RKNet Blog... Thing

For those in the USA who take this national holiday as a chance to celebrate thankfulness with friends and family, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving. For those who just take this as a day off, I wish you a happy day off. For those who can’t get the day off, I hope your day goes by quickly and smoothly. For those about to rock, we salute you. For those who just enjoy the excuse for a big turkey dinner, happy turkey day. For those who remember the past you have my condolences for the lies, misdeeds, and hurts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)

For any of you who have worked retail, I’m sure the term “Black Friday” is already in your vocabulary. It is likely said with a great deal of dread for those still in retail, and pity or disgust for those who have moved out of retail.

Seeing as Thanksgiving is as good a time as any to pause and think about the things we’re grateful for, I think this is one term that fits. I am very thankful that I am not working in the mall during this upcoming Black Friday.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_convention
Much like the recent console launches and their ensuing horror stories, something about major commercial events really seems to bring out the worst in people. My heart goes out to the people patient enough to work during what will undoubtedly be another grueling holiday season without snapping. The endless christmas music alone was nearly enough to break me. Didn’t they come up with something in the Geneva Conventions against torture?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_price
Speaking of torture, the other thing to keep in mind when you’re out there scrambling to get “something for the guy/gal who has everything”, is that you’re invariably going to be played more artfully than a Stradivarius.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stradavarius

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_theory
Just remember that in the end, the holiday shopping season is basically a hunter-gatherer game. As a rule, it’s better to be a player than it is to be one of the played. “Savvy” isn’t just a five letter word afterall, it’s a mindset.

If you’re running monitarily tight this year, you may want to add this blog to your reading list: http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/
You might also want to check out: http://www.makezine.com/
and the undoubtedly related: http://www.craftzine.com/

Once again, good luck to all who brave the horrors of Black Friday, and have a great Thanksgiving.