Black Friday 2011

What I'm going to do is post a conversation I had with someone. They are unnamed out of respect. Some may know what I'm talking about, but many won't. It shows my thoughts and feelings on Black Friday, and shows a view of someone on the other side. I will let you all read and come up with things on your own, so you can decide what really concerns you. Note, this is not a personal attack to anyone, but merely my opinions, and the opinion of another, but I think the topic and issues at hand are very important right now. I will have some closing remarks, and videos at the end. Please, feel free to have open discussions in the comments section.

 Conversation:

Initial statement from ME:

So, at about 4ish today, I drove by Best Buy to see many many people waiting outside for them to open at midnight. You realize how ridiculous you people are, right?

2nd statement from ME (regarding someone saying that they are waiting until 4-6am to shop).

‎1) still feel like it will be crowded 2) You may not get the shoes you want and 3) the other 2 make it all not worth shopping at all. It's just stuff, and manufacturers plan for this crap, so, when you buy cheaper, you get cheaper products. Jus sayin'...

1st Statement from THEM:

 I actually take offense. When it comes to video games and other such electronic equipment, you are getting the same product you would at half the price. You can think that's ridiculous, I think it's a good deal.
Also, how ridiculous were we when you drove out simply to look at us? Haters gonna hate I guess.




ME:
I was driving to Pluckers, and Best Buy was on the way, and some of those ridiculous people were also disrespectful and stupid because they were in the way of others actually trying to get places. Stopping in the middle of the road to unload groups to sit and wait. I still stand firm on the fact that even video games and electronic equipment are just things. Why go through all that trouble to get something, that pretty much had no life value, only because it's cheaper. There are other things some people can spend their time and money on other than waiting to compete with others in order to buy things cheap. I like electronics and games as much as the next person, but I don't schedule my life to get these things cheaper before everyone else. It all instigates the overall problem with our world/society.

THEM:
Listen, you can sit there and spout "It's just things, man" but if you like video games as much as you say, you appreciate the value of a good deal. And I honestly believe the bigger problem in society is people, such as you, who think they are superior to everyone else. Elitism does exist, as you prove by living and breathing. I'm sorry I got in your way because I enjoy getting the people I care about gifts for the Holidays. Sorry I don't have enough money to blow, but I think you should be a little respectful toward those of us that aren't made of money. Also, Pluckers? "That's just wings, man." And in the end you were doing the same thing I was, spending money in public.

ME:
I never said I was superior to everyone else. I was only wondering why people do these things, which only involves the people camping hours at a time to buy things. I feel the same way about people camping to see movies. Wait a little bit, and when things die down, then go, and get a better experience. I do appreciate the value of a good deal, but I'm not going to wait and fight for it when I didn't need it. I didn't go to Plucker's to spend money in public. I went to watch the football game because I don't have cable, and I didn't have to wait 8 hours to do all of that, so, how does it compare to the situation? I never said that I have plenty of money to blow. I'm not made of money, I work hard, and conserve my money for things that work better for me. If video games make things better for you, then great, play them, buy them. That still doesn't make me understand the major point of camping out for hours to get "value out of a good deal". People don't camp outside waiting to vote. If people did, then maybe voting would matter more, and make more of a difference to a larger majority. Notice, I'm speaking about a large majority of public, not taking personal attacks. You sir, made this whole ordeal personal, which is not cool. I sympathize with you, and apologize you took offense to a general statement of wonderment. I hope things start working out better for you.

THEM:
    Let me start off with saying I have no ill feelings toward you, nor do I think of you in a negative light. I know you didn't like me when we first met, I believe it had to do with [deleted for personal reason] not that it matters, but since that point I believe we have always been cordial and friendly, and I don't intend for that to change.

    Calling you an elitist was a bit personal, but let's be honest, this had already taken a personal turn. I'm not sure if you intended to say this, as I've always known you to be a mostly kind person, but calling me stupid, disrespectful and a part of the major problem with society and/or the world made this personal, and frankly, it ticked me off and hurt my feelings.

