Year In Business Was Full Of Promise

Abduction Attempt Reported

Saturday, December 27, 1997 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





No holiday break, rather a break from the holidays &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In the aftermath of Christmas, in the middle of Hanukkah, at the outset of &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Kwanzaa- and with New Year's yet to come- we're feeling like a holiday
sandwichWhich isn't to knock any of the sacred celebrations; we have supped
them all, they are good and we are stuffed. And there's more to come. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Which is why we continue to have such a hearty laugh at Festivus. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 You needn't be a fan of the TV sitcom "Seinfeld" to laugh at the Dec. 18
episode, "The Strike," although it helps to know the Festivus fundamentals. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The program introduced the non-commercial, non-religious holiday. Festivus
was invented by belligerent Frank Costanza, portrayed by Jerry Stiller in the
show, to the annual mortification of his grown son George, played by Jason
Alexander. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The anti-everything-else holiday features a ceremonial aluminum pole, left
undecorated in the living room to emphasize the simplicity of the season. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Friends and family gather at the pole to express how disappointed they are
in each other. "The tradition of Festivus begins with the airing of
grievances," shouts Frank Costanza at the guests round his table. "I gotta a
lot of problems with you people." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Then there're the feats-of-strength; Festivus ends only when someone pins
another in a no-holds-barred wrestling match. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 While it is all a lot of silly sitcom stuff, there's a glimmer of reality
in there for people who have just spent a couple of days with loved ones they
haven't seen in a while. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We can laugh at dysfunctional families, since most of us think we belong to
one. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We can laugh at aberrant holiday traditions unique to our homes, since most
of us think our family has them. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We can laugh at any little reminder of how crazy this rush of holidays can
become and how crazy it might be to try to escape for something else. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Perhaps you've seen that stunned glaze in the eyes of shoppers at the
return lines or fellow drivers negotiating holiday traffic. If you're feeling
a wee bit overwhelmed, gather round the Festivus pole. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And let the feats of strength begin. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

No Holiday Break, Rather A Break From The Holidays 
In The Aftermath Of Christmas, In The Middle Of Hanukkah, At The Outset Of 
Kwanzaa- And With New Year's Yet To Come- We're Feeling Like A Holiday 
Sandwich.

No Holiday Break, Rather A Break From The Holidays In The Aftermath Of Christmas, In The Middle Of Hanukkah, At The Outset Of Kwanzaa- And With New Year's Yet To Come- We're Feeling Like A Holiday Sandwich.