Peer Pressure

After missing hundreds of scheduled airings of "High School Musical" and "HMS2," I finally saw both movies and I can see why they are so popular. I wouldn't want to sit through them again, but FF to the tunes and dancing, and I could sit through another evening of 'em.

I really didn't want to like the movies, but since I had never seen them, I was curious. Plus there was nothing else on TV. I felt as if I had no other choice but to watch it.

It was a bit like this morning when Dan'l and I braved the crowds at Target and Wal-Mart for dog food and laundry detergent. It seemed like every fourth or fifth person in the stores had a gigantic TV in their carts. After a while, I felt like I should have one in my cart so I wouldn't feel left out. I resisted, but I felt a bit of regret walking out of the store without a new plasma TV. There was also a very long line at the camera department and part of me wanted to hang out and watch what people were getting. There weren't many people shopping for Christmas lights, Gain or Puppy Chow so I couldn't watch people in those departments.

The people who weren't buying gigantic TVs were stalking up with the latest toys to resell in Mexico. I'm pretty sure they resell that stuff. There's no need for someone to buy 15 Bratz dolls and thingees or 20 remote control cars and trucks. It's interesting to see those people push their way to the front of the line in the same entitled fashion that they litter the streets and parking lots and take advantage of their employees. Compare that to the couples with their small children who don't pile electronics into their carts, but instead buy some clothes, shoes and toys for their kids.

Listen to me, I'm starting to sound like BB going on and on about the noble savages. I'm not saying that. What I mean is that I have more in common with the low paid uneducated family who finally had a chance to go "up north" to do some shopping than with the middle class shoppers. For that I guess I'm grateful because once I start acting like I'm entitled, well, one of you gentle readers (or two) will have to slap me.