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Ok, Now Shop!
Three Years of Hell doesn't think much of the idea of Buy Nothing Day, and I'm sure he's not alone. To me it's a symbolic protest, a thought exercise as much as anything. If the idea of buying nothing on the biggest shopping day of the year only makes you think of buying something you really don't need, something you "just couldn't justify to yourself," so be it. Such consumption is, in fact, the yin to Buy Nothing Day's yang; the protest (symbolic as it may be) would be impossible without the "sheerly pointless" consumption it attempts to comment on.
But that was so yesterday. Now it's time to shop! The Nation offers some nice political protest gifts for not too much money. But that will only please a few, so tell me: What's your favorite online shopping site? What's the best gift to give this year? And what do you hope to get?
I should be thinking about outlines and finals, so while I'm doing that, please fill the comments with gift ideas so that when I come up for air my holiday shopping will be quick and painless. Thank you.
Posted November 29, 2003 04:59 PM | life generally
...of course, isn't it ironic that Buy Nothing Day then enhances my act of buying Farscape DVDs from an act of pointless self-gratification to an act of political defiance? It's not just about wanting to watch Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda again: no, now it's my chance to say, "You're wrong, AI, and I'm going to buy if I bloody well want?"
Such a Taoist example of an action (or in this case an inaction) generating its own opposition. :) If only we didn't have exams, and could contemplate the irony more thoroughly.
Posted by: A. Rickey at November 29, 2003 05:08 PM
Oh, but if you're looking for stocking stuffers, there's always the Ann Coulter Action Figure. I mean, imagine the look of jealousy in the eyes of all your friends when they see what a lovely gift you got for those nearest and dearest to you....
(OK, sorry, AI, I'm going nuts here. My tongue's so firmly in my cheek it's going to cause me dental trouble.)
Posted by: A. Rickey at November 29, 2003 05:14 PM
These shoes have become my most prized possessions. Get them for your favorite person in a cold climate. A little steep but worth every penny.
http://www.uggstore.com/tools/showGroup?68
Also consider the Travelmate for the outdoorsy woman who has everything. I guarantee it will be the most unique present she receives. http://www.travelmateinfo.com/
Posted by: Scheherazade at December 1, 2003 06:32 PM
A. Rickey: I'm sort of leaning toward the Bush flight suit action figure myself. I wish they'd make one with him wearing that Eisenhower jacket, though. That would be the, um, bomb. ;-)
Scheherazade: Thanks for the great tips (and for the exam tips on your site)! I'm liking the Copley a bit more than the Westside, but you're right, those shoes look like the perfect thing for winter. The Travelmate, well, *I* think it's a brilliant idea, but I have this suspicion that most of the women in my life would, well, not be impressed. Some people just aren't ready to learn to write their names in the snow...
Posted by: ambimb at December 2, 2003 07:46 AM
