Saturday, December 25, 2004

christmas day...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL !


I will see quite a few of you on Christmas, but for those of you that I don't see I would like to take the time to wish you a Merry Christmas.

I hope that my readers all have a nice Christmas and their time with their friends and family. Enjoy opening your presents and giving them to show how much people mean to you.

Christmas only comes once a year and than its over in a flash. So enjoy it today, and I hope everyone is safe and has enjoyable day.

If you want use this entry to post about what you got, or what you did that would be cool.

Just don't forget to take a minute or two today to actually reflect on the true meaning of Christmas at some point today. It's easy to lose sight of why the holiday actually exists in the first place with all the rushing around and all.

Again Merry Christmas and thanks for reading.

"The Gift"

The following is a short story I wrote awhile back. Here is it again, since it has become an annual Tucker's World tradition to post this on Christmas.


Some time around the first week of the year. I took a second look at one of our traditional Christmas decorations; it was a complete and total eyesore. It was a gift some old lady gave my mother 10 years ago for Christmas and I guess she felt obligated to put it on the tree each year. It was a gaudy looking knitted cat. It was one the most hideous things I have ever laid eyes on. They say its thought that counts well it’s the thought that angers me when I see it every year.

That same Christmas like every year an epidemic spread through the grade school. This year it was in the form of Sega, the newest video game system. Over greasy square pizza, pale yellow peas, and flavorless mashed potatoes shaped like an ice cream scoop, I would hear all the kids discuss the latest video games. I would try my best to stay absent from the conversation. I wouldn’t know what to say when they would ask me if I had gotten past the castle board yet.


One day went I went home I sat my father down and tried to tell him how I would benefit from having a Sega game system of my very own. I told him it would give me better hand eye coordination and against the popular notion it made kids zombies, I told him it acutally made them think and make quick decisions. He went on and on about how when he was a kid he would just use his imagination to have fun, and how kids today are spoiled. I think that conversation is had all over America in every family at one point and time. I used to think that my parents and all the other parents would go to secret meetings at night or when all their kids were in school and discuss stuff like this. I pictured a man with a gavel leading the meeting and hammering home the idea of telling children why they are spoiled and to shove vegetables down their throats. One time I actually searched my mother’s purse for a pamphlet when they got home late the night before.

That Christmas I was hoping for a miracle. I rushed down the steps that morning and studied each mystery. I did the shake test, the weight test and the hold them up to the sunlight test. As I tore, open each one my chances of getting the coveted Sega was getting slimmer and slimmer. All kinds of flashes were going off from my mother’s camera capturing images of me, and my reactions to each present.


Later that day my family and I went to my aunt and uncle’s for dinner. I was in a miserable mood the whole time. The only bright spot was that my cousin Robby who was about my age was there. And guess what he got for Christmas? Of course the very same Sega system. He told me he got it weeks before Christmas even came. Robby and I were always highly competitive. So while the sweet smell of the pending ham dinner dissipated through the air we settled down in front of the television. With all those weeks of practice, he had on me he humiliated me. I think he set a record for goals scored in a hockey game, shot my plane down about a dozen times, and beat me all over the wrestling ring. I went home feeling worse than I did when I realized I wasn’t getting the Sega.


On the ride home my father tried to reach out to me. But I just pushed him away. The image of my wrestler I was controlling laying on the floor after about 30 seconds was burning in my mind. I sat in fit of rage in the back seat as my parents were in the front. My father turned the radio down. He told me that maybe one day I would get one. But I didn’t hear it. I wanted to tell him how Robby’s parents weren’t any richer than we, that I was the only kid that didn’t have a Sega. But all that came out at the top of my tiny lungs was I HATE YOU! And instead of saying anything after that. I just repeated I HATE YOU! Because he was driving of course he had his back to me. But we passed a street light that light up the rear view window and I glimpse of his face. Suddenly I didn’t want to yell anymore. I did not apologize either, in fact no one said anything. The car just hummed along the rest of the ride.

