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It's strange to me that retailers are claiming an increase in Black Friday spending this year. Strange because the deals, for the most part, really sucked this year. So much so that this was the first year in more than a decade that I wasn't standing in someone's line in the middle of the night.
The only possible explanation for this year's sales being so successful is that they were pounced on by amateurs. Now, if you are one of those that rushed out this Friday, please don't get offended. All I'm saying is that those of us who are frugal all year looked at those pitiful offerings and scoffed. In fact, if you were paying attention (and I am always paying attention even when I pretend that I'm not) you could have gotten many of those same deals, better deals, or within a few dollars, in the few weeks prior to Black Friday. Here's an example of what I'm talking about:
Sears advertised a Sharp 46" 1080p LCD television as a door buster on Black Friday for $899. Best Buy advertised the exact same television (same model number) for the exact same price the week before Thanksgiving. Now, Sears has a price match policy. So, had you gone to Sears a week before Black Friday and shown them the Best Buy ad, you could have purchased that television for $899 minus 10% of the price difference (it was its regular price of $1300 at Sears that week). So, you would have actually paid less than the Black Friday price, and you wouldn't have to stand in those lines.
Don't get me wrong; there were a few good deals to be had, but none were worth standing on line for hours in the cold. In fact, Radio Shack was offering a Uniden DECT 6.0 4-phone system. It was one of the few items in this year's ads that I considered making a serious effort to get. However, did I really want to get out in the wee hours of morning just to squeeze into that tiny box that is characteristic of a Radio Shack store, get pushed and shoved by the other sardines, and hope that I was able to grab the item for which I came? Nope.
I'm going to share one of my secrets with you, so keep it between us, okay? Okay. You know those 2-day sales that happen after Thanksgiving? Well, they magically turn into 3-day sales online. Most items (not the door busters, though) are offered online on Thanksgiving Day or sooner. So, I ordered the phones from radioshack.com for the same price on Thanksgiving. I even got free shipping, so they're sending them right to my door. No standing on line, no being shoved, no tiny cell of a store, no dashed hopes.
The only ad that I thought was pretty decent this year was Wal-Mart's. But I avoid them on Black Friday like the plague. Yeah, the deals were good, but not good enough to have to deal with Wal-Mart's Black Friday clientele. I spoke about this Thursday over Thanksgiving dinner. Then, as if to illustrate my point, this happened on Friday:
Now, I'm not trying to lessen the responsibility of the shoppers who trampled that poor guy to death. But Wal-Mart could have prevented it.
Consider this: Best Buy has people lined up sometimes for days to get into their store of Black Friday. But you hardly ever hear of horror stories about mobs at Best Buy. Why is that? Because Best Buy knows how to control the crowd. They know exactly how many of each of their door busters are available, and they pass out tickets starting at the front of the line for those items a couple hours prior to opening the doors. This does two things: 1. it keeps people from rushing the door for those items since they won't sell them to you if you don't have a ticket anyway, and 2. it keeps people from rushing the door to get inside because those people who have been camped out for these items can now go sit in a warm car until the store opens.
But not Wal-Mart. They create this feeding frenzy atmosphere. It doesn't matter that you were first in line. What matters is how fast you can find your item once you're inside. So you might have been first in line, you might have been there for 12 hours, but you still might not get that item you wanted because the people behind you run faster. I won't even go into the pushing and shoving and the taking things out of other people's carts (though, admittedly, those aren't unique to Wal-Mart shoppers). It's crazy. And it keeps me out of Wal-Mart on Black Fridays. It's simply not worth the aggravation.
In conclusion, I offer the following tips for next year:
1. Your Black Friday shopping should begin several weeks before the actual day. Check sale prices of your desired items in advance to get the best deals.
2. Just because an item is a door buster doesn't mean it's a great deal. Do your research, and watch the sales ads.
3. Get deals online early. Shop the big retailers on Thanksgiving. If you can't get everything, you'll feel less pressured if you can take even a few items off your list. Plus, you'll be able to concentrate on door busters.
4. Get networked. You'll have a better chance of getting what you want. Usually, we have people at Best Buy, someone else will go to Toys R Us, someone will go to Target, etc. (None of us went this year because the deals sucked, though.)
5. If you really want something, get there early. Know what you're getting into. Don't show up at Best Buy an hour before they open and expect to get that uber-cheap laptop you saw in the ad. For that matter, don't show up at Best Buy at 2am and expect to get it either.
6. Don't waste your time on minuscule savings. In other words, don't camp out at Best Buy for 18 hours to get a web cam for half price. The doctor's bill for treating your pneumonia will more than negate the $15 you save.
7. Keep your cart with you, and don't turn your back on it. Guard your door busters like you guard your life. Like I said, I've seen people take things out of someone Else's cart. Heck, I've seen people take the whole cart!
8. Get in and get out. Black Friday is not the time for browsing. Know what you want before you get to the store. Grab your items, pay, and go on to the next store. Unless you're in Best Buy. You'll be there for hours...which is why you should seriously consider tip #4.
9. Stay the hell away from Wal-Mart until they get their act together. Just trust me on this one. But, if you insist on going there anyway, make sure you heed tip #10.
10. Leave the kids at home. This is especially true for Wal-Mart (if you must go). Kids can easily get trampled. I've even seen baskets with babies in them nearly toppled by eager deal-seekers. And you might have to stand in long lines, which requires an amount of patience that most children don't possess.
11. Take advantage of price matching policies. This is a good way to save money and time. There's no sense in going to 3 more stores to get deals if you can get them all at the same store.
12. Keep your receipts. Yeah, that game was a great deal when you got it for $25. But you'll be ill next week when you see it on clearance for $8. No biggie. Just grab the $8 one and return the higher priced one.
