BLACK FRIDAY

What happened to Black Friday? Where did it go and who stole it? I know the general concept is there, but when is it?

Back in the olden days (two years ago or so) it was the Friday morning after Thanksgiving, or maybe even the middle of the night. I think the big day started at 4:30 or maybe even 5:00 a.m. I’m not really sure as I was rarely up at that time of the night. Of course, with age that has changed a bit. No matter, I could never have gotten myself together enough to go out in the dark, camp out of wait in line to spend money regardless of what a great buy was waiting.

I only did it once for the experience. My daughter and I went to some big box store to get specific items. We both managed to get our hands on some of what we wanted, but the checkout was the worst experience of my life (probably an exaggeration). I was in line for one hour and twenty minutes – and the store had every register open and running. The people in front of me had so much stuff it made me wonder where they all got their money. Two items were not worth the wait.

That was then and this is now. Everything in advertizing is about Black Friday, but I swear they have no idea when Friday it or what week the particular “Black Friday” is to be held.

I have noticed several places online, notably Amazon and Groupon where I can buy items at B lack Friday prices now. Maybe this is OK for them since their plan maybe to ship it to me on Black Friday. But there was a TV ad of a store that had Black Friday prices last Friday. Just a little jump-start I guess.

K-Mart is open all day Thanksgiving. Kohl’s open’s at 12:01 a.m. Friday morning (Midnight actually). A few others have announced that same start. Target wants a jump on Kohl’s so is opening at 11:00 p.m. Thursday. I can’t remember who it is, but someone is opening at 9:00 p.m. Thursday. And of course, all grocery stores will be open all day.

Between shoppers and sales clerks cutting into so many family days, who is left to have Thanksgiving with? I know emergency services have always missed out on either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Things are so confusing that we may as well have a Thanksgiving week and a Christmas week when people can celebrate when ever it fits their schedule. Fundamentally, many families have to do that now. With that change stores could maintain their regular hours and be open all the time. In reality, there is no Black Friday any more, so let’s officially abandon it.

There is really no need for any official declaration; it looks like it is going to die a natural selfish death. So to that ancient shopping day of years gone by, I say farewell and good riddance. I for one will not miss you one bit. I hate the hype, I hate the crowds and I hate the checkout lines and most of all I prefer a newspaper devoid of a hundred or more flyers (maybe another slight exaggeration). I like your prices, but I hate what you expect of me to get those bargains. I feel like Pavlov is at work again. Yum, yum!

LOOK WHATS IMPORTANT.

Lets talk about information made to seem important. Once upon a time in ancient history, useless stuff was nearly the exclusive prerogative of rags like The National Enquirer and their predecessors. We seem to have always been fascinated with the rich and famous. If we’ve ever seen one, we report that important news to everyone we know. I’ve done it too. When I was traveling to committee meetings from Canada to New York I often saw … (wait a minute. That’s not what this is about).

It seems that the trivial and useless is reported in almost every news format except Meet The Press. But no one watches that, do they? I’m not really going to attack this, just point out that it feels like half the “news” is useless.

I am on Yahoo and each time I get on line the first I see is “news” stories with photos or news clips. The serious news is listed below the photos. This seems to be a suggestion as to what is important.

A few of today’s hot news pieces were a cast reunion for Home Improvement with photos of the cast then and now. OK. Some are more successful than others.

Free Stuff would be helpful, I thought. I knew most of it except for where to get chocolate once a month, but I shouldn’t have that and I would have to endure heavy-handed pitches to buy, buy, buy.

Beyonce appears to have ripped off some other video for her latest. Solomon said it best - there is nothing new under the sun.

Lebron James has a new shoe {why do they say that since he only has his name on them) and they have a military theme. Yeah! Wow! Cool? No one should spend that much on shoes, but apparently this is very important. I want to know if the manufacture paid for this publicity.

I’m sure many of you want to know that Halloween costumes this year seem to copy “stars.” No the sky kind of star, silly.

Dr. Pepper snubs women. Who cares? It tastes like medicine anyway.

Hank Williams Jr. has attacked FOX and ESPN for firing him. Apparently he has the right to verbally attack the president of the United States even when representing and being paid to perform by someone who does not share his opinion – at least not publically.

Whoops got to move. My director is telling me I’m running out of time and to speed it up.

Amada Knox went shopping today. Successful people over 60 are still successful. Photos of Clinton, Dolly Parton and Michael Douglas.

Netflix will not make customers using streaming and DVD to long on to separate Internet sites.

The top ten best ever movie cars appeared. At least they included the deLorean from Back to the Future, my personal favorite.

Kim Kardashion … who cares. Get her out of here. There ought to be a law.

Previous politicians have also make verbal blunders in debates. Really. No tell me it isn’t true. Shocking. Unbelievable. I thought they were perfect. I guess they should be more like us, huh!

I‘m hurrying. Be patient Mr. Director, these are important. Give me extra time. Lets cut into 20/20’s time. They are just talking about war. This is important.

There are several homes for sale where famous people have slept. Cool. Are they still there? Who was Teddy Roosevelt (joking)?

Jessica Simpson is reverting to her old look. You mean she had a new one. Go figure.

Not all health food is good for you. Then why do they call it health food? Bad choice of words. They should be more perfect like me.

And finally, but not least, Julia Roberts was not popular in High School. Poor thing.

Now, help me out. Is California part of the USA? Was our first president George Burns – no he was God. How can I make change if the power goes out at McDonalds?

These stars are important. What would I watch if it wasn’t for them?

I for one am glad we can keep up with these important stories. Did someone say something about a sit in? Wasn’t that something from our ancient past? Why are they dragging up that old news?