Black (or Whack Friday): is it REALLY worth it?

Thanksgiving is almost here, which means the morning after (or in some cases, the night of) is Black Friday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year. I commonly refer to it as "Whack" Friday because it's a huge, violent, crazy, adrenaline-rushed mess.

Black Friday has gotten way out of hand over the years. Stores release their catalogs a month or two in advance so folks can see all of the specials available on that day. People will leave their families full from turkey, dressing, gravy, collards, and rolls, and often even camp out in front of shopping malls, Wal-Mart, and other stores, ready to shop as soon as the doors open. And it often gets so insane and cut-throat. People fighting over $10 Blu-Ray players, $50 laptops, and other brand-new items marked considerably down. I hope this isn't what our society has come to? Willing to risk jail time, sleep, and your life just for significant discounts? It doesn't seem worth it to me.

I've actually been out on a couple of Black Fridays, although I've usually come as late as 7 or 8am once the crowds have cleared some. The crowds usually peak around 4-5am. By 6:30am all of the heavily-discounted items are typically gone and it's like a regularly crowded Friday at the stores. You would have to guarantee that I would save a bundle, plus pay my gas money and an extra fee to get me out of my warm bed on Black Friday. You can take that to the bank.

There are many other ways to save money and get huge discounts around the holidays. First off, there are discounts throughout the year, especially online. Shopping online will save you tons of money in the long run and you don't even have to leave the house. Plus the Monday after Thanksgiving is a good alternative to Black Friday, commonly called Cyber Monday. Many stores will post specials online that you can purchase. Best thing besides not leaving the house and wait in the cold November weather? No lines or fighting! Now that's cool with me. And then of course there's eBay, Craigslist, etc. Hey don't feel like you're too good to utilize these outlets. There are many quality, almost brand-new items at unbelievable prices.

I believe many people just love to shop, period, it's almost a sport and recreation to them. And Black (Whack) Friday is like the Super Bowl to them. I know folks that are prepping their outfits and agenda for that day. Really, are you kidding me? Well, I'll be laughing at you from my bed and couch while I hear of you going through all the unnecessary stress, heartache, and freezing just to save a few bucks.

So don't expect to see me at a Black Friday sale in the near future. I just don't see how it is worth it, literally resorting to violence and danger just to save money.

Feel free to shop away, complete your holiday shopping. Just don't expect me to accompany you, or even support the fact that you're going out on this cold, crowded, dark day.

 

BONS BLOG: 2010 American Music Awards

-Is that a bathrobe that Rihanna is wearing?
- What is that she's sitting on, a tree?
- Rihanna isn't the best singer but she sure is fiiine!
- Man that was a loong performance
- Waddup with Heidi Klum's hair?
- Usher, smh
- OK get off the stage already Usher, you thanked everyone but your maid and driver
- Is Lady Gaga not present tonight?
- Dang Jenny!
- Of course the Black-Eyed Peas (i.e, Fergie, Will, and those "other" two guys) won!
- Will I.A.M., is that hat made of Leggos?
- There's one of the gays from Modern Family
- Lasers are getting sooo played out
- Was that John Mayer in the audience?
- OK Miley Cyrus are you yourself or Hannah Montana?
- Are they trying to summon the ghosts of music past with all of these candles?
- And Miley, Grandma Moses wants her wardrobe back
- OK so now Diddy is called Diddy Dirty Money?
- Who was that gal singing b4 Diddy came on?
- Diddy's son looks just like him
- I'm Coming Home, I'm Coming Home!
- Oh snap, Jessica Alba's gonna be on Little Fockers!
- Taylor Swift wins an AMA. Protect the stage! #Kanyeshrug
- Taylor looks anorexic
- Samuel L. Jackson, you MFers!
- Kid Rock can actually sing! #WOW
- He's not as scruffy anymore either
- Christian Milian, my homie's crush! What a short, sexy skirt!
- Can't wait for that new Black-Eyes Peas album, even with all of the autotune!
- This performance makes me wanna see Tron now
- Why has Katy Perry got a Children's Choir behind her?
- Katy sounds a little off-key right now
- WHOA Katy!! Look at that red catsuit!
- Does Nicki Minaj thinks she's Lady Gaga, Lil Kim or both?
- OK Nicki that was an EXTREMELY inappropriate promo for your new album #epicfail
- Wait, Rihanna doesn't have soul!
- Time to change the channel, it's Justin Bieber, complete with his golden mic
- Mandy Moore, where have you been?
- I thought country singers wore black cowboy hats, not white
- Bon Jovi, still at it!
- Loving those lightning bolts!
- The crowd is REALLY feeling Bon Jovi's performance, especially Jenny McCarthy!
- It's My Life!
- Justin Bieber, award #1
- There's the much slimmer Kelly Osbourne!
- Pink always brings her A game at awards shows
- I'll bet Pink's baby daddy Carey Hart helped design that performance set
- Now we have Ne-Yo trying to bite off of MJ's dance moves
- OK Ne-Yo are you gonna do that gal on stage?
- Taylor Swift's on, time to be bored
- Keri Hilson is sooo beautiful!
- Justin Bieber, ANOTHER award!
- Now I believe I wanna see Burlesque
- Some of this material is NOT even appropriate for adults, let alone children
- Lady Antebellum has broken through!
- Swedish House Mafia? *blank stare and face*
- I haven't heard of any of these alternative groups
- Train is sooo old!
- And Train actually has soul sisters hopping on stage
- And there's Michael Buble', haven't heard of him since the Grammys
- Now the awards show is starting to go in the can. Ke$ha? WTH?
- They're putting a lot of old, classic artists on this year's show. Looks like halftime of a Super Bowl. Mostly coonery and foolery free though
- Santana is a beast on that guitar!
- And NO awards show is complete without Ryan Secreast!
- NOOOOO Bieber!!! This show should be renamed the Justin Bieber awards
- Good gesture Usher!
- Been waiting on this performance. Backstreet Boys are still better!