-e
Monday, December 01, 2008
Saturday, November 08, 2008
McCain: Epilogue
Before too much time passes, I need to comment on John McCain's concession speech the other night. Most people I've talked to or read are in agreement that he was both magnanimous and gracious in defeat. I think so too. But I think I also detected something else.
To me, the man actually seemed relieved. He seemed more at ease and delivered his speech with a sincerity that his presidential campaign clearly lacked. He seemed more like the man who, in the 2000 primaries before he sold his soul to the neo-con agenda, many of us were hoping would beat out G-Dub for the nom.
A few weeks ago, I was watching some of the pundits on one of the news-at-all-hours channels. They were discussing Senator McCain's lack of eye contact with Obama. One of the pundits stated that he had it on good authority from someone who's known Senator McCain for years that the reason he wouldn't - or couldn't - look Obama in the eye was because doing so reminded him of all that he had compromised to become the GOP nominee. The pundit said he was told that McCain had become the type of politician he, himself, detested.
I thought of that as I watched his speech the other night, and I wondered if that wasn't why he appeared so content with the loss. Maybe he took some solace in the fact that the person into whom he'd transformed himself, the kind of politician that would do and say anything to win, was not the people's choice for President this time. Perhaps this was some sort of validation for the person he'd been all those years, his true self.
Admittedly, I could be reading way too much into it. It could be that what I saw was an aged man who was happy for a little downtime after months of keeping up an extremely frenetic schedule. Maybe he was just elated that the election was over, whatever the outcome.
I guess I'll never know.
-e
To me, the man actually seemed relieved. He seemed more at ease and delivered his speech with a sincerity that his presidential campaign clearly lacked. He seemed more like the man who, in the 2000 primaries before he sold his soul to the neo-con agenda, many of us were hoping would beat out G-Dub for the nom.
A few weeks ago, I was watching some of the pundits on one of the news-at-all-hours channels. They were discussing Senator McCain's lack of eye contact with Obama. One of the pundits stated that he had it on good authority from someone who's known Senator McCain for years that the reason he wouldn't - or couldn't - look Obama in the eye was because doing so reminded him of all that he had compromised to become the GOP nominee. The pundit said he was told that McCain had become the type of politician he, himself, detested.
I thought of that as I watched his speech the other night, and I wondered if that wasn't why he appeared so content with the loss. Maybe he took some solace in the fact that the person into whom he'd transformed himself, the kind of politician that would do and say anything to win, was not the people's choice for President this time. Perhaps this was some sort of validation for the person he'd been all those years, his true self.
Admittedly, I could be reading way too much into it. It could be that what I saw was an aged man who was happy for a little downtime after months of keeping up an extremely frenetic schedule. Maybe he was just elated that the election was over, whatever the outcome.
I guess I'll never know.
-e
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
The Journey
This morning I slept for 10 whole hours. It's been a long while since I've gotten a peaceful night's sleep. When I woke up, I was startled that I'd slept so well and for so long. And then, suddenly, my grogginess cleared and I instantly knew the reason.
Barack Obama has been elected 44th President of the United States.
I hadn't realized how anxious I'd been about this election until I woke up this morning and missed the ever-present uneasiness that had occupied my mind for all those months.
It all started more than a year ago when I was channel surfing and happened upon C-Span. They were showing an Obama rally. I was immediately taken by the things this man was saying. It was as if he had seen into my thoughts, arranged them in eloquent succession, and validated them by speaking them to that large crowd.
Who was this guy? The bottom of the screen read "Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill". I remembered him. He's the guy that wrote those books, the best sellers I had been meaning to read. And I think he's on MySpace. He's running for President?
Not only did I go to the bookstore the next day, I began actually searching for interviews and speeches and added him as a friend on MySpace. It didn't take me long to realize that this man should be President.
I believed he should be President, but I didn't believe he could be President. I even resorted to the old, long-held justification that if he actually became President I would fear for his safety. Then Barack Obama appeared on the Tavis Smiley show. He stated that people shouldn't be so concerned for his safety that they don't vote for him. He said he had considered and discussed the dangers with his family, and they had all decided that this was something he needed to do. Since that was my last obstacle, I threw my support behind Obama.
Now, Tavis Smiley had asked Barack if he really thought he had any chance of becoming the Democratic nominee when he was trailing so far behind in the polls. He said he did, and that he was confident once he made his case to the masses they would vote for him. I chuckled. Did he really believe that? Naw, I concluded, but he has to act like he does. So, while he had my support, I wasn't very confident that anything would come of his candidacy.
A couple months later, during a telephone conversation with my mother, all hell broke loose. My mother, who was supporting Hillary Clinton at the time, said she was certain that I, too, was behind Hillary. I told her that I, in fact, was not. I said Barack was my guy. She went ballistic on me, and gave me every argument as to why I should support Hillary over Obama. I successfully rebutted each one. Then she said that, even if Obama were to win the party nom, there was no way he could get enough votes to win the general election. I agreed with that assessment, so she asked why I would waste my vote on someone who couldn't win. My answer was simple: Because I have to.
And I did have to because I believed in this man wholeheartedly. Ordinarily I hate politics, so I necessarily abhor politicians. But there was something different about this one. I felt like he understood what it was like to be me on a basic level. I felt his sincerity.
So I told my mother that Barack had my support, but that I'd end up voting for Hillary in the general election anyway. I had nothing against her. I just didn't feel her the way I did him. My mother got angry, didn't speak to me for two weeks, and -- although I can't prove it -- I think she briefly wrote me out of her will.
Then Obama won the Iowa caucuses and people really started paying attention to him, including my mother. My mother, a Texas resident, did cast her vote for Hillary, but she confided in me several weeks later that she wished she'd had that vote back. She now saw in Barack what I saw in him.
