Angry Buddha's Blog

It's not easy being.

Monthly Archives: November 2012


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Maybe Not-So-Retail

I really LOVE this time of year. It’s exciting to get ready for Christmas. It’s a tradition that’s both beautiful and fun, and it makes you feel like all is right with the world. My family, especially my kids, make it perfect every year, with their attitude and enthusiasm, regardless of what’s under our tree. It’s the season of generosity…UNLESS YOU’RE A RETAILER OPENING AT A RIDICULOUS HOUR;  A TIME WHEN PEOPLE COULD BE HOME WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR DOING SOMETHING OTHER THAN SEEKING THE ULTIMATE MATERIAL ITEM IMPORTED FROM CHINA!

Nope. If you’re a retailer, maybe with a name like Big Bob’s (a popular electronics store), then it’s the season of “Who cares about family? Let’s draw in the customer to squeeze every last dollar out of him (or her, as the case may be) at the expense of potential quality time at home – or anywhere else.”

It’s not that I won’t be setting foot inside a store or making a retail purchase – maybe even from one of the big name shops. There are some cool things out there that are fun to have and I admit to getting caught up in the marketing. I mean, okay, I now have a dang iPhone.

But think about what would happen if stores did NOT begin their sales on Thanksgiving or at 4:00 a.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving (I’m not going to say the words…it’s not a color, and that term refers to tragic day, so I’m not calling it that…) Anyway, I’m simply offering this: Thanksgiving, like any holiday, gives everyone – customers, corporations (who are really just clumps of people), and employees, the opportunity to spend time together, doing….whatever it is that people do. Hopefully that is not camping out on a sidewalk in a torrential rainstorm for days at a time, in order to purchase an item at a discounted price. The money you save is not worth the time you’re missing with other human beings or the other positive things you could be doing. And trust me, there’s no way that cash will be enough to cover even a co-payment for your medical bills. That’s assuming you have good insurance. But if you have the time to sit in a line for days at a time, perhaps good insurance is not on your list of “got its”. Hmmm….well, then….

On a more positive note, below are some suggestions as a counter-offer to my somewhat acrid statements. Please know I mean no offense. After all, as I said, I know I’ll buy stuff this holiday season. I’m just trying not to buy EVERYTHING!

When I feel I’m losing perspective, I would like to say I think of how His Holiness The Dalai Lama lives, in a Spartan existence, keeping others’ needs in mind in the big picture. But I’m not that good. So when that escapes me, I think of what Stephen Wright (or maybe it was George Carlin?) once said,

“You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?”

Not-So-Retail Gift Ideas

The following items will help keep dollars local/domestic, as well as support the ideal that the fabric of family and community is important – more important than most other things:

  • Personal art or crafts made by the giver
  • Vintage, collectible, antique items (My personal favorites in Chico are Wax Museum Records & Collectibles inside 8th & Main Antiques &  also Endless Treasures Antiques/Boutique, 530 Broadway in Chico)
  • Hand-crafted or locally produced items (Try Made in Chico or Made In Paradise)
  • A personally-written letter, poem or heartfelt note (This has an amazing effect – it’s my favorite.)
  • Framed photographs – landscapes, loved ones, even snapshots are great! (Traci Williams Photography can be found at http://www.traciwilliamsphotography.com. She is amazing, local & completely affordable!!!)
  • Something homemade from the kitchen!

Please try to ENJOY your time each day during this season.  It is beautiful out there.  Thanks for reading.

Namaste

Tune out the noise. Listen for your voice.


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Flex Your Muscles, Ignore The Machine

Do you check the polls to see how a candidate is faring in the election?  Does this affect how you want to vote? Here’s a thought.

The election polls are propaganda of the worst kind.  They are the mulch of whatever money tree has been shoved into the obnoxious, whirring machine.  The “data” (if that is what you want to call it) is spewed out at regular intervals, conveniently distributing whatever color leaves it was given, and satisfying those who paid for its services.

The media, which was once (long ago, in days of yore) a source for at least some information and news, has become nothing more than a dispensary of slimy “unreality”, packaged in a convenient, room-temperature, spreadable form, easy to digest; or add to your lawn during its fall aeration.  Either way, its end product is a form of fertilizer.

Here’s an idea.

Turn off the television, or just watch Alf or old M.A.S.H reruns – something benign that was actually meant as entertainment.  Turn a deaf ear and blind eye to the political opinions, rantings, outbursts or evaluations expressed by others.  Ignore the polls – they’re ALL paid for by someone with an interest in something.

Instead, read the wording of the proposed bill or measure for yourself.  Think through the possible outcomes of its passing or failing.  Are there clauses and sections included which make it impractical or ineffective or which seem out of place being included with the proposed bill?

When considering a person, think about what the candidate has done in the past.  Read about his/her voting record and ideals platform.  Do YOU think she wants what others say she wants?  What can you learn from this person before you make your decision?  But most importantly, I believe you should vote for a person, not against a person.  Cast your vote based on how you feel in your gut when he speaks, when he gestures, when you’ve seen him struggling with a decision or answer.  Think about whether she/he has shown integrity and strength under pressure; whether he/she has shown respect in action and voice to other leaders.

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” –Dr. Seuss

Choose for yourself and cast YOUR vote.  It’s no one else’s.  In this world, there are still many who struggle for the freedom to have this right, which means it is also a privilege.

Peace.