I don't even know the best word to describe this. Despicable? Horrendous? I really, really hope these people are at least ashamed of themselves for being a part of that madness. No, no one person can be blamed, but the fact that even after while they were trying to revive the fellow, people were still walking by to get into the store...
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/11/28/2008-11-28_worker_dies_at_long_island_walmart_after.html
Worker dies at Long Island Wal-Mart after being trampled in Black Friday stampede
BY JOE GOULD
DAILY NEWS WRITER
Updated Friday, November 28th 2008, 4:16 PM
Farriella for News
A Wal-Mart worker died after being trampled when hundreds of shoppers smashed through the doors of a Long Island store Friday morning, police and witnesses said.
The 34-year-old employee, a temporary maintenance worker, tried to hold back the unruly crowds just after the Valley Stream store opened at 5 a.m.
Witnesses said the surging throngs of shoppers knocked the man down. He fell and was stepped on. As he gasped for air, shoppers ran over and around him.
"He was bum-rushed by 200 people," said Jimmy Overby, 43, a co-worker. "They took the doors off the hinges. He was trampled and killed in front of me. They took me down too...I literally had to fight people off my back."
The unidentified victim was rushed to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 6:03 a.m., police said.
The cause of death wasn't immediately available pending results of an autopsy.
A 28-year-old pregnant woman was knocked to the floor during the mad rush. She was hospitalized for observation, police said. Early witness accounts that the woman suffered a miscarriage were unfounded, police said.
Three other shoppers suffered minor injuries, cops said.
Wal-Mart spokesman Dave Tovar called the incident a "tragic situation."
"The safety and security of our customers and associates is our top priority," Tovar said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families at this difficult time."
Before police shut down the store, eager shoppers streamed past emergency crews as they worked furiously to save the store clerk's life.
"They were working on him, but you could see he was dead, said Halcyon Alexander, 29. "People were still coming through."
Only a few stopped.
"They're savages," said shopper Kimberly Cribbs, 27. "It's sad. It's terrible."
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Friday, November 28, 2008
Donder/Donner
Thanks to my friend Karen who sent me this information:
"Two of the reindeer names, Donner/Donder and Blitzen, are often the source of confusion, misspelling, and misinformation. The short facts are these: Donner/Donder and Blitzen were named ''Dunder'' and ''Blixem'' (the Dutch words for ''thunder'' and ''lightning'') in the original printing of "A Visit From St. Nicholas." In reprints of the poem, the names became ''Donder'' and ''Blixen,'' then ''Donder'' and ''Blitzen'' (the latter being German for ''lightning''). By the time Johnny Marks wrote "Rudolph," it was ''Donner'' and ''Blitzen'' (possibly because ''Donder'' was musically awkward). See Snopes.com for a thorough discussion. "
"Two of the reindeer names, Donner/Donder and Blitzen, are often the source of confusion, misspelling, and misinformation. The short facts are these: Donner/Donder and Blitzen were named ''Dunder'' and ''Blixem'' (the Dutch words for ''thunder'' and ''lightning'') in the original printing of "A Visit From St. Nicholas." In reprints of the poem, the names became ''Donder'' and ''Blixen,'' then ''Donder'' and ''Blitzen'' (the latter being German for ''lightning''). By the time Johnny Marks wrote "Rudolph," it was ''Donner'' and ''Blitzen'' (possibly because ''Donder'' was musically awkward). See Snopes.com for a thorough discussion. "
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Christmas version of answer all these questions...
Okay everyone, lets have fun with this!
Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay,
here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just
copy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail that
you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then
send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that
sent it to you......Tis the Season to be NICE!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. More fun to open.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial – because the cats like climbing (and knocking over) real ones.
3. When do you put up the tree? Any time after the beginning of December. Could be the 1st. It could be the 15th.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually Jan 2 or 3. Before going back to work.
5. Do you like Egg Nog? It’s alright. I like real eggnog, with rum, but that means no eggnog for this girl this year.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I honestly can’t recall. Sorry Mom.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Duncan.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I will soon! It was Oma’s. And I’m bringing it to work and I’m going to be all politically in correct and shout it out that it’s Christmas at Carole’s desk.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. I like receiving them, so it kind of works both ways.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can’t recall any specifically.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Almost any form of a Christmas Carol, except that horrible Vanessa Williams version I saw a few years ago. That was brutal.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I think of it.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don’t think so.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Does wine count under the “eating” category?
16. Lights on the tree? Um, duh.
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Whatever it takes to be at home. Some years it meant traveling. I think the question is more “would you go to Hawaii for Christmas” type idea. Although tempting some times, no, I like to be home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? I can. In fact we were reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to Duncan last night and I learned that it’s “Donder”. I always thought it was Donner!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Well… stockings and just gifts from us Christmas morning, then to church, then to Mom and Dad’s then we’re working on an afternoon opening.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The fact that my work insists on calling it a “Seasonal Gathering” Give me a break!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Don’t have any. I love it all. If it sparkles, I like it.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? *shrug*
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Just for Duncan to love and enjoy Christmas. I hope he “gets it”.
