Black Friday

Of late this day after Thanksgiving has become commonly known as "Black Friday." But far from being as ominous as it sounds, this is a good day (or rather it should be a good day for) for retailers; the day that makes or breaks them; the day that leaves them in the red or moves them into the black for the year.

At the risk of sound crotchety, it was not always so... at least it was not always so obviously so! I remember when This day was the start of the Christmas Season, not just another day in a season that started before Halloween; a day for an orgy of shopping.

This morning at five when the local news started, there were already stories about how there were no parking spaces at the local stores and malls. The local stations had their traffic 'copters to show that parking lots were overflowing.

Not that the economy doesn't need people getting out there and spending money, it is just that the season is so much more than that... or it should be. So, I am hunkering down as a sort-of existential protest. I am not leaving my home today except to walk the dog, take a walk in the park and perhaps to go out to dinner tonight. Other than that, I am not getting out into the craziness. If that was what it was like at 05:00 this morning, I can only imagine what it is like now that everyone who was sleeping off the turkey dinner this morning what it must be like now!

Wherever you are, stay safe and happy... if you are out in the mess today, have a great time at it!

Don Bergquist - November 28, 2008 - Lakewood, Colorado, USA