The countdown...
It has always struck me as funny to see those countdown signs at stores like Walmart prior to Christmas -- you know, "23 shopping days til Christmas." As if we aren't very much aware of the countdown. I imagine that those signs either overwhelm the folks who have just realized how much they have to do in the remaining 23 days, or they make people feel joyful because they got it "all" done before the countdown had ended. So, they don't really seem useful. I'll tell you which countdown IS useful, however: The one I have every January and February, reminding everyone to get their shopping done early because there are only x number of days (or weeks) remaining until MY birthday. I mean, what else is January good for, if it isn't to look forward to a birthday? I've been thinking a lot about growing old lately. Not because I am discouraged or depressed by it, but because I am AMAZED by the passage of time. I still think I am a 21 year old college stude...