I won't lie. The last couple of months being back in New York have been a big adjustment. After such an incredible year at school it was bound to be a let down getting back to the city grind. I miss the friends I made and the constant creative stimuli. On top of that, I had to finish up my final paper (which is done!) and I'm still living in a temporary housing situation. The reason? Because the tenant I chose with such care last year to rent out my apartment while I was at school won't get out! I won't go into all the details, but it has been a constant source of frustration and anxiety the last six weeks. So, when my friend Jimmy suggested I join him to attend the Unicef Snowflake Lighting at 57th and 5th Avenue, I jumped at the chance. Somehow the beauty of 5th Avenue as the holidays approach never fails to lift my spirits.
As these holiday lightings go, the Snowflake is a bit of a dog and pony show. It's short and sweet; a kids' choir singing some holiday tunes, some remarks from the Unicef mucky-mucks and a beautiful celebrity like Unicef Ambasador Lucy Liu to flip the switch. Et Voila! Merry Christmas! Just what I needed. But the best part was probably going out for burgers afterwards with Jimmy who loves a good greasy spoon diner as much as I do. Bacon cheeseburger deluxe, please. Ah, La Parisienne Diner--c'est magnifique!
The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center this year is blue. Very, very blue. It doesn't show that well in this photo, but there seems to be more blue lights on the tree than any other color. Not only are they blue, they are an intense electric blue. The tree supposedly went "green" this year with energy efficient bulbs powered by solar panels or something. That's all well and good--but why is it so blue?
I love Christmas. But this is the first tree I’ve had in 5 years. I’ve found ways to rationalize away not having one year after year. For a few years I was either traveling or working out of town for Christmas. Scott usually spends the holidays with his family in Illinois and I’m always at my folks’ in Jersey for Christmas. Besides that, my apartment is small and the behemoth old artificial tree I inherited from my parents is really too big for the space. Real trees are a hassle to drag up the two flights of stairs to my apartment and even worse to lug back down. Plus the old-fashioned radiator heat in apartments like mine are not exactly kind to live trees. But Scott will be spending Christmas Eve with me this year so I thought maybe, just maybe, I’d put up a Christmas tree this year.
While on a shopping trip to New Jersey this weekend, Scott and I hit Target--one of our guilty pleasures. I figured I’d check out what kind of fake trees they have for sale. It was a veritable forest. Blue Spruce, pre-lit, Frazier furs–you name it, they had it. But investing a couple hundred bucks for a really nice one just didn’t seem right even though another shopper there informed us that if we amortize over a few years it’s way cheaper than buying a real one every year. He had a point. Still, that kind of extra do-re-mi at the holidays is hard to justify. Then I saw this little tree--a 6-foot Randolph Pine. It was nice and narrow for my little apartment and even though it would be dwarfed by the 11 foot ceilings, I figured I’d set it on a milk crate or something. On sale for $13.99 it was the cheapest of the lot and looked it, too. But as Charlie Brown thought of his little tree, all it needed was some love. So that was that. Off we went with our $14 tree.
An evening of unpacking ornaments and strolling down memory lane produced the results you see above. I went to bed happy and satisfied that it would indeed be a Merry Christmas this year.
Then this morning I turned on NPR and heard an interview with some expert who went on and on about how artificial Christmas trees from China would kill us all. Mine, of course, was made in China, hence its rock-bottom price. These trees are made from PVC plasticwhich release harmful chemicals that cause cancer and birth defects. They are dangerous to factory workers and consumers alike. What’s more, these trees will outlast us all either in a landfill or even incinerated they release their toxins back into the environment. Add to that the petroleum used to ship these trees from China and you have the very cause of global warming itself–my $14 Christmas tree.
Oh well, I guess it’s a locally, organically grown tree for me next year. Happy Holidays everyone.
Consider this the third in a trilogy of Jewish themed posts from me. I'm not actually Jewish, but growing up as I did in Northern New Jersey with many Jewish friends, living as I do on Manhattan's Upper West Side and having a decent knowledge of a few choice Yiddish words, I often say I'm Jewish by Association. I was invited to a belated Hanukkah celebration this weekend that I am unable to attend, so in honor of my Jewish friends I thought I'd post this video. It's a scream with a kick-ass vocal by Motown legend Darlene Love. You may remember it from SNL a couple of years ago--but it holds up. Enjoy!
