I Caught Black Friday Fever

Joanne Fabrics Wal-Mart

'How am I going to get out of here.'

That was the comment I heard from a fellow traveler as we weaved our way through the meandering line of people, with filled carts, who waited patiently to check out at Wal-Mart as the clock approached 7 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27.

Black Friday — never have I participated, and never did I think I would. But, as a news reporter, I had to do it sometime, and this year it was it. So, my trusty sidekick, Chan, and I set out around 5:30 a.m.

The dark morning revealed empty streets ... that is until we hit Highway 42, near the Apple Valley shopping district.

The backuped traffic and filled parking lots at and near Wal-Mart intimidated me! I wasn't ready. I needed time to ease into this experience. So, off to Joanne Fabrics ... yes, there was a line. Good deals on a popular cutting devise for scrapbookers was enough to bring the first few people in line out at 1 a.m. to set up camp for the 6 a.m. opening. Yup. They were laughing and having a good time.

Next, off to Target ... seemed weird to see the empty Cub Food parking lot adjacent to the crammed lot that housed the "Bullseye" and Best Buy customers. Just two days before, Cub was as chaotic as their neighbors are today.

With all the good deals at Target, I forgot my reporter duties and did quick cart-wheelees as I made my way to the items on my shopping list. ... I caught Black Friday fever. As I got to the checkout, I started emptying out the cart, not onto the counter, but to the clerk for placement back in the store. "Sorry," I said, "I kinda got carried away."

Whew! That's now over! I'm going back to bed. But, I had so much fun, I'm ready to do it again next year.