There is so much going on right now that one entry here needs to be devoted to a number of topics. So I'm driving home after dropping my daughter off at her boyfriend's home this past Friday evening and one of her neighbors has their house decorated for Christmas. I mean, that would make it November 21st, just one day after my birthday. A week before Thanksgiving. It's just too soon. When I was a kid, nothing 'Christmas' happened until after Thanksgiving. The day after, in fact. That became known as 'Black Friday', almost a national holiday itself, when all the Christmas shopping would begin. Now poor little Thanksgiving, a great holiday unto itself, is being shoved aside more and more. Moving on to the Eagles...do I really have to? After my hopeful entry just 48 hours ago, the 'Playoff Express' ran completely off the rails in yesterday's 2nd half in Baltimore. A promising beginning rapidly deteriorated for Donovan McNabb, and he was yanked at halftime of a 10-7 game that was a must-win for this franchise to have any hopes of a 2008 playoff appearance. Frankly, he was awful, but he has been awful early in games before and rallied himself and the team. This was a close game against a top defense on the road. And this is where Andy Reid chose to make the switch to Kevin Kolb? Kolb was at least as bad as McNabb, the game spiraled out of control, the Birds lost 36-7 while all their playoff competitors won, and the 2008 season officially ended. It's time to let the Kolb Era fully begin, with more roster changes to come quickly. The Eagles could not have picked a worse time for this to happen. Now they come home for their first Thanksgiving game in years, a game that was looked on with excitement until these past two Sundays. Now it likely will prove to be a source of indigestion after a fine family turkey dinner. Maybe the news holds better stories for us? Nah. It's more 'Saint Barack' 24/7. Something good happens, the front pages read: "Obama Announces Financial Plan; Dow soars 400 points", or "Obama Reaches Out to GOP". Something bad happens, it's: "Sarah Palin Causes Global Warming", or "Cheney Suspected in California Forest Fires". These guys are a laugh riot a minute. The only thing that won't be funny is if Al Franken somehow comes out on top in his Minnesota recount. Now that, like Franken's comedic stylings, would not be one bit funny. Here in Philly, we bury a cop today. Another cop killed this year in the line of duty. This makes four: Steve Liczbinski and Pat McDonald gunned down, Izzy Nazario and now Tim Simpson run down. It's too much for one department to bear, Lord. We need a break. Like a few years break. Today cops from all across the city and region will gather. Another ceremony honoring a hero. Another Mass at the Cathedral downtown. Another motorcade to Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem. Another burial of a hero in front of a grieving widow and children. More fundraisers and benefits to support and attend. We do it all because we understand, and because we are family. But we would just as soon not have to do it at all. Please Lord, one gift for 2009: no Philly Cop funerals. A lot of bad news in this 'Monday Morning Quarterback' posting, I know. So I'll end it on a bit of an up-tick: Jack is back. For those of us who are fans of "24" you know just what I mean. Jack Bauer returned to the air last night with a bang, rescuing a bunch of kids in Africa, but ultimately being taken into custody himself and transported back to America to testify before Congress as the first female President of the United States was being sworn into office. Hillary had to be watching with a lump in her throat. But Jack was back with the 2-hour movie "24: Redemption" and he will be back protecting the nation full-time come January. So we got that going for us, which is nice. Here's to hoping that 2009 is a better year all-around, not just for '24' fans, but for Philly Cops, Eagles fans, Republicans, and anyone else who pays any attention to this blog. God bless the family of Tim Simpson, may they somehow find peace and healing this holiday season.
