It’s Christmas Eve and I am wondering. Is it just me or is there a direct correlation between the amount of Christmas lights hanging from the rooftops and blow up nativity figurines romping in the front yard and the state of decay of said house? It seems that the amount of cars without wheels propped up on cinder blocks on the front dirt lawn is somehow in direct proportion to the festive decorations in view. Last night as I made my way to the gym I took the usual short cut through a street that is usually cluttered by rusty old vans, toddlers in diapers running around barefoot and mothers yelling from the balconies. As I turned the corner I was blinded by the shameless display of Holiday cheer and it was all I could do not to come to a grinding halt in fear that I had come upon an encounter of the third kind.
As I slowly made my way passed giant candy canes leaning like towers in Pisa, humongous golden bows unraveling from rafters, wginormous snow globes blowing fake snow flakes, larger than life Jack-in-the-Box-Elfs rearing their rather creepy heads, I could not help but feel dismayed by the feeling of my retinas being slowly melted. And I wondered how we had arrived here? How did we go from wrapping a few lights around outside trees, hanging the occasional lightbulb chain from window sills to what seems like a race to be the first house seen from space? For some reason it also seems that this year people want to show their appreciation for the invention of plastic and gaudiness even more so than in previous years. Is this the effect of a tanking economy? We show we are “making it” by displaying a snowman invasion in our yards?
Which brings me back to my original thought that for some reason unbeknownst to me, houses that seem to be held together with one rusty nail are the ones most lit up this time of year.
Happy Holidays everyone! May your next electric bill not shock you into the next millennium!
Today’s Running Tip: Be sure you are visible while running in the dark!
During these months of late sunrises and early sunsets be sure you are wearing light colored clothing while running during the early morning or late afternoon and evening hours. It is also highly advisable to wear clothing with extra reflective material, maybe even a light around your head.
