hambug-bah-a
I don't want anyone to know it, but I'm totally not interested in Christmas this year. Pardon me, I'm totally not interested in the holidays this year.
Maybe it has something to do with being totally broke, maybe it has something to do with working in a new environment (where people could care less if I show up for work, not to mention how I spend my joyous holidays), or maybe it has something to do with working right off of Michigan Avenue and seeing the commercial district at its busiest time of the season.
It's not just the shops. They can't help being obnoxious, touting and flaunting their wares for the passerby. They can't help it that they are corporate bozos who are slowly declining. They can't help it that they are so huge and so closely resemble the dinosaurs they will become. Again, they can't help it. They're just doing what they came there to do.
And maybe those annoying people who lesuirely stroll along the sidewalk can't help themselves either, gawking open mouthed at the sights of the windows, lights and big tall buildings. They are also doing exactly what they came there to do.
I guess its just like anything else, once everyone does it, it doesn't hold the same appeal for me anymore.
It used to be special to get a gift. Now, I feel like I'm part of someone's stress. I feel like I'm part of the list of things that have to get done. How do I know? Because everyone on my list and all the things I haven't done yet are stressing me out. For what? So they can feel loved and thought of by me? So I should go to the Gap and buy them a thoughtful gift card?
The only thing on Michigan and Chicago that has made me break out into a huge grin, a wide mouthed gape was the sight and sounds of a man whose sign said it all:
GRAD STUDENT DOES DISCO FOR DOLLARS
For the last two Saturdays, I have bore witness to a man dancing to the greatest disco hits like "Car Wash" and "Get Down Tonight" not just to entertain or amuse, but to make money for himself.
Disco for Dollars.
It has a nice ring to it.
posted by stine @ 5:23 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
so, create something new and different, unpredicatable from the past! don't buy anyone a gift, give them the gift of you! spend time with them, that's way better than spending $5 or $20 on something they may or may not even like. make them a nice dinner, or babysit their kids or dogs for free so they can get their shopping and whatever else done. be the beautiful creative amazing girl i know you are. and quit s-bux and work somewhere else. be bold! (can you tell i'm coaching the self expression and leadership program?)
love ya,
Julie
Ah Julie, every post from you is like a vivid, wispy, lovely breath of air, fused with enthusiasm and glee. Thank you. I haven't said that enough. I guess I just like to assert my bitterness and cynicism every once in a while.
That's cool you're coaching. How's the boy? still keeping you warm?
So, as a sort of postscript to this post, I just want to let everyone know that yesterday, with fond cajoling from the world's greatest boyfriend, I went out Christmas shopping and found lots of coolacious presents at low prices and didn't go the here's-a-present-because-I-have-to-get-you-one route. Not that I would do that anyway. I just wouldn't give a present in that case. But now, that's not a problem, and my list is increasingly smaller and less stifling and I feel ready with some excitement to greet my family on Christmas Day.
ta.
Merry Christmas!! Wish I was there to watch the Disco dude with you! I bet besides making cash for his talent he is generating body heat to keep warm too! Can you imagine instead of hustle'n from place to place to get in out of the cold, stayin out doors and tryin to stay warm! Disco does sound like a good thing to do! Well I just wanted to say Happy Holidays to you all!! Give hellos and hugs. Stay warm!
Love ya! Aunt Kitt
Post a Comment
<< Home