Showing posts with label Black Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black Friday. Show all posts
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday Morning Quarterback
There is so much going on right now that one entry here needs to be devoted to a number of topics. So I'm driving home after dropping my daughter off at her boyfriend's home this past Friday evening and one of her neighbors has their house decorated for Christmas. I mean, that would make it November 21st, just one day after my birthday. A week before Thanksgiving. It's just too soon. When I was a kid, nothing 'Christmas' happened until after Thanksgiving. The day after, in fact. That became known as 'Black Friday', almost a national holiday itself, when all the Christmas shopping would begin. Now poor little Thanksgiving, a great holiday unto itself, is being shoved aside more and more. Moving on to the Eagles...do I really have to? After my hopeful entry just 48 hours ago, the 'Playoff Express' ran completely off the rails in yesterday's 2nd half in Baltimore. A promising beginning rapidly deteriorated for Donovan McNabb, and he was yanked at halftime of a 10-7 game that was a must-win for this franchise to have any hopes of a 2008 playoff appearance. Frankly, he was awful, but he has been awful early in games before and rallied himself and the team. This was a close game against a top defense on the road. And this is where Andy Reid chose to make the switch to Kevin Kolb? Kolb was at least as bad as McNabb, the game spiraled out of control, the Birds lost 36-7 while all their playoff competitors won, and the 2008 season officially ended. It's time to let the Kolb Era fully begin, with more roster changes to come quickly. The Eagles could not have picked a worse time for this to happen. Now they come home for their first Thanksgiving game in years, a game that was looked on with excitement until these past two Sundays. Now it likely will prove to be a source of indigestion after a fine family turkey dinner. Maybe the news holds better stories for us? Nah. It's more 'Saint Barack' 24/7. Something good happens, the front pages read: "Obama Announces Financial Plan; Dow soars 400 points", or "Obama Reaches Out to GOP". Something bad happens, it's: "Sarah Palin Causes Global Warming", or "Cheney Suspected in California Forest Fires". These guys are a laugh riot a minute. The only thing that won't be funny is if Al Franken somehow comes out on top in his Minnesota recount. Now that, like Franken's comedic stylings, would not be one bit funny. Here in Philly, we bury a cop today. Another cop killed this year in the line of duty. This makes four: Steve Liczbinski and Pat McDonald gunned down, Izzy Nazario and now Tim Simpson run down. It's too much for one department to bear, Lord. We need a break. Like a few years break. Today cops from all across the city and region will gather. Another ceremony honoring a hero. Another Mass at the Cathedral downtown. Another motorcade to Resurrection Cemetery in Bensalem. Another burial of a hero in front of a grieving widow and children. More fundraisers and benefits to support and attend. We do it all because we understand, and because we are family. But we would just as soon not have to do it at all. Please Lord, one gift for 2009: no Philly Cop funerals. A lot of bad news in this 'Monday Morning Quarterback' posting, I know. So I'll end it on a bit of an up-tick: Jack is back. For those of us who are fans of "24" you know just what I mean. Jack Bauer returned to the air last night with a bang, rescuing a bunch of kids in Africa, but ultimately being taken into custody himself and transported back to America to testify before Congress as the first female President of the United States was being sworn into office. Hillary had to be watching with a lump in her throat. But Jack was back with the 2-hour movie "24: Redemption" and he will be back protecting the nation full-time come January. So we got that going for us, which is nice. Here's to hoping that 2009 is a better year all-around, not just for '24' fans, but for Philly Cops, Eagles fans, Republicans, and anyone else who pays any attention to this blog. God bless the family of Tim Simpson, may they somehow find peace and healing this holiday season.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Time for Christmas Shopping
Okay, the zaniness of 'Black Friday' is still a week away, but now is the time to really start your Christmas shopping. By next weekend, and for each of the final four weekends afterwards before the actual holiday, the rush at your local mall is going to only get worse and worse. Oh yeah, I know, there is some 'financial crisis' or whatever the doomsayers are trying to sell you on today. So there won't be any Christmas shopping this year, right? Probably will be short lines and plenty of stock on the shelves at the stores, right? You can put it off until later this year, right? Wrong! You and I both know that you are going to be out there buying gifts for your kids and grandkids, your siblings, your parents (right girls?) as well as other close family members and friends. So let me give you a hint. Get out there this weekend! Things began to pick up last weekend at the malls and stores. They are going to get worse next weekend and every one after that through December. This is the time to take advantage. Get out there, beat the real mad rush. Grab exactly what you want without fighting too much of a crowd. Oh, it will be crowded. But this rush is nothing compared to what is going to be happening for the following five weekends. An even better idea, begin to get a bunch of your shopping done online. Places like 'Amazon.com' are all ready to help you do the bulk of your shopping right from the comfort of your own home. They ship directly to you at a small fee, in plenty of time for you to get the gifts wrapped for redistribution by you at the holiday. Almost every major store has an online service now to help you shop at home. From Sears to Wal-Mart, from candy to food, from gift certificates to high-end clothes and jewelry, you can buy pretty much anything online these days. Just have your credit card ready. And as for those credit cards, don't be afraid to spend, as long as you are secure in your job. If you have a good, steady job there is no reason to fear spending your good, hard-earned money in bringing some love and joy at the holidays. So get out there this weekend and get going, or just stay home and fire up the computer and get going, or tune the TV to HSN or QVC and get going. But get going, now is the time. Get those Christmas decorations, you will be decorating starting next weekend. And don't forget those Christmas cards too, you are going to be wanting to mail them out in just two more weeks. Get to it people, this is going to be your best weekend remaining to get it done. Just 33 shopping days until Christmas. 'Carpe Diem', Christmas shoppers!
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