Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Shopping

Good Morning and I'm glad I didn't get caught in all that 'ponding' this morning!!!

I remember years ago heading to the King of Prussia mall on Black Friday. It wasn't so much of a family tradition where we all got excited about going to the mall. It's just something that happened.
We got in the car, went to the mall, ate lunch and went home.
When the whole early-morning Black Friday explosion hit about 15 years ago, I didn't take part.
Really, I never needed a $10 microwave, so getting up early didn't appeal to me.
Neither did the crowds. It's became like a zombie takeover out there with people pushing and shoving for no reason than they could push and shove.
I understand people liked the party atmosphere. They made it a family thing and got all their Christmas shopping done by 9 a.m.
Bully for you.
Now, stores are opening up Thanksgiving night. I think I just heard Toys-R-Us will be open at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
Of course, there's a bit of a stink with people complaining about letting workers stay with families. Give them a day off.
Sure, that's great.
I won't be shopping Thanksgiving night. It's not because I am making a political protest. It's just that I don't like shopping.
If people want to work. Let them work. If stores want to open, who cares?
I think we have long passed the point of return on that.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

War and Rememberance

Good Morning and watch out for that rain!

I had a high school history teacher who always said the greatest risk of another World War was going to be when we get people in power who didn't remember what war was like.
His theory, and one I believe more as the years go by, is those that lived through World War II didn't want to see that again. It didn't solve anything. It just killed a whole lot of people.
Well, we are pretty much in the era he warned about now.
Which, makes this video even more disturbing:

Monday, November 25, 2013

Like a cold slap or just shaking your head

Good Morning and I guess the heat has to go on!

This morning, while doing my usual stuff on the Web site, I happened to have the Channel 10 news on in the background.
Like most days, I use half an ear to listen to the news while working. Mostly, it's just to hear if there are any traffic troubles. Most of the rest of the morning news is just a rehash of stuff that happened yesterday.
Then the guy on TV started talking about a storm we are going to see later this week.
It's the same storm that's been dumping a lot of snow onto the Midwest.
So, of course, they showed video of cars skidding in the snow and people shoveling.
Then they cut to the weather guy who said we were going to see all rain out of the storm.
Yes, I know it's just a minor thing, but don't let me believe it's going to snow until, you know, it's actually going to snow.
Oh yeah, and don't bring the snow unless it's a day I have off.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Winter blahs already

Good Morning and, yes, I know it's not officially winter yet.

I tried to put off turning the heater on, but that was busted before Halloween. I tried to take the weather in stride, you know, since I can't really do anything about it.
Yeah, but I still want to complain.
I've decided I'm going to hate the cold this year. It has nothing to do with the flu-like thing that's floating through the office.
OK, I lied, it has everything to do with that. If you are sick, stay away from the office.
We have now windows in here. It's worse than an incubator.
Then I step outside and it's like 30 degrees.
How long until spring?

Monday, November 4, 2013

The hot and the cold of it

Good Morning and it is nice to see the sun before 7.

Driving around after a cool birthday party Saturday (Laser Tag!), I was hit about how nice and warm it was for Nov. 2.
So, I asked my passengers what they wanted to do.
"Let's go the mall," said one.
"I want to go home and play video games," said another.
"I don't know," said the third (yes, he's a teenager).
OK, to me, when you can wear short sleeve shirts outside in November, well, you better take advantage of it.
So, my first thought was a playground. That would be fun ... for about 15 minutes. Then the older ones (OK, just the teenager) would start moping about things being boring.
I remembered a miniature golf course from days go by. We were close, so that was the idea.
We played (yes, there are always arguments), but the warmth and the sun made it pretty nice.
Then came Sunday.
I knew when I first woke up and heard the wind it was going to be cold.
That playoff soccer game at 3 was going to be downright chilly.
I wasn't ready for the winter, though. My light jacket wasn't going to be enough, but I didn't want to miss the game.
So, I froze, but watching the team of 10/11-year olds play their hearts out made it feel just a little bit warmer.