Black Friday sale?

I admit it. I was one of those people who went shopping on Black Friday. In my defense, I only go after 6:30pm. I've been going at this time for about 5 years now. The stores are open until 11pm or midnight, but by dinnertime, most of the crowds are long gone, parking is easy and there are no lines at the check-out counters. Most of the sales associates are friendlier and chattier because they aren't so harried by that point. Christmas spirit abounds--and the big sales and deep discounts last until the store closes for the day. This year the mall was busier than in the past few years, but not enough to be annoying. Hopefully, it's a good sign that increased consumer confidence bodes well for a better 2011. So, I buy a few Xmas gifts, and I'm home before 8:30pm. The next day I realized I bought something for my aunt in a large--she wears a medium. I must have been distracted and picked up the wrong size when I was debating which color to buy. Dang it! Knowing I don't have the patience for the mall on a weekend, I decided I'd go back Monday morning at 10am and switch it out for the smaller size. No crowds, in and out, easy. It was easy--it was also 25% cheaper than on Friday! I mean, I'm not complaining about getting it for less money, but Black Friday is supposed to be the great sale day. Huge discounts, right? And they offer better discounts 3 days later?? What the heck is up with that?? I may have to rethink my shopping strategy next year.

Windy weather

I know I've mentioned it before but I really, really, really hate wind. We've had gale-force gusts for a few weeks now. It happens every year, and I hate it every year. I have a few large planters on my patio. They have been toppled over every day. And they are 4-foot tall trees in 5-gallon buckets! I keep rocks on top of the dirt to prevent the squirrels from digging in them and burying nuts. The squirrels are messy little critters and I got tired of sweeping up after them, hence the rocks--it pisses them off. But now when these plants blow over, the rocks get scattered all over the porch and it is a pain in the ass to pick them up every day. My neighbors stopped by on Thanksgiving to ask if someone was throwing rocks at my windows. Then today I was in the dining room when I heard that familiar crashing sound, and everything blew over in one huge gust of wind. So I'm out there early this morning in my pajamas and robe, swearing, out loud, all by myself. Kicking the rocks out of the way, SWEARING, and moving all the plants. And even though I want calm, still weather, at least the wind chimes sound pretty.

The Bandwagon Effect

Ever since the Browns came back 10 years ago, I have been a member of the Southern California Brownsbackers Club. Every Sunday morning during football season you can find me at my local Brownsbackers bar, religiously. There is a small, faithful group of us who have shown up every week, win or lose. We look forward to seeing each other, having a few beers, and watching the Browns play. We have our seats--we're a superstitious lot, so when we win, we wear the same shirt and sit in the same seat every week. If someone doesn't show up, and we win, they can't come back the next week as we won't take a chance and upset the balance of the universe. We understand that our actions out here directly affect what happens on a field 3000 miles away, and we accept that responsibility. The Browns beat the Saints and the Patriots the last two games, and every freakin' bandwagoner showed up at OUR bar today! I don't like it. None of us did. People we've never seen before crowded into our seats. I think we lost because two of the guys were not in their regular seats! Bad karma. To make matters worse, the really loud annoying guy who stands up on every play and desperately needs some kind of medication was there. We thought he'd been permanently eighty-sixed last season. After a full period of overtime, and a lucky touchdown as time ran out, most of us had the same thought: hopefully the bandwagoners will jump off and we can get our bar back next week. Go Browns!!

Sheer boredom

I have finally reached my limit on what I can do while unemployed. I am way beyond bored. Yes, I have basic things to do everyday. I go to the gym, read the paper, walk at the beach, or go for a run, and the house is pretty clean, but I am antsy and restless all the time now. I used to love doing crossword puzzles. I do at least 3 or 4 every day and I'm starting to hate them, but I can't stop. It's like a horrible addiction I can't shake. And I don't know of any Crosswords Anonymous meetings I could attend! I'm sitting at the computer just to avoid that crossword puzzles book that is sitting on my coffee table. I guess I could read a book since I just went to the library the other day, but I feel too antsy to sit still much longer. I could go for a walk, although I've already been to the gym today, and it's 90 freakin' degrees outside--on November 3rd! What's up with that?? The bottom line is that I'm open to suggestions on combatting sheer boredom. I've run out of ideas.