It's time for your very first Chum Bucket of December, folks, and if you're like me, there is only one thing to discuss: it is at long last socially acceptable for you to listen to holiday music! Those stressful months of discreetly hiding your iPod screen as you rock out to Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer--and general feelings of guilt and shame--are finally over. Ahhh.

Then again, if the holidays (or songs about overweight old guys in red suits) aren't your thing, feel free to discuss anything you please. A favorite topic here on FishStripes is the Florida Marlins, who, as expected, didn't offer arbitration to Kiko Calero, Nick Johnson, Brendan Donnelly or Ross Gload today.

Otherwise, just use the open thread for anything that tickles your fancy-- posting your holiday wish list, exchanging meatloaf recipes, discussing what outfit you plan to wear to Mermaid tryouts next month... Get to it.

Have a great night!