Ever since the Iowa caucuses, when it became clear that there was a real chance he could win the party nom, I've been anxious. Anxious for each caucus and primary result, for him to secure the nomination, for the convention, for the general election. I didn't even know I was so wound up until this morning when suddenly I wasn't.
I know that African-Americans everywhere are rejoicing in the history that is the first African-American to ever get elected to the highest office in our land. My mother called me in tears last night when they called the election for Obama, because she grew up in the Jim Crow south, where she wasn't allowed to go to school with Whites or even use the same bathrooms. She never thought she'd see this in her lifetime and was overcome by the moment. I understand that, and, though I never had to deal with Jim Crow, I felt every bit of that history last night.
But it was deeper than even that for me. For once in the past 8 years, the issues actually mattered. So much so that this country was able to look beyond its prejudices and elect the best person for the job.
And so I slept.
But this nation still has a long way to go. Last night was not a victory against prejudice and bigotry, as some have proclaimed. Instead, for a large group of people, it was bittersweet. As this country showed it could look past a history of preconceived notions about one group of people, it also demonstrated, at least in those states that denied gay couples the right to marry (especially in progressive California), that it is still willing to justify discrimination against another group.
So today we celebrate President-Elect Barack Obama. But there is clearly still work to be done. Our journey continues.
-e
p.s. Here are more photos from last night's acceptance speech:
Barack Obama has been elected 44th President of the United States.
I hadn't realized how anxious I'd been about this election until I woke up this morning and missed the ever-present uneasiness that had occupied my mind for all those months.
It all started more than a year ago when I was channel surfing and happened upon C-Span. They were showing an Obama rally. I was immediately taken by the things this man was saying. It was as if he had seen into my thoughts, arranged them in eloquent succession, and validated them by speaking them to that large crowd.
Who was this guy? The bottom of the screen read "Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill". I remembered him. He's the guy that wrote those books, the best sellers I had been meaning to read. And I think he's on MySpace. He's running for President?
Not only did I go to the bookstore the next day, I began actually searching for interviews and speeches and added him as a friend on MySpace. It didn't take me long to realize that this man should be President.
I believed he should be President, but I didn't believe he could be President. I even resorted to the old, long-held justification that if he actually became President I would fear for his safety. Then Barack Obama appeared on the Tavis Smiley show. He stated that people shouldn't be so concerned for his safety that they don't vote for him. He said he had considered and discussed the dangers with his family, and they had all decided that this was something he needed to do. Since that was my last obstacle, I threw my support behind Obama.
Now, Tavis Smiley had asked Barack if he really thought he had any chance of becoming the Democratic nominee when he was trailing so far behind in the polls. He said he did, and that he was confident once he made his case to the masses they would vote for him. I chuckled. Did he really believe that? Naw, I concluded, but he has to act like he does. So, while he had my support, I wasn't very confident that anything would come of his candidacy.
A couple months later, during a telephone conversation with my mother, all hell broke loose. My mother, who was supporting Hillary Clinton at the time, said she was certain that I, too, was behind Hillary. I told her that I, in fact, was not. I said Barack was my guy. She went ballistic on me, and gave me every argument as to why I should support Hillary over Obama. I successfully rebutted each one. Then she said that, even if Obama were to win the party nom, there was no way he could get enough votes to win the general election. I agreed with that assessment, so she asked why I would waste my vote on someone who couldn't win. My answer was simple: Because I have to.
And I did have to because I believed in this man wholeheartedly. Ordinarily I hate politics, so I necessarily abhor politicians. But there was something different about this one. I felt like he understood what it was like to be me on a basic level. I felt his sincerity.
So I told my mother that Barack had my support, but that I'd end up voting for Hillary in the general election anyway. I had nothing against her. I just didn't feel her the way I did him. My mother got angry, didn't speak to me for two weeks, and -- although I can't prove it -- I think she briefly wrote me out of her will.
Then Obama won the Iowa caucuses and people really started paying attention to him, including my mother. My mother, a Texas resident, did cast her vote for Hillary, but she confided in me several weeks later that she wished she'd had that vote back. She now saw in Barack what I saw in him.
Ever since the Iowa caucuses, when it became clear that there was a real chance he could win the party nom, I've been anxious. Anxious for each caucus and primary result, for him to secure the nomination, for the convention, for the general election. I didn't even know I was so wound up until this morning when suddenly I wasn't.
I know that African-Americans everywhere are rejoicing in the history that is the first African-American to ever get elected to the highest office in our land. My mother called me in tears last night when they called the election for Obama, because she grew up in the Jim Crow south, where she wasn't allowed to go to school with Whites or even use the same bathrooms. She never thought she'd see this in her lifetime and was overcome by the moment. I understand that, and, though I never had to deal with Jim Crow, I felt every bit of that history last night.
But it was deeper than even that for me. For once in the past 8 years, the issues actually mattered. So much so that this country was able to look beyond its prejudices and elect the best person for the job.
And so I slept.
But this nation still has a long way to go. Last night was not a victory against prejudice and bigotry, as some have proclaimed. Instead, for a large group of people, it was bittersweet. As this country showed it could look past a history of preconceived notions about one group of people, it also demonstrated, at least in those states that denied gay couples the right to marry (especially in progressive California), that it is still willing to justify discrimination against another group.
So today we celebrate President-Elect Barack Obama. But there is clearly still work to be done. Our journey continues.
-e
p.s. Here are more photos from last night's acceptance speech:
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Yes, We Did!
Wow! I'm overcome with the magnitude of Barack Obama becoming the 44th President of the United States of America. I'll drop some wisdom on y'all about it tomorrow, when I can gather my thoughts more clearly. Besides, I'm completely spent tonight.
