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The city I call home now.

Atlanta is a fairly bustling metropolis situated in the heart of the Southeast. With a growing cultural scene, rich history, and thriving economy, this city has established itself as a major hub for tourism, business, and entertainment.

Cultural Hub of the South

It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and is home to a thriving arts scene. Known for its vibrant music, film, and performing arts communities, Atlanta attracts artists from around the world. Specifically catering to an R&B and underground Rap scene, Atlanta has been the home to many popular artists: Gucci Mane, Ludacris, Andre 3000, Young Thug, to name a few.

This whole thought of cities came about when I saw a Japanese shoegaze band here, at Atlanta Underground. I hadn’t expected to see a Japanese band here, let alone see how full the venue got. Which got me thinking – what do our cities really provide us?

Historical Landmarks

Atlanta has a rich historical background that is evident in its many iconic landmarks. One of the most famous is Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, which commemorates the civil rights leader and houses his boyhood home. Other noteworthy historical landmarks include the Atlanta Cyclorama, a giant circular painting depicting the Battle of Atlanta during the American Civil War, and the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor.

And, of course, food

You can’t talk about the South without mentioning the cuisine. And butter. Hopefully when mentioning cuisine, but, if that’s your thing, I’m not going to stop you.

Atlanta is also known for its thriving culinary scene, with an array of diverse and delicious dining options. The city is home to several James Beard Award-nominated chefs and renowned restaurants, offering a wide range of cuisines.

Additionally, the city hosts numerous food festivals and special events, showcasing the best that Atlanta’s food scene has to offer.

So, Atlanta is well-known for a unique blend of food, entertainment (including the relatively recent influx of filmmakers and performers), and history. Sports as well, from the ’96 Olympics to the professional teams that call Atlanta home.

Black Friday, the annual shopping extravaganza that kicks off the holiday season, has become a staple in many consumers’ calendars. This event has gained significant popularity around the world, captivating shoppers with its enticing deals and discounts. Over the years, Black Friday has witnessed remarkable success and undergone significant changes to adapt to evolving consumer habits. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges and reshaped the way consumers shop and celebrate the holiday shopping season. 

Contrary to popular belief, Black Friday did not always have its current connotation. The term “Black Friday” was not coined to describe the frenzied shopping experience we know today.

“The first recorded use of the term “Black Friday” was applied not to post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping but to financial crisis: specifically, the crash of the U.S. gold market on September 24, 1869. Two notoriously ruthless Wall Street financiers, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, worked together to buy up as much as they could of the nation’s gold, hoping to drive the price sky-high and sell it for astonishing profits. On that Friday in September, the conspiracy finally unraveled, sending the stock market into free-fall and bankrupting everyone from Wall Street barons to farmers. 

The most commonly repeated story behind the Thanksgiving shopping-related Black Friday tradition links it to retailers. As the story goes, after an entire year of operating at a loss (“in the red”) stores would supposedly earn a profit (“went into the black”) on the day after Thanksgiving, because holiday shoppers blew so much money on discounted merchandise. Though it’s true that retail companies used to record losses in red and profits in black when doing their accounting, this version of Black Friday’s origin is the officially sanctioned—but inaccurate—story behind the tradition.” (History.com)

Another story comes from Philadelphia, where on Friday, November 24th, 1960, two local television stations went on air simultaneously, promoting big discounts at local stores. This event sparked a shopping frenzy as consumers flocked to the malls and stores to grab the best deals. The influx of customers overwhelmed the stores and led to congested traffic, resulting in the term “Black Friday” being used to describe the chaotic scene.

Over the years, Black Friday solidified its position as one of the most significant shopping events of the year. Retailers began offering increasingly lucrative deals to attract customers and boost sales, contributing to the event’s growing popularity. The allure of discounted electronics and other popular items prompted people to wake up early, brave the crowds, and engage in intense bidding wars.

Then came 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted almost every aspect of our lives, including the way we shop. Traditional brick-and-mortar stores were forced to temporarily close or implement strict safety measures, leading to a surge in online shopping. As social distancing measures became the norm, consumers turned to e-commerce for their holiday shopping needs.

These changes have had a significant impact on Black Friday sales. The surge in online shopping had been disrupting the traditional Black Friday rush, and post-COVID, the difference became even more pronounced. This shift away from the in-store experience has forced retailers to adapt their strategies, offering extended promotions, staggered discounts, and virtual shopping experiences.

Furthermore, the pandemic has had a ripple effect on the entire holiday season. With travel restrictions in place and people choosing to spend the holiday season closer to home, the gift-giving landscape has undergone significant changes. Instead of buying extravagant gifts, consumers are increasingly opting for experiences, gift cards, and personalized presents.

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, retailers are embracing the opportunity to extend the holiday shopping season. By enticing customers to shop earlier and staying competitive throughout the holidays, retailers hope to capture a larger share of the market.

Many retailers have implemented Black Friday-style deals throughout November, offering early discounts and extended promotions. By spreading out the shopping frenzy, retailers aim to create a sense of urgency and excitement throughout the month. This strategy also helps to alleviate the pressure on a single day and spread out the strain on their operations.

Additionally, retailers are focusing on creating a seamless online shopping experience. With the rise of e-commerce, consumers expect a seamless and hassle-free shopping experience. Retailers are investing in robust online platforms, enhanced checkout options, and seamless delivery processes to enhance the online shopping experience.

As we enter a new era of holiday shopping, it will be interesting to see how retailers adapt to the changing landscape and continue to lure customers in during this crucial time of the year.

I don’t know how many times this has been posted here. But, each time, I giggle as much as all the previous ones.

Happy thanksgiving.

Looking at this, it’s hard to decide.

Is it advice? Is it varied ramblings? Lists of some sort, or collections of things found on the internet, at home, and around the world?

What is any blog? Much like every creative output, its creator has to decide that for themselves.

Staring at an empty page is a rite of passage for every writer.

It is a moment when we confront our fears, doubts, and insecurities.

But it is can also be an opportunity for growth and creativity.

Every writer has faced the Empty Page, and with practice and perseverance, we can conquer it.

Trying to stay on top of everything isn’t just a challenge. It’s impossible. You can’t keep up with everything. There’s too much. We’ve become inundated with data points flowing in nonstop.

Sure, there are ways to streamline. There’s building routines, saying no to things, and limited distraction devices (phones, televisions, computers, whatever).

But, we only have ourselves to answer to. And when it comes down to it, what are we actually telling ourselves about our own productivity?

Each day, accomplish one thing. One little bit is all it takes. After a number of days, you’ve accomplished that many things. Whatever it is. Learning a new word. Working towards learning a new language. Painting, writing, or composing.

Each day, do one thing. That most important thing. Even if that thing is just a minuscule part of a bigger whole.

I’ve been thinking about cities in the US, and what some of them do better than others. over the years I’ve lived across the country, and I’m still figuring out why certain places resonate more with me than others.

So, I thought I’d try and peg down some of the things that these different cities do well. I don’t know how much I’ll get to, or what cities I may actually end up thinking about. But, they’ll be here either way.

Staying positive and grateful can make a big difference in your overall mindset. This is especially true of difficult moments.

Take some time each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for, no matter how small they may seem. (My go-to is coffee. Every day. I mean, really. I don’t know where I’d be without coffee.)

Expressing gratitude can help you shift your perspective and focus on the positive aspects of your life.

Instead of viewing challenges as obstacles, look at them as opportunities for growth and learning. Embrace adversity as a chance to develop resilience, adaptability, and perseverance.

View each challenge as a stepping stone towards a destination. Your destination.