I pass this tastefully decorated house in St. John's Wood on my walk home from work. I'm sure I've photographed it in previous years because I remember the deer, but I can't find that picture now. I don't remember the big bow, so maybe that's new. (Or maybe my memory is questionable -- much more likely.)
Another killer of a day at work. The less said the better.
Here's our library Christmas tree, decorated by yours truly. It's a real tree -- you can see the needles on the floor. Not exactly a wildly innovative decorating job, but I'd call it thorough. I wish the colored lights were working. We do have some lights decorating the shelves behind it to the left, as you can see. I suppose in a fit of creative frenzy (which I am unlikely to have) I could wrap those around the tree, but it's hard with the ornaments already on.
My co-worker Staci had to go to the American embassy yesterday to deal with some passport stuff. When she got off the tube at the station, she found arrows directing pedestrians to various locations:
But wait -- what's that sticker on the embassy arrow?
When Staci came back to the office she showed me her photo and we both had a good laugh, and she gave me permission to blog it. The Instagram account basically shows all the locations those stickers have been deployed. Many of Trump's erstwhile followers are beginning to feel this way, it seems. What happens when cults die?
Couldn't you have picked the gay boy out of the students and asked him to decorate the tree?
ReplyDeleteI love the directional sign.
Made me laugh.
DeleteActually, a couple of kids DID volunteer to help while I was doing it -- but they didn't stick around long. LOL
DeleteWish I could spell first thing in the morning. The first photo is so pretty, though pretentious of course. Bows are in fashion now, though everybody knew that ;)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know! I am not very fashionable. :)
DeleteSeditious stickers! Where can you get them?
ReplyDelete.
I bet the person with that Instagram account would happily send you some!
DeleteI'm pretty sure I know the answer. When Trump's "cult" dies, we will yo-yo hard in completely the opposite direction. As a middle of the road moderate, I think it will be like an inverse Trump for some years. I try to tell myself that likely it will all balance out and the me of a decade or two in the future will be better for it as a result. But as I've told you before, I've always been a bit optimistic.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we'll swing that hard to the left. The USA has such an uncomfortable relationship with anything resembling socialism that I doubt we'll ever embrace it. But I hope we DO swing back to the center, or center-left, at least.
DeleteWell Trump is certainly a big fat cult. Ignorant and vindictive too. When that cult dies I guess that his sons - Beavis and Butthead will gather up his grifted wealth. They are a couple of cults too.
ReplyDeleteAre you confusing your "c" words, YP?
DeleteSo many answers to the question of what happens when cults die. None of them pretty.
ReplyDeleteEspecially for the cult participants, who wander around lost for a while.
DeleteSimilar stickers abound here. Also in the news today that US visa applicants from various EU countries have to provide their social media history dating back five years. Cultish.
ReplyDeleteHow on earth are people supposed to do that? Do they have to print it out, from every platform? Ridiculous.
DeleteHave a look at the list of suggestions and warnings here: https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2025/12/10/qa-travelling-to-the-us-check-your-social-media-posts-first/
DeleteMost chilling:
"Considering claiming on your visa application you have no social media presence at all? That will only work if it is true. Otherwise, expect to attract a bit more scrutiny, and that may not end well."
Hello Steve,
ReplyDeleteWell, we like your tree very much. It is REAL, a wonderful deep green, bushy and decorated just enough. this seems to be the time of year when everything goes over the top with frantic activity, so it is good to take things more slowly, kept simple and enjoyed in the moment.
I'm doing my best to keep things simple, but it's easier said than done, isn't it?!
DeleteEvery time he opens his mouth it gets worse and worse. Yesterday, trashed all of Europe (along with everyone else, especially those from Somalia.) Randy Rainbow has a great new parody of an anti-Trump Christmas song on youtube. He nailed it. I just hope something turns around while I'm still living to appreciate it. (And yes, adding lights around ornaments is a pain but far from impossible if it really is bugging you!) Love that house!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to search for the new Randy Rainbow piece! I was just wondering what he was up to! Thanks for mentioning him!
DeleteI'll look for the Randy Rainbow song! I am cautiously optimistic that the tide is turning already. Many of Trump's supporters are not happy with the way his administration is playing out because, SURPRISE, he's only looking out for himself and his wealthy friends!
DeleteI love the sticker and the instagram address. I wonder what does happen when cults die. I hope I am around to see it implode.
ReplyDeleteI think it will happen sooner rather than later. The question is, what will take its place?
DeleteApparently big bows are this year's must have for those who like to be on trend. Love the sticker.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize this bow thing was a trend!
DeleteI will just say that generally cults die when the leader dies...