WU Homecoming: different from your average college homecoming but not necesarily a bad thing.

I felt I needed to address and blog on this subject after a few folks had low expectations about Winthrop University's (WU) Homecoming festivities due to how lackluster they have been in the past. There's typically not enough activities to do outside of the game, stepshow, and tailgate, and most of the parties are for the younger crowd (25 and older). When you get into my age group, we want to see some more variety, some grown and sexy affairs, and preferly some things off-campus. This year, ALL of that took place. Some WU alums took matters into their own hands and planned a bevy of parties. Plus the recent opening of the brand new DiGiorgio Campus Center, complete with a Popeyes Chicken in the food court and a stadium-seating movie theater drew more alums to come see what the current students are enjoying. I believe all together, between Friday and Saturday, there were at least 6 different parties going on. I'm still looking at FB status updates, Twitter feeds and talking to friends that attended these parties. But so far, I've found they have been a success.

In the past, Winthrop has always had their Homecoming activities in February, and often on the final weekend of February, when the CIAA basketball tournament was taking place in Charlotte. For those that are unfamiliar, CIAA is a four-day event of nothing but basketball, night and day parties, excitement everywhere. Stuff for the younger crowd and for those in their 30s and 40s. It is the type of event that has brought even more exposure and notoriety to Charlotte, NC, and it is the place to be the last weekend of February. Many WU alums were choosing to go to CIAA events instead of WU's Homecoming due to the greater appeal. The administration has never directly stated this, but it appears that Homecoming was moved to the Fall to try and not interfere with CIAA in any way. No one outside of the WU administrative circle knows the true reason though.

Now although WU's Homecoming was one of the most successful in recent history, it still is NOT an HBCU Homecoming, a CIAA, or even a homecoming like they have at larger schools with football teams (Clemson, Carolina, UNC, UGA, etc). And it's not meant to be this way. Winthrop is a smaller, liberal arts university that does not have a football team, is not a traditional party school, and therefore structures their festivities differently. It is in the form of USC-Upstate, Lander, and Francis-Marion, schools similar to Winthrop. They just started having the pre-game tailgate a few years ago, which has become a huge success and a staple for WU alums to attend. Before, the two major events to attend were the game and the stepshow, and that's honestly about it. The University used to organize parties at the Shack, and other social gatherings, but those were more conservative, mixer-type events. These are good for professional settings, but not what normal Homecoming activities typically entail.

HBCUs such as SC State, Howard and NC AT&T focus on partying, the football games, concerts, after-parties, stepshows and just a whole three-day slate full of events to attend at your choosing. Many folks that didn't even attend these universities still go to their homecomings. Larger schools such as Clemson and Carolina have a variety of events as well, with folks also wanting to catch tailgating and football games. People already come out to college football games in the South in droves, often just to tailgate. College homecomings brings on an entirely new light. I went to Duke University's homecoming with some friends a couple of years ago when they played the University of Miami. Now Duke is hardly a football school, but that was a huge crowd at that game, at least for them.

CIAA is the answer/alternative to the HBCU atmosphere. It compromises many HBCUs, plus the Charlotte and surrounding areas have been on the forefront for years. There are hotels that are already sold out, and people have put in vacation time at work and are planning their CIAA parties and wardrobes, It's crucial around these parts.

