Rant #2,029: Birds of a Feather

Let me just start off by telling you that yesterday's Rant about the state of my employment received more looks than Monday's Rant about Charles Manson.

There is justice in the world, I guess.

And yes, we mourn the passing of David Cassidy. He was a tremendous talent, saddled with the Partridge Family monicker. Like most teen idols, he tried desperately to break out of that mold, but was only partially successful, because he was, and will always be, Keith Partridge.

He now joins the likes of other teen idols--like his predecessor, Davy Jones--in Rock and Roll Heaven, and like the song says, they've got a "hell of a band" up there now.

Anyway, today is the day before Thanksgiving, and as I have said many, many times, I actually have plenty to be thankful for.

I have a great family and I am in good health, so yes, I really do have plenty to be thankful for.

I can't wait to get together with my family, have the festive meal, and take it easy for a few days.

That does not include shopping, and I think I said it all pretty well in Rant #1,330, dated November 25, 2014.

Here is part of that Rant, in edited form.

"Thanksgiving is supposed to be a family holiday, a time when we get together with our loved ones and talk, have a nice meal, and take it easy.

It is the best of all holidays, because no gifts are warranted, just your presence at the festive meal.

However, a new wrinkle has been thrown into the mix in recent years: shopping on the holiday.

I, personally, would never do gift buying on the holiday.

But evidently, many people love to shop on the holiday, so many major retailers are staying open on Thanksgiving, or at least on part of the holiday, so those who want to shop can do just that.

Many other people are in an uproar over this--how dare retailers ruin the sanctity of the holiday!

How dare people shop on the holiday?

But let me ask you, have you shopped on the holiday?

Maybe not for a large-screen TV, but I am willing to bet you have spent at least a little money on Thanksgivings past.

I will bet you went out to get some extra cranberry sauce at your local supermarket, or filled up with a tank of gas if you were traveling.

You might have even gone to your local bakery to pick up a nice, freshly made pie for the occasion.

We crab and worry about retailers' workers losing their holiday by working on it, but what about the people who work in the bakeries, the gas stations, the supermarkets? What about their holiday? Isn't that sacred, too?

And what about all the restaurants that are open on the holiday? Their employees have to work, too.

So let's get past this sanctity nonsense.

It is called "supply and demand."

Stores are open because customers demand it.

If there were no customers, big retail stores would not be open.

And further, if you order online--as many closed retailers are suggesting you do--what about those fulfillment workers taking your orders? What about their holiday?

So this belching and moaning about stores being open on Thanksgiving is a load of PC garbage.

Think about that when you run to the supermarket on that holiday Thursday morning because you ran out of stuffing.

Think about that cashier who has given up at least part of his or her day to serve you.

YOU are the reason that cashier is on duty.

Don't blame the retailers, who are open to satisfy your every shopping whim, whether it is for stuffing or for a large-screen TV.

Me, I won't be shopping at all, and don't get me started on Black Friday ... ."

And I still believe all of that. WE are the reason that retailers open on the holiday.

On Black Friday, I do shopping at one, and only one, venue--my local record store.

It is a special day for record stores, and some of the money I will pay that day will go to a charity chosen by the record store I go to--usually a local venue for adoptable pets--and I have no problem at all with their choice of charity.

I will do what I want to do at the record store, and then leave. 

This year for the holidays, I won't be purchasing as many gifts as usual, anyway, because my wife and I have decided that we wanted to cut down on this stuff this time around.

We won't be exactly frugal, but we are going to watch our pennies.

So while everyone will be jumping over others to get the greatest deals of a lifetime on Black Friday, I will be listening to some new records that I purchased, and I will be listening and relaxing, at home.

I guess I will miss all the pomp of Black Friday, but you know what?

Who cares!

Have a great holiday, and I will speak to you again on Monday.