for all those anonymous people out there

If you frequently leave comments anonymously and wander why so many of us get angered maybe you should read this excerpt defining a name:

"So what is a name? It is a proper kind of language thing—one of distinction and discrimination. It is chosen, conferred and announced. It always belongs somewhere to something. It prefers to register in encyclopedias and directories rather than merely dally in dictionaries. It can travel the world and be understood, like Lexus or Toyota or Airbus. It ignores the rules of grammar to become a Bronte adjective, or it can Houdini itself to be a verb. Names have meanings instead of definitions. They are worn as badges and emblems, touted on banners and signs. They belong to birth and breed, title and tradition.

All the other symbols, signs and sounds in our language are just common words, often chained together, serving a sentence. They are slaves to grammar, clothed by connotation and context, artless when alone, dispensable when not.

In that garment called language, common words are only threads woven together in patterns and pieces. But names, they are the brocade that give it class."

http://www.jimwegryn.com/Names/Whatisaname.htm

I really don't understand how anyone can expect us to take anything a person that comments anonymously seriously. You don't even have enough self-dignity and class to leave a name for yourself.

Imagine if you were to receive a letter in the mail. This letter was personal, or confrontational, or was criticizing something you feel compassionate about. But at the bottom of this letter the signature is left as 'Sincerely, Anonymous'.

How would you feel? Angry? Confused? Calused? Indifferent?
I frankly would throw the letter away, because obviously the author didn't respect their own opinion enough to leave their name. And how could I take that seriously?

it's the thought that counts...

Have you ever received a bad gift then heard the expression; "It's the thought that counts!"?

I have, and I wasn't to happy to hear it at the time. Let me explain and hopefully, we can all walk away from my experience with a better understanding of what it means to put thought into a gift.

My mother has 8 syblings. And each of her syblings has at least 2 children (sometimes more) and many of these children have children. This means that the total sum of presents exchanged each Christmas is to say the least, Massive.

To relieve this problem, we draw names. All adults draw adult names and then they draw a child's name for their children.

My question is, "How was one of two of my Aunts boyfriends allowed into list?" and "Why, Why, Why did he get my name?"

I had a pretty good Christmas morning and after the family dinner of the normal 12 lbs of mashed-tators and turkey we began to open the gifts.

Of course, I really didn't care what I got because it is not the gifts it is the occasion.

But let me tell you what I pulled out of the box after tearing the wrapping off.

(I can't even believe they make these things.)

Drum roll please...

An 8 inch squared, lighted, rotary, Last-supper clock.
Yes, that's right a Last-supper clock that lights up from behind.

total estimated cost: $8

Here's the closest thing I could find on google:


I look up and as always my mother, with all the good intentions of the world asked me what I got. I think that she could see the fumes forming in the fiber of my normal holiday glee. I held it up and showed her. Her face forms a gross look as she tells me, "Well, it is the thought that counts."

Alright, blog readers, here's what I ask of you. Read the description above of my fabulous gift, look at the picture and ask yourself this, "Was there much thought put into this?"

This man barely knows me. All he does know about me is that I go to Bible College and want to be a pastor. Is that all it takes to be counted into the category of those who would hang that on their wall?

Thinking to yourself, "Jeremy goes to Bible College, he's religious, he would love this." Does not count as putting thought into a gift.

What is also funny is that 5 seconds before I open it he says to me, "Now, if you don't like it, your grandmother said she would love to have it. And I would not be offended if you did."

My question to this is; "Why give a gift to someone when you know there is a possibly the receipient would not like it?"

So the lesson from Jeremy Perrine's Christmas '04 Experience is this:
If you want to put thought into buying a gift, actually put thought into it. Takes 5 minutes to call a parent or friend to inquire about your purchase. Don't assume you have the perfect gift. Because you know what happens when you assume?

I hope that you find this story as humurous and educating to read as I did to experience.

Are there any similar Holiday gift surprises that would be worth hearing?