Now when I made the tweet about the hype that WU's homecoming was receiving was similar to CIAA, that's what I meant: similar. WU's Homecoming, again, is a different type of affair than CIAA. However, with the variety of activities, parties, and the hype and enthusiasm from WU alums to ACTUALLY attend, it is a happy medium between the more relaxed activities normally held by schools such as Winthrop and the HBCUs and CIAA. I hope I have made my point clear.

I thoroughly enjoyed the WU Homecoming activities I attended this year. Morever, I enjoyed seeing folks I haven't seen ever, in years, or since last year. I also enjoyed seeing folks I see every couple of months. It was like a huge family reunion, which is what Homecomings are supposed to be. I had lots of fun, and I'm hoping that the WU alums will continue to step in and make sure that other WU alums will be able to enjoy coming to Homecoming and want to come.

It is doubtful that Winthrop will EVER be a party school, it's not in its nature and tradition. It's not the reason I chose to attend there anyways. But it does seem the younger generation sees that some changes needed to be made and did just that. With all of the nice new buildings, changes on campus, and the improved Homeecoming, now the WU just needs a football team. The alumni wants it, and hopefully within the next two decades, it will become a reality. I believe that will really help out in everyway possible. Winthrop University already strives in excellence in many areas, sports included. A football team is the next logical step.

Either way, I still love Winthrop, I cherished my time there, and I'm glad I can enjoy going back even more now. Even if its activities aren't the caliber of Howard, Clemson, or anything during CIAA.

BONUS BLOG: Blacksburg High School 2010 Black v. Gold Alumni Game

It's coming up soon, and this is one of the places to get info about it. It's the 2010 Blacksburg High School Black v. Gold Alumni Game. The game will featured Blacksburg High School football alums squaring off against each other, reliving old glory days, albeit for one night. It will be Even year grads ('96, '98, '02, etc) versus Odd year grads ('91, '93', '97, etc). Some big names in Blacksburg High football lore are expected to play in the game. These include Daniel Farris, Nesbitt "Banky" Black, Brit Dawkins, Anthony Garrison, Mike Smith, Lamont Sutton, Stanley "Dunnie" Watts, and many more. Blacksburg, Cherokee County, and surrounding areas, you know you want to come out and see these old (no pun intended) stars strap it up and knock heads once again! The game will be on the Saturday after Blacksburg High School's varsity season ends. It will be at T.A. Campbell Stadium in Blacksburg, SC at 7pm. Admission will be $5 for everyone. It will be incorporate every high school varsity rule and regulation, except on punting and punt returns. These will be free kicks. This game has been in place for a while and myself, Shawn Corry (class of 1997, co-organizer) and Josh Batchler, (class of 2003, current BHS assistant coach) are very excited about the ordeal. Coach Mickey Moss, head coach at Blacksburg High School, Principal Jim Touchberry, and athletic director Robbie Blanton have been very good about working with us and giving us all the resources available to make this a quality event. Look out for the game on Saturday, November 13, 7pm at Dr. T.A. Campbell Stadium in Blacksburg, SC!!

Frequently asked questions:

Q: Why was there no date for the game yet?
A: Blacksburg High School's season was still going on and we are using their equipment. We needed to wait until the season is over to play the game so we can have access to their equipment, uniforms, etc.

Q: Who will be coaching?
A: Coach Mickey Moss and his current staff (minus Josh since he's playing for the Odd team) will be assisting. Also, Coach Moss has been talking to former Blacksburg High School coaches like Johnny Gibson, Danny Fulton, Steve Wilson, and Tommy Pruett to get them in on this deal. Unsure at present time which coaches are coaching which teams.

Q: How did you determine whom is eligible?
A: You have to be a graduate of Blacksburg High School first of all, playing at least one season of varsity football for BHS, and been out of school for at least 5 years. This means the class of 2005 is the last eligible class to be able to play in this year's game. Also, a waiver has been prepared by one of our classmates/teammates who is currently an attorney covering the school's behind in case of any injuries. EVERY player must sign the waiver before even practicing. Shawn, Josh, and I have worked diligently to get interested folks to sign the waivers in advance because we don't want folks just walking on the day of the game.

Q: What about having the cheerleaders and the band
A: That's a great idea but not something that Shawn, Josh or myself is dealing with. We're simply focusing on the players from each squad

Q: Where do the proceeds from the game go to?
A: Blacksburg High School athletics

Q: Why are you guys not partnering with Gaffney High like the Peach Festival used to do in the past?
A: We may do this in the future, depending on how well this game goes. We simply want to keep this a Blacksburg thing for now since it is our first year and we only need to focus on finding Blacksburg players.

