Double dog dare

During everyone's rigorous winter break schedule of eating and sleeping, there is one thing that is a must: watching the movie "A Christmas Story."\nNo, I'm not trying to impose my religion on anyone -- it's just a great movie.\nFor those of you who have been living under a rock, I will give a quick synopsis of the film.\nThe story takes place in northern Indiana during the 1940s. The main character, Ralphie, wishes for a Red Ryder, dual carbide-action range rifle with a compass in the stock for Christmas. In layperson's terms -- a BB gun. \nHe tries to convince his mom, his teacher and even the mall Santa, the BB gun is the best present in the world. But all of them shut him down because, "he'll shoot his eye out."\nSanta even goes as far as to kick little Ralphie down a slide at the mall.\nYou see, "A Christmas Story" is a movie that is true to life, and speaks to all of us. Frankly, it's real -- unlike some other Christmas movies you might watch this holiday season.\n• "Miracle on 34th Street," a movie which many consider the best of them all, but come on ... there is no real Santa. Grow up. Not to mention the fact that this flick is severely lacking leg-shaped lamps.\n• And, of course, "It's a Wonderful Life." Now, the only good movie Jimmy Stewart has been in is "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," and besides, who wants to watch a black and white flick anyway?\n• "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." It's the second best Christmas movie in my mind, but watching a cartoon over and over gets a little old. Also, the music is a little creepy.\n• Speaking of creepy, "The Nightmare before Christmas." It just freaks me out. I refuse to watch it.\n• "A Christmas Carol." That's been re-made about a thousand-and-one times. The result? Same plot with different characters.\n• And for all of you new school folks out there, "Bad Santa" and "Elf" don't count. Don't even ask why. They just don't.\nThese movies are fantasy worlds. They don't reflect true life. How many of us have been visited by spirits who have taken us back in time? Unless you've been drinking, the number will be pretty slim. But everyone remembers those days when bullies used to roam the schoolyard. And everyone remembers those stupid dares we use to do. Now, that's real -- none of this fuzzy made-up Santa Claus stuff.\nWhen I was young, I too was a recipient of a Red Ryder BB gun from my father. But my mother quickly stepped in, asserted her motherly powers and took away my present because, "I would shoot my eye out."\nSo every time I watch the film, which is a few dozen times during the holidays, it reminds me of my childhood.\nIt makes me think one minute I'm a little kid, then the next minute I'm writing editorials for my school's newspaper. Now I'm wishing I was a kid again and dreading to become all grown up.\nWith that said, I wish all the graduating seniors the best of luck in the real world and I leave them with those great words said by our hero, Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while and you could miss it"