Terror on the Streets

     I cannot believe that ill-fated day of reckoning is once again upon us.  In a few short days, Black Friday
will soon descend like a roaring volcano.  This has to be my least favorite day to leave the homestead. 
Really, why do retailers feel the need to tease the general public with fabulous bargains one stinking day a
year?   This year they have come out with a pre-black friday week of sales.  Oh my gosh, how much more
can the peanut gallery take I wonder. 
     First, we all have to contend with the Santa Claus Parade Day in downtown Peoria.  My mom used to
drag my sister and me to this torture in freezing weather every year.  It took me forever to realize that she
wasn't really too impressed with the parade, just the giant craft sale in the Civic Center.  Man was I glad
when she grew out of the country period and in to the art deco design.  Believe me when I tell you that
Lakeview is much more entertaining.
     How can anyone contend with the parking lot wars.  Some innocent bystander pulls out of a high market
value parking place and vehicles are jamming into that spot like wild animals.  I'm totally sure George Carlin
would have blushed at some of the epithets spit out over a portion of blacktop.
     Don't even try to stop for a quick bite to eat on this day.  All the parade goers have packed up their
minivans and are circling the corral of fast food joints looking for a quick bite.  The early shoppers often sit in
the drive thru looking like refugees from some unknown war.  They just stare at the vehicle in front of them
waiting for that moment of glory.  You know, when they get to place their order.  The parade people drag
every single whiney child inside the eatery.  I think this is the only day of the year when children are truly
possessed by the ghost of hamburglars past. 
     I must confess that I did wait in the wee hours of the morning a few years ago to purchase a WII gaming system.  Mom told me she almost lost an eye in North Carolina back in the day.  She said it was virtually impossible to get a cabbage patch doll and by golly I wanted one.  So, I'm guessing this proves that amid the holiday happenings we all get a little bit crazy sometimes.