to teach young people the basics of reading and mathematics, and promote good values among children.

The belief, as author Malcolm Gladwell wrote about was that “if you could hold the attention of a child, you can educate them.” That theory seems to hold water and a big part of the massive popularity of Sesame Street has been the characters in the show. Sesame Street is famous for the Muppets characters on the show, all created by Jim Henson. These puppets are a large part of the success of Sesame Street and characters such as Ernie, Bert, Grover, Kermit the Frog and more all have their own place in the collective memories of people everywhere.

This popularity has led to spin-off merchandising. Toys, clothes, lunch boxes, shoes and other accoutrement for children were all licensed and made money. This even extended to the world of video games, beginning with games such as Big Bird’s Egg Catch for the Atari 2600, and continued with Sesame Street: Big Bird’s Hide and Speak for the Nintendo Entertainment System, and Elmo’s Number Journey for the Sony PlayStation and Nintendo 64.

Formerly an entertainment medium for children, the video games industry now caters to older demographics. In recent times, video games were said to carry a certain social stigma, following high-profile media discussions about them exposing children to violence, sex and other mature themes. Games for children have floundered critically, not just because of the more mature tastes of players, but also because most games for children have been criticized as inferior gaming experiences.

As Sesame Street celebrates its 40th Anniversary, will the beloved children’s show make a return to the video game world by December 2009? Predicto.com’s users have weighed in and, as of today, 68% of respondents have voted with a resounding Yes!

What do you think? Visit Predicto.com, speak up and be part of the Predicto Mobile community now!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                Contact: Bert Copple

Telephone: 248-203-2273

Be a Santa to a Senior Holiday Gift Giveaway

Again Brings Cheer to Area Older Adults

The popular campaign that over the last five years delivered more than 12,000 gifts to local needy seniors is being planned again this holiday season.  Area retailers, along with agencies that serve older adults, have partnered with a local senior-care service to make sure that isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship through the Be a Santa to a Senior program.

The area office of Home Instead Senior Care, the world’s largest provider of non-medical home care and companionship for older adults, has joined several aging networks and senior centers in cooperation with regional National City banks, ACO Hardware locations, and the Dignity Memorial Group to provide presents to seniors who otherwise might not receive a gift this holiday season.

Throughout North America, this is the sixth year of the program where last year more than 28,000 volunteers distributed gifts to deserving seniors.  In the past five years since introducing this Be a Santa to a Senior program, Home Instead Senior Care has helped provide more than one million gifts to 700,000 seniors in North America.

“Be a Santa to a Senior is a great way to give back to the older adults in the community during the hectic holiday season when many are forgotten,” said Tina Rowley, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Birmingham, MI.   “The holiday is often considered a time for children, but seniors – especially those who are isolated and lonely – need to be remembered as well.  Be a Santa to a Senior also is designed to help stimulate human contact and social interaction for older adults who are unlikely to have guests during the holidays.”

Here’s how the program, which runs from Nov. 16 through Dec. 12 works:  Prior to the holiday season, the participating local non-profit organizations will identify needy and isolated seniors in the community and provide those names to Home Instead Senior Care for this community service program.  Christmas trees, which will go up in participating National City banks, ACO Hardware stores, and other retailers, will feature ornaments with the first names of the seniors and their respective gift requests.

Holiday shoppers can pick up an ornament, buy items on the list and return them unwrapped to the store, along with the ornament attached.  Home Instead Senior Care then enlists the volunteer help of its staff, senior-care business associates, non-profit workers and others to collect, wrap and distribute the gifts to these seniors.  A citywide gift-wrapping day, when hundreds of the presents will be wrapped, will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at the Troy Community Center.

Martha, 82, is one area senior who will benefit this year from Be a Santa to a Senior.  She lives below the poverty level, has no family in the area, and would normally receive no gifts or visitors at Christmas.  This year she’s asking for a new towel set, a modest but much-needed request, and sugar-free candy due to her being a diabetic.

“Be a Santa to a Senior is a way to show our gratitude to those older adults who have contributed so much to our community,” Bert Copple, the franchise’s general manager said.  “We hope to reach out to many with this gesture of holiday cheer and goodwill.”