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Laura.
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Any number of people.
Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends. Okay,
here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!! Just
copy (not forward) this entire email and paste into a new e-mail that
you can send. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then
send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that
sent it to you......Tis the Season to be NICE!
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper. More fun to open.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial – because the cats like climbing (and knocking over) real ones.
3. When do you put up the tree? Any time after the beginning of December. Could be the 1st. It could be the 15th.
4. When do you take the tree down? Usually Jan 2 or 3. Before going back to work.
5. Do you like Egg Nog? It’s alright. I like real eggnog, with rum, but that means no eggnog for this girl this year.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I honestly can’t recall. Sorry Mom.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Duncan.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I will soon! It was Oma’s. And I’m bringing it to work and I’m going to be all politically in correct and shout it out that it’s Christmas at Carole’s desk.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail. I like receiving them, so it kind of works both ways.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I can’t recall any specifically.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Almost any form of a Christmas Carol, except that horrible Vanessa Williams version I saw a few years ago. That was brutal.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? When I think of it.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don’t think so.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Does wine count under the “eating” category?
16. Lights on the tree? Um, duh.
17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Whatever it takes to be at home. Some years it meant traveling. I think the question is more “would you go to Hawaii for Christmas” type idea. Although tempting some times, no, I like to be home.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? I can. In fact we were reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas to Duncan last night and I learned that it’s “Donder”. I always thought it was Donner!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Well… stockings and just gifts from us Christmas morning, then to church, then to Mom and Dad’s then we’re working on an afternoon opening.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The fact that my work insists on calling it a “Seasonal Gathering” Give me a break!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Don’t have any. I love it all. If it sparkles, I like it.
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? *shrug*
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Just for Duncan to love and enjoy Christmas. I hope he “gets it”.
26. Who is most likely to respond to this? Laura.
27. Who is least likely to respond to this? Any number of people.
Irksome things and Misc. items
It irks me when a lot of people are getting on the Skytrain and one of the 1st people on decides they want to stand right in front of the door, so everyone else has to squeeze by them. Over all my Skytrain experience isn’t too horrible – not as bad as I thought it would be, and hey, only 4 more months of it. But anyhow, that annoys me.
Another thing that irks me – our company pension plan. I realized the other day that yes, I’m probably a lifer here (unless the 6-49 comes through, but I’m not counting on that). In order to qualify for a full pension I need 35 years of pension contribution (okay, that’s normal) and I need to be age 62. I started working for the company at age 22. Do the math. I will need to work here for 5 extra years beyond my pension contributions in order to get a full pension. Please shoot me if I’m still here at 62. No, don’t bother, I’ll probably be curled up under my desk crying.
Okay, for the record – it is a good company to work for! Don’t get me wrong! I wouldn’t still be here if they didn’t take good care of their employees. However, why can’t it be 35 years service, then full pension? It’s like you’re punished for starting to work for them at a young age. Oh well.
In other news… I think Tara got engaged (she said yes). We’re really happy for you and Chris, Tara. All the best.
Bean is doing well. As far as I can tell at least.
So is Duncan. He turns 2 on Monday! His party is going to be total chaos – yay!
Oh one more thing that irks me. My Wii Fit game does not allow “pregnancy” as a reason why you’ve put on weight. So when I use it, and it weighs me, I feel guilty! That’s not fair! But I’m glad I worked out last night!
Another thing that irks me – our company pension plan. I realized the other day that yes, I’m probably a lifer here (unless the 6-49 comes through, but I’m not counting on that). In order to qualify for a full pension I need 35 years of pension contribution (okay, that’s normal) and I need to be age 62. I started working for the company at age 22. Do the math. I will need to work here for 5 extra years beyond my pension contributions in order to get a full pension. Please shoot me if I’m still here at 62. No, don’t bother, I’ll probably be curled up under my desk crying.
Okay, for the record – it is a good company to work for! Don’t get me wrong! I wouldn’t still be here if they didn’t take good care of their employees. However, why can’t it be 35 years service, then full pension? It’s like you’re punished for starting to work for them at a young age. Oh well.
In other news… I think Tara got engaged (she said yes). We’re really happy for you and Chris, Tara. All the best.
Bean is doing well. As far as I can tell at least.
So is Duncan. He turns 2 on Monday! His party is going to be total chaos – yay!
Oh one more thing that irks me. My Wii Fit game does not allow “pregnancy” as a reason why you’ve put on weight. So when I use it, and it weighs me, I feel guilty! That’s not fair! But I’m glad I worked out last night!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Weekend Wrap
Hello! How are you? I'm good thanks! Blogs have been quiet lately, but I haven't been writing much myself, so I can't really fault anyone. It's busy for everyone!
Work is crazy busy. Very much a keep your nose to the grind stone feel right now (sometimes it's a bit lighter), but that's alright. I'm quite keeping on top of things, and that's what's important.
