Here's the Scoop by Brian Sweeney

Picking up a few things for christmas
Now that Christmas is in the rearview mirror, it seems like a good time to take a look at “The Most Shoplifted Items of the Holiday Season.”

This isn’t a list I compiled; it’s one that turned up recently in an Internet story. Where else?
I’m pleased to report that I forgot to put “shoplifting” on my list this year, so I didn’t perform this deed. Apparently, many others prefer the “lifting” part of shopping over the traditional type.

Cookies are meant to be eaten
“It’s not bragging, if it’s true.” I’m not sure who originated that idea, but I like it.
I mention this now, because we are in the midst of Christmas Cookie Season and, well, let’s just say that I can eat a lot of these sweet treats.

I’m not referring to those quaint little plates of cookies, the kind that many folks set out for Santa to enjoy. No, I mean the kind of cookie consumption that is definitely not healthy — even though it tastes really, really good.

Farm out idea
I may be rushing things a bit, but I am counting down the time until the “days start getting longer.” It’s eight by the time this paper hits the street.

Nothing against winter; I have chosen to live in the northeast, so I accept the inevitabilities of the season. Still, I like to consider winter as just an annoying bump in the road as we count down to…Spring Training!

Let’s can this idea
I’m sure many of you shared my outrage with the recent introduction of the “Arctic Home” cans – regular Coke in a white-toned can featuring a trio of polar bears — as part of a seasonal theme.
You will be happy to know that the Coca-Cola masterminds have pulled the plug on this campaign, “amid a slew of consumer complaints.” Whew!

Plus, there’s even better news: the company will be launching a new line of coke cans featuring the polar bears on the original red signature packaging! All is right with the world again.

Cleaning up the turkey
Ah, there’s nothing like four days off to recharge one’s batteries. That’s the great thing about Thanksgiving — that one extra day that this particular holiday brings leaves plenty of time for…vacuuming!

Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Thanksgiving. The overindulging. The swearing off eating…only to start again with an entire new meal about three hours after dessert. It’s all good stuff.

The votes are counted
Well, another Election Season is over. Unlike the Presidential campaign that lasts exactly four years and involves seemingly dozens of “front-running candidates” (changing about every eight days) local election action is a bit more low-key.

Because most village, town and county races involve “neighbors running against neighbors,” the campaign season can take on a pretty personal tone.

Clashing on the carpet
It’s difficult to guess how many times I (and many of you, I’m sure) have clicked on your Home Page recently only to be assaulted with the stunningly dreadful news that two actresses have shown up at an event wearing the same dress.

Making matters worse, the folks who report this information feel obligated to go into details about “who wore it better.” Ouch.

Guess who’s coming to your birthday?
When folks reach “milestone” birthdays, it’s customary to throw them a party. Often, the parties are the “surprise” version. At least, they are supposed to be surprises.

Ironically, the older someone gets, the harder it becomes to pull off a super duper secret birthday bash. This is especially true when surprise parties have become common. In fact, many people would probably be surprised (and likely disappointed) if they didn’t have a party thrown on their behalf.

What’s the hurry? Apparently, nothing
Slow down. Enjoy life. These seem like words of wisdom — unless taken to extreme.

I’m sure that “Sunday drivers” have existed as long as vehicles have been driven. Before that, these “people of leisure” probably spent lots of time clogging walking paths.

In many ways, I admire folks who have the ability to enjoy life at their own pace. On the other hand, these people can be more than a little annoying to those of us who have places to go, people to see and things to do — on a tight schedule.

Let’s debate that point
I attended my first political debate last night. It was quite an interesting show.

For probably the first time in history, the Town of Middletown has four candidates running for supervisor. This fact in itself is quite odd because it’s a position that, when someone tells others that they are running, the typical response is: “Why in the world would you want that job?”
A very good question, indeed.

The thing that makes local political races so interesting is that the participants are usually well-known.