Thanksgiving: Just Who are we Thanking, Again?
Just a brief post on the topic of Thanksgiving, essentially to note an unusual fact of contemporary American life: we come to a holiday such as Thanksgiving, and we are caught in a conundrum. We understand that we are to be thankful people (we have so, so much for which to be thankful, of course), and thus we hear people on our media outlets talk about what they are thankful for, right? But what many are afraid/unwilling to say, indeed even to think about, is to Whom we ought to be thankful. I mean, normally, when I want to be thankful to a human being, I’ll express that thanks directly to him/her, either via telling the person of my gratitude, or sometimes by a note, or what have you. But I always address my words specifically.
Contrast this with our contemporary “thanksgiving”. So many are loathe to answer the question. We can, if we are forced to think about it, run off a list of things that we appreciate, and we’re willing to say that, but too many times, it’s “thank who?”
I’m pretty sure that the Pilgrims weren’t too confused about the answer to that question…
This phrase comes from the 1978 "Jonestown massacre" in which most members of the Peoples Temple cult, blindly following their leader Jim Jones, committed suicide by drinking cyanide-laced Kool-Aid.
Osborne: A Contrarian's Guide to Knowing God
Schlossberg: Idols For Destruction
24 Responses to “Thanksgiving: Just Who are we Thanking, Again?”
We weren’t perplexed by the issue at the Throckmorton feast today either.
But you might ask, why am I writing this at nearly 1am? I am doing field research on the human condition. I write this from the computer at the Grove City Mall. They opened at midnight and coming out here I took a shortcut that only locals know because traffic was backed up for 2.5 miles on Route 208 (Byron, Hefe, Paul and Sherry will get this). Then traveling Blacktown road, I could see traffic backed up at least three miles on I79 both ways to get on the GC exit. We just came out to see if anyone would actually do this and it appears that every spot in the lot is taken or being argued over. I am standing next to a kiosk called, “Just Dogs! The world’s tastiest gourmet dog treats.” They look good enough I would like to try one just to see if they are indeed the world’s tastiest. One can either be in awe of this economy or saddened by it. I think I am both.
Warren Throckmorton ~ Nov 24, 2006 at 1:07 am
I must admit that I am one of the horde. I was at Park City Mall at 3:00am. They were giving out free $25 mall gift cards to the first 500 people starting at 5:00am. We were around #200 or so.
So if you would like an interview, Warren, I would be glad to post one in a multi-comment form.
Hefe ~ Nov 24, 2006 at 3:23 pm
Oh no, Hefe, you will not get me to to go along with multiple comments. I hear the rumblings of you in the distance.
RE: The GC Mall. The Pittsburgh paper said the line of cars was 10 miles long on I79 and backed up 4 miles on I 80 East.
Warren Throckmorton ~ Nov 24, 2006 at 6:29 pm
I am a die hard Black Friday shopper – a 20 year veteran. And I would NEVER go to an outlet mall on that day. ever. Our local stop, Rockvale Outlets, never closed on Thursday night, but went right into Black Friday. Some friends of ours ventured there, never even went into the parking lot, and were tied up for almost 2 hours in traffic.
We went right to the mall, and sat by customer relations for 2 hours and made $50. Easy money.
Hefe ~ Nov 24, 2006 at 6:52 pm
Pansy.
So tell me what training goes into Black Friday shopping, veteran?
Warren Throckmorton ~ Nov 24, 2006 at 7:09 pm
Black Friday Training Tip #1.
DO NOT GO WITHOUT A VETERAN your first time out. You will never go again. YOu need an experienced Black Friday shopper to show you the ropes and the shortcuts around your local area.
Warren, you already have a head start on this one with the Blacktown Road thing… But you still need someone to guide the rest of the process. It is kind of an “apprenticeship” sort of thing.
Hefe ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 12:43 pm
Black Friday training Tip #2
BE INFORMED. Subscribe to bfads.net at least 2 months before Black Friday. Buy the newspaper on Thanksgiving day and the day before to search and compile deals from print ads. If you start black friday without a list and a plan, you’re already toast.
