Hap-Hap-Happy Thanks Givingness Time

White meat, dark meat, or meatless meat, I hope your holiday was full of fun and family.

The Gal and I visited her mother for food and three different kinds of desserts, then headed over to see her napping dad and talked over a cigar and spicy cheese dip. We smuggled a cat into our apartment. We walked our neighborhood and took many pictures. We went to bed late.

In more serious matters, today and tomorrow is Buy Nothing Day in North America and Internationally, respectively. It's a protest against the horrendous consumerism that characterizes a lot of what I think is wrong with this country.

It's a matter of degree: Getting gifts for loved ones is a Good Thing, of course it is. But when consumer debt is at 2.4 TRILLION dollars and last year people spent $455 billion they couldn't really afford, that's a Bad Thing. Why does Target and Kohl's need to open at Five in the morning? Why do people feel the need to be lined up outside the doors of these places, no matter how early or cold it is? Is it really that important? Other counties must think we're crazier than shit-house rats this time of year, and I'd have to agree with them. We have a serious problem that needs to be addressed, there's no way this can be healthy.

So just as the name says, don't buy anything today. Christmas is still a long way off; one or two days of boycotting the malls and department stores of America will not kill you or your holiday plans. If you have today off, spend some (more) time with your family instead. Go on a walk. Decorate your house. Read a book. Make hand-made Christmas cards for friends and family. Get some lovin'. Ride a bike. Relax.

Honestly, doesn't that sound better than the stuffy, over-crowded war zone the malls and outlets will be today? Just sit and recall your previous experiences. No one is happy in that situation. Stay home, have a good time instead.

If you really want to get into it, visit this page here and learn about the various ways you can be more active than keeping your turkey-laden booties out of Walmart for the day.

Viva la resistance!

- David

K - "I need to put some lotion on my face."
D - *makes the most subtle of facial expressions*
K - "Oh be quiet!"