"Nobody watches soaps because of the good acting."
[Laughter]
"They watch it because it feels a void in their life of romance and relationships that they don't have. You may say, 'Ha! I would never do that.' TV, in general, fills that void for you. You get your emotional fulfillment from either lusting after or crying with people that don't even exist."
-- 11/25/2007 sermon by Chris Riser
Friday, November 30, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Oh, the joy of capitalism
Before Lydia and I traveled to the Dirty South, we decided to see what all of the Black Friday buzz was about. In need of a new camera, we decided to take advantage of one of Wal-Mart's 5AM sales. We knew that it was going to be unlike the everyday run to Wal-Mart for bread and milk, we did not know that it was going to be an absolute madhouse.
We woke up at 4AM hoping to beat some of the Black Friday traffic. When walking in the parking lot to Wal-Mart we noticed that people were actually running into the store. (I, personally, do not care if they were selling Apple Iphones for .99, I would not demote myself to running into a department store.) While Lydia and I were strolling in the parking lot, my beautiful bride was almost clipped by an SUV rushing for a parking space.
The scene inside was just as ridiculous. It appeared that these people really believed that Christmas happiness could be won if they muscled themselves towards the better deals. Lydia and I easily secured what we went in for, browsed the store a bit, observed human nature at its worst, and left for breakfast.
Now, do not get me wrong. As a morning person, I see nothing wrong with getting up early and enjoying some good deals. I was, however, disgusted by much of the greed that was present in the store. There is something wrong when human beings are herded down aisles like a bunch of cattle and when one accidentally gets elbowed an apology is no where to be found because common courtesy may slow one down from buying that printer/scanner combo.
As a capitalist, I say 'good for Wal-Mart' for creating a sale that many of its shoppers enjoy. As a human being, I say 'shame on you' for my fellow Americans' clear display of greed. A sale on Dvd camcorders is no excuse to abandon all civility.
We woke up at 4AM hoping to beat some of the Black Friday traffic. When walking in the parking lot to Wal-Mart we noticed that people were actually running into the store. (I, personally, do not care if they were selling Apple Iphones for .99, I would not demote myself to running into a department store.) While Lydia and I were strolling in the parking lot, my beautiful bride was almost clipped by an SUV rushing for a parking space.
The scene inside was just as ridiculous. It appeared that these people really believed that Christmas happiness could be won if they muscled themselves towards the better deals. Lydia and I easily secured what we went in for, browsed the store a bit, observed human nature at its worst, and left for breakfast.
Now, do not get me wrong. As a morning person, I see nothing wrong with getting up early and enjoying some good deals. I was, however, disgusted by much of the greed that was present in the store. There is something wrong when human beings are herded down aisles like a bunch of cattle and when one accidentally gets elbowed an apology is no where to be found because common courtesy may slow one down from buying that printer/scanner combo.
As a capitalist, I say 'good for Wal-Mart' for creating a sale that many of its shoppers enjoy. As a human being, I say 'shame on you' for my fellow Americans' clear display of greed. A sale on Dvd camcorders is no excuse to abandon all civility.
Tour de South
Lydia and I have done our fair share of traveling during the month of November. According to my quick calculations, we have flown and driven around 3050 miles during this month. Of course all of this excessive traveling was due to very important events to in my new family.
The first round of traveling (Knoxville-Charlotte-Fort Worth-Lubbock-Fort Worth-Charlotte-Knoxville) was due to the long awaited marriage of Lydia's brother Donald to his college sweetheart Danielle. As weddings are often makeshift family reunions, it was great meeting some of Lydia's family/friends that I have never met before. It was a great trip but we are finding it more and more difficult to say goodbye to Steve and Mo. In fact, the highlight of the trip was seeing Steve--former tennis player of the Air Force Academy--playing my Nintendo Wii. It was hilarious seeing him run all over the living room chasing the 3D ball. What a blast! --
The second round of travelling was our annual (I think a tradition is officially forming here) post-Thanksgiving Day trip to Atlanta to visit Lydia's Uncle Don and her Aunt Lisa. On each trip to visit one of my many in-laws it feels like I am becoming more and more apart of the Freggens/Skidmore families. I brought the Nintendo Wii along on this trip as well and Don's four children (Marjorie, Drew, Boyd, and Max) loved it. I am beginning to think that my new family only loves me for my Nintendo. Unfortunately, Lydia and I did not take pictures of this particular visit, but I did post pictures from Thanksgiving 2006.
Lydia and I are becoming quite the nation-trotters, so you may want to watch out for us in a town near you.
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