    I decided to send you this message instead of posting [in public] with an argument, which I also honestly don't even feel like arguing in general.

    I guess we are just going to have to kindly agree to disagree, as you don't seem to understand the point I'm trying to make, which is saving money on gifts for Holidays is not ridiculous, and honestly very understandable behavior.

    P.S. Thanks for the concern, but I'm actually doing good. Hope you are well.

ME:
Okay, see that's what I was saying. If you read the comment. I didn't call YOU stupid, disrespectful, or part of the problem. I said,

“I was driving to Pluckers, and Best Buy was on the way, and some of those ridiculous people were also disrespectful and stupid because they were in the way of others actually trying to get places. Stopping in the middle of the road to unload groups to sit and wait.”

How does this even remotely relate to you? Were you one of those people in [deleted] Best Buy near [deleted]? I don’t believe you were.

It’s the whole idea of making shopping a huge deal and festival that is the problem. How do you think people feel who can’t afford even the sales? I mean, all this consumerism just beats them down and makes them feel worse, and kids think that their parents don’t care or love them because some other freakin’ kid has cooler toys.

How is buying things the most important and best thing to give someone over the holidays. You enjoy the simple pleasures. Be there, do things, help out, show your care and love. All that costs is time and effort, which is free as far as money is concerned. 

Not only did you call me an elitist, but count how many times you said “you” in all of your comments. Now, count how many times I said "you" in all my comments. The term “you” is a direct personal statement.

There was absolutely no reason for you to take anything personally, except maybe because I said it’s ridiculous for people to wait 8 hours to get in a store to compete with others and fight for something on a good sale. People are dying and getting pepper sprayed because of shopping. How does that not sound ridiculous? I believe I do understand what you’re saying. I don’t believe you understand my point.

I am a kind person, and I’m trying to get people to realize that there are better things to do for your loved ones rather than buying gifts at cheap prices. Make them something. Buy from the heart, and don’t be concerned with what is in your pocket. And once again, my ultimate statement concerned waiting and camping for 8 hours or more to get in a store and buy things. That has nothing to do with buying cheap holiday gifts. The focus is put on the waiting portion.

We do have to kindly agree to disagree. You need to not take things so personal, then start blasting someone on public sites about things you have no idea about. I don’t appreciate it.

And why bring up the past? No, I didn’t like you because [deleted personal] Pure jealousy I admit, but that has no regards to the present moment.



END CONVERSATION


So, who is out of line here? What are your thoughts, opinions, and feelings? I personally don't like the holidays because of all of this nonsense. I admit, I bought things, but it was a few books and movies. I bought my little sister something, and my mother something. It's not much, but it came from the heart, and I know they will love it. I didn't have to wait any amount of time, or fight anyone, and it was still cheap. I'm trying to write a holiday story and read to the family as a gift. Is that bad? Does that make me a bad person?

All these "things" people buy just get thrown out and wasted in the end. No one is crowded outside their city hall making sure all this waste isn't waste, and I feel that is a more important issue, not shopping.
There are people "occupying Wall Street" for money reasons causing riots and such, and yet, there is still Black Friday. Some places apparently have music, food, and stuff for the people who are waiting. It's a Shop Fest. Just pushing people to buy more stuff. If the government gets control like they want to, then people will start thinking, "Oh, maybe I should have spent money buying food, water, weapons, or brushing up on my survival skills, instead of waiting and fighting for that 52" LCD screen that I'll never get to watch cool shit on anymore."This whole thing just goes to show you more of what really happens during the holidays.

I mean...I don't know. I'm purely baffled, and feel justified that I've made my point. I'm ready to have discussions if anyone feels the need.

