I sometimes think the news media must have learned their trade at the knee of Count von Count. Especially at this time of year. Everywhere you look, there are countdowns and lists---50 Most Beautiful People, 10 Most-Searched Items on the Internet, 5 Best and Worst Casting Decisions, 10 Most Shocking TV Moments of 2008, 20 Lowest Grossing Films of All Time, and so on and so on.

I'm a little tempted to join in the counting madness---I, too, was an acolyte of the Count---but the only things I can think of to count at the moment are completely uninteresting (least enjoyed driving experiences of the D/FW area) or entirely depressing (most missed dead entertainers). So instead, I'd like to invite everyone to create either a countdown of your own or one you'd like me to list.

Of course, this is Christmas Eve, so you might be a little too busy for such nonsensical stuff. In which case, here's a Christmas quiz to while away an idle moment:

The Star

When everything's ready including the tree, you come into the picture: the star! You may be the last, but never the least! Until Christmas, you might be rather quiet, but you play at the finale. You make people finally feel comfortable, especially after all the shopping, and that Christmas has finally come. You tend to wish for a quiet and peaceful Christmas. What Christmas Decoration Are You?

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