Dave and I went to dinner last night with an old friend from New York -- a guy I know from the Zendo I used to attend. (If this sounds familiar it's because I went to dinner with a different Zendo friend about a month ago. So much to keep track of, I know.) Anyway, Jesse is in London for a computer programming conference and his partner Jennifer came along too, so I got to meet her. She's the author of the recently published "Seinfeldia," which looks pretty darn interesting for those of us who have lingering fascinations with marble rye, big salads and puffy shirts, but I haven't read it yet.
They're staying at an Air B-and-B near Brick Lane, and as we walked to dinner we found this wild piece of street art, which I couldn't resist.
We walked until we found a restaurant that looked good -- a Turkish place, in this case -- and settled in for some lively conversation about the election. I think Jesse was a little over it, actually, but it's such fertile ground for discussion we couldn't steer clear. (Sorry, Jesse!) In retrospect I wish I'd learned more about Jennifer's books (she did one about The Mary Tyler Moore Show too). I'm sure we could have bonded over classic TV.
Anyway, it was a fun evening despite the mortifying politics! At least we were all mortified in the same direction.
Speaking of mortification, I've been meaning to complain that our London retailers started their Christmas marketing right after Halloween. Is this happening in the states, too? The following Saturday, Nov. 5, I went to coffee with a friend before my French class and was shocked to find Christmas decals in the cafe windows and carols playing in the background. It's just wrong, people. In the states we have the barrier of Thanksgiving, which sort of kicks off the Christmas retailing season -- but here there is no such barrier so it begins absurdly early! I couldn't even begin to think about Christmas at the beginning of November.
That graffiti monster looks like he has been to a Zendo session too!
ReplyDeleteChristmas marketing does seem to get earlier each year. Before too long it will start on New Year's Day.
It was ever thus. In Outraged of Tunbridge Wells there is a letter dated 10th November 1954 complaining that Christmas had started some stores as early as October.
ReplyDeleteI was just regretting yesterday that I'd discarded the photo I took this October when we were in Florida. We were in Home Depot and the first sight upon entering the store was a huge Christmas display.
ReplyDeleteOh, Costco had the Halloween witches fighting for space with the Christmas lights. It is the way it is. "Just keep walking, mama," Lily said to me as I stood in horror. We saw an almost life-sized nativity scene there a few weeks ago and Owen said, "Look! It's Jesus!" And we all said, "Yes, it's Jesus," and he said, "Jesus Christ!" and we laughed and laughed.
ReplyDeleteWe are so bad.
when the retailers start early it really is an advantage for people who only get paid every 2 weeks, once a month. i don't mind it i love the festive atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteit's started here, after Halloween. not blatant with trees and wreaths and carols and all that crap but the toy commercials are steady on. at least I don't think so. I don't go in stores or watch much TV. could be just the same here.
ReplyDeleteWhen I got back from my travels on October 28 -- prior to Halloween -- the stores already were full of Christmas stuff. Poor Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard carols yet but the trees and other decorations have been up since I got home from London. I remember when I visited London in 2013 it was the week before Thanksgiving and all the Christmas decorations were up all over town. I got several photos of Covent Garden and Oxford Street and the windows at Fortnum and Mason and Harrods.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan at all about Christmas music in stores. It starts here after Halloween.
ReplyDeleteChristmas started in the dollar store right after Halloween. I don't mind because I like the decorations and music, and we don't do any of it at home until the week before Christmas. What I find more depressing is when everything gets taken down - early January in the stores feels like blech.
ReplyDeleteChristmas music has already started here on some radio stations , so the stores are not far behind...
ReplyDeleteI saw Christmas decor in some stores BEFORE Halloween. I'm with you. There oughta be a law!
ReplyDelete'Oh, Grand-mama, what a terrible big mouth you have!'
ReplyDeleteScary, huh?
Alphie
In Canada, we have the same problem, probably because our Thanksgiving holiday is in the middle of October. I refuse to consider Christmas until about the second week of Advent, but it isn't easy.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'm glad to have found you. I was hunting for my (unfortunately defunct) blog online when I saw my name. What? I thought. I followed the link and found a comment by my friend Dana Wallace Rhyne to one of your posts.
It's a pleasure to see your photos and read about your life in England. I'm married to an Englishman, so I've visited England ten(eleven?)times. We spend most of our English holidays on a narrowboat or settled somewhere in the West Country, but we make a point of visiting London once on each holiday.