Some people referred to yesterday as a "second Black Friday." Yesterday was the day after Christmas and BF is the day after Thanksgiving. So, people went shopping--or, more precisely, pushed and shoved each other to get bargains they believed to be awaiting them.
Of course, there were some differences. The Black Friday phenomenon is repeated every year, while Round Two, if you will, is possible only every few years, when the day after Christmas happens to fall on a Friday. Also, the post-Christmas shopping frenzy is fueled, in part, by people who are returning or exchanging gifts and are enticed to shop for other things.
One thing both days have in common is that, on both, I avoid the retail ruckus (which has been known to plunge into full-blown riots) that has become part of them. Instead, I choose calmer and more meditative activities, like tea with a friend, reading and writing, playing with my feline family or, of course, a bike ride.
Today's spin took me down to Rockaway Beach. Even though cirrus clouds swirled the clear sky and light winds blew mild air in the directions of waves that lapped lazily against the sand, only a few people found their way to the beach. I suspect they are of a similar mindset to mine: Although I did not converse with any of them, some of us exchanged smiles and glances that told me everything. And, yes, we wished each other a happy holiday.
Of course, there were some differences. The Black Friday phenomenon is repeated every year, while Round Two, if you will, is possible only every few years, when the day after Christmas happens to fall on a Friday. Also, the post-Christmas shopping frenzy is fueled, in part, by people who are returning or exchanging gifts and are enticed to shop for other things.
One thing both days have in common is that, on both, I avoid the retail ruckus (which has been known to plunge into full-blown riots) that has become part of them. Instead, I choose calmer and more meditative activities, like tea with a friend, reading and writing, playing with my feline family or, of course, a bike ride.
Today's spin took me down to Rockaway Beach. Even though cirrus clouds swirled the clear sky and light winds blew mild air in the directions of waves that lapped lazily against the sand, only a few people found their way to the beach. I suspect they are of a similar mindset to mine: Although I did not converse with any of them, some of us exchanged smiles and glances that told me everything. And, yes, we wished each other a happy holiday.