Q: How and why did you guys decide to put this game on?
A: I was talking with a bunch of my former teammates (Shawn included) one night and we were reminiscencing about our old times playing for BHS. Shawn was talking about how Spartanburg and Dorman High School both do alumni games and that we should try to organize one. I told him I would be in and I would help out wherever I could. Since I know Josh Batchler, I went to him with the idea and he put Shawn and I in touch with all the people necessary to approve the game. Once the game was approved, we simply had to plan and get the most important part: the players. Many guys are excited about it as well and are ready to get back out there again.

Q: Who's black and who's gold?
A: Black and gold is simply the name of the game since Blacksburg's school colors are black and gold. Blacksburg High School simply has only black and white jerseys. There was a coin flip back in August, and the Odd team won. They chose to wear the black jerseys, and the Even team will be wearing the white jerseys.

Q: Who all is playing?
A: I have posted rosters on my FB page, http://www.facebook.com/drewhouse74 under my notes. If you wish to be tagged to the note for easier access, please let me know.

Q: Will there be EMS/emergency staff at the game?
A: This has been the 2nd most FAQ lately and yes we will have ambulances, EMTs, and plenty of volunteer fireman on staff at the game.

Q: Will Doug Bolin (arguably BHS's greatest player ever) be playing?
A: As of current, that answer is no. That could change though so stay tuned.

If there are any other questions or comments, hit me up on Facebook, www.facebook.com/drewhouse74. I will personally answer further questions, and make sure I put you on the invite list when I send out the FB invite.

Hope to see as many people as possible there!

VOTE! But do it for the RIGHT reasons.

Election Day is on Tuesday, November 6th, and one of the most important presidential elections in recent history.  Our nation’s first Black president, Barack Obama, is vying with Republican and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney to become only the second Democrat since the FDR administration  (Bill Clinton was the other) to serve a two term administration.  Many have been excited about it for months, watching and talking about the conventions, the debates, ads, and the overall hot button issues. 

 
However, voting for other offices is also important, especially in the non-presidential election years.   These years are where the Senate, House of Representative seats are being filled, as well as state and local office elections. These are the offices affect us more on a daily basis and the issues that we deal with and live under.

My hope is that many folks, especially the ones that have been voting since early voting opened a couple of weeks ago, are voting for the right reasons. Voting is not a fad or the cool thing to do. It's the right thing to do. Just like the old saying goes "If you don't vote, don't complain." I do understand that many black, Hispanic, and gay voters feel more of an obligation and confidence in the voting system now that President Obama is in office. However, I'm still not so keen on the idea on voting just because someone is running, or now that someone is running.

My beloved late grandmother, Myrtle Lanier, stressed voting and exercising constitutional rights to me at an early age. I still remember going with her to the polls when she voted in the 1988 presidential election. She was very active in watching the debates, the issues, and which candidates would do the most for her life and needs. She told and taught me not to vote based on popularity, looks, race, or often not even party affiliation. She stressed to stay on the issues and the type of character they are.

Let's not forget about voting for law changes, tax rates, etc. That's where stuff really matters, especially for issues such as gay marriage,  foreign policy, the economy, and even firearm laws.   You must make your voice known if you want improvements made in your voting district, and in our country.

Therefore, it doesn't matter if you voted on October 22 or November 2, just get out and vote. And continue to cast your ballot, even if your candidate doesn’t get into office.

Otherwise, keep quiet regarding certain issues. Silence can be golden.

 

Happy Whoreish Halloween!

Halloween is this weekend and of course that can mean a variety of things. For children it means trick-or-treating, gathering up enough candy to last until Valentine's Day. For many grown-ups, that means haunted trails, and going to Halloween costume parties.

Halloween parties take on a different meaning for females. Males simply try to be creative and may dress as a ghoul, a superhero, or even a celebrity. For females, this is the one time/year where they get a pass to dress like a whore or slut without fear of judgment. Many women wear catsuits, tight leather, or simply lingerie. Some of the more popular female costumes are police officers, naughty nurses, devils, cats, rabbits, and superheroes such as Wonder Woman, Catwoman or Storm from the X-Men.

As a male, I personally enjoy looking at women dressed scantily clad. I usually attend at least one party that I pay admission to, and then go to a free party or bar/lounge to check out the eye candy. I then log onto Facebook and for two straight days look at the various pictures that have been uploaded it. It sounds perverted, but it's a joyous occasion.

