What Not To Do Today

Go to the mall.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Marly Sturkie had a tradition to uphold and she succeeded on a morning that retailers hope will kick off a bright holiday season.

"We never went to sleep last night," Sturkie said shortly before 5 a.m. Friday at the Wal-Mart in northwest Columbia.

Sturkie, of Swansea, couldn't remember what time she arrived at the store, opened 24 hours. She and her friends were buying three television-DVD combos, where they saved $50 each.

There is almost nothing that could induce me to join that swarming mass.