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Shopping is dangerousBy Richard C. Snell Barton County Extension Agent, agriculture Kansas Depending on when you read this, no, I didn't or won't go out the day after Thanksgiving. I learned my lesson several years ago. As you know, many times in this column and on my Thursday morning radio show, I have expounded on the dangers of farming. I have preached about farm safety, had demonstrations on safety at the 3-I Show, taught the tractor and machinery safety--hazardous occupations training to the teenage youth and helped Farm Bureau with their safety day. However, even though farming is one of the two most hazardous occupations, I'm not sure it even compares to the dangers of shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Oh, you don't suppose there is a reason they call it Black Friday. They say it is because the merchants get so much business that they make enough profit that the black ink flows again instead of the red. Really though, it is from the sick feeling of turkey overload and getting run over by wild little old ladies with their shopping carts. Also from the black bruises you get from a slap of the hand or from a flying purse to the head if you reach to get an item that they had their eye on. We went out a few years ago and got there early, only to find out the store had sold out of the computers we were after in the first 10 minutes. I saw on television that the average waiting in line at the cash register time was 2 hours on Black Friday. When you consider that some of those people waited for 2 to 3 hours to get their spot in line before the stores open, that means that if you went to two stores, you spent over half your day waiting in line. Now, I have to admit, I'm not a patient person. Waiting in line is not my thing. But, I have done it. I should have gotten used to it when I went to K-State and had to stand in line for two hours to enroll for classes when they used to register you at the old Ahearn Field House. I guess my mind, my back and my legs were younger then. I know that the pain of waiting in line is somewhat related to what you get your enjoyment from. Some people actually like to shop (I can't imagine why), but they do. I know that being a big sports fan I like to go to games. One time, I had to stand in line at Russell, at a district football game because they only had one ticket window (or so I thought) and waited 30 minutes and missed half of the first quarter. Another time, when I first moved here, I went to a Barton County Community College basketball game with Hutchinson stood in line for an hour, only to be turned away when I got five feet away from the ticket window because the fire marshal said they couldn't put any more people in the gym. Probably the epitome of waiting in line was again when I attended Kansas State as a student. The people who don't enjoy athletics will love this one. I can just hear the 'oh brothers' now. We actually camped out overnight to wait in line for season basketball tickets. Yes, I did say basketball. Back then we could beat the Jayhawks and the Tigers at least our share of the time and football was considered nothing because we seldom won more than 2 or 3 games a year. Anyway it was a K-State tradition that you got a group together and set up a tent and took turns standing in line for maybe 30 minutes at a time to hold that spot. They had a list where they actually took roll call every so often for that group. Which brings up another danger, can you really see to drive with all those tall packages in the way? There's one more day I am staying home and leaving to the true shoppers and that is the day after Christmas my friends. It's almost as bad in terms of shopping frenzy to exchange stuff and get those 'day after' clearance specials. Even with the economy down, I'm sure everyone was or will be out in full force. As a matter of fact, it may have been worse due to people wanting to save money on their purchases even more. By the way, I hope every one made it home alive and well. As for me, I'd rather pay the extra 10 percent that they saved and stay healthy. Kansas Commodity Classic This year's Kansas Commodity Classic will be held in Salina, Dec. 8 to 10. The commodity classic is an annual event put on jointly by the corn, sorghum and wheat grower organizations. They each have their annual meeting and come together for speakers. The primary day for most farmers will be on Dec. 9. The day begins at 9 a.m., with Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Adrian Polansky leading off a recap of 2008 and a 2009 outlook. Following a complimentary lunch, sessions will include: Fertilizer Supply, Demand and Costs; Alternative Land Lease Arrangements, End of Year Tax Planning, Rural Development Opportunities and Marketing Strategies. The entire program is free. Register early by calling 1-866-759-4328, so they can get a count for meals. If you are interested in attending, give me a call for rides at 620-793-1910. 12/8/08 Date: 12/2/08 Advertisement
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