Tis the season! In New York that means the season for camera straps, fanny packs and baby buggies. Tourist season! While New Yorkers are happy for the buzzing economy, it comes with a price: we must endure Cadillac sized double strollers, foreigners grinning goofily for cameras in the middle of Times Square and being stopped by map-toting mid-westerners asking for directions. (Here's a hint--the streets are numbered.) The photo above is the Times Square Toys 'R' Us packed with holiday shoppers. Don't they have Toys 'R' Us in Iowa you ask? Well, perhaps, but not with a Ferris wheel, a 12 foot animatronic dinosaur and a six foot Leggo Statue of Liberty. Okay, we do it with style in New York. That's why I live here.
I found myself in the middle of this holiday madness because I have a nephew with a December 1st birthday and there are no hoops Uncle Michael won't jump through to make sure he has a happy birthday. So, yesterday, before the stores opened, Scott and I planned our strategy.
I will admit Scott was the brains of the operation. He suggested I visit the Toys 'R' Us website before diving head first into the madding crowds. I did so and came up with a first, second and third gift choice. We then took the express train to Times Square. Well versed with the subway system, we chose the exit closest to the store for minimal crowd-weaving in Times Square. I was a bit taken aback by the wall of humanity we were met with once inside the revolving doors of the store.
"This is a %*@&-ing nightmare!" I blurted out in spite of myself.
"Watch it! There are kids here," Scott reminded me.
"Hives! Hives! I'm breaking out in hives!" I exclaimed. "Focus! Second floor!"
I was grateful for the fact that for a 41-year-old Scott has an unnatural affinity for toy stores and works only two blocks away and therefore had an intimate working knowledge of the Toys 'R' Us floor plan. We made a bee-line for the escalator dodging Bugaboos and screaming children the entire way.
Once on the second floor Scott had a general idea of where to find my first choice gift: the GeoTrax Rope and Ride Ranch. (Insert obvious gay joke here.) After asking the exact location, we found the treasured item and even found time to snap the above photo.
Rather than use the check-out on the main level, we chose the less frequented register next to the rest rooms. (A line longer than the ladies loo at a matinee of Chicago!) With receipt in hand, we retraced our steps to the escalator, this time having to resort to alternate routes to allow for over-fed pre-teen boys gawking at the Jurassic Park dinosaur. Once down the escalator, poised with the gift in front of me as a battering ram, I led the way to the side exit. Once in the sunshine and fresh air of Times Square (well--as fresh as it can be in Times Square) we breathed a sigh of relief. Victory was ours!
All in all it was worth it. Nate loved his gift and had a very happy birthday.
For some reason the PC police have set their sights on Santa Claus this year much to the dismay and disappointment of children all over the world. First, there was the story out of Australiawhere Santas were forbidden from saying "Ho, ho, ho" because it might be offensive to women. Instead, Santas were instructed to say "Ha, ha, ha!" But why grown women who understand the adult meaning of the word "ho" would find themselves on Santa’s knee in a position to be offended in the first place is beyond me. (Perhaps it’s a cultural difference. Those madcap Aussies.) And secondly, isn’t Santa supposed to say "Ho, ho, ho"? It says so in all the books. And isn’t that laugh supposed to be accompanied by a belly that shakes like a bowl full of jelly?
Oh, and about that belly, Santa, the PC police also think you’re too fat. On the news last night I saw a story that perhaps Santa is sending the wrong message to children. After all, we have a childhood obesity epidemic in this country and apparently it’s all Santa’s fault. It has absolutely nothing to do with the example parents set for their children or the processed fast food being shoveled into our kids for convenience sake. NO. Santa’s the bad guy.
When interviewed by a reporter for this story, school children overwhelmingly favored an overweight Santa rather than a thin one. So it seems Mrs. Claus from the Rudolph special was right all those years ago when she said "Eat, Papa, eat! No one likes a skinny Santa." Imagine the disappointment of a child after waiting in line for hours at the mall for his big chance to tell Santa the one and only gift he wants most for Christmas and when he finally gets to the end of the line there’s a skinny guy there in a red suit who says "ha, ha, ha" and wants him to sit on his lap. That’s not Santa! That’s just some creepy old guy.
