Random Thoughts and Ramblings at Smokey Bones

I basically had today off so I decided to take advantage of the afternoon. So after I ran some errands, I went to see Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire again. Two times! It's a good one obviously. Afterward, I had dinner at Smokey Bones. If you don't know what that is, it's a great BBQ place. Thankfully they're a chain so I know that I can get this great smoked meat in virtually any part of the country. It's unfortunate that the closest one to home that I know of is in Mobile.

While I was chowin' down on my briskit (nothing compared to my uncle's but good none the less!) and enjoying a Sam Adams Octoberfest, I was watching the TVs that are around the bar. Aside from the usual sports channels they had on, one of the TVs had CNN. It was then that I watched and was depressed. Because of what I saw, I just yell at the top of my lungs the following:

I AM ASHAMED OF US!!!!!!!!!!

Ah, good old Black Friday. I hate this day with a passion. I mean, I look forward to this day in the holiday season about as much as I look forward to a sharp stick in the eye. What I saw on TV truly sickened me: People getting trampled to get into a store, fights, customers trashing asiles, just truly sickening. What is wrong with us? Have we really lost sight of what Christmas and the rest of the holidays are all about?

Apparently so.

Here's a reminder: The reason we celebrate Christmas is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, which leads to Easter when He rose from the dead after He gave His life for our sins. Want to read more about it? Raed the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in any Bible.

The words above that I used to describe what this time of year is all about may have been few but if you really ponder it (and read about it in the Bible), then you'll see how truly deep and meaningful and deep this really is. Yet, we willingly will trample our fellow man (and woman) in order to get a deal on an electronic gadget or this season's hottest toy.

Remember the near-riots that broke out when the Tickle-Me Elmo first came out? Now you can't give those things away. How about even further when the Gabage Patch Kids came out? Same thing. Now they're just ordinary. Come on people, get a friggin' grip! Saying you punch someone's lights out to get a toy for your kid... oh yeah, you're a great example to your child! In reality, you would be a poor example for your kid and I would hope the state would take your child from you and put them in a good home, one where violance for a sake of a freakin' toy won't take place.

There was a guy on CNN earlier with his "Stop Shopping Choir" who was saying that on Black Friday, no one should buy anything as a protest to how commercialized the holidays have become. Most would say he's a nut. The more I think about it, the more I think he has a point. However, I wouldn't take it so far as to say to buy nothing; buy on Black Friday and get the good deals. But good grief people, don't resort to violance and flat out meanness.

That's what makes people like me hate the holidays.

But today wasn't all bad and neither is life in general. As I said, I pretty much had today off so I took it easy and had a "me" day. I'm off again tomorrow... who knows what I'll get into tomorrow. I might hit up a park or just sit around the house.

I can't wait to go home for Christmas. I can't believe that it's been a year since I've seen my family (except for my dad who visited over the summer). I've missed everyone and I can't wait to see you again. I hear my house looks quite a bit different than it did when I was home last year. I can't wait to see it!

Yesterday was good but it still wasn't the same Thanksgiving that I've enjoyed in the past. In years past, I would have been at my mom's house helping to cook (well, what little they'd let me LOL) and visiting with my aunt, cousins and grandmother who would drop by. When all the food was ready, I'd offer the blessing and then we'd all stuff ourselves silly. Afterward, we'd sit around and watch football while our food digested and then we'd always go back for more. This was my second Thanksgiving away from home. No, it wasn't any easier. To all my family and friends back home, I miss you all terriably and I can't wait to see you at Christmas time.

I guess that's all I have for now. Heh, a nice mixed bag. I guess that's just how I am and I'd like to think that's one of the reasons you like me so much. :-p

Happy birthday, Sunny!

--Jonathan