Weekend Assignment: Black Friday
Fresh when it gets here from
Julie Barrett
Saturday, November 29, 2008
The day after Thanksgiving in the U.S. is widely believed to be the biggest shopping day of the year. Do you typically shop for holiday gifts on that day? If so, why? Is this year any different in that respect?
Well, I'm a day late, but certainly not a dollar short because we didn't go shopping! Typically, one family branch or another hosts a meal on the day after Thanksgiving.
I don't think two hurried trips to Home Depot count as shopping. My mother asked Paul if he wouldn't mind swapping out the disposal. He hates plumbing, but knew that since she was replacing her old one with a similar model that it should be a simple job. Home plumbing is never simple. Of course, he needed parts. Twice. Still, that's not typically why people shop the day after Thanksgiving.
Even if we're home, I don't go out. I hate dealing with the crowds, and past experience shows the odds of actually acquiring the bargain I want in the store are almost exactly nil. Why bother, especially when I know I can find bargains over the next four weeks?
I did do a little cyber shopping Thursday afternoon and was pleased to see that my items had already shipped. What did I buy? I spent perhaps $25 (if that much) on two body caps and a lens adapter for my camera. I have some very nice glass not gathering dust in a drawer (I packed them away with care) and it seems a shame that the lenses should sit there unused. For less than $15 (with shipping!) I can now use them. The body caps are for hacking projects. I'm going to build the Pringles can macro tube. I have the rest of the parts hanging around the house, and this looks like a cheap way to get a decent macro extension and make use of another old SLR lens.
Extra Credit: Is there a particular bargain you're pursuing this year? If so, what is it?
I'm looking for more memory for my desktop PC, and I need a camera backpack for my trip in March. I'm sure I'll find a bargain on the former; the latter may be on sale after the holidays. I did find one backpack for very cheap on ebay, but it looks like it may be too cheap. I mean, if it's only going to last one trip, it's not a deal.
And, of course, I have some gifts in mind, and I'll be bargain hunting away for those!
Update: We braved the traffic at Fry's and picked up some memory for my computer. It was a good deal, and will be even better if the rebates come through. I told Paul I would be very happy for that to be my Christmas present. We also picked up the Alfresco DVD. More Britcoms! Yay!
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Karen Funk Blocher said:
What is this Pringles-based lens attachment of which you speak? What does it accomplish?
Date: 11/29/2008 5:18:56 PM
Date: 11/29/2008 5:18:56 PM
Julie said:
Here are instructions. It's pretty cool, but does require an SLR. There are some macro hacks for compact cameras that involve a door peephole kit you can get at Home Depot for cheap.
Ack. That reminded me there was one other item I meant to buy - a 58mm reversing ring. That's another method for doing macro photography. I'll post pictures!
Date: 11/29/2008 5:50:00 PM
Date: 11/29/2008 5:50:00 PM
Karen Funk Blocher said:
What is this Pringles-based lens attachment of which you speak? What does it accomplish?
Date: 11/29/2008 5:18:56 PM
Date: 11/29/2008 5:18:56 PM
Julie said:
Here are instructions. It's pretty cool, but does require an SLR. There are some macro hacks for compact cameras that involve a door peephole kit you can get at Home Depot for cheap.
Ack. That reminded me there was one other item I meant to buy - a 58mm reversing ring. That's another method for doing macro photography. I'll post pictures!
Date: 11/29/2008 5:50:00 PM
Date: 11/29/2008 5:50:00 PM
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