In those happy years before background checks and random drug tests become the norm, the ranks of store Santas in the US came from a far richer and diverse cross-section of humanity. At least if the evidence of these photos is any guide. (And what can you say about the rheumy-eyed character in this slide?)Well, that’s it from me for 2004. If you’re fortunate, you won’t be staring at a computer monitor for the rest of the year. I hope to pick up the thread of my ramblings sometime early in January.Happy Holidays (as we who have dealings with corporate America have learned to call Christmas)!