Dec 06 2007
It’s That Time Again
Back in the