Waiting on an Angel

      
                 This is a colder and darker night than usual for Alex Webber. He sits on the bed with his bare feet on the cold, dirty wooden floor. The lights in the house are out. He stares glumly out the window behind him, watching the rain. The dim gloomy skylight washes through the window, which is the only light in the house.
            He listens to the rain hitting on the tin roof, going down the gutter, and flowing with the rest of the water on the ground. He can almost hear the water as it races down the window, connecting together, then separating, but the water moves so smoothly that he couldn’t possibly hear that much.
            A flash of purple lightning brings color into his dark world only for a moment. He enjoys the rain; the rain fits the way he is feels.
            He can’t help but think about how wonderful it would be to have a companion. Someone to be right next to him, to hold, lie with, and talk the rain away. It’s easy to get through dreary rainy days when you have someone to help. He can usually not think about being lonely by going out and doing things, but days like this makes it impossible. The warmth and comfort of a female body would make this day more uplifting. The female body is beautiful all in itself. The curves, the skin, eyes to the soul, the whole formation is appealing. It's pure, organic, natural art.
            “It’s getting to me.”
            He's carried away in his thoughts. The loneliness has taken hold of him. Trying to get his mind elsewhere, he turns on the radio. Maybe some noise will help. He leans over to the radio, switches it on, and lays back on the bed. The guitar softly and slowly plays, and the singer sings with deep sincerity.
            “Waiting on an angel. Wanting to carry me home. I hope you come and see me soon, cause I don’t wanna go alone…So be kind to a stranger, cause you’ll never know it just might be an angel come knocking at your door. I’m waiting on an angel to find myself a resting place in my angel’s arms…”
            The song is called Waiting on an Angel by Ben Harper. It begins to toy with Alex’s head. The words could mean that he is waiting for an angel to carry him to Heaven when he dies. It could mean that he is waiting on an angel to hold in his arms. He doesn’t want to die alone. So, he needs that companion, his own angel to love and hold.
            His head begins to race with thoughts of the past women in his life. He has loved many women, but has yet to claim love to one. He reminisces about being with the women, looking at them with loving eyes, speaking to them in a loving way, thinking and feeling love, but love has never been returned. He waits on his one to come, like stories of princesses waiting for their prince charming, he waits for his beauty queen, or his angel.
            He begins to sulk even more than before. He can’t contain his thoughts and feelings. He wants and needs love in his life. Thinking about it only makes things worse. He jumps up and turns off the radio. If he was to continue to listen to that, he would probably kill himself; he wouldn’t, but it would cross his mind for five seconds. The song was good, but he is trying to not think about that subject.
            The mind switches to another subject and he begins to think of how life can tend to be ironic. For instance, if you get a twenty dollar bill and hold it in front of you with Jackson facing you. Fold the bill lengthwise, like a hot dog, with the bottom coming up. Then, hold both index fingers and place them on the each side of the center, and fold the ends up for a point at the bottom. You should have a half square at the top, and a triangle at the bottom. Now, look at the bill, you can see what looks like the twin towers with smoke coming from the exact places that the towers were hit. Is that ironic?
            Ironic that it’s actually there? Ironic that someone sat somewhere and figured that out? The bill was that way before 9/11. Someone found something from the past that, somewhat, predicted the future. How does this happen? All of these bring up the question of life itself, not as an irony, but the actual act of life. Is life planned? Is there a pattern? Can you find the future to everything by folding money, or something of similarity?
            His mental attention continues to jump around various subjects. He never gets to finish a complete thought. As his mind wanders, thinks, and dreams, he gets tired and falls asleep. He can now sleep the rain away, and dream his troubles off.
          
            The next day, the sun shines brightly through the window. The brightest spot from the window shines right in his eyes. The room begins to become very heated. He lies in the bed under the covers and starts to feel like a pig in a blanket baking in the oven. He shoves the covers off of him, groans, and gets out of bed.
            Today is going to be a glorious day for him. He gets to relax and do whatever he wants, but he has to get out of the house and be around people. He still has lonely thoughts in the back of his head, but he needs to do something fun to change his mind.
            He does his daily routine, and then decides to take his dog for a walk through the park. He leashes the dog and they walk out the door. He stops once he is outside to feel the weather. The sun beats warmly on his face. He can feel his body absorbing bursts of energy. He smiles and takes a deep breath, locks his door, and heads down the stairs to the ground that will take him out to the world.
          