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the dedicated followers ever wake up after that happens and wonder, "What the hell was THAT all about?"
I'm sure some of them have those thoughts even while the leader is alive. Surely some of Trump's minions must be second-guessing themselves by now.
DeleteIt is tasteful. Didn't know the bows were a trend but now it seems a little precious. I should have taken a Pic of a really nice home. Every window had teddy bears on it. Outside?????
ReplyDeleteI think the tree is fine.
Outdoor teddy bears sound problematic!
DeleteI need to get some of those stickers!!! I'd plaster Camden with them.
ReplyDeleteThey are great, even if they're ultimately promotional material for that person's IG.
DeleteLove the sticker! Too bad that I can't really display stuff like that - working in HR puts a damper on some of my free expression. Ha!
ReplyDeleteGotta tow the "corporate" line! I have that same problem.
DeleteThere are companies now that will decorate your house for you - for a (high) price. Reindeer are in vogue round here - I think Amazon must have had a special offer.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine hiring someone to decorate for the holidays. That's a sure sign that things are out of hand!
DeleteI'm loving that sticker and the Instagram site. Putting it on the directional sign is perfect.
ReplyDeleteIt really was the best placement ever. I wonder if the culprit is an American.
DeleteI wouldn't mind surreptitiously putting those stickers around. I think the hardcore Project 2025ers will try to transfer the cult to Vance but it will fail. Nobody likes Vance and he doesn't have the charisma. It can't happen soon enough.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't see Vance as a very formidable candidate. He's too humorless.
DeleteArghghg, when I saw the live tree I got a bit tense! Very allergic. I'd be in the ER in no time if I had to work there. I hope none of the people in that building has the same hellish allergy.
ReplyDeleteYou're the second person who's mentioned a pine tree allergy to me in recent weeks. I didn't even know such a thing was possible, but I guess it's as good an allergen as any.
DeleteWhat happens when cults die? Well, at the least, I hope they shut up.
ReplyDeletePLEASE GOD!
DeleteGood job on the tree! Soon it will be your Christmas break so don't worry!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Debby about the cult!
I am counting down the days, believe me!
DeleteSpeaking about how cults end...I just finished a fascinating book about the Ku Klux Klan taking over the state of Indiana (and beyond) in the 1920's, and how it fizzled out nationwide after a sensational trial: "A Fever In The Heartland", by Timothy Egan. I highly, highly recommend it. The unfortunate answer is that cults may die, but they often rise from the dead, human nature being what it is.
ReplyDeletePeople always find a way to organize and vent their darkest impulses. I haven't heard of that book but it sounds interesting. I read one several years ago called "Life of a Klansman" by Edward Ball, in which he explores some of his own racist ancestors. It was quite fascinating.
DeleteI don't think that Trump's minions will give up power, even if he's not at the helm. Now he's giving a bunch of money to the farmers he messed over with his tariffs. And they will magically love him again! It boggles my mind.
ReplyDeleteAnd he criticizes Democrats for allegedly buying votes! LOL
DeleteThere always is a danger with Trump's die-hard supporters that if he or his appointed successors fail at the ballot box, we'll have Jan. 6 all over again.
I love that sticker! Sums up how millions of us in the country feel! Sincerely hope this cult will disappear with the demise of that creature......
ReplyDeleteThere will be parties in the streets! LOL
DeleteI burst out laughing at that sticker! 😂 The cult will die when he's gone (in whatever manner) because I don't think any of his underlings have the "charisma" (said tongue in cheek) to keep MAGA alive.
ReplyDeleteDoes it seem like work is getting crazier for you in direction proportion to the amount of time you have left there?
YES, it does seem that way. I suspect my boss is keeping my schedule loaded with tasks in order to better justify refilling the position when I leave.
DeleteI like the reindeer and bow . . . and I like your tree :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I'm glad! It's not a very imaginative tree but it does the trick.
DeleteCult followers are still there.
ReplyDeleteHe yields much, too much power. Even the judicial system is turned upside down. Legal battles are ongoing. Congress should be in charge of tariffs, yet they handed that responsibility over, no questions asked.
I am aware of people at all income levels that are no longer as well off as they used to be. Two neighbors, one with his own business fueled by Federal contracts that suddenly vanished went from a multimillion-dollar business to a six-figure struggling business. The second neighbor aged 63 had worked for a large quasi-governmental corporation and she was made redundant. Even with a Ph.D. in Engineering she has yet to find new employment. Both voted conservative but will not going forward.
It's hard to have sympathy for people who voted for Trump, but of course it's also hard to see anyone struggle. Congress is the biggest disappointment. Their job is literally to check the president's power and they're just rolling over like puppies to have their bellies rubbed.
Delete