It's that time of year again. Time for the rat race around the malls and stores, frenzied cleaning around the house, and late night baking and cooking for the Big Event on the 25th. Then suddenly it's over. The gifts are unwrapped--savagely so by the younger celebrants--the food eaten, and then the guests depart. Another Christmas has passed.

It's very much like Thanksgiving, when we put countless hours into preparing for an event that sadly lasts but a few hours. All the expectation, the excitement, the thrill gone in what afterward feels like a flash. Then the aftershock sets in, and we realize that it'll be another year before we can experience that again. We are drained; physically, of course, but also emotionally.

Those who put the maximum effort into preparation often feel as if they experienced the least. Which is true, because they had the least amount of time to savor the build up to the big day.

On the one hand it would be nice to spread the holiday over several days. That's not practical for many reasons. So perhaps there are ways to savor the season now so that holiDAY (in this case, Christmas), is more enjoyable.

Take time each day to appreciate and savor the moment. Slow down, take a deep breath, and look around. Ask yourself: What is there to appreciate, and why? How can I better utilize the days and hours leading up to the holiday?

A week from now another Christmas will have come and gone. Some folks will head back to work. Others will have the day off, and will use the time to sleep in a little later. Still others will hit the stores to return well-intentioned gifts that just don't quite fit in (all the while scoping the after-Christmas sales for something that does).

All us will wonder: Did we enjoy the holiday? Was it truly fun and rewarding? A few moments of reflection now may make all the difference later.

Another brouhaha is brewing in the Dairyland state. This one involves a silly cap on the number of liquor licenses a community may issue. Surprisingly, the Tavern League is on the side of the bad guys.

Way back before many of you were born (OK, in 1939), the state passed a law stating that communities may issue only one Class B license for every 500 citizens. (Class B licenses are issued to bars, restaurants, and clubs.) May have seemed like a good item at the time--or at least there wasn't sufficient opposition to override the idea--but today is another matter.

Communities are experiencing a dampening in the hospitality business because new proprietors can't get a license. You'd think it would be a slam-drink (er, dunk) to get the law changed. Ah, but you don't know politics. As expected, the anti-alcohol MADD has come out in favor of keeping law as is. But the Wisconsin Tavern League? What gives? Let a mouthpiece offer his take (as quoted in the Dec. 12 edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel):

"Our members have lifelong investments in their businesses,” he whined, “and they want us to protect them." Ah, yes, the old "now that I have arrived you can raise the drawbridge" argument. Same position cabbies take in their attempt to keep cities from adding licenses.

A free market is naturally competitive. Those who compete will survive. Those who don't won't. That's true for every business and every businessperson in the country. But that's not good enough for the Tavern League. Instead, it'll use its muscle to stymie efforts to change the law. So much for believing in capitalism. As one politician has stated, the League "...said they would fight even a minor change in the law...."

If the Tavern League were to get its head out of the sand (or someplace else), it would see the fallacy in this position. Setting aside the benefits in increased employment, tax revenue, and sales to vendors (many of whom are from the area), these new proprietors represent potential new members of the League. Assuming, of course, it hasn't ticked off too many budding businesspeople as they wait to open their restaurants or bars while the state grapples with this issue.

We can assume that some bars would suffer when competitors arrive in the area. That's true for all sectors of the economy. Compete or fold. That's the cold hard fact of life in a free economy. Every business owner would love to have government step in and limit competition. But that's not the American way.

The Wisconsin legislature should eliminate this archaic law, and open up the landscape for new business opportunities. More business means more employment and all the related benefits. And more opportunities for us simple folks to imbibe. I'll drink to that.

Perhaps it's just a coincidence, but along with writing I really enjoy reading. The stack of magazines at home attests to that interest (though most subs were provided free). Titles run the gamut of subject matter: US News & World Report, Reason, Reader's Digest, American Rifleman, Inc., Entrepreneur, Fast Company, QST, Travel & Leisure, and The Week. Problem is, there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day for leisurely reading. So the pile of mags continues to grow.

And around me here at the library are thousands of books, reminding me that I used to check out a book from time to time. A good murder or spy mystery--Robert Ludlam is an old favorite--made for a good "night cap" each evening.

I manage to catch the local paper each day. That's a requirement, despite my trips to news-oriented websites throughout the day. In fact, it's almost become a habit. Feels weird if I miss an issue one day.