            They get to the park and Max, the dog, is extremely excited. He begins to pull on the leash because he wants to get there quicker. They walk down the hill at the park to the trail that goes for miles. It is a very pleasant day. The sun shines, the breeze blows, the birds chirp, nothing can make him feel gloomy today.
            They walk a few minutes and Alex begins to look around at the people. He notices a couple sitting on a bench holding each other. He watches another couple walk down the path in front of him smiling and holding hands. He observes a third couple playing on the ground with their dog. There seems to be couples all over the park.
            Alex continues to smile and walk his path. He gets a bit choked up about the situation, but he refuses to let it get to him. He looks straight at the path he is walking, and doesn’t look anywhere else. In doing so, he runs into someone on the path. They bump, and quickly try to gain their composer. He tries to apologize to her, but begins to stutter. He sees that she is a gorgeous woman who just so happens to be walking her dog alone.
            “Oh! Sorry, I uh… I wasn’t paying... I was going...I didn’t see you there. Not that I couldn’t see you there. I mean I like seeing you, you’re very attractive, not like your invisible. So, I didn’t want you to think…I don’t know why I just told you that.”
 He says trying to figure himself out and then finally snaps, and holds out his hand,
            “ Hi! I’m Alex Webber. Sorry for running into you.”
She smiles and giggles a little,
            “It’s ok, I wasn’t paying attention either. No harm done.”
She takes his hand and shakes it,
            “I’m Faye Tate.”
He smiles genuinely,
            “Nice to meet you.”
            While they were talking their dogs begin to play and get all four of them tangled. They clumsily start to get everything un-tangled and laugh along the way. The dogs continue to play right in the middle of the un-tangling, and it makes things worse.  It’s very amusing to watch these two try to fix the disaster. They get everything undone and hold their dogs close.
    “Maybe we should go before that happens again.”
She says suddenly while holding her dog.
            “Yeah, maybe so.”
He says dryly. He doesn’t want to leave her. He was enjoying himself, but she probably has better things to do.
            “Well, nice to meet you. Hope you have fun walking your dog.”
She says as she pulls the dog along.
            “Nice to meet you. Watch where you’re going from now on. You could really hurt someone with your looks…”
He says in a joking way and then snaps,
            “Leash! Hurt someone with your leash. That’s what I meant to say.”
He feels like complete crap. She smiles sweetly,
            “Thanks, you too.”
Then, she walks off with her dog.
            “You too?”
He says to himself.
            “Does that mean she thinks I’m attractive?”
He shakes his head and tries not to think about the situation, and continues down the path he was walking before he ran into her. Once reaching the top of the hill he sits at the bench that rests there, pets his dog, and watches the people all over the park. Everyone seems very happy and are enjoying themselves. He does this for a few minutes, and then starts to walk back home.