Can’t we just keep our twisted adult thoughts to ourselves? Must Santa suffer from our own loss of innocence? Santa isn’t a pimp. He doesn’t have any hos. He’s love and generosity and good cheer. He’s not heart disease and diabetes. He's magic and wonder and happiness. So, yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus–he’s fat and he says ho, ho, ho! And may he "continue to make glad the heart of childhood."
Today is the Feast of the Epiphany. It is traditionally known as the day the Magi, or Three Wise Men arrived in Bethlehem bearing gifts for the Christ child. But in fact "Epiphany" itself refers to the "shining forth" or revelation of God in human form. Epiphay is the last day of the traditional Twelve Days of Christmas and growing up, was the last day it was acceptable to have our Christmas decorations up. So start undecking those halls.
I snapped this photo along Riverside Drive yesterday. Trees are hauled here for New York's Christmas tree recycling program which turns the trees into mulch for city parks. For the recycling schedule, click here.
I'm sorry for the lack of posts lately. The holidays have kept me busy with four days of Christmas being celebrated with various branches of the family. It was all good though, truly: nieces, nephews, toys, cookies, lights, lasagne and mom's church choir. I'm expecting Scott back from Illinois in a couple hours where he spent Christmas with his family as well. At last we'll be able to have our own Christmas together later tonight.
A quick update on something else occupying much of my time, energy and therapy sessions lately--I'm applying to graduate school. Yes, it's true. After years of talking about it I'm finally moving on with the next chapter of my life. Anyway, most of the writing I've been doing lately has been along the lines of the "personal objectives and goals" essays one wonders if anyone actually reads but nevertheless "must be submitted with all application materials."
Perhaps the most famous Christmas Tree in America is the Rockefeller Center tree. An annual tradition since 1933 when construction workers building Rockefeller Center erected a small tree as a symbol of hope for themselves and others during those bleak days of the Great Depression.
Through the years the tree has always symbolized joy and hope for all New Yorkers. In 1941 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the tree was allowed to stay lit because the lights happened to all be all on one switch and could easily be extinguished in the event of an air raid. During the remaining years of World War II there were no lights on the tree, but it stood year after year just the same. More recently in 2001 following the 9/11 attacks, the tree was decked out in red, white and blue lights as a symbol of patriotism.
For me as kid growing up no trip to New York at Christmas time was complete without taking in the view of the magnificent tree and filing past Sak's Fifth Avenue's windows on our way to the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City.
Even today, hardened New Yorker that I am, there are other tourist sights I turn my nose up at or have never even seen, but the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is something I make it a point to see every year. It simply isn't Christmas without it.
The newest addition to the holiday decorations around town is the Bryant Park Christmas Tree. It is the centerpiece of a the park's Canadian sponsored "Fetes de Noel" celebration for the second year in a row. In the ideal location of 42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues the Fetes is part of the Brand Canada campaign to promote Canadian tourism. Also in the park just for the holidays is a FREE skating rink, a restaurant and dozens of tents selling hand-crafted gifts and jewelry.
The Quebec grown Christmas tree stands 15 meters tall (whatever that is), features over 3,500 ornaments and a 2 meter star on top. It was designed by Canadian designer Brian Gluckstein who "wanted it to be very sparkly." And indeed it is. You can't tell from this photo, but up close the tree is literally dripping with glittering icicles, ornaments and beads--it's really quite beautiful actually.
For more information on the Fetes de Noel click here. Check it out if you happen to be near the park, eh?
After yesterday's rant on the Lincoln Center Christmas tree, I searched the internet for some photos of that tree in years past and posted them below.
