In “The Strike”, one of the most memorable episodes of Seinfeld ever, Frank Costanza revealed some of the rituals of a Festivus celebration: a bare aluminum pole, feats of strength, the airing of grievances. Transcending television to become a phenomenon in its own right– thousands of people now celebrate Festivus. Many do so to thumb their noses at the commercialism of Christmas. Others celebrate the cultural influence of a show about nothing. Farmboy gave me Allen Salkin’s book as a Christmas present. In it, Salkin romps through the real world of Festivus. He meets the real Miss Festivus, drinks Festivus beer, and ponders the Festivus snail– among many other ironies.