            After getting home, he relaxes. After about an hour, Alex starts to get hungry and finds that he has nothing to eat at home. He puts Max in his kennel, and leaves to go eat.
            He gets to the restaurant and is seated. While he is walking to his seat he looks around, and what do you think he sees? That it’s a great day for people to come to this restaurant for their date. Couples are at several tables spread about the building. They all talk, laugh, and smile at each other. He can tell that he is going to be eating quickly today.
            He sits at his table, and waits alone. After a few moments his waitress comes. His waitress just so happens to be the girl from the park.
            “Oh hey! How are you?”
He says surprisingly.
            “Well isn’t this a small world. How was the rest of your walk?”
She says with a smile.
            “It was nice; I didn’t stay too much longer. What about you?”
            “I was leaving to go home and get ready to come here. I haven’t had much else today. So, what would you like to drink?”
            The conversation was over and now it’s time for her to focus on her job. He felt like he was in a very awkward position. He wants to talk to her, but this isn’t the right place or time. He wants a second chance to not seem like a fool, but this wasn’t the best way to go about it.
            “I’ll just have a glass of tea.”
He says like any other customer would.
            “Okay, it will be right out.”
            After sitting there for a while he gets anxious, and upset about seeing couples together. He feels uncomfortable so he gets up to go to the bathroom, but as he is scooching out of the booth, he runs into the waitress. She lets out a high pitch shriek as she stumbles and dumps the tray all over herself. On the bright side, all that was spilled were drinks.
            “Hey I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you coming…I…Uh…Are you okay? Of course you’re okay, I mean it’s just liquid, ice, and stuff, but…I’m sorry.”
He just keeps repeating himself and stuttering the whole time. He feels awful about the whole thing.
 “It’s okay, you just scared me.”
She says calmly,
             “Like you said, just liquid, ice, and stuff, right?”
“Yeah…”
He says with a goofy grin on his face. He can’t get over how cute she is, and can’t stop smiling.
            He continues to finish helping her clean up. Everything was alright, but he still felt terrible. He tried talking to her, and maybe asking her out, but that’s probably awkward to do in that situation. So, he stayed shy and reserved away from her. He had to spill everything on her, just his luck.
            He finishes eating, meanwhile, feeling like the biggest person in the room, or the ugliest, due to everyone looking at him. He eats faster, throws the money on the table ,and runs out the door.
            “Damn it!”
            He says panting his lungs out after running two blocks over. Then, he begins to wonder why the hell he ran all that way. He actually ran out of the restaurant, and down two blocks, just to get out of that situation as fast as possible. Pathetic.
            It’s beginning to get dark outside. He can see the baby blue horizon, just before the rainbow colors fill the sky. He decides to go home and call it a day.
            He gets home and settles. After a few hours, rain comes out of nowhere. There is a knock at the door. He gets up and goes to the door, opens it, and there stands the waitress from earlier. She is soaked and standing on his porch with the rain pouring behind her.
“Hi, I’m sorry, but my car broke down in front of your house. Can I use your phone?’
            “Oh, yes of course come in, get dry.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re the waitress from earlier aren’t you?”
He blurts out.
“You’re the guy who spilled all the drinks on me today.’
Saying with a convicting tone.
            “I had to pay for all of that!”
“I’m very sorry. I haven’t had a good day, and it just happened. It was an accident.”
            She explains she had a bad day as well. She changes into some of his dry clothes, and they sit and talk for a while. They really hit it off.
            Later, she calls a friend to come bring her home. The friend comes and waits outside in the car. He lends her his umbrella until they meet again.
            “Thanks for helping. I’ll come back tomorrow to look at the car.”
            “Not a problem. I’m willing to help after running into you so many times today.”
            “Yeah, I guess there was a reason.”
He laughs,
            “Yeah.”
            “Well, it was great talking to you. Hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow?”        
            “Sure, I should be here.”
            “Okay, well thanks again. Bye”
            “Bye.”
She walks out into the rain, gets in the car, and leaves. He watches her while smiling. He finally talked to someone, and didn't feel alone. There is something special about her, but isn't sure what. Either way, he's happier than he's felt in years, and very much looking forward to tomorrow.

            The next morning Alex is extremely energized and very upbeat. He wakes up early with plenty of sleep, eats some oatmeal, and has a smoothie and coffee. He takes Max out for a walk around the neighborhood, and greets many people along the way. He takes second glances all around him because everything seems different. The town has a different light with a better perspective.
            “So, this is how couples feel all the time. It's nice."
          