About two months later I got a Sega for my birthday. It funny the minute I unwrapped the gift and realized what it was, I almost had to fake excitement. Sure I spend many a night in the glow of my television going to far off lands and winning championships, but I could never take those words back. At least in a video game you are blessed with more than one life. At the time I meant the words that came out of my mouth. I hated my father as much as I hate that stupid knit cat now. One time after coming home from a fishing trip with my father after many years of those words keeping me up at night, it figured it was time to apologize. However my mouth froze, I never did. I like to think that my father knew what I was thinking. Like I said they say it’s the thought that counts.

I put the rest of the ornaments in a box, and I carried them basement. I placed them in a closet we hardly used. It was full of dust and mildew. I rested the box right on top of the Sega.

Thursday, December 23, 2004

"Christmas Wishlist"

Here it the annual Tucker's World Wishlist for you last minute shoppers.

John Kerry: A Time Machine, so he can go back and win the election.

Gary Bettman: A Clue

The NHLPA headquarters: A flamming pile of dog crap.

T.O.: A new ankle.

Jay: A bag of lima beans, ever since he was a kid he has just loved those things. Just a bag filled with them just like the one he carried around when he was little.

Echelon Mall: A fresh start

Mosco: A stocking full of White Castle burgers

Drew: A Gun

Donald Rumsfeld: Free Public Relations classes.So,next time a soilder askes for better equipment his answer is better than simply telling him that he is likely to die in a firey ball of death in his tank when explodes anyway, so he shouldn't be too worried.

Donald Brasher: He was kicked out of a beer hockey league earlier this week for punching someone who was already laying on the ice. So, perhaps anger mangement classes could help.

Ben Stiller: A new agent that will tell him to turn down something once in awhile. I love Ben Stiller, but 8 movies this year was a bit much.

Fat Albert: Our 8 bucks for his new movie for Christmas Movie Christmas.













Wednesday, December 22, 2004

"Best Christmas Movie Moments"

Does anyone have any?

1. There are so many from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation,but if I had to pick one I would go with the scene where the tree is set on fire. The fact that we don't actually see it is what makes it funny. There is a shot of the family sitting there, then the sound affect and you see what appears to be flames of some sort lighting up the room in the background.

2. The movie A Christmas Story a timeless of a film that has aged very well is almost a flawless comedy is also packed full of goodies. I would have to say I always enjoyed the shot of the parents watching the snow behind the tree at the end of the film. However,as far a moments the entire Santa scene is just classic. The film had such heart with just a pinch of dark humor mixed in. The fact that mall Santa is a jerk, to Ralphie and puts his boot on his face is just priceless. Not to mention the creepy kid; "I like the Tinman!"

3. In It's a Wonderful Life, the scene in which George Bailey goes to see Mary when she returns from college. The chemistry between them is so good. Not to mention the scene at the bar when he has a break down.

There are a ton more, from these three movies alone. Let's even include short cartoon specials like the Grinch, Frosty, Garfield, Rudolph etc. Im short on time,but why not get the ball rolling here.

Sunday, December 19, 2004

"Tucker and Barber"

So, yours truely was chowing down at the Don Pablos in Deptford (yes the ban has been lifted) with my wonderful girlfriend.

Behind me the whole time (or at least most of the time) was NHL hall of famer Bill Barber with I assume his grandson. I didn't notice him untill the kid walked past our booth, and Barber was trying to help him get his coat on. I guess it was his daughter he was with.

Now I wouldn't say that I am star struck or whatever, but the few times I meet someone famous I rarely say anything. Mainly,because I don't know what to say. He was standing like right next to me.

I guess I should of asked him how it felt to be FIRST to be first. Maybe I could have asked if Clarkie sent him a Christmas card yet. I certainly could have asked him what he thought about the lock out. Since most former players like him would give anything to lace them up one more time for an NHL game I doubt he would really feel bad for the millionaire players of todays age.

I was at the Tropicania this weekend and supposedly Snoop Dog was there wondering around some place. Anyone, who hasn't been to this casino in awhile should really go. They totally overhauled the entire place they have some cool shops and places to eat. Of course it helps if you win money if you want to actually eat or drink at this place.

Ah...have a good Monday one and all. Hmm..anyone else ever meet anyone cool? Or sit next to anyone cool?

"What's on First?"

What will come first?


The Wal-mart next to the Echelon Mall will open.


An NHL game will be played again.

Ryan will actually call me.


A new Sopranos will air.


A democrat will be in the White House.

I will see Drew again