Weekend was good. Friday night my Dad bought us all tickets to go to the Vancouver Giant's game. Ronnie took Duncan for us (thanks Ronnie!) and we had a great time. 1st Giant's game I've ever been to, and they won 6-4 over Kamloops. Anyone who knows me well knows I am not a hockey fan, but it didn't matter. I know when to make all the appropriate "ohhhh"s and of course "Yay!" sounds. Bill said I was convincing :)
And it was a bit stormy that night so poor Ronnie had no power (Chris was at work) and it came on once and the smoke detectors (all hardwired) all went off, scaring Duncan quite silly. He was quiet out of sorts when we got him home and took about 1/2 hour to get him settled back to bed. But he had a good time. I know that.
Saturday was low key. Grocery shopping and Duncan and I went al the way over to Theresa's house for a visit.
Sunday - this afternoon out at Mom and Dad's (it was Dad's 69th birthday on Friday!) and had dinner with the family. Really nice. Really laid back and just a relaxing time.
And back to the grindstone tomorrow!
I haven't heard from anyone if you're able to come to Duncan's birthday party on the 6th. If you can't/don't want to come, no problem, but just let me know so I can plan! Have a good week!
Work is crazy busy. Very much a keep your nose to the grind stone feel right now (sometimes it's a bit lighter), but that's alright. I'm quite keeping on top of things, and that's what's important.
Weekend was good. Friday night my Dad bought us all tickets to go to the Vancouver Giant's game. Ronnie took Duncan for us (thanks Ronnie!) and we had a great time. 1st Giant's game I've ever been to, and they won 6-4 over Kamloops. Anyone who knows me well knows I am not a hockey fan, but it didn't matter. I know when to make all the appropriate "ohhhh"s and of course "Yay!" sounds. Bill said I was convincing :)
And it was a bit stormy that night so poor Ronnie had no power (Chris was at work) and it came on once and the smoke detectors (all hardwired) all went off, scaring Duncan quite silly. He was quiet out of sorts when we got him home and took about 1/2 hour to get him settled back to bed. But he had a good time. I know that.
Saturday was low key. Grocery shopping and Duncan and I went al the way over to Theresa's house for a visit.
Sunday - this afternoon out at Mom and Dad's (it was Dad's 69th birthday on Friday!) and had dinner with the family. Really nice. Really laid back and just a relaxing time.
And back to the grindstone tomorrow!
I haven't heard from anyone if you're able to come to Duncan's birthday party on the 6th. If you can't/don't want to come, no problem, but just let me know so I can plan! Have a good week!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Toddler in the Kitchen
It’s been a lot of fun as Duncan is taking a total interest in helping me in the kitchen. I won’t let him near the stove, but when I’m making other things, he’s right in there. In the morning when we’re making toast and coffee he gets to put the bread in the toaster and push the button down and he gets to turn on the coffee maker. When I’m baking he loves to help me stir it all up.
Our attempts to let him add ingredients hasn’t been too successful. Monday morning he wanted to add the coffee, but while his coordination is getting better it’s not so great yet, so that ended up being a little messy – but that’s okay!
I really want Duncan (and Bean when he/she is old enough) to enjoy being in the kitchen and I totally want to encourage them to get in there, help, and eventually do it on their own. Think back to when you were a kid. At least for me I was baking cookies on my own I’d say from the time I was 8 on up (Mom can correct me on this) and I always knew how to make Kraft Dinner, ramen noodles etc to make my own lunch. By the time I think I was 12 we all took turns one night a week making dinner. Yeah it was often fish sticks and tater tots, or chili, or on Jeff’s night pizza from 222 (he worked there and it was free), but I think it made us all at least a little competent in the kitchen.
I think to my college roomie Julie who I think was making dinner from the time she was 6 years old when Mom and Dad were busy or not home. I think we shy away quite a bit allowing kids to be in the kitchen because a. it can be a dangerous place and b. it’s easier and quicker to do it on our own. I’m really hoping I can keep that from happening in our house.
Our attempts to let him add ingredients hasn’t been too successful. Monday morning he wanted to add the coffee, but while his coordination is getting better it’s not so great yet, so that ended up being a little messy – but that’s okay!
I really want Duncan (and Bean when he/she is old enough) to enjoy being in the kitchen and I totally want to encourage them to get in there, help, and eventually do it on their own. Think back to when you were a kid. At least for me I was baking cookies on my own I’d say from the time I was 8 on up (Mom can correct me on this) and I always knew how to make Kraft Dinner, ramen noodles etc to make my own lunch. By the time I think I was 12 we all took turns one night a week making dinner. Yeah it was often fish sticks and tater tots, or chili, or on Jeff’s night pizza from 222 (he worked there and it was free), but I think it made us all at least a little competent in the kitchen.
I think to my college roomie Julie who I think was making dinner from the time she was 6 years old when Mom and Dad were busy or not home. I think we shy away quite a bit allowing kids to be in the kitchen because a. it can be a dangerous place and b. it’s easier and quicker to do it on our own. I’m really hoping I can keep that from happening in our house.
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