cktimes.ca Archives for Notes from a Garage


Notes from a Garage

With John Gardiner

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Tuesday, December 24, 2002

So, I'm walking out of a major department store (not named but Canadian) the other day, and I encounter a sign that reads, "Pre-Boxing Day Sale". Now, folks, a "pre-boxing day" sale? The marketing gurus are scrambling to out do each other these days. It has now reached the point where everything is constantly on sale – and I mean on sale. If you're a retailer these days and you offer a 15% discount, people won't even give you the time of day. I mean, you've got to go about 40-50% before the consuming public starts to drop in for a look-see. If you buy something at full price, there must be something strangely wrong with you. It's like the other day I hear a radio ad for an "extreme" shopping experience at a Detroit mall. Now I ask you, how do you have an "extreme" shopping experience? The first thing that comes to my mind is shopping naked in -40 temperatures – now that would be extreme, eh? The whole marketing thing gets weirder and weirder as the days go by. There's always been concern over the commercialization of the Christmas season (see the original Miracle on 34th Street if you don't believe me), but it's got to have reached epidemic proportions these days. Everything, everywhere is on sale. In the same vein, imagine being a new products person for some company somewhere – how could you possibly think up something that someone somwhere hasn't already thought up? It ain't possible, folks. We have invented everything under the sun – and then some. Is the world getting stranger, or am I just getting older.

Speaking of getting older, I'm about to hit yet another big milestone in my life this week, starting the week in mid-life and ending it in old age. I'm hitting the big 5-0 on Friday and it's somewhere I thought I'd never get. Back in the '60's, we used to talk about getting older, and it just wasn't a possibility. We didn't get older back in those days. And you know what? I'm still living with that philosophy. I hit a certain age, say 22, and I've been stuck there for the last 28 years. I think in those terms and really have no desire to think in any other. I know my body is getting creaky and old and a little run down, but I'm still thinking about the same I did some years ago. I have generally enjoyed my journey through life and hope to continue on for a while – but you never know – that's one thing coming this far has taught me. That's why I don't take the people in my life for granted – tell them often how you feel about them – tomorrow may never come.

I have had my ups and downs during Christmas over the years, but they have mostly been ups. Still, I remember back to a dozen years ago when I was going through a disheartening divorce and things were not going well. I remember being stuck in Wallaceburg for work, far from my family and friends, my own kids gone to their mother's for the big day, leaving me totally alone to celebrate Christmas. It was, perhaps, one of the lowest points in my life. But it was just the beginning of things now that I look back on it. From that day forward, things have been better for me and I have celebrated some truly wonderful Christmases with new family and friends. Still, those bitter days spent in loneliness taught me the true meaning of Christmas – value what you have people, because it can be snatched from you in an instant. Know what love and having the opportunity to give means, because they are rare privileges not granted to all. I wish I could reach out and surround all of you with the love of the season – that's my Christmas wish for you.

Thanks so much for supporting cktimes over the last number of months. It has been a real labour of love for me and the new year promises much. I've made a lot of decisions regarding the paper and some have been good ones, while others haven't been so great. Still, it has been the support of the people of Chatham-Kent that has kept me soldiering on. Thanks so much for that. I have hope for the future.

Should say that I was remiss and didn't mention that one of cktimes columnists was singled out for a major award last week. Phil Shaw, who has been my friend for many years, earned the Meritorious Service Award from the Kent Federation of Agriculture for his ongoing support of local agriculture. Phil, who writes "At Issue" for cktimes, has indeed done valuable service for agriculture, both locally and beyond. His forthright commentary and unjaded viewpoint on agricultural issues that affect farmers across Canada is greatly appreciated and very refreshing in today's media savvy world. Way to go, Phil. So glad to have you aboard.

Almost out of room for another week. Hope you're enjoying cktimes and are telling your friends about the paper. I need your support to make this work. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! And remember...."Hew to the line; let the chips fall where they may."



John Gardiner is a 25-year-veteran of the community newspaper business, but he is also a prolific writer of moralistic short fiction he refers to as "emotional thoughtscapes" or "adult fables". Samples of his fiction can be found at:

He has also produced a noteworthy piece of humanist philosophy which can be found at: http://www.xs4all.nl/~aboiten/ad502.htm He welcomes comments on his work.