In this first photo below, note the position of the tree. The perspective of the New York State Theatre to the left and Avery Fisher Hall to the right lead to the backdrop of the Metropolitan Opera House providing a dramatic frame for the tree with the fountain in the center. The beauty of Lincoln Center is being used to its full advantage here. All elements are part of a stunning overall effect. Also, in this position the tree draws passersby into the square rather than them being able to just lean out the window of a cab and snap a picture as they cruise by. In the photo below you can make out some of the illuminated musical instruments I mentioned in yesterday's post--an appropriate theme for Lincoln Center. Finally, below you can see the shape and color of the clusters of lights on the tree which happen to echo the color and shape of the Met's famous Austrian Crystal chandeliers in the lobby. (Unfortunately you can't see them in this photo, so you'll have to take my word for it.) But it's obvious the chandeliers were considered in the design concept for the tree by a very thoughtful designer. Sorry to be such a Christmas curmudgeon about the new tree. I have strong opinions about design. Just compare these photos to the current tree in yesterday's post. Am I wrong?
Seventeen years ago it was decided that there should be a Christmas Tree at Lincoln Center. And why not? Lincoln Centeris a hub of music, culture and fine architecture all at the intersection where 65th Street meets Broadway and Columbus Avenue. It serves as a sort of elegant gateway to the residential upper west side even though technically the neighborhood begins at 59th Street.
The Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes place during an event called A Winter's Evewhich includes entertainment from The Metropolitan Opera, New York City Ballet and The New York Philharmonic among other local artists. ABC has a hand in it, too, as the tree lighting is broadcast live on WABC-TV, hosted by Good Morning America's Sam Champion and even has Mickey Mouse on hand to flip the final switch. In addition, the Winter's Eve celebration and entertainment extends beyond Lincoln Square itself to various locations around the upper west side, mostly retail stores no doubt to spur the holiday economy a bit.
When the Lincoln Center Christmas Tree made its debut in 1989 and for the 16 years that followed it was the showpiece of the neighborhood and a holiday must-see. Framed by the arches of the Metropolitan Opera House with Lincoln Square's famous fountain in the foreground the tree was decorated with colored lights and illuminated ornaments in the shape of musical instruments. Oh, sure, it was smaller than the Rockefeller Center Tree but it seemed to fit perfectly in its dignified setting.
Then, last year the Department of If It Aint Broke decided to "improve" the tree. Gone were the famous illuminated musical instruments and replaced with what I guess are supposed to be snowflakes. Blue snowflakes. The tree has been moved to the very edge of the driveway which runs parallel to Columbus Avenue, perhaps to make it more visible to the traffic whizzing by. In its new position the tree blocks the view of the fountain entirely and seems to stand completely out of context from the rest of Lincoln Square. The blue lights make it look as if the tree is being lit by the same kind of gas jets you find on your kitchen stove--an unsettling image to say the least. If you look closely at the picture above you can make out blue ornaments inspired by Wedgewood, the maker of the official Lincoln Center holiday ornament. The Wedgewood blue ornaments are completely lost in the dark unfortunately but at least they provide some explanation for the use of blue lights.
A 50-foot Colorado Spruce from upstate New York was chosen for the tree this year which you'll note from the photo above lacks that ideal Christmas tree shape--unlike a Norway Spruce for example which is the variety always chosen for the Rockefeller Center tree. This will undoubtedly ensure the Lincoln Center Christmas tree's status as second banana for yet another year. (Note its rather bulbous shape in the photo above. Sad.) I just hope we don't have to wait another 15 years before they decide to "improve" the tree again--because this time it really needs it.
Last night I met Scott after work. We schlepped around to all the tourist landmarks snapping photos of the holiday lights, me for the blog and him for the cover of the annual Christmas CD he burns for his family every year. It was a fun way to get into the spirit of the season. But after about two hours of fighting crowds and being pushed and prodded by tourists, we ended up at the Hell's Kitchen eatery, Vynl, where I had two much needed glasses of wine with dinner. Cheers! Radio City Music Hall Sak's Fifth Avenue Macy's, Herald Square Macy's Herald Square Columbia University Quad
Here we go again. Last night ABC newsopened the great Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays debate. Retailers, in an effort to be inclusive and make money from ALL the gift-giving holidays of the seasons are saying "Happy Holidays" as they greet customers. This naturally has all the bible-thumpers starting their annual"Christmas War" to keep Christ in Christmas. After all, what better way to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace than with a war, right?
There is a very simple reason retailers say "Happy Holidays." Allow me to explain this in the clearest terms possible just in case any Christian Fundies are reading: NOT EVERYONE CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS.
