Crazed Shoppers Make for CRAZY Drivers

Traffic has been pretty intense on the main streets around the shopping areas in this town today. Even at 2 pm, when I finally ventured out, the mall and shopping centers were really busy, although there seemed to be plenty of parking spaces available further away from the storefronts.

The main problem I saw seemed to be traffic. Traffic lined up EVERYWHERE! This seemed worse than rush hour because much of this stalled traffic was at exits from shopping center parking lots. (It reminded me of a parking lot right after a football game.) And the frustrations of some drivers were evident. Perhaps many of them had been here since 4 am, or even camped out overnight.
I witnessed one driver in a pickup truck rip through a parking row, oblivious to any other vehicles that might be backing out. Too bad for them. He was fortunate. And he possibly was also drunk.

I've watched shoppers tear into display tables, tossing items OFF the table onto the floor as they frantically searched for the correct sizes and colors. Of course, the "doorbuster" deals often mean a very slim selection, so frantic antics turn to frustration....like they just HAVE to buy SOMETHING! This is Black Friday! Bad idea.

So much stress will kill you. If one sits back and thinks about this for even a minute, the realization should come through that this is nonsense. It is meaningless and a waste of energy, both physical and psychic. (You can check out my previous post about wasting energy.)

Today's Black Friday fiasco is a perfect example. And today is only the "beginning" of the holiday rush that evolves into so much stress, so many frustrations, arguments, disappointments and anger. I say leave it all behind. In fact, if you do no shopping at all you will be happier.

I recommend giving cash. I've never had any of my five adult children or four grandchildren ever complain about cash. "Cash is good," says my son. In fact, it is good for me too. Even if it ends up costing me a little more. Why give something that doesn't fit, is the wrong color, isn't what they want or need, or, worst of all, isn't "cool."

Pause and take a deep breath. Sit in silence for five minutes. Add years to your life. Good years, by being settled and grounded.




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Why We Need Passion

When we feel like we are living without Passion, are we really saying we don't care about our lives anymore? Without passion, we are "dull."

What a dull life. What a dull person. Know anyone like that? Well, I do, and being around them just SUCKS THE ENERGY OUT OF ME!

People like that seem needy as well. They will take and take and take, without giving anything in return. It's like they believe the World and everyone in it owes them love, affection, a job, or even an income without a job. They are kind of "used up" on life. I pity them, but I don't know what to do for them. They need professional help.

About all I can do is recommend to them that they might benefit by talking to a counselor. Many times, it is chronic depression, and they can be making it worse with alcohol or other drugs, legal and not so legal.

After recommending that they consider obtaining some help, I just want to disassociate myself from them. Is that wrong? Do we owe such people our allegiance even at the expense of our own well-being?

I know it is very difficult to abandon a family member who fits the above description, but as for colleagues at work and casual acquaintances, I say "get away!" Save yourself from what will only drag you down.

You owe it to yourself and those you love to safeguard your own physical and psychic energy.



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They Call it the Brawl of the Wild

Saturday, November 22 is the 108th football "brawl" between the Montana Grizzlies and the Montana State Bobcats. The Grizzlies lead this series 67-35-5 and has won 19 of the last 22 meetings. Montana State's last win in Missoula was 10-7 in 2002, which broke the Grizzlies’ 16-game winning streak (1986 to 2001) over the Bobcats.

There are playoff implications. With a win, the 10-1 and 5th-ranked Grizzlies will probably get to host a playoff game. The Bobcats are unranked but they have a good record will will be playing for pride and "bragging rights." (Note: Grizzlies beat Bobcats 35-3, and will play Texas State in first round of playoffs...in Missoula, Saturday, Nov. 29)

Missoula is really "hoppin" this weekend, with the Carrie Underwood concert last night and the football game today, the motels are packed and the streets are jammed. To add to the rush hour-like traffic yesterday, Santa arrived at the Southgate Mall.

The downtown businesses district has an open house all day Sunday, tomorrow, and I'm thinking there must be a craft show in town somewhere this weekend.

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Bits and Pieces of Me

First of all, my National Novel Writing Month project went "kaput" right out of the chute. I just haven't developed the character, plot, voice....wow. I have nothing! After sucessfully writing over 50,000 words last year, I thought I could do it again, but it takes time (and creativity.)

Thanksgiving Day is only a few days off and we still haven't made any plans, not even whether or not to roast a bird. We did last year. The question arises because my spouse is vegetarian and I (try) to be most (some) of the time. No sense making the meat and then feeling bad about eating it. But...there are those big dogs in the house....

Blogging is taking up a lot of my time. I have five of them running now and just beginning to generate some income...I had to shut down two because...well, if I can't keep them current then why bother.

My son and I have finished our baby crib made of logs. This has been a six month project and we put in about 300 hours altogether. Five coats of polyurethane and it is looking pretty spiffy. The grand-baby is ready to move into her own bed. (There will be a photo in the next post.)


We adopted a puppy to bring companionship to our remaining pet after the elderly chow-chow's life came to an end. The companionship has also given the wife someone to baby--just a little.





Check out my Restless Retirement blog at Retired and Restless.

How we CHOOSE to Expend our Physical Energy

I am not one to preach to others about the choices we make, but I have recently evaluated how I spend my time, i.e., my energy.

It was not a particularly pleasant exercise, and did not leave me feeling warm and fuzzy about the focus of my life.

Here are some examples from my own life where I think I "overspend" my energy:

Worrying about stuff that "might" happen.
Anxiety about world events (and elections).
Jealousy of others who get attention that I want for myself
Envy of others who have in their lives what I wanted in mine.
Politics...listening to politicians and discussing political views with ANYONE!
Religion...listening to preachers and discussing religious views with ANYONE!
Being UPSET about the fanatical people who populate our World, Country, State, Town, Neighborhood.
Buying and owning STUFF.
Taking care of and maintaining STUFF.
Deciding what to wear, how long to grow my hair, and whether or not to have a beard/moustache.
CARING ABOUT WHO CARES!



Check out my Restless Retirement blog at Retired and Restless.