Meanwhile, here are some photos of America's new First Family:
Meanwhile, here are some photos of America's new First Family:
The Candy Nazi
Did you hear about Shirley Nagel, the evil Candy Nazi lady who, on Halloween, refused to hand out candy to children of Obama supporters? In case you missed it, here she is in all her self-righteous glory:
As it turns out, this icky itch lives in Grosse Pointe Farms. My daughter and I were in Grosse Pointe trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
Shirley The Psycho and I have something in common: fortune smiled upon both of us when we did not cross paths that night.
You see, I have a temper. She clearly has no sense. That's a bad combination. Had she been mean to my child, had she caused my child to cry, you probably would've seen me in that video too...in handcuffs. And that McCrazy lady would've been trying to talk to that reporter through a broken jaw and missing teeth.
I know, I know. I'm supposed to turn the other cheek, rise above it all, be a better woman. Nope. Sorry. Mama don't play when it comes to her baby.
It has since been discovered that Shirley The Shrew was a Michigan delegate to the Republican National Committee this year. Now, I've been reading blogs where people are saying that this is "typical" of McCain/Palin supporters. Let me assure you, it is not. It's not even typical of McCain/Palin supporters in the Grosse Pointes. In fact, we trick-or-treated at several houses with McCain signs in their yard. They were all nice to the children and cordial to the adults. No, this was the unilateral action of a lunatic.
And, get this, she used to be a school teacher. How scary is that? Lucky for her she's already retired, because I'm certain there would have been thousands of angry letters from parents demanding her dismissal.
But, since she dodged that bullet, I offer the following information:
Anyway, I'm tired of thinking about that insane wretch. After all, Keith Olberman already named her Worst Person In The World. I'm going to put her out of my mind directly...right after I finish counting my lucky stars.
-e
As it turns out, this icky itch lives in Grosse Pointe Farms. My daughter and I were in Grosse Pointe trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
Shirley The Psycho and I have something in common: fortune smiled upon both of us when we did not cross paths that night.
You see, I have a temper. She clearly has no sense. That's a bad combination. Had she been mean to my child, had she caused my child to cry, you probably would've seen me in that video too...in handcuffs. And that McCrazy lady would've been trying to talk to that reporter through a broken jaw and missing teeth.
I know, I know. I'm supposed to turn the other cheek, rise above it all, be a better woman. Nope. Sorry. Mama don't play when it comes to her baby.
It has since been discovered that Shirley The Shrew was a Michigan delegate to the Republican National Committee this year. Now, I've been reading blogs where people are saying that this is "typical" of McCain/Palin supporters. Let me assure you, it is not. It's not even typical of McCain/Palin supporters in the Grosse Pointes. In fact, we trick-or-treated at several houses with McCain signs in their yard. They were all nice to the children and cordial to the adults. No, this was the unilateral action of a lunatic.
And, get this, she used to be a school teacher. How scary is that? Lucky for her she's already retired, because I'm certain there would have been thousands of angry letters from parents demanding her dismissal.
But, since she dodged that bullet, I offer the following information:
Shirley NagelI'm not saying she should get bombarded with mail, but it wouldn't hurt for a few thousand people to express their indignation at the way she treated those kids. Clearly the neighbors can't stand her either. You saw how quickly they gave up her name to the press.
465 Belanger St.
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236
313-884-2598
Anyway, I'm tired of thinking about that insane wretch. After all, Keith Olberman already named her Worst Person In The World. I'm going to put her out of my mind directly...right after I finish counting my lucky stars.
-e
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Maybe It's Just Me
At some point, after John McCain announced he was pulling ads from Michigan, I figured I'd be spared the bitter back-and-forth that had previously overtaken my television set. Boy was I wrong.
Every state has their ballot initiatives, and Michigan is no different. But ours tend to be controversial.
Enter Proposal 2.
Now, even the name garners bad blood in Michigan because the last significant controversial ballot initiative that I remember was also called Prop 2, and it was seeking to end affirmative action in the state. Believe it or not, that bullshit passed by a 58% to 42% margin. I won't get into the specifics of that battle or the reasons why it slid through, but suffice it to say there was a significant amount of race-baiting and fear-mongering involved. That was two years ago.
This latest Prop 2 seeks to add a constitutional amendment which would allow for embryonic stem cell research in Michigan.
Now, as a science enthusiast myself, I am usually all for research. And, with two of the best medical schools in the country, Michigan State University and University of Michigan (U of M also ranks near the top for medical research), it seems appropriate that the state would adopt this amendment.
But, there are two sides to every story, and the other side has been making its case for months. Also, I like to make sure that I familiarize myself with the language before making a decision, as these ballot initiatives tend to be confusing and sometimes misleading.
Then this came on my television:
Did you see that? They invoked the Tuskegee Experiment. Maybe it's just me, but I think they did it for one reason: they hope to elicit a knee-jerk, emotional reaction from the many African-Americans they know will be voting in this state to help them defeat the proposal. Then, I find out that the ad is running in heavy rotation in the Detroit area, but not so much anywhere else in the state. Hmm...
Well, it worked on me, but not the way it was supposed to. I don't like to be manipulated. If I believe someone is trying to maneuver me into doing something, I will do the opposite just because. Before that commercial, I was willing to give the anti-Prop 2 folks a chance. Now, after that shameful, race-baiting, fear-mongering ad, I know I have to go with my first mind and vote 'yes' on Proposition 2.
Every state has their ballot initiatives, and Michigan is no different. But ours tend to be controversial.
Enter Proposal 2.
Now, even the name garners bad blood in Michigan because the last significant controversial ballot initiative that I remember was also called Prop 2, and it was seeking to end affirmative action in the state. Believe it or not, that bullshit passed by a 58% to 42% margin. I won't get into the specifics of that battle or the reasons why it slid through, but suffice it to say there was a significant amount of race-baiting and fear-mongering involved. That was two years ago.
This latest Prop 2 seeks to add a constitutional amendment which would allow for embryonic stem cell research in Michigan.
Now, as a science enthusiast myself, I am usually all for research. And, with two of the best medical schools in the country, Michigan State University and University of Michigan (U of M also ranks near the top for medical research), it seems appropriate that the state would adopt this amendment.
But, there are two sides to every story, and the other side has been making its case for months. Also, I like to make sure that I familiarize myself with the language before making a decision, as these ballot initiatives tend to be confusing and sometimes misleading.
Then this came on my television:
Did you see that? They invoked the Tuskegee Experiment. Maybe it's just me, but I think they did it for one reason: they hope to elicit a knee-jerk, emotional reaction from the many African-Americans they know will be voting in this state to help them defeat the proposal. Then, I find out that the ad is running in heavy rotation in the Detroit area, but not so much anywhere else in the state. Hmm...
Well, it worked on me, but not the way it was supposed to. I don't like to be manipulated. If I believe someone is trying to maneuver me into doing something, I will do the opposite just because. Before that commercial, I was willing to give the anti-Prop 2 folks a chance. Now, after that shameful, race-baiting, fear-mongering ad, I know I have to go with my first mind and vote 'yes' on Proposition 2.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Photo Share - Halloween
This is my child dressed up for Halloween last year. She was a zombie athlete. She was very funny trying so hard to be scary. The cool thing was that she used a duffel bag for candy, and that thing got very full!
She's nothing like I was when I was a kid. She really likes getting candy, but she never really eats it. So every year, although she eats a few pieces, I end up eating a good portion of it. I have to give most of it away.
-e
In The Spirit
I'm crazy about Halloween. I always have been, and I don't even know why. Maybe it's the idea that, if only for one night of the year, you can completely transform yourself into somebody - or something - else.
So, just to get everyone else into the spirit of things, here's an 80's classic by Rockwell. It's not all that scary, but I always thought the song was kinda creepy funny:
-e
So, just to get everyone else into the spirit of things, here's an 80's classic by Rockwell. It's not all that scary, but I always thought the song was kinda creepy funny:
-e
Thursday, October 30, 2008
I Just Couldn't Help Myself
I hadn't planned to watch it. Barack Obama's half-hour tv spot was last night, and I was going to take a pass.
'Cause why, right? I was already voting for the guy. And besides, I have had it up to HERE with this election. I want it to just be over already!
And the Pheonix Suns were playing the San Antonio Spurs on ESPN. I wanted to watch that. After all, I've been anxiously awaiting the start of the NBA season since the Boston Celtics won the title last summer.
So there was really no reason to even turn it on, was there?
Then I felt a little guilty. After all, the Obama camp spent quite a bit on that spot, and $20 of that was my money dammit! So I figured I might just have a quick peek, you know, for the sake of tv ratings. Then I'd turn to the game. I find politics pretty boring anyway...usually.
There was an old poem I was forced to read in high school - something about "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men..." I should've paid closer attention.
At the 20-minute mark I found myself wondering when they were going to show a commercial so I could at least turn and check the score of the game. About 2 seconds later it occurred to me that there wouldn't be any commercials because this was, after all, one long political ad.
I had to laugh at myself. 'Cause I just was sitting there, mesmerized, like I hadn't seen nor heard most of this before and like I needed to hear more. And I really needed to pee (note to self: don't drink a giant cup of cinnamon apple tea and expect to sit for half an hour). Still, I forced myself to hold it for the last 10 minutes because, for some inexplicable reason, I had to finish watching.
In the end, I felt it was good spot. It wasn't boring at all (contrary to Elizabeth Hasselbeck's assessment on The View today...of course she'd rather walk through burning flames than to say anything favorable about Obama). The half hour went by pretty quickly. So, good job Senator. But next time please check the NBA schedule before you decide to buy a big ad block in prime time.
-e
'Cause why, right? I was already voting for the guy. And besides, I have had it up to HERE with this election. I want it to just be over already!
And the Pheonix Suns were playing the San Antonio Spurs on ESPN. I wanted to watch that. After all, I've been anxiously awaiting the start of the NBA season since the Boston Celtics won the title last summer.
So there was really no reason to even turn it on, was there?
Then I felt a little guilty. After all, the Obama camp spent quite a bit on that spot, and $20 of that was my money dammit! So I figured I might just have a quick peek, you know, for the sake of tv ratings. Then I'd turn to the game. I find politics pretty boring anyway...usually.
There was an old poem I was forced to read in high school - something about "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men..." I should've paid closer attention.
At the 20-minute mark I found myself wondering when they were going to show a commercial so I could at least turn and check the score of the game. About 2 seconds later it occurred to me that there wouldn't be any commercials because this was, after all, one long political ad.
I had to laugh at myself. 'Cause I just was sitting there, mesmerized, like I hadn't seen nor heard most of this before and like I needed to hear more. And I really needed to pee (note to self: don't drink a giant cup of cinnamon apple tea and expect to sit for half an hour). Still, I forced myself to hold it for the last 10 minutes because, for some inexplicable reason, I had to finish watching.
In the end, I felt it was good spot. It wasn't boring at all (contrary to Elizabeth Hasselbeck's assessment on The View today...of course she'd rather walk through burning flames than to say anything favorable about Obama). The half hour went by pretty quickly. So, good job Senator. But next time please check the NBA schedule before you decide to buy a big ad block in prime time.
-e
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Michelle-O Talks With Leno
Michelle Obama made an appearance on The Tonight Show on Monday night, and she showed her usual class, eloquence, and grace during her interview. She even took the high road when Jay prodded her about Sarah Palin's wardrobe.
In case you missed it, I've attached the entire interview below. Enjoy!
-e
In case you missed it, I've attached the entire interview below. Enjoy!
-e
Saturday, October 25, 2008
My New Addiction
My friend Joe Lewis (yes, just like the boxer) is like a brother to me. Joe is a great guy 99% of the time, but he's got a sadistic streak in him that masquerades as niceness. Like the time he gave me a Costco membership as a Christmas present. A wonderful, thoughtful gift you say? HA! It was all I could do to NOT simply sign over every paycheck to that place. And now, he's being mean yet again.
Let me just say that I'm not a huge YouTube person. Yeah, it's okay for your random video clips. Say I want to see a clip of a cat flushing the toilet or find a music video from back in the day. I'd definitely go straight to YouTube. For example, I could go to YouTube right now and search for the video to Love Is A House by Force MD's, and I would find this:
Anyway, YouTube is good for stuff like that. But what if I missed the last episode of Fringe, Heroes, or The Starter Wife? Where do I go if I'm jonesin' to watch Hollywood Shuffle in its entirety?
Joe Lewis has introduced me to a website called Hulu, and it is the answer. Now I'm spending countless hours watching every episode of Life (from the pilot episode on) and Frank TV.
Joe Lewis is cruel. He had to know this would happen.
-e
Let me just say that I'm not a huge YouTube person. Yeah, it's okay for your random video clips. Say I want to see a clip of a cat flushing the toilet or find a music video from back in the day. I'd definitely go straight to YouTube. For example, I could go to YouTube right now and search for the video to Love Is A House by Force MD's, and I would find this:
Anyway, YouTube is good for stuff like that. But what if I missed the last episode of Fringe, Heroes, or The Starter Wife? Where do I go if I'm jonesin' to watch Hollywood Shuffle in its entirety?
Joe Lewis has introduced me to a website called Hulu, and it is the answer. Now I'm spending countless hours watching every episode of Life (from the pilot episode on) and Frank TV.
Joe Lewis is cruel. He had to know this would happen.
-e
Friday, October 24, 2008
My Heart Goes Out to Jennifer Hudson
News from ABC-7:
-e
p.s. You can read the entire article here.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The mother and brother of singer and Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson were found shot to death inside a home Friday.I feel for Jennifer and can't even imagine what she must be feeling right now. Obviously, my heart goes out to her and her family, and I hope her nephew will be found safe.
Police have confirmed Hudson's mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 57, is one of the
deceased. The other victim has been identified as Jennifer Hudson's brother, Jason S. Hudson, 29.
The home where the bodies were discovered around 3 p.m. Friday is at 7019 S. Yale in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. Property records indicate the home belongs to Donerson.
A search is underway for a young boy who is missing from the home. Jennifer Hudson's 7-year-old nephew, Julian King, has been missing since Friday morning, according to Area 2 Deputy Chief Joseph Patterson.
-e
p.s. You can read the entire article here.
Checking In, Blog Maintenance, and an SNL Skit
I'd been feeling guilty about not blogging for over a month, so I thought I'd check in and let everyone know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth or anything like that. Football season has come to an end for my daughter (unfortunately her team failed to make it into the playoffs this season...but there's always next year), and now we're gearing up for basketball season. I also got roped into being a "Cookie Mom" for my daughter's Girl Scout troop, so that will be taking up my time also. We're selling Girl Scout cashews, candies, and magazine subscriptions right now, so feel free to email me if you'd like to purchase anything. I'll email you back with a link to G's Girl Scout product sales page. We won't be taking cookie orders until shortly after Thanksgiving. We appreciate any and all support.
You'll notice I changed the appearance of my blog...again. Whaddya think? I created the background and title in PhotoShop. I used a kit called Spontaneous Delight designed by Carrie Stephens. It's the August 2008 freebie kit from Shabby Princess. Also, I've removed the music. I know some of you have said you open my blog at work just to hear the music, but more of you have said that the blast of music is unfortunate when you're browsing at work. Anyway, I'm not quite done tinkering with it yet, so you might see small changes here and there during the next few days. YOU AREN'T LOSING YOUR MIND! You're just getting an unfortunate glimpse into the inner workings of mine. (And for that, I truly apologize.)
On a lighter note, Will Ferrell returned to SNL last night to reprise his role as G-Dub. It made for a very funny opening skit. Here it is, in case you missed it:
You'll notice I changed the appearance of my blog...again. Whaddya think? I created the background and title in PhotoShop. I used a kit called Spontaneous Delight designed by Carrie Stephens. It's the August 2008 freebie kit from Shabby Princess. Also, I've removed the music. I know some of you have said you open my blog at work just to hear the music, but more of you have said that the blast of music is unfortunate when you're browsing at work. Anyway, I'm not quite done tinkering with it yet, so you might see small changes here and there during the next few days. YOU AREN'T LOSING YOUR MIND! You're just getting an unfortunate glimpse into the inner workings of mine. (And for that, I truly apologize.)
On a lighter note, Will Ferrell returned to SNL last night to reprise his role as G-Dub. It made for a very funny opening skit. Here it is, in case you missed it:
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
On Being A Swinger
I'm in love with my DVR. Don't get me wrong; I've always had affection for it. I recognized the moment I got it how dramatically it would change my life. And it definitely has. No longer must I choose between watching the gazillion-hour-long season premiere of The Biggest Loser or watching the latest installment of Fringe. Let's face it, setting a VCR was way too annoying to be a daily thing, especially when you tried to do it two minutes prior to the show and realized that you first had to set the clock (because you had unplugged the darn thing since the last time you used it). With the DVR, I can simply click on the upcoming program and set it to record. It takes all of 5 seconds. So you can see why I'm crazy about it.
These days, though, I've found even more appreciation for my DVR. And I gotta tell ya: it's the greatest invention since oxygen.
You see, Michigan is considered a "swing state". I don't know why we have to be swingers (I jokingly refer to residents of Michigan, Ohio, and other swing states thusly), considering how badly Michigan's economy has floundered under G-Dub's administration and the fact that the state has gone blue in the past 4 presidential contests, but this is what they tell us. Being a swinger can be a good thing. With Michigan's 17 electoral votes up for grabs, not a week goes by that one of the candidates, presidential or vice-presidential, doesn't make an appearance somewhere around here. But it can also be very annoying. Those of you who are fortunate enough to live in a state that is solidly blue, or even one that is solidly red, probably think you are being bombarded with political tv ads. Hah! Take what you're getting and multiply it exponentially. That's what we swingers must endure.
What I wouldn't give for an annoying Head-On commercial right about now!
Now don't get me wrong. Politics are important, especially in our country's current state of economic unrest. But can't I have just one hour of the day when I don't have to hear about it? I guess not.
My new thing is to record all the shows I want to watch, even if I'm home and nothing else is on. That way, I can skip through all of the annoying political ads. This has been great for my temperment, as I am no longer prone to swearing at the television. (Okay, so I still swear at the television during football games, but we're not talking about that right now.) My DVR has been my lifesaver, rescuing me from drowning in an ocean of political hyperbole.
I am in love with my DVR.
These days, though, I've found even more appreciation for my DVR. And I gotta tell ya: it's the greatest invention since oxygen.
You see, Michigan is considered a "swing state". I don't know why we have to be swingers (I jokingly refer to residents of Michigan, Ohio, and other swing states thusly), considering how badly Michigan's economy has floundered under G-Dub's administration and the fact that the state has gone blue in the past 4 presidential contests, but this is what they tell us. Being a swinger can be a good thing. With Michigan's 17 electoral votes up for grabs, not a week goes by that one of the candidates, presidential or vice-presidential, doesn't make an appearance somewhere around here. But it can also be very annoying. Those of you who are fortunate enough to live in a state that is solidly blue, or even one that is solidly red, probably think you are being bombarded with political tv ads. Hah! Take what you're getting and multiply it exponentially. That's what we swingers must endure.
What I wouldn't give for an annoying Head-On commercial right about now!
Now don't get me wrong. Politics are important, especially in our country's current state of economic unrest. But can't I have just one hour of the day when I don't have to hear about it? I guess not.
My new thing is to record all the shows I want to watch, even if I'm home and nothing else is on. That way, I can skip through all of the annoying political ads. This has been great for my temperment, as I am no longer prone to swearing at the television. (Okay, so I still swear at the television during football games, but we're not talking about that right now.) My DVR has been my lifesaver, rescuing me from drowning in an ocean of political hyperbole.
I am in love with my DVR.
Friday, September 12, 2008
CS3...Savvy?
I had been tinkering with some of my photos attempting to learn how to post-process them. Everything I tried was abysmal. I became increasing frustrated with my efforts. I started to think that maybe I need to take a PS class. This thought troubled me because I'd never had to take a class to learn how to use software before. I can usually figure things out on my own. I was beginning to get frustrated.
Then I decided that maybe I shouldn't waste too much energy on an outdated version of PSE (2.0 to be exact). I decided I needed to upgrade immediately. If I'm going to be inept, I'm going to at least do it on updated software. So I immediately jumped online to research the best price for the latest and greatest Adobe photo-editing software. You know what I found?
THOSE PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!
I mean, folks gotta eat...don't they? I'm sure if I was a pro photographer the cost wouldn't be prohibitive. But I'm just basically practicing taking pictures for my personal edification. I can't imagine laying down that kinda cash for...software.
Too bad. I would've liked very much to have it, but it's too far out of reach for...
Wait a minute! I AM an IT chick, and there has to be a way to get CS3 for free, right?
And so I began to research. Guess what I found? A free trial of the software. Okay, that's great and all, but I want a permanent copy that I can use forever and ever. So, move this file...replace that file...change some code there....
Now, by no means am I admitting to ANY kind of piracy (because that would be wrong, boys and girls, very wrong!), but suffice it to say that I am now up and running with a permanent copy of CS3 (Arrrrgh!). Ain't technology grand?
Anyway, after I played around with the software a little I came up with the following photo from my daughter's first football game (you can click on them to view them full sized):
Original version
PS'd version
Not too bad for a novice, huh? I know it's not perfect, and it's easy to see the PSing if you look for it. I may not have blurred the background enough, or maybe I blurred it too much. I don't know. But as first efforts go, I'm pretty happy with it. I'm curious to know what you great photographers and seasoned photoshoppers think. Also, I'd welcome any tips and suggestions or any actions you want to share with me ('cause a sistah is broke as a joke and can't afford to buy any).
-e
Then I decided that maybe I shouldn't waste too much energy on an outdated version of PSE (2.0 to be exact). I decided I needed to upgrade immediately. If I'm going to be inept, I'm going to at least do it on updated software. So I immediately jumped online to research the best price for the latest and greatest Adobe photo-editing software. You know what I found?
THOSE PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!
I mean, folks gotta eat...don't they? I'm sure if I was a pro photographer the cost wouldn't be prohibitive. But I'm just basically practicing taking pictures for my personal edification. I can't imagine laying down that kinda cash for...software.
Too bad. I would've liked very much to have it, but it's too far out of reach for...
Wait a minute! I AM an IT chick, and there has to be a way to get CS3 for free, right?
And so I began to research. Guess what I found? A free trial of the software. Okay, that's great and all, but I want a permanent copy that I can use forever and ever. So, move this file...replace that file...change some code there....
Now, by no means am I admitting to ANY kind of piracy (because that would be wrong, boys and girls, very wrong!), but suffice it to say that I am now up and running with a permanent copy of CS3 (Arrrrgh!). Ain't technology grand?
Anyway, after I played around with the software a little I came up with the following photo from my daughter's first football game (you can click on them to view them full sized):
Original version
PS'd version
Not too bad for a novice, huh? I know it's not perfect, and it's easy to see the PSing if you look for it. I may not have blurred the background enough, or maybe I blurred it too much. I don't know. But as first efforts go, I'm pretty happy with it. I'm curious to know what you great photographers and seasoned photoshoppers think. Also, I'd welcome any tips and suggestions or any actions you want to share with me ('cause a sistah is broke as a joke and can't afford to buy any).
-e
Friday, August 29, 2008
8 Mile...Starring Barack Obama
In a battle of words, it's usually not ideal to argue your point first. That way you get to hear the other person's argument, and you can counter that with your own.
Have y'all seen the movie 8 Mile? I know everyone in Detroit has. Remember that last battle scene, where Eminem - I forget his character's name - had the mic? He got up there and spat his rhymes, then he anticipated his opponent's comeback and tore it to shreds before he laid down the mic. Of course, the other guy now had nothing with which to come back, being that Eminem had already destroyed all his material.
He changed the rules. He threw a sucker punch that prevented the counter punch. He took words that he hadn't even heard yet and picked them apart.
Yep, that's what Barack Obama just did to John McCain. He 8Mile'd him.
If you didn't see Obama's acceptance speech (and I don't blame you if you didn't because I don't usually watch political conventions myself), you missed a brilliant display of gamesmanship. Not only did he make the case for the end of Republican rule by pointing out the obvious blunders of the current administration, but he anticipated every bit of nonsense that the McCain camp and the hit squad at the Republican National Committee might throw at him and made them seem, well, more than a little ridiculous.
For those who haven't seen it, I am not going to try to summarize it here. That would take too long, and I have to get up in the morning. And I can't embed the video because it hasn't shown up on the web just yet, so you'll have to find it for yourself to see what I'm talking about.
Oh, and that shuffling sound you hear is the McCain camp trying to figure out what just happened to all their talking points.
-e
Have y'all seen the movie 8 Mile? I know everyone in Detroit has. Remember that last battle scene, where Eminem - I forget his character's name - had the mic? He got up there and spat his rhymes, then he anticipated his opponent's comeback and tore it to shreds before he laid down the mic. Of course, the other guy now had nothing with which to come back, being that Eminem had already destroyed all his material.
He changed the rules. He threw a sucker punch that prevented the counter punch. He took words that he hadn't even heard yet and picked them apart.
Yep, that's what Barack Obama just did to John McCain. He 8Mile'd him.
If you didn't see Obama's acceptance speech (and I don't blame you if you didn't because I don't usually watch political conventions myself), you missed a brilliant display of gamesmanship. Not only did he make the case for the end of Republican rule by pointing out the obvious blunders of the current administration, but he anticipated every bit of nonsense that the McCain camp and the hit squad at the Republican National Committee might throw at him and made them seem, well, more than a little ridiculous.
For those who haven't seen it, I am not going to try to summarize it here. That would take too long, and I have to get up in the morning. And I can't embed the video because it hasn't shown up on the web just yet, so you'll have to find it for yourself to see what I'm talking about.
Oh, and that shuffling sound you hear is the McCain camp trying to figure out what just happened to all their talking points.
-e
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Practicing
So I'm trying hard not to rely so much on my camera's full auto mode. It's not as easy for me as it sounds. But, I'm getting there. Yesterday, I decided to practice my own "sport" while my daughter was at football practice. (I try not to pay too much attention to what's happening on the field because I get a little too into it, but 2 hours is an excruciatingly long time to be nonchalant.) What you see below are a couple of shots I took. Some were particularly challenging because of the evening shadows being cast across part of the field. Also, I cropped them a little, but that's as far as my Photoshopping went. One of these days, I'll learn how to post-process my digital pics better. Until then, this is what I get. :)
Taking a break
Gotta have some water! 
Running off the field 
One of the coaches addressing the players after practice
I love this photo...too bad my child isn't in it :) 
-e
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
And The Award Goes To...
I was honored when Staci nominated me for this award a few weeks ago. I consider this quite an accolade coming from her, since Staci's blog is so creative and entertaining.
The rules of this award are as follows:
- The winner can put the logo on his/her blog.
- Link to the person frow whom you received your award.
- Nominate at least 7 other blogs, and put links to those blogs on yours.
- Leave a message on the blogs of the people you nominated.
Keisha
Roberta
The Don
Trina
Veronica
-e
Friday, August 01, 2008
The Race Card (Quick Post)
I swear, if I hear the phrase "the race card" uttered on a political news show one more time I AM GOING TO THROW A FOOTBALL THROUGH THE SCREEN!
-e
-e
Sunday, July 27, 2008
That Kinda Info Might Have Been Useful
It's official. I'm old.
My 20-year class reunion is going on this weekend. I was unable to attend, but I hope all who did are enjoying themselves.
I was talking to an "old" friend yesterday, and we got to reminiscing about our high school years. She said she wished she could go back and tell her high school self a few things. She asked me what, if anything, I would go back and tell my teen-aged self.
Hmmm...that's a tough one for me, especially since I firmly believe that every experience I've had to this point has helped make me the person I am today. Besides, I was so hard-headed, I probably wouldn't have listened to me anyway. (Shaddap Torrie!) Anyway, there are a few concepts I might try to impart to a younger me:
- Do you! You will never please everybody, so don't even try. Be authentic to yourself, and let the chips fall where they may.
- Live in the moment. Don't worry about what happened yesterday; it's over. Don't concern yourself with tomorrow; you can't control it.
- Your thighs are fine. Everyone is not meant to be a size 3; being a size 7 does not make you fat. And even if it did, so what! There are worse things to be in this world.
- You can't control everything. There are times in life to stand your ground and times you have to be flexible. Learn the difference.
That's all I've got. It's not much, but it might have made a difference. If you could go back and talk to yourself as a teenager, what would you say?
-e
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