            Later, when he arrives home he sees Faye in his driveway with someone at the car with her. He walks over to them,
             “Hey, what's going on?"
            “Hey, just looking over the car to find out what's wrong. This is my uncle, he's a mechanic."
            “Nice to meet you."
Her uncle says with a scratchy redneck voice.
            “Hi. So, what's wrong?"
Her uncle spits out some dip, and responds,
            “Well, looks like a whole mess of trouble. You got a dead battery, out of gas, and a radiator leak. I can get your gas and battery, and get it running at least, but we gotta look into fixing that radiator before you get bigger problems."
            “Well, let's get as much done as we can. I don't want to have to worry about this, and I gotta work later."
She turns to Alex,
             “Do you mind if the car stays here for a while longer? We should be back at 5 o' clock to get it out of the way."
            “Sure, no problem at all. I got and appointment at 4, and should be back here by then to help if you need it."
            “Okay, well, thank you. We're gonna get going and get it done."
            “Alright, well I'll see ya in a bit."
Faye and her uncle get into his heavy duty truck and drive off.
            As Alex is leaving his house for his appointment, he notices his neighbor throwing away dead flowers in the can at the street. As he passes by,
            “Awww, I bet they were very pretty. What was the occasion?"
She responds,
            “Our anniversary. I don't know why he gets flowers. It's not practical; they're just going to die soon anyway. Everything always dies."
Alex's eyes get a little watery,
            “Well, you know it's all about enjoying the beauty as much as you can while it's there."
            “Well aren't your glasses rosy."
            “It's not about seeing the world in rose colored glasses. It's about stopping just to smell them."
            “Yeah, whatever."
She blows him off and walks sluggishly to the house. Alex shrugs, smiles, and continues to walk.

Alex is in the doctor's office, who has just examined him,
            “I'm sorry son. There's just no way to stop it, or even slow it down."
            “But I feel great today."
            “Something good happen recently?"
            “Yeah."
            “Meet a girl?"
            “Yeah..."
            “Mind over matter son, that's all."
            “Well, can't I just think I feel great all the time, and that will get rid of this thing?"
            “Sorry, doesn't quite work like that, my boy."
            “So, how long?"
            “Few months. No more than a year."
            “Damn."
            “I know. That's life though. Dying happens to the best of us."
            “It's all about how you enjoy it."
            “That's right. Make the best of it and enjoy yourself."
The Doctor pats him on the shoulder, and then decides to give him a hug,
            “I'd need a drink if I were you."
            “Yeah, thanks."
The doctor leaves, and Alex sits there silently drooping his head. He starts to cry a bit, and then hugs himself.

            Alex is walking home and hears birds chirping, feels the cool breeze, and reminisces about all the good, fun times in his childhood and growing up: dressing up for Halloween as a ninja turtle, making cookies and popcorn balls with his mom, high school graduation, parties at college with people dressed up, having great times dancing the night away, traveling to the mountains covered with flowers, and traveling to great cities across the ocean; like Venice, Dublin, and Paris. These were amazingly happy times that he will never forget. He still wishes he had someone to share all those moments with, but maybe he can finish his life sharing some great new times.
            As he thinks about Faye a smile comes to him. All the smiles are the same, and therefore, she has to be the one to share some happy times with him. It's a sign that they are meant to be with one another.
            He gets close to his house and he sees her leaning on her car with her arms crossed. He shouts, waves, and starts to run to her. She stands up, looks at him wide eyed, and with a saddened look. As he reaches the road he notices the look on her face, and gets a bit concerned. As he reaches the middle of the road there is tire squeal. Alex turns his head to see a car coming around the corner quickly, and it loses control. Alex is in a state of shock and has no time to get out of the way. Faye screams his name as he gets hit by the car. He rolls over the hood, hits the windshield, and stumbles over the side of the roof. The car hits a pole and the driver flies out of the windshield.
            Faye runs over to Alex, gets down, holds him, and cries. Alex is still coherent, but is not in pain.
            “I'm sorry." She says.
            “You didn't do this. I was going to die anyway. Everything has too, right?"
            “I'm sorry it happened to you like this. You're a great person, and you don't deserve this. That's why I'm here."
He gives a confused concerned look, then she says,
            “I'm an angel of mercy sent to help you leave painlessly, and grant your wish. You’re not going to die alone."
Alex smiles and begins to breathe heavy and fast,
            “Thank you."
            “I love you."
She says smiling and staring into his wide eyes.
            A stranger was his angel, come to carry him home. He waits no longer for his angel because he found his resting place in his angel’s arms. That’s all he wanted.
            Her smile gets brighter, and then she starts to gleam. Her skin, face, her whole body is glowing with a gold and white shine. A light comes from the Heavens through spiraling colorful clouds, and it serves as a spotlight over them. Beautiful big angel wings slowly come from her back and spread out wide and the two of them begin to rise above the world together.