Christmas season

Our grocery store is decorated for Christmas. And one of our radio stations has been playing all Christmas music since last week. Is there really anyone out there that LIKES that much overkill?

Well, I guess retailers do. People hear Christmas music and see giant candy canes hanging from lamp posts, and they just have this irresistible urge to go Christmas shopping. And several people I know have just finished their Christmas shopping. Coincidence? I think not. My dear friends were sucked in by the visceral pull of Johnny Mathis and inflatable reindeer the size of small RVs. Wouldn't you be? ;)

One thing's for sure: Black Friday is a day I will stay tucked inside my house. I picture it like the stores are dangling little pieces of meat for their oh-so-hungry consumers, knowing that if they advertise it as a "huge sale" people will fight over it. People who were complaining about paying the phone bill will fight with other adults over a 60" plasma t.v. But it's on sale!!!!!! You can (somehow) save by spending!!!!!

Funny related side story: D and I went to Payless Shoes a few years ago because D needed some new brown shoes or something. We went to the check-out counter.

Woman behind the counter: "You know, it's buy one get one half off. You should get another pair of shoes."
D: "No thanks. We don't need another pair."
Woman: "But you can save by spending."
D: "But we'd still be spending more. We can save more by NOT spending."
Woman: "Well you obviously don't work in retail."
D: "No. No, I don't."

We still laugh about that to this day. That woman really thought we were stupid. We just didn't 'get it.'

One more thing: D knows I hate the holiday station on the radio (at least until mid-December, when I'll be singing along with everyone else), and I swear he intentionally leaves it on that station after he drives it EVERY TIME. I started the car to go to the grocery store yesterday and what do you know--Johnny Mathis blasted out.
:) It made me laugh.