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help on the regional gift-wrapping day, contact Mary Sue Sarzynski at 248-203-2273.  Businesses are encouraged to contact the local Home Instead Senior Care office about adopting groups of seniors.  For tree locations in your area, or for more information about the program, log on to www.beasantatoasenior.com.

* * *

Editor’s Note:  For more information about Be a Santa to a Senior, or to arrange photos of the gift-wrapping day, contact Bert Copple at 248-203-2273.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                Contact: Bert Copple

Telephone: 248-203-2273

Be a Santa to a Senior Holiday Gift Giveaway

Again Brings Cheer to Area Older Adults

The popular campaign that over the last five years delivered more than 12,000 gifts to local needy seniors is being planned again this holiday season.  Area retailers, along with agencies that serve older adults, have partnered with a local senior-care service to make sure that isolated seniors receive gifts and companionship through the Be a Santa to a Senior program.

The area office of Home Instead Senior Care, the world’s largest provider of non-medical home care and companionship for older adults, has joined several aging networks and senior centers in cooperation with regional National City banks, ACO Hardware locations, and the Dignity Memorial Group to provide presents to seniors who otherwise might not receive a gift this holiday season.

Throughout North America, this is the sixth year of the program where last year more than 28,000 volunteers distributed gifts to deserving seniors.  In the past five years since introducing this Be a Santa to a Senior program, Home Instead Senior Care has helped provide more than one million gifts to 700,000 seniors in North America.

“Be a Santa to a Senior is a great way to give back to the older adults in the community during the hectic holiday season when many are forgotten,” said Tina Rowley, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Birmingham, MI.   “The holiday is often considered a time for children, but seniors – especially those who are isolated and lonely – need to be remembered as well.  Be a Santa to a Senior also is designed to help stimulate human contact and social interaction for older adults who are unlikely to have guests during the holidays.”

Here’s how the program, which runs from Nov. 16 through Dec. 12 works:  Prior to the holiday season, the participating local non-profit organizations will identify needy and isolated seniors in the community and provide those names to Home Instead Senior Care for this community service program.  Christmas trees, which will go up in participating National City banks, ACO Hardware stores, and other retailers, will feature ornaments with the first names of the seniors and their respective gift requests.

Holiday shoppers can pick up an ornament, buy items on the list and return them unwrapped to the store, along with the ornament attached.  Home Instead Senior Care then enlists the volunteer help of its staff, senior-care business associates, non-profit workers and others to collect, wrap and distribute the gifts to these seniors.  A citywide gift-wrapping day, when hundreds of the presents will be wrapped, will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at the Troy Community Center.

Martha, 82, is one area senior who will benefit this year from Be a Santa to a Senior.  She lives below the poverty level, has no family in the area, and would normally receive no gifts or visitors at Christmas.  This year she’s asking for a new towel set, a modest but much-needed request, and sugar-free candy due to her being a diabetic.

“Be a Santa to a Senior is a way to show our gratitude to those older adults who have contributed so much to our community,” Bert Copple, the franchise’s general manager said.  “We hope to reach out to many with this gesture of holiday cheer and goodwill.”

If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering to help on the regional gift-wrapping day, contact Mary Sue Sarzynski at 248-203-2273.  Businesses are encouraged to contact the local Home Instead Senior Care office about adopting groups of seniors.  For tree locations in your area, or for more information about the program, log on to www.beasantatoasenior.com.

* * *

Editor’s Note:  For more information about Be a Santa to a Senior, or to arrange photos of the gift-wrapping day, contact Bert Copple at 248-203-2273.

Those Damn Little People – BYD & Friends 1989

Bill and Kat did this bit on the nobility of starving to death and filicide. Yes, upbeat, fun stuff! At least in their deft comedy hands.

But I digress, Here’s what fellow thespian and troubadour, Mark Haskins noted as his favorites when reviewing this fine video after 20 years…

“1) Bill covering the ears of the statue when he thinks there’s blasphemy about.

2) Bill’s delivery of the line “It’s all I’ve got, you know.” I don’t know why it always makes me laugh, but it does.

3) Kathy McKitty. She’s a friggin’ genius, and I wish we’d started working with her at some point before we were about to graduate.

I also love the bumper at the end of the sketch. What are Ernie and Bert saying to Bill in the hallways of Newhouse II? We are denied an answer, but I bet it was filthy…”

It was, Mark. It certainly was.

Enjoy.