Growing up as I did in New Jersey and living as I do in New York City, this is not a difficult concept for me to grasp. In fact, I can remember as a kindergartener being aware of this situation in our society. In my neighborhood we had Jewish neighbors across the street and next door. About a third of the kids I went to school with were Jewish and certainly by time I was in high school I had classmates who were not only Jewish but Hindu, Muslim, even Sikh. So saying "Happy Holidays" is nothing new for me. In fact, I'm not sure why this is a new concept for ANYONE. As far as I know greeting card companies have been printing cards saying "Seasons Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" for decades and only now is it supposedly a threat to Christianity.
The message of Christmas as I've always understood it is "Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men." So doesn't "peace on earth" mean not starting a culture war? And doesn't "good will toward men" mean including ALL people in the warmth and charitable spirit of Christmas?
Might I be so bold to suggest that those who fear retailers like Wal-Mart or Target saying "Happy Holidays" will somehow rob them of keeping Christ in Christmas don't have a real firm grasp on their faith to begin with. Might I also suggest that it is up to the individual through his thoughts and actions to keep Christ in Christmas.
To further illustrate my point, allow me to quote the great Dr. Seuss from How the Grinch Stole Christmas:
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
Last night after a dinner at Hi-Life, one of my favorite neighborhood eateries, Scott and I made our way up Amsterdam Avenue snapping pictures of signs of the season along the way. Outside Cafe Lalo (of "You've Got Mail" fame) at 83rd and Amsterdam. A Christmas Tree vendor at 99th and Amsterdam. A festively decorated trailer from the same tree vendor where presumably he lives during the Christmas season selling his trees from upstate. 125th Street decorated for Christmas. Note the marquis of the Apollo Theatre in the background. Columbia students sell trees outside the Met Grocery at Amsterdam and 123 St.
I ran out of coffee last Sunday so I ventured out to the grocery late that night to stock up for the morning. As I rounded the corner of 84th Street I found myself in the pallid glow of a string of bare light bulbs and overcome by the unmistakable aroma of evergreens. Though we had barely finished the Thanksgiving leftovers I soon realized that I had stumbled upon the first Christmas tree vendor of the season. Oh, goody.
Even though I was caught off guard it wasn't a completely unwelcome sight. I'll admit it even put a spring to my step as I entered the grocery to buy my coffee. Over the PA they were piping in Christmas music. "Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays"--Perry Como I think. I whistled a descant along to Perry's mellow tones and the chorus of 40s-sounding back-up singers. I smiled goofily at other customers, bought my coffee and went on my merry way.
Monday brought the lighting of the Lincoln Center Christmas tree hosted by New York's favorite, handsome homo-weatherman, Sam Champion. He wore a snug fitting turtleneck and flashed his professionally whitened smile as he lit the tree. Ta da! But honestly, Sam, don't you find it a bit difficult to get excited about all the festivities when it's been an unseasonable 70 degrees all week? What's up with that, anyway???
Despite the warm temperatures each passing day this week brought yet another sign of the season. The tv has been a constant barrage of holiday commercials, tree vendors are sprouting up like weeds on all the usual corners and in the subway Salvation Army Santas have begun making their presence known with their usual incessant clanging of bells. For the first time in recent memory the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was lit--in NOVEMBER! And did you know that "A Charlie Brown Christmas" has already aired this year? GOOD GRIEF!!!
I have no lists made, my family hasn't even chosen Secret Santas and I have yet to place a single order with Amazon.com. Can we all just slow down a bit, please? At this rate I'll be having my annual Christmas melt-down a full week ahead of schedule.
I won't lie. The last couple of months being back in New York have been a big adjustment. After such an incredible year at school it was bound to be a let down getting back to the city grind. I miss the friends I made and the constant creative stimuli. On top of that, I had to finish up my final paper (which is done!) and I'm still living in a temporary housing situation. The reason? Because the tenant I chose with such care last year to rent out my apartment while I was at school won't get out! I won't go into all the details, but it has been a constant source of frustration and anxiety the last six weeks. So, when my friend Jimmy suggested I join him to attend the Unicef Snowflake Lighting at 57th and 5th Avenue, I jumped at the chance. Somehow the beauty of 5th Avenue as the holidays approach never fails to lift my spirits.
Sak's Fifth Avenue