I believe it enpowers many women to be able to express themselves sexually. Many women feel shy about showing off their bodies, especially for fear of judgment or folks (especially men) thinking they're easy and are saying "come and get it boy". Halloween, everyone is neutral.

Masquerade balls and parties are a happy medium. Women and men dress up, but often the women aren't looking extra sexy or whoreish. It's more of an alternative to the typical adult Halloween parties. I've attended these before, but I believe I prefer the Halloween parties where the women have it all hanging out. Don't judge me please.

Men and women will pay upwards to even $100 for that perfect, sexy outfit. They are getting together their outfits as I type this blog. Personally, I plan on having a clever, creative outfit, but well under my budget. I don't judge others, but I cannot see the purpose of paying more than $30 in this economy for an outfit you probably will only wear once or twice. Costume shops are making a killing around this time of year. I utilize my own clothing collection, Wal-Mart, thrift shops, Goodwill and Salvation Army to assemble a quality Halloween costume. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

So ladies, I'm looking forward to the Halloween fashion show. Of course I'm not expecting you to just be ready to sleep with any man based on your attire. It's Halloween weekend and you're exempt from the usual rules of society. That is, until November 1.

Until then, Happy Whoreish Halloween!

Grieving: been there, done that, and what you shouldn't do

Losing a loved one can be devastating, even destroying your whole world and those in it around you. It's always toughest when you lose a best friend, sibling, parent, or the ultimate nightmare, one of your OWN children.

I've watched my mother suffer through the latter, ever since January 28, 2006, when my younger brother, Adam, passed away from an accidental drug overdose. That was the worst and toughest day of my life, and my toughest loss to date. It's like not only did I lose my only sibling, I lost a part of my mother. She's been strong (as I described in an earlier blog) but there's a part of her that can never be replaced, even with a future grandchild.

Along with my brother, I have lost best friends, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and even my own father (although I wasn't old enough to remember that one).

When someone you know suffers a tragic loss such as this, the natural instinct is to come to their rescue. Visit them, call them, bring money and food to their homes. Come around everyday until and during the wake, receiving of friends, and the funeral. I know folks that actually spend their weekends going to funerals. Morbid if you ask me.

Personally, I will comfort the grieving family during their loss and before the funeral. However, I'm not one to pretty much stay around the family unless they're extremely close to me. The grieving folks need their space, they're in extreme shock, tired from dealing with funeral arrangements, family, friends, etc, and often working on limited sleep.

The two main things I try to do (if possible) is make either one or all of the three: wake, receiving friends, and funeral. That's the least anyone can do. But that's when the grieving really begins and many folks fail to realize this. It's after all of the people have gone home, the body's in the ground or the urn is in safe keeping that one can truly begin the often-long process of moving on with that person they've grown accustomed to having in their lives.

Here are some basics dos and don'ts from a veteran griever and comforter on how to approach, talk to and even nurture the hurting loved ones.

Dos: Definitely keep in touch with the family, let them know you will be there for them. Although it's not my preference, call, visit with them prior to the funeral. Send money, food, peace lilies, etc, to show your good will. Show up for the funeral if at all possible. Most importantly, give the folks a few days to a week after the funeral. Then make arrangements to visit them and just talk with them, see how everything is going. Let them do most of the talking. Give kind comforting words, but only when necessary. Be comfortable as possible when dealing with these situations, especially for the mothers that have lost children

Don'ts: Call everyday, go to the house EVERY single day. You're only drawing attention to yourself, and honestly the grieving parties aren't going to remember you as well as you think. Make your visits few and far in between, and brief. Also, don't tell any false stories or memories about the deceased. If you two so much as never watch a TV show together, don't try and say "I remember how their laughter was. They loved to hang out". Silence can be golden also. Saying little to nothing is better than saying the wrong thing. Don't forget about the grieving family also. Stay in touch with them, especially in the early going, but again, don't call them or visit everyday. They need their space to be alone, think and grieve in their own, healthy manner. Also, be genuine and sincere in your comforting. As I mentioned earlier, do not feel the need to suddenly be in touch with them, try to take them out if you haven't really hung out with them. Lastly, do not try to force them into grieving a certain way, or into crying (or not crying). Unless you are their parent, sibling, child, bereavement counselor, or otherwise grief professional, that is not your place. It's best to stay out of it.

Grieving is a tough process, but one that's smoother with the Good Lord, faith, family, and friends. If one basically gives the comfort and assurance of letting the grieving folks know that they are behind them, that is a huge step towards recovery and living out the remaining days in peace and harmony.