Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Contradictions of the Season

Much of this month's mail has meant receiving earnest pleas from charitable organizations to "feed the homeless on Thanksgiving!" Well and good, but what are the poor bastards going to do for dinner the other 364 days of the year? If you take their presentations seriously, one does have to wonder. I cheerfullly donate to a canned foods drive the Post Office does a couple of times a year which strikes me as perhaps a bit more practical.

I really despise "the celebs" who pose so cheerfully, graciously dishing out food to "the less fortunate among us," smug in the knowledge that their Hummer and driver will pick them up afterwards and take them home to a much needed wallow in the jacuzzi. "Stealth" charity is, to me, the finest kind.

And then there's Wretched Excess." I was appalled last night to see ad after ad on TV; stores begging customers to be on time for their 4 a.m. post-Thanksgiving Day sales! What kind of idiot would set their alarm for 3 a.m. to be at some low-rent clothing store at 4 a.m.? Quite possibly the types we've all seen (via hilarous photos online) shopping at Wal-Mart.

But: mine is not to ponder and stew; but to be grateful for all the wonderful things I do have -- mainly friends. My toast tomorrow is going to be "While we can't choose our relatives, we sure as hell have good taste in friends!" (No family members will be present to be hurt by this announcement.)

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