http://www.102clearfm.com

The countdown is on, and thanks to the gang at NORAD, you can follow Santa’s progress as he makes his way around the world. Can you believe he manages to bring toys to over 5 million children just in Canada alone?

I found it interesting that the hard working people at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada have figured out how he does it. You see, he’s got to get around the globe every 90 minutes at a speed of 28 thousand km/hour – and that’s easier said than done, unless you’re Santa. They’ve come to realize that Santa experiences time differently than the rest of us.

Don’t forget to leave him a treat

Speaking of time, I can’t believe we’re almost at the end of another year. Don’t forget to tune in to the Year End Countdown on New Year’s Eve. Billie Jo and I will give you the biggest songs of 2008. Talk to you again January 5th!

Happy Holidays!

bonus code: cuba

I was getting some shopping done last night at St. Vital and felt so bad for Santa and his little elves. As I approached the Santa display, all I could hear were the screams of terror from kids who wanted to be anywhere but on the jolly old fellow’s lap. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly felt for the poor children who had to endure that moment of terror – but at least for them it was over in just that – a moment. Santa’s been hearing that all day! I’m sure there are the children who are so cute, and so adorable that they make it all worth while. Makes you wonder though, does Santa have earplugs handy, just in case?

Here’s a website full of pictures of children that just do not want to be anywhere near Santa. I’m sure we’ve all got a picture like this somewhere? I didn’t mind being on Santa’s lap, but I do look like I’m about to cause some trouble, don’t you think?

This is the hottest video making it’s rounds on the ‘net this week. George W. Bush dodged a couple of shoes (that’s right, shoes!) while in Baghdad this weekend. A reporter hurled his shoes at the President as a reminder of his unpopularity. Who knew dubbaya was this fast?

bonus code: duck

Anyone look forward to their holiday office party? There are some people (and I’m not going to name anyone here) who don’t like going. But, if you must, here’s how you can survive your corporate holiday get-together.

• Talk about your silver linings! It doesn’t matter whether you’re treated to a five-course dinner at a spiffy restaurant or Cheez Whiz on Ritz crackers “what happens at the office holiday party can affect your professional life well into the next year. To keep yourself out of the minefield that’s packaged as holiday merriment, remember: The important word in the phrase “office holiday party” is office. In other words, it’s still work, just in dressier clothes and with liquor.
• Do I Have To Go? It’s work, remember? And if you work in a place where you’re One of the Few (that’s anything that represents the non-majority in your office), your absence will be duly noted. So mark your calendar and plan to be there. It’s what, maybe four hours out of your life? So go, already; you’ll probably enjoy it more than you think you will.
• What Do I Wear? Dress festively, but not the same way you would for a night out on the town with your friends. If you’ve worked hard at the gym all year and want to show off your new form, do it in a dress that’s pretty but not provocative. (I suggest men go for a suit instead of a dress)
• Who Do I Bring? If you’re allowed to bring a guest, bring someone who will enjoy meeting your colleagues and who will be discreet enough to remember the gossip you’ve shared while connecting the dots mentally, rather than out loud.
• Can I Drink? Sure”as long as you drink very modestly and make your drink last a very long time. Some people self-impose a two-drink maximum. We all know that interesting, sometimes disastrous, things happen when office politics mixes with liberal quantities of alcohol. Far better to drink less and be one of the people who remembers the fool who re-created the Madonna-Britney smooch on the dance floor with the boss’s wife, instead of being one of the smoochers in question.
• What If Someone Says or Does Something That’s Totally Out? Repeat: Alcohol and office politics are a dangerous mixture.
• Do I Have To Stay Till The End? Usually, no. If you arrive at the end of drinks, stay for dinner and quietly slip away soon after, you’ve done your duty. (If people beg you to stay, you can always murmur something about needing to relieve the babysitter if you have children, or breakfast with out-of-town friends the next day.) Whenever you’re back in the office, remember to thank whoever was responsible for the evening

I just want to say a special thanks to Pat, Billie Jo, Karen and Brenda who are in the process of putting our party together for Friday night – you always give us a party to remember and it means a lot to us here.

I like what Destination Winnipeg’s doing…..they’re getting the word out that Winnipeg is cool….not cold. It’s a really neat campaign they’ve got going on – for the most part on youtube….they’re trying to get more young people to town….they’ve got a 4 minute montage of all the tv shows that have poked fun of us over the years, from The Simpsons, to Desperate Housewives, – most recently The Office (remember all the Old Dutch bags hanging in the bar?)

Like they say what other city in the world can say they had a visit from Steve Carrel on The Office the same week Bob Dylan dropped by Neil Young’s old house for a visit?
Great website that makes me proud to be a ‘Pegger.

Tonight’s a BIG night on TV as Barbara Walters gives us her Top 10 Most Fascinating People. They’ve already told us to expect to see and hear from Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Sarah Palin (and her doppelganger Tina Fey) but who’s #1 on the list? My money is on Barack Obama. I wonder what he thinks of everything going on this week on Parliament Hill?

On another topic, Christmas is fast approaching. I actually started a list last night – then realized that I’m way better at just going to the store and seeing things in person. I do think, however, that this costs me a lot more money in the long run.

I’d also love to hear thoughts on tipping over the holidays. Hair stylists are a given -  or are they? Where do you draw the line? Postal workers? The hard working crew who pick up the garbage? Then there’s the gift. We’ll bring up the topic on the show tomorrow so I’d love some ideas going in - what to buy and how much to spend.

bonus code: bigtipper

I just saw this TV commercial and just HAD to share it with you. Kids are cool, and Christmas is for kids (and sometimes for Grandma’s and Grandpa’s too)

bonus code: merrygaga

How about this Clear Kid Alec Greven. He’s is only 9, and for a 3rd grade assignment last year he wrote a book called “How to Talk to Girls.” (I know a lot of grown men who could use his help.) Ellen Degeneres then sent him to meet with HarperCollins and his book has been published!

You can read the book online here

He says he plans on writing a few new books including “How to talk to Mom,” “How to Talk to Dad” and even “How to Talk to Santa!”

He also says he doesn’t have a girlfriend because he hasn’t met the right one yet. Too cute!

Want a laugh? Check out this little video – too funny! Afterwards, you can even make your own in time for the holidays

Bonus Code: elf