Recreational reading--all the magazines notwithstanding--has taken a back seat, however. To paraphrase a famous line, so many books, so little time. Or, more accurately, I just need to make time. The brain needs a break from the usual material on occasion. Plus, it breaks up the monotony. As much as I enjoy reading the mags that arrive (and the business-oriented ones are particularly beneficial), it's tough to beat a good novel for escape effect.

This time of year we see columnists and magazine editors offering their recommended reading for the holidays. We see the same occur right about summer. Since when is reading for fun exclusively a seasonal endeavor? Make it a year-'round event.

Next time you have a few moments, head to your nearest library. Stroll among the racks in your favorite category, and grab a book or two. Spend a few moments (or hours) each night in a world of another person's imagination. Leave the daily doldrums and problems behind, if even for just a little while. Let your mind wander--and wonder.

In this fast-paced, technologically obsessed world, something as simple as a quarter-pound of typed paper can do for the mind and soul what Dell, Apple, and Microsoft can only imagine. It is possible if we merely allow it to. And it all begins by saying I will make the time to do so. How's that for a New Year's resolution?

Like many folks out there in cyberland, I purchased a bunch of domain names awhile ago hoping to score some extra cash eventually. Oh, yeah, maybe even hit pay dirt on one or two.

I finally dusted off the folder a few weeks ago and decided to try my luck at unloading them. My "luck" has been about as good as when I try the lottery. Actually worse, because I managed to win a few bucks the handful of times I threw my money at that scratch-offs.

Back to the domain names. Bought about a dozen almost two years ago. Half or so are variations of my name, so if and when I get famous (or infamous), I don't have to worry about enemies or profiteers (horrors!) cleaning up on my good name.

I started modestly: Placed one on ebay several weeks ago. Not a whimper. I shouldn't have been surprised, though, as there were dozens of names for sale in a number of different categories. It would've been a miracle if an interested buyer were able to find my posting.

Twenty dollars and some odd change down the drain. Lesson learned.

Then I thought I'd put my years of prospecting experience to work. As they say in sales, ya gotta get out there and shake the trees. My names are based upon benefits (e.g. "sleep-well.com", though that's not one) as opposed to proper nouns. The key is to find businesses that could use a snappy URL.

After several hours over several days, my journey so far has been for naught. Not even a polite "no thanks" to my e-mail queries. Heck, I'd take an impolite response. Any response is better than none.

I'll keep trying this route, but it's quite apparent that I'm not using the most effective method. I hate the thought of contracting with a firm to unload the names, as they'd take a cut. And probably a healthy one at that. So I'll keep plugging away. Perhaps someone out there will see the light, and offer me big bucks for one of my creative names. Hey, then I can retire to an island in the Caribbean...

Yeah, right, you say. Oh, pessimistic you!

Hey, folks, our illustrious hobby got a boost from a well-known sales trainer.

Those of you in sales probably have heard of Jeffrey Gitomer. He's a famous sales trainer and speaker, who has written a couple books on selling and has a regular column in The Business Journal newspaper which is franchised in most major cities. Also writes a weekly e-zine distributed to who-knows-how-many readers.

Pretty good guy, if a bit off the wall at times. But always has some good advice for novice and veteran sales people alike. I've been reading his stuff for several years.

In his latest column, titled "To start your own legacy, start writing," he discusses the merits and benefits of writing. I won't steal his thunder--you should be able to track down his column through your edition of The Business Journal or online--but toward the end he suggests readers start writing blogs.

He offers some powerful insight into writing (generally, not just in blogs): "Writing leads to personal understanding. Writing leads to personal awareness. Writing creates mental clarity. And if you do it right, writing leads to wealth."

As a sales trainer and huge supporter of sales people, Gitomer offers these suggestions in the context of a sales career. But think about it in a broader context: Enhancing your writing and creative skills, keeping the mind active, and perhaps enriching others' lives. Why not write?

I love writing, and use this space as another opportunity to craft my skill. But I understand, also, that doing so can help me in other ways as well. And at times others, too, depending on what comes to mind when I jump into the Blogstream arena.

So, fellow bloggers, how many of you use this opportunity for more than just an occasional diary-style entry? Think of the big picture. Think of what you can gain by seriously using this amazing (and free!) medium. Blog on!