Skip to main content

A 5G Christmas

In this episode - A 5G Christmas . . .


Eureka! Did you know, that YouTube still archives the Norelco Santa commercials for all to enjoy during the Christmas season! What? Who cares?

Face it; there's comfort in cherished memories that make the holidays special. Was it that long ago? I remember when you could turn on the TV and catch Santa cruising down the snow-covered slopes riding his triple-head Norelco electric shaver.

Ha, ha, before your time? No problem, just say, "Hey Siri, show me Norelco Santa commercials on YouTube.

How can you help but notice, that this year, the commercials are all about 5G! "Black Friday is better with our 5G phones." Thanksgiving is now a memory, and Yes, "Christmas - is - just around the corner."

During my kid days - just around the corner - meant Main Street, and our local stores on the square – Ben Franklins, Marshall's, Coxs Corner, and of course, there was Santa Land. Walmart, no such animal.

We would step into Christmas by first mailing our letters to Santa at the local Post Office (keep in mind "uptown" was only a few blocks). Starting at $9.95, you can order a letter from Santa at Santa Claus House, North Pole, Alaska.

The days of visiting the local post office, holiday shopping on the "square," and ogle through holiday window displays are over. The toys we wanted Santa to bring are gone. Well, not completely you can still find them on e-Bay.

Beware, the toys have morphed, instead of a Daisy BB gun, Hot-Wheels track, Easy-Bake Oven, or a G.I. Joe, now it's the latest tech, a streaming subscription, underwear, airline tickets, socks, and home appliances.

And what about Christmas decorations? Thankfully, there are no more timers to mess with; just plug your Holiday lights into an automated plug controlled by your smart device.

"Shopping Online" that's such an outdated practice; 5G cellular has replaced Wi-Fi, "Who has time for the internet." Check your e-mail inbox; I'll bet it's flooded with holiday promotion ads. "Extended Black Friday: Can't-Miss Deals – Shop Now!" For deep discounts, click here.

And a tree? Order your fresh Christmas Tree from your phone and have it delivered, set up, and decorated right in your home. Don't believe me; search for TaskRabbit.

Come to think of it, how would Charles Schulz have written A Charlie Brown Christmas in 2021?

"I suggest we try your iPhone, Charlie Brown," "Hey Siri, where can we get a fresh Christmas tree?" GRABHUB!

Ok, ok, reality check, A Charlie Brown Christmas first aired - in December 1965. I'll admit, it's still one of my favorite holiday programs. With 5G, you can stream it on your tablet or phone from anywhere. Yes, things have changed a lot over the years, but not the commercialism that Schultz depicted.

Now the statement, "Christmas is just around the corner," is followed by "Get it in gear, Turkey, finish your Christmas shopping!"

So, as you step into Christmas, do yourself a favor; please take two minutes this holiday season to listen to Linus as he recites from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2 verses 8 through 14 from the Authorized King James Version:

"Lights, please. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace goodwill towards men."

. . . "That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Most Popular of All Time

Everything I Need to Know About Christmas

In this episode, Everything I Need to Know About Christmas–I Learned From a Little Golden Book. We are thrilled to present this year's (2024) annual Christmas episode for kids! The story has it: back in 2020, when we first launched On the Fly , one of Santa's helpers whispered a fantastic idea into our ear on Thanksgiving Day. “Wouldn’t it be fun to share children's books by sending an audio file to your nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends so they can enjoy the story with their little ones?” So we did, and here’s the list of books and stories organized chronologically. Feel free to click the links and listen again, or maybe for the first time. Twas the Night Before Christmas Christmas Eve-Day How the Grinch Stole Christmas Frosty the Snowman The Story of Rudolph The 1939–Original Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Tracking Santa Santa’s Toy Shop My listening friends, choosing the right story has always been challenging, but the journey has been rewarding. It's our wish t...
1 comment
Read more

Gobble, Gobble, Let’s All Trot

Oh, a Turkey Trot, a funny sight, A morning stroll, a pure delight. Six forty-five is the time to start, So let’s all run (walk) with all our hearts. While others Turkey hunt today a foolish plight, We’ll run and jog with pure delight. No need for guns, no need for gear, Just happy feet and holiday cheer. New York City is a bustling place, A different trot, a different pace. With Macy’s Parade, a colorful sight, The city’s bright a morning light. But here in Vista, we’ll run our own, A festive race, a joyful tone. So lace up shoes, and let’s all go, To run and walk, row by row. A Turkey Trot, a thankful sight, A perfect way to welcome daylight. Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a fantastic day filled with joy and togetherness! I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening, see you in the next episode.
Post a Comment
Read more

Unexpected Encounter

In this episode, Unexpected Encounter . . . Life presents peculiar twists that make us ponder the universe’s mysteries. Last week, I found an unexpected book :  Another Lousy Day in Paradise ,  A 1996 fly fishing journal by the inspiring humorist and author John Gierach.  It may seem strange for a random book selection to inspire such reflection but stay with me. I’ve always been a bookworm, often buying more than I can read—ask my wife. This book had been gathering dust on my shelf for over 28 years. As I delved into Gierach’s witty and insightful writing, I was captivated by his unique perspective on life, fly fishing, and the outdoors. In 1992, while living in Manhattan, I stumbled into a shop on 5th Avenue called The Urban Angler . I purchased my first fly rod, an Orvis eight-and-a-half foot, three-ounce, five-weight beauty! I remember thinking Dad would say, “Why the hell would you buy a fishing rod in New York City?” “Because I want to learn to Flyfish.” “In New Yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Scent of Nostalgia

In this episode, A Scent of Nostalgia: Old Spice . . .   Empty! Here’s an odd question: Is there a particular scent that instantly transports you back to childhood? For me, it's the unmistakable aroma of Old Spice Aftershave . It was my dad's go-to, or perhaps the only affordable option at Kroger when Mom did the grocery shopping. T his got me thinking; I wonder when Dad started using Old Spice? I distinctly recall the opaque white glass bottle from the 1960s on his shaving shelf. The front featured a sailing ship illustration;  the   " Old Spice "   branding was in red script below it . The bottle's tapered shape narrowed toward the top, culminating in a small aperture secured with a gray stopper. Did you know that Old Spice has a fascinating history? It all started in 1937 when the Shulton Company, founded by William Lightfoot Schultz, introduced a unique fragrance. Interestingly, this original product was meant for women! Inspired by his mother's deligh...
Post a Comment
Read more