While there are hordes of people (really idiot sheep) wasting their energy shopping despite 2011 having a rather long season and the stores having a nearly endless supply of Chinese crap. I prefer to take a more mellow approach. When I was a kid, I usually wanted to hit the mall due to the “overcrowding” at the house. The maternal grandparents were usually around imposing their routines, we didn’t have an Atari, cable TV only meant 10-13 channels and it was too cold outside to play. Reading a book felt like going to school which few under 18 will do over a four-day weekend. Had I known Black Friday would turn into an orgy of consumption and incivility, maybe I would’ve enjoyed the calm at home.
In Austin, I spend the morning at Waterloo Records to pick up the KGSR charity compilation, say hey to my friend Chip and score the things I didn’t bother with from New Release Tuesday. They used to have a 20 percent-off thing but the economy has been hurting, even in impervious Austin; I blame the influx of low-skilled, loud-mouthed Republicans from California (there used to be one at my nearby Starbucks). Then I head to D&B to catch the annual Flyers game. One year, my Stars had a night match and during a few others I squeezed in some housesitting.
There was a slight shift thanks to Somara getting the day off! I decided to put off Waterloo Records until later, besides, KGSR has slid into further irrelevance which makes me skeptical of what the compilation will have. 2011 might be the first year I may break the cycle. Let’s hope Kate Bush’s first new record in six years doesn’t disappoint again, I could do without Aerial.
Back to Somara being around…it was nice to hang out with her all day. We’ll repeat this Sunday by going to The Muppets at Alamo Drafthouse.
We did some chores we had been putting off; laundry, dishes, cat grooming. There was a setback. Somara’s decision to reduce Nemo’s Prozac dosage resulting in a new puddle of piss. He’s back to a full pill/day for the indefinite future. Then we hit Rogues Gallery to get our comics and a great deal on gift certificates; these will be gifts for friends around north Austin-Pville-Round Rock. A long lunch at D&B to watch the Flyers kick the Habs’ collective asses. Jeremy stopped by. Good thing I put his gift in a virtual cart before he saw it! We squeezed in a little online shopping. High five for saving up credit card points, kills two birds with one stone! The day was concluded at Pinballz where I won my third Maggi Republic Pinball Challenge 4-1.
Black Friday’s oldest, longest, most Austin tradition involves funny, somewhat questionable (to humorless, thin-skinned Christians) greeting cards. Contrary to all the bullshit about the Internet killing off letters, bills and cards; things having been looking rather cheery for the company that supplies me. I also prefer the Luddite tradition. Online cards or some little message over SMS telling me “Happy Whatever” is crass, lazy and outright lame. Besides, the stuff I’ve managed to find blows the Internet’s offerings away. Check your mailbox. It’ll make you go, “Yeah, this coming from Maggi doesn’t really surprise me. At least it’s funny and Jesus would agree.”