My clock radio, set to NPR, went off, and I lolled in bed, listening to news, followed by features. And then ...

Then ...

Then I heard something about an 18-hour drive from Washington, D.C., to Gresham -- and my eyes opened.

A familiar voice began, "I've always enjoyed hearing new Christmas music, but there's just so much of it. Every fall, I receive dozens of new holiday CDs -- countless hours of music to sift through in the long, agonizing buildup to Christmas."

So began "18 Hours of Christmas Music: My Holiday Hellride," a report on Christmas CDs, and the reporter was my son, Stephen Thompson.

A bonus of the website version of his report is a list of all 21 CDs he listened to on his trip: a list accompanied by thumbnail reviews of each with the bonus of sample tracks.