One holiday tradition he can live without...

One holiday tradition he can live without

T’was the season and yes, again, the infamous “White Elephant

Game” was played. What probably started out as a fun way to

redistribute unwanted gifts has evolved -- in some cases -- to a

similar format, in which to do the real gift exchange with relatives.

People agree: “Let’s keep the values for each gift at $25 or maybe

$50.” That is serious stuff.

And the game begins.

Then comes the rules: Let’s see, should we draw numbers to see

what order everyone will go in or should we go oldest to youngest or

youngest to oldest? And as soon as the unwrapping starts, start the

questions about the rules.

Once the first package is opened for everyone to see, it’s the

second person’s turn. Will they steal the first person gift or pick a

new one from the pile? They steal: now what?

The rules say the first person, who just got their gift stolen,

gets to pick a new present. In some circles that person can steal

back their original gift. Well, they can be stolen once. Or is it

twice? Can’t they?

The game (aren’t games supposed to be fun?) continues as more

packages are unwrapped and murmurs are heard. “I saw that gift on

sale for $14.95,” someone says. “Weren’t we supposed to spend $25.”

And of course, “Why would anyone buy a gift like that?” Or the

ever-popular, “Who would want that anyway?”

And then, when it appears to be the end of the game, the hosts

says, “Let’s all do one more round we have at least another hour

before dinner.”

Now what to do? And on, and on it goes. Of course we all talk

about banning the game next year but for whatever the reason -- short

memories, gluttons for punishment -- the game is played again. Not if

I can help it!

May your New Year be filled with much good health and happiness!

Something that will help the happiness part is to, you know, ban this

crazy game for ever.

BILL SNEEN

Costa Mesa

Cameras should stop reckless drivers

Are red-light cameras really worth it? In my opinion, absolutely.

Red-light running is not the exception but the norm in Newport-Mesa.

This anti-social, potentially lethal lawlessness is seemingly

accepted casually by other drivers.

I am the only one to react -- my beloved mother-in-law having been

killed by a red-light runner who got off with a fine -- and I usually

receive a curse and the “one-finger salute” in response.

I only hope that the cameras have a sobering effect on scofflaws,

bring in lots of money and, perhaps, prevent many accidents and the

loss of lives.

WALLACE WOOD

Costa Mesa