Category: Thoughts

New York City, often referred to as the “city that never sleeps,” is about as bustling a metropolis as you can get. With a rich and diverse history, a pulsating cultural scene, and a constant evolution, New York has become a symbol of the American Dream and a global hub for artistic expression.

It’s the city that, growing up, I had envisioned I would live in. I haven’t made it there to live yet. I’ve done well with my other hopefuls (however, I’d prefer Talkeetna, AK to Ketchikan, AK, but I have some time for that one as well).

New York City, originally named New Amsterdam, was founded by the Dutch in 1624. It was originally a small colony of farmers and traders, but soon became a thriving port city. The city’s strategic location along the Hudson River and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean made it an important trading hub.

During the Revolutionary War, New York played a crucial role. It was the site of several key battles, including the Battle of Brooklyn and the Battle of Harlem Heights. After the war, New York became the capital of the United States, and the city’s skyline was forever changed with the construction of iconic skyscrapers.

Obviously the capital moved, but fortunately, New York City is not just known for its skyscrapers and urban charm; it also has a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene. From Broadway shows to museums to street performances, there is no shortage of cultural events to experience. Additionally, Central Park, an 843-acre park in the heart of the city, and remains a symbol of urban serenity and serves as an oasis amidst the bustling city.

Over the years, New York City has undergone significant changes. The city’s population has grown exponentially, and it has become a global melting pot of cultures. The skyline has transformed, with new buildings being constructed and old ones being demolished.

It’s a city of art, tourism, fashion, food, and immigration. The culture of New York has evolved, and the city has become a hub for entrepreneurs, attracting people from all backgrounds with its promise of opportunity and self-expression.

It is certainly one of the great cities of the world.

Why can’t every day be Friday? We look forward to Fridays. Mondays, not so much.

But if every day was Friday, we wouldn’t look forward to it, would we? We wouldn’t be excited when it arrived, and disappointed when it was time to move on to another day.

So, we need Mondays, and every other day, to enjoy what Friday really is.

Have you ever wanted to go back? To some moment in time, some past point in your life?

I think about it, and pretty often. I think about the investments I could have made. Mistakes I could have avoided. Traumas I’d undo.

But we can’t go back. We’re here, now. And while hindsight is 20/20, if you’re thinking that you’d do something that you didn’t do then, because you haven’t done it yet, then you might as well start now.

Who cares how long it takes. Just start, and see where it takes you.

In life, we often find ourselves facing difficult decisions that challenge our comfort zones and require us to give up something significant. These choices, while difficult, are often necessary for personal growth and the pursuit of our dreams. 

Making hard choices is inevitable.

It involves sacrifices, opportunities, and embracing the risk of the unknown. By stepping outside of our comfort zones, we gain personal growth, experience new opportunities, and broaden our horizons.

It’s important to plan for the future. Whether it’s making long-term financial choices, setting career goals, or preparing for retirement, having a clear vision for the future can help guide us towards success.

It can play a vital role in our personal and professional lives. It offers us a sense of direction, helps us prioritize our time and resources, and ensures that we have the necessary resources in place to meet our goals. By taking the time to plan, we increase our chances of achieving our goals and minimizing the risk of unforeseen circumstances derailing our plans.

It seems that in modern society, practice is often undervalued and overlooked. People tend to assume that innate talent or intelligence is enough to succeed.

Practice is the basis of mastering any skill or achieving success in any field. Sure, it takes time. But anything worth doing requires commitment.

Whether it is sports, music, art, academics, or any other area, practice is the key to unlocking your full potential.

The inner critic is a formidable opponent in a writer’s journey. It is the voice inside our heads that constantly reminds us of our shortcomings, mistakes, and failures.

When staring at the empty page, our inner critic becomes even more vocal, reminding us of all the reasons why we are not capable of writing anything worthwhile.

This constant inner dialogue only adds to the anxiety and hinders our ability to tap into our creativity.

Steven Pressfield called this The Resistance. And, it can be overcome.

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.