TO GROUP OR NOT TO GROUP...LEAVE ME OUTTA THIS

With the advent of modern technology, the chain letter was replaced by the chain email which was replaced with the chain Facebook post which has been replaced by the chain text. 

You know, the text where you are included with 65 other people wanting to have you reply or comment to everything from Boxer or Briefs, to political views, to saying Amen, Drinks at Bob's who's in?.... to countless situations...about this time of year you will be getting group texts about Cornbread or Rye Bread Stuffing...Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays...Turkey or Tofu...So and So is having a party, rsvp...yadda yadda yadda...

Point is, I don't mind getting a text from anyone about anything. My phone pings and I look at it, and at that point decide to respond or ignore.  My bug bear is when I have to listen to my phone ping half a dozen times in a 2 minute period because everyone else is responding to the sender, and being part of the group, it is assumed that I give a crap about what everyone else thinks.  "Text me back or you are not my friend..."  What is this? Third grade?  Here's a thought....Friends don't send friends stupid group texts!" 

So, about now, dear reader, you are saying, just delete it and unjoin the thread.  I have enough threads in my life that I should not HAVE to unjoin something that I did not join in the first place.  There are times that group texts are easier for sharing things. At work, Everyone gets a daily sales report group texted to them. Fine. Necessary and expected. But when someone asked a question on that thread and everyone starts answering it's a pain in the ass. ding...ding...dingdingdingding....

It's part of life, can't be avoided, so, feel free to group text all you want, but don't feel bad if I don't reply. 

While we are on the subject of annoying text messages, What is up with all this invasive advertising on your phone now?  I can't go to Walmart, Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond or even McDonalds without my phone pinging, and a text ad saying you are at Walmart...look at these specials...Again, I could shut off my location access but WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO DO THAT??? Any thoughts?  We will address this at another time.

Have a great day.

And so it begins..................

With a week and a half until Thanksgiving, we got it out of the way today.  My brother in law and his wife are here visiting from Canada.  The timing of their trip made it easier to have turkey and all the fixins' today.  My wife and I will then use this T-day credit, and do NOTHING on Thanksgiving day but sit at home in our jammies and watch the Macy's parade.  (I will admit it was strange to cook a full blown Thanksgiving day dinner (Complete with pie and naps) and not have the parade on.  Maybe I will DVR it this year so if by chance I find myself in a similar situation next Fall, I can watch it again. That all said, I guess my family has officially kicked off the Holiday Season.  Ho Ho Ho. 
The Christmas CD we talked about earlier is done, just waiting  to get it packaged, but they are ready to order.  E mail me at Speedcatproductions@hotmail.com for Pay Pal instructions. They are 10 bucks each plus 2 bucks shipping, with the proceeds going to St Jude's Children's Hospital and Toys for Tots.  It's a great album featuring 10 great Las Vegas headliners. 

Within the next two weeks, there will be nowhere in town that you can go without being in the midst of Christmas music, trees, lights, Bell ringers (donate something this year) and good tiding of great joy. Not to mention all those great Black Friday deals!  It is the start of my favorite time of year, albeit totally commercialized. Oh well, we take it all. Heck, it's Christmas!! 

Do yourself a favor.  Between now and December 24th, make it a point to watch  It's a Wonderful Life, The Santa Clause, A Christmas Carol (my favorite is George C Scott), The Family Man, Holiday Inn, A Charlie Brown Christmas, Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, Christmas with the Kranks, The Christmas Story, And end it Prancer on Christmas Eve.  

Deck someone's halls and Jingle someone's bells this year.

Have a Great day.