Goodbye November and the 'Cell Spell'-Laden Black Friday

I don't know about you guys, but that was one heck of a busy November. So much going on nationally, internationally, and on the local level. But for the sake of time and space, we are going to talk about the local Seacoast surf scene.

Look I am all about the "Black Friday" retail frenzy. Especially if it helps any of the local merchants. And honestly? You wouldn't catch me anywhere near that "Mall Madness", but I know there are those who live for that day. Both the customers and the store owners. So I am all about seeing the goodness in Black Friday.

Again, I don't have a problem with any of the actual purchasing of gifts and the spending of money...etc etc. Stimulating the economy...blah blah de freaking blah. You know, keeping it in the Black, as opposed to Red. Black is good. Red is bad.

The problems I have, is how some of those retail customers act
while in their shopping frenzy.

On Friday I saw so many rude and clueless drivers while I was driving back and forth to the ocean. And every single one of those drivers were either on their cell phones, or texting.
I sometimes shake my head in disbelief at what has happened
to us as a semi civilized society.

When did this all happen? Our obsession with our cellphones?

And before any of you think I am not part of this cell frenzy, I am here to tell you that I am. I too have dialed numbers while driving, and I have also (gulp) texted...God what have I become? I have become one of them...one of you.

I look up and then down at my cell all day long. I'm a mess.

I used to get so upset with my wife and kids when they would appear to get sucked into their phones, like they were under some sort of "cell spell." Even when you would speak with them. They could not lift their heads from their phones. God forbid they miss a text, or an all important tweet.

Thankfully, I am not there. I use my phone and I text, but I am not that removed from my fellow human beings where I would ignore speaking to you and making eye contact to look at my little phone instead. I am not quite there yet. Nor will I be.

In fact, if you ever engage me in conversation, and I am ignoring you by checking my cell? Feel free to slap that phone right out of my hand. No wait...not my phone. Slap my head instead. I need that phone. Sorry.

And while I am on a rant here. One of my biggest pet peeves here on the seacoast is... the 4 way stop. The FOUR WAY STOP. Hello?

I can not believe how many of you can't figure out the Four Way Stop. What the hell? I mean come on people. It's not that hard. OK pay attention here. Here's how the four way stop works. The first vehicle that comes to a complete stop at a four way stop has the right of way. Followed by the second vehicle to do the same.

But you must come to a complete stop. No rolling through stop signs. Then the 3rd vehicle and the fourth. Then it repeats. In the order that stop at the stop sign. It's really a simple concept.

And to those of you who are sitting 2 or 3 vehicles back...just because the vehicle in front of you has stopped does not mean you can go. You must wait your turn. That's right. Wait your turn.
It's not a traffic light. It's a stop sign. We all have to stop. And in the name of God, GET OFF YOUR PHONES in the Four Way Stop. I mean it's already confusing enough for some of you without yakking to some friend you just tweeted and texted a few minutes earlier.

PAY ATTENTION out there people. It's not that difficult.

OK so how about the surf this week? Oh man was that something or what? From Wednesday to Saturday. Head high and better on some days and just non stop action everywhere. And, it was not that crowded. Well, I guess that depends on who you ask. I will say this. The surf yesterday was the best of the four days.

Just firing on all cylinders. I mean it was really good. So much in fact, that I shot a bunch of empty wave shots and even created a gallery of just empty waves. Like I was saying to no one in particular yesterday..."I could shoot empty waves all day long."

When one of those grinding offshore barrels wink's at me, I am pulling the trigger. It's my way of winking back. So many beautiful textures and crystal lips pouring over onto our beaches and reefs. I hope you got some. But if you didn't, there are at least a half a dozen galleries waiting for you down in the blog photo section. So sit back and take it all in.

I trust you all had a nice Thanksgiving. Spent time with family and friends, and enjoyed a wonderful dinner. And then you got to watch the traditional Thanksgiving NFL games. And can I just say this about the Patriots and Jets game? OH MY GOD!

That was one heck of an ass whooping. I mean, good lord what was that 3 TD's in in 52 seconds? Huh? It was crazy. It was stress free football where I was actually enjoying myself and carrying on like a football fan. I wanted to feel sorry for the JETS but I could not muster up the sad feelings. Sorry, not after what those clowns have said and done in the past. Seeing Rex Ryan in a state of shock and disbelief was worth the watching alone.

Think about it. The Patriots scored 59 points the week before against the Colts and this week they scored 49... Next up is the Dolphins. While I would NEVER make any bold predictions, I do feel somewhat confident that our boys will prevail. And if they score another 50 to 60 points? I say pile it on.

Remember my friends. I'm a Patriots fan. I want them to win.

I was saddened to hear about the passing of Larry Hagman
this week. And while I never watched a single Dallas episode, I did watch I DREAM OF JEANNIE. I guess like a lot of you guys out there who remember that show, I had a young boy's crush on Barbara Eden. Hagman was funny on that show.

Rest in Peace Major Nelson...

Now for Some Of My Weekly Global Observances:
There is a cease fire in GAZA as I write this. Both Israel and Hamas
have agreed to stop shooting rockets at each other. Again...the world is watching and holding their collective breath's. Meanwhile in Egypt the second coming of Egypt's NEW PHAROAH Mohamed Morsi has taken on a bigger role. And the people are NOT too happy. So much for peace and prosperity while toppling dictators...stay tuned because this could get ugly, as in real ugly.