Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Twas the Night Before Christmas and Shoppers Weren't Shopping

Is there anyone else besides me who is happy that people aren't shopping? Is there anyone else besides me who sees this recession as a huge opportunity to get priorities straight?
I'm certainly not happy that the poor are even poorer or that people are losing their homes, their jobs, or that people are suffering with less. But I'm happy about the prospect of our society, as a whole, attempting to live within its means.
It seems that Obama could usher in a new era. One can only hope.
WaPo: It's beginning to look a not like Christmas, everywhere you don't go.
It's beginning to look a not like Christmas, everywhere you don't go.

Or is that just part of the illusion this time around, a dour paradiddle from the sad little drummer boys of retail analysis? Does it also seem like the neighbors didn't put up as many lights? Does it seem like you were waiting in line for the wrong Santa? Where's last year's Santa? Does the mall look under-decked in plastic boughs of holly? Isn't it strange that they aren't playing as much Christmas music? Where are the poinsettias we usually have in the lobby? (Did the condo association vote on it?) Who was supposed to bring the plastic knives and forks to the office potluck? How come there's so much parking at Bloomingdale's on the Sunday before Christmas? Hello?

The answer that comes back, of course, is that it's the economy -- and don't call us stupid, stupid.