Life is Grand

Another holiday and you know what that means? Not just a day off from work (perhaps)but an opportunity to shop.

So many holidays havebecome super-savings events that Descartes today would say, "I shop, therefore I am."

Apparently clothes do make the man, or woman, who can make the money to afford them. That money of course goes to the designers who sometimes show gratitude by allowing you to see the smiling faces of their family in one of their ads.

Have you noticed that the new form of greed (contrasted with the secretive hording of an Ebenezer Scrooge) is to wear clothes or accessories that have the designer label in plain/full view for all to see? Basically, it says that I can afford (debatable) to buy this and Merry Christmas to me.

Let's change the carol lyric, while we're at it, to "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my jeans."

But here I go spoiling the fun of America's favorite pastime which also includes shelling out big bucks to support our favorite sports teams and/or player. Don't get me wrong - I enjoy routing for the home team, taking advantage of holiday sales and seeing smiling, well-dressed members of someone's family.

What I resent, is the presumption that shopping can/should tell me what I want because I don't know what I really need. That's why I recommend that you choose when, where and how you are not going to be the same as everyone else. Be not how you are encouraged to be and to shop. Remember: life is grand, baby, even without the piano.