A Dark Friday
by Keith.
Yeah, I go Black Friday shopping. Whatofit? If you haven’t, you should. Just once at least. You’ll learn more about our culture in one night if you keep your eyes and ears open than you will over an entire season of Jersey Shore.
I have to say that there is a tragic irony in the timing of Black Friday. Immediately following (or not even following, actually during, for places like Old Navy and Toys-R-Us) a day where we are supposed to give thanks, we are convinced we need more. Persuaded that more junk will fill some void in our lives… keeping us unthankful.
This year seemed a little different than years past though and I’m not totally sure why. It probably had a lot to do with the stores opening at midnight instead of super early. To me, it seemed more convenient, since I’m up till then anyway, and I don’t think I was the only one who thought so.
I have to account one of the more interesting things. As my dad and I were waiting in the checkout line at Kohl’s, a woman got in line behind us, yelling at her family and other people to back off, and once they did she just stated that she was so annoyed by how crowded it was. What? Mind you, this was 15 minutes after Kohl’s opened. That’s sort of like getting mad at other concert goers for crowding you after you’ve pushed your way into the mosh pit.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t a safe experience for everyone. A woman went all UC Davis on some people in Walmart. Another person was shot and wounded critically. Just Google Search “Black Friday shooting”… there are plenty more out there. Oddly enough, it looks like most or all of them happened at Walmart. For comedic contrast, Canada’s Kinder, Gentler Black Friday. Update: Pandemonium on video… over a $2 waffle iron.
“I’m telling ya man… this just ain’t worth a helicopter.” – Some guy at Kohl’s
Also in the checkout line, a woman two or three people ahead of me actually had the Hamster Dance song as her ringtone. Yes. For real. #winning
Here are some pictures. Enjoy.
This sign reminded me of the lines at Disney World…
Tetris skillz would have come in handy here…
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Keith- Yup- It is totally an experience not to be missed. I was as Kohl’s and waited in my car and read until Midnight. Folks had been lined up for over an hour in the cold at one set of doors and I waited at the other. I felt like a cutter, but at midnight they opened up the set of doors that the “waiters” weren’t at and I walked right in, got my “goods” and was out of there in 10 minutes.
Unless you see it- it is hard to explain. The good, the bad and the ugly, all in the name of “more” and “upgrade” our American words to live by.
I partook. I am guilty as the rest of us.