If I have a pet Christmas peeve (actually I have a few) it is the popularity of those inflatable figures that appear on people's front lawns in December. Often before. I'll get onto their irrelevance in a moment, but begin by expressing dislike at how they appear during the day. Deflated, disconnected from their powered air fans, they sprawl across the ground like indecorous disneyfied drunks awaiting their handlers to return and throw a switch. And so, for the many hours of daylight, they inject a colourful ugliness into the streets and (even) fields at this beautiful time of the year. Surely there are better ways to adorn any holy day or season one chooses to celebrate?
And ugliness begets irrevelance. If only there was some approximation to the Christmas story. But no. Instead we have air-filled waving gingerbread men (persons - they are androgenous.) Grinches in Santa Claus costumes - the 1957 creation of one Dr Seuss. A gin officianado - nothing wrong with that - who incidently supported the internment of Japanese Americans during WW2. Snowmen (again, gender-free.) In southern climes? Really? And nutcracker soldiers. In 1892 did Tchaikovsky realise what he was doing? It is a remarkable ballet and score but just because it was set on Christmas Eve is no excuse for future Chinese-manufactured lawn blimps.
Today's peeve declared. I trust your Advents and preparations are going beautifully.
No comments:
Post a Comment