Beyond discounts, find out who is giving gift cards or incentives. THis year our mall gave out $25 gift cards to the first 500 people, SEARS gave out $10 gift cards, Boscovs had a $10 card in the paper, Penney’s was giving out free snowglobes at the door, etc… Easy money right there!
Hefe ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 12:47 pm
Black Friday training Tip #3
PLAN YOUR ROUTE. Baed on what deals you are going for, whcih ones are most important, and a list of store opening times – plan your route down to the minute. SOmetimes this takes double-teaming to get two stores at once (Staples ans Walmart open at 6:00am). Go directly for the big ticket items (like $50 portable DVD players) immediately to avoid an extra line, and then fill in with other planned purchases. NEVER “shop” on Black Friday. Just get the stuff you went for and get out. Later in the day, you can tag team again by having on person start waiting in line while another collects the stor items, saving time.
Hefe ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 12:50 pm
Black Friday training Tip #4
DON’T STOP TO EVALUATE PURCHASES. This just wastes time. The philospohy for Black Friday is buy everything you may want, evaluate at home what you really want, and then return the excess next week. Timing is everything,a nd this is a key aspect.
Hefe ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 12:52 pm
Black Friday training Tip #5
GET TO BED EARLY ON THANKGIVING. This year we set our alarms for 2AM to get in line at 3AM at the mall. This takes discipline, but this kind of voluntary mental disorder usually does.
Hefe ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 12:53 pm
Black Friday training Tip #6
GET OUT AND GET HOME by 10AM. YOu better be done by this point, because crowds really start to increase. Go to breakfast, and laugh at all the people just getting to the mall, who will be there all day in ridiculously long lines – while you have already visited 20+ stores and will be napping the rest of the day and watching “A Christmas Story” on TNT.
Hefe ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Hefe: Dang it! I missed the snowglobe!
You indeed sound like a professional. Are these going to be in your new book, “Black Friday for Dummies?”
Warren Throckmorton ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 1:28 pm
Hefe,
I was a Black Friday shopping virgin this past weekend, but I decided to go for it anyways and I utilized your tips #2, 3, 4, and 6 without even knowing your expertise suggested to do so. I did go by myself and I never go to bed early (but always get up early). I was very pleased to have gotten up at 4:45, hit four different driving locations, finished ALL my Christmas shopping for the entire season, and been back in bed with my still sleeping wife by 7:30. (But I’ll never watch a Christmas Story – that film sucks)
gurufrisbee ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 2:24 pm
It is a sickness, that’s for sure. Sheesh.
Byron ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Congratulations, guru. You have “the gift”. Just get some therapy for you “Christmas Story” issues, and you’ll be golden.
Hefe ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Hefe: Probably your best lines ever (well, that I can remember and you know my memory):
GET TO BED EARLY ON THANKGIVING. This year we set our alarms for 2AM to get in line at 3AM at the mall. This takes discipline, but this kind of voluntary mental disorder usually does.
I now have a new diagnostic category to use: “voluntary mental illness” – I love it and will use it today.
Warren Throckmorton ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 3:49 pm
PS – I’ll bet this was just the kind of discussion Byron was hoping to inspire. Thanks Byron!
Warren Throckmorton ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Voluntary Mental Illness
A.K.A. Hefe Syndrome
copyright 2006 Hefe Inc.
Hefe ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 3:52 pm
Doh, do I have to pay you to use VMI? If so, I refuse. I will just rename it.
Warren Throckmorton ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Hey, I’m thankful for Black Friday. Thanksgiving needs to share the love a little, especially with today – the new holiday of “Cyber Monday”.
In seriousness, and to try and redeem this thread a little, I am thankful for the things that are not for sale on Black Friday. My Savior, my life, my family, purpose in life, and the blessings of the heavenly realm that I partake it everyday but ignore all too often.
Hefe ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 3:54 pm
You may use VMI free of charge.
Until it becomes common language and you can’t rename it, and then I will charge out the wazoo.
Hefe ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 3:56 pm
So much for redeeming the thread…
Warren Throckmorton ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 3:57 pm
So much for full sentences…
Hefe ~ Nov 27, 2006 at 4:02 pm