Urban Thought Collective

While doing my part to revive our ailing economy last Friday, I seem to have lost a bit of control. You see, Black Friday is part of my culture, my spiritual essence and being. I mean, how often do you hear the word ‘black’ being associated with something positive? Black Friday has been something I’ve embraced since I was a youngster, lining up outside Gemco the morning after Thanksgiving with my mom to buy as much stuff with whatever my $50 could purchase. Our best year ever was the time when we managed to nab twin, black, female Cabbage Patch Kids. My mom no longer participates in this annual ritual, however, after getting felt up a few years ago while she waited in a dense crowd in hopes of scoring a Tickle Me Elmo for my niece. Not only did she leave the store empty handed, but with a newfound understanding of BBD’s famous line: smack it up, flip it, rub it down…oh no.

Deciding this year to stick to cash…okay, okay…being forced to stick to cash this year because my credit cards are all maxed out…I had a written shopping plan ready to go, something I worked on tirelessly on Wednesday at work as one of the few souls without enough vacation time to take the day off. It was, in my foolish opinion, foolproof, directing me to spend a total of $500 over two paychecks. And following my plan, I got up bright and early Thanksgiving morning to peruse the papers and map out a strategy. After much thought, Operation Buena Beach Shopping Centre was mentally scrapped just before the turkey was served, realizing that the masses would likely employ my tactic of hitting the mall for quick and easy access to a variety of stores opening at varying hours (Kohl’s at 4:00, Macy’s at 5:00, Best Buy at 6:00…). Instead, I decided to find one store where I could find the bulk of the items on my list and get there early; someplace remote that others would write off as inconvenient. By early evening, it was established that I’d head over to my adult equivalent of Toys ‘R’ Us – Target. They were offering dozens of great deals and, if history repeated itself, would hand out granola bars and water to those of us brave enough to get in line during the wee hours of the morning.

At 3:15, I arrived to find that only about six or seven others were in line ahead of me, all gunning for one of the high-definition television sets promoted on the front page of the Target ad. Over the next few hours, I made small talk with the trio of intimidating young men in line behind me, hoping to work up the nerve to tell them to pull their pants up; beat my high score three times on that wannabe Atari Breakout game on my phone; practically memorized the Target insert page by page; and took a couple of short naps against the building. By 5:59, my second wind kicked in, and I was ready to stay under budget, my debit card firmly stashed inside my zipped jacket pocket.

However, there were a few things I didn’t count on…

1. Starbucks. A venti before getting in line, another venti while inside, and one more on my way home, I spent $10 I hadn’t budgeted on the caffeine needed to make it through the morning.

2. Cute clothes. Two years ago, I wouldn’t have taken Target seriously in the fashion category. Things, however, have changed. With several guest designers rotating collections, the women’s section proved irresistible. I spent another $125 on myself there.

3. Random junk priced at $19.99. For some reason, that price sounds like a deal. I bought a space heater, a drinking game, a DVD 2-pack (“Weird Science” and “Pretty in Pink”), a canvas carry-all, and mani-pedi set.

4. The power of having something that everyone else wants. As one of the first in the store and a former member of my high school track team, I made it to the electronics department before most, even those before me in line. Although one wasn’t on my list, I hefted one of those flat screen televisions into my cart just for show with the plan of eventually dumping it somewhere on the way to the cashier. Well, needless to stay, I did end up dumping it, indeed…right on my living room floor.

So now I find myself a good $300 over my budget, and not able to cross off one item from my list. So much for making plans.

Take back the TV you say? Are you kidding me – I can see Beyonce’s pores! Besides, I’m just doing my part as an American to fight this recession.

On a serious note, it’s very tragic and sad that three people lost their lives this weekend over Christmas presents. Unfortunately, the spirit of this season is not shared by all who “celebrate” the season. Prayers to their families.

Diane is (quite) a character on the online soap opera Buena Beach (www.buenabeach.com). Her weekly insights on what’s happening at the Beach are featured exclusively on Urban Thought Collective.