Black Friday

I will start by saying that I hate Black Friday. Talk about forgetting what Christmas is really about. What Christmas is really about to all those Black Friday shoppers is being one in a swarm of many other nutcases who are up at the ass crack of dawn to "catch a deal". I put that in parenthesis because let's be honest, there were no great deals this year. I understand going through all that for a humungous flat screen or some electronic that would be well worth it to get it at a discount price. What I do not get is going out into that madness to grab some shirts. Yes, I understand it is nice to save money (who doesn't). But to go out so early all crazy in hyper snort to save a buck is nuts. Maybe it's just me though. Hell, if you like doing that every year be my guest. But I would much rather sit at home on my butt relax and decorate the house to get in the spirit or something. And especially to hear in the papers how crazy some people got, I was more than glad to be sitting at home decorating and being outside in the gorgeous weather. Like pepper spray? Really? That woman was clearly out of her mind. And over what? An Xbox? Call me crazy but why would that seem like a logical thing to do?

Crazy people. All I know is that a day after visiting with family and stuffing my face the last thing I want to do is wake up early and shop with about a million other people. If you like to though, more power to you. But be careful because someone might trample or pepper spray you to get to some discounted underwear.

Response to Katherine's "First Thanksgiving, now Halloween? Santa, give it a break!"

How could anyone miss all this Christmas hullaballoo? It's everywhere! I have definitely noticed over the past few years how Christmas advertisements and such have been creeping up earlier and earlier on the calendar. I agree with you completely, it is ridiculous. And like you, I love Christmas and all the traditions and things but I like it in december... around christmas time! Not in november around Thanksgiving and certaintly not around Halloween.By doing all this so early I feel that it actually takes a lot away from Christmas and the season. Let each holiday stay in its perspective month and not advertise it any earlier than that actual month.

It is also completely sending out the wrong message as to what Christmas is all about. It is not about all the shopping and money the stores make. What do we teach our children and young ones about the holiday? That it is about giving and not just receiving, about being with family, and having traditions and such. All this early advertisement is steering everyone away from the real meaning of Christmas. And yeah, if you don't celebrate Christmas, talk about feeling left out. Jeez!

Bullying

Today when I came home I did what I normally do. I turned on my computer and started checking some emails. One email I came across was from my aunt about bullying. It had to do with a 10 year old girl from Illinois who hung herself this weekend due to being bullied. 10 years old! Are people for real? This child felt so tired of being bullied that she resorted to the only thing she felt was left to do. To kill herself. She can't come back. She chose to end her life rather than live another day going to school and being bullied by her peers. It sickens me, it really does. This is one of the youngest cases of suicide from bullying that I have ever heard. She was just a child. She didn't even get to live, to get past the stupid ignorant people in her school, and to live a great life. This is all becoming way to common. There really needs to be an end to bullying because too many young innocent people are dying as a result.

Whenever I read a story about a suicide from bullying I almost immediately wonder how the bullies feel when they hear the news. Are they ashamed? Remorseful? Do they realize and admit to themselves or others that they are the reason this other child, their peer, is not here anymore. That this child is not coming back? That he/she barely got to live their life. That they took someone from his/hers family. The sad part is I bet a lot of these bullies say to themselves, "It wasn't my fault. Not me. I did not make that person do that." I wonder if it would make a difference if someone said to the bully, "This is your fault. She did that to herself because of your constant tormenting." I wonder if that would have an impact. Would the bully stop bullying?

My father is... (STAR revised)

My father is a very kind and loving man. But, he can also be quite intimidating. Not so much from his looks but from how he comes off sometimes. My father stands at 6 foot 2 with neatly brushed gray hair and clear blue eyes. He tends to have a serious look on his face most of the time, which could very well be why some people find him standoffish and tough looking. I know I do sometimes. But in reality he is the most kind and generous man. He would do anything for the ones he loves.

His intimidation and seriousness might stem from having to fend for himself since he was in his 20's after his parents passed away. I can only imagine how hard and lonely it must have felt to lose both of the people you love the most at such a young age. I know his parents would have been very proud of him. He went to college and proceeded to receive a PhD and to this day works at a very well-known company which I like to refer to as "The Smart People Place". He is super smart. Definitely one of the smartest people I know. Although his smartness can get annoying sometimes he is not the type of person to rub it in to anyone’s face. Rather he uses his brain to help others in any way he can.

My father also has a tendency to be very blunt. Sometimes too blunt but really he is just being realistic. It's funny though because as much as his bluntness gets to me, I am exactly the same way. My father and I are very much alike. We are realistic all the time, sometimes too blunt and honest, sarcastic, stubborn, but also loving and caring people. Some of these reasons are probably why we tend to bump heads the most. Neither of us ever wants to admit when we are wrong but are always ready to yell when we are right and we are always there to help any one out. My father and I being so much alike always makes me laugh a little because I am adopted. I guess it just goes to show that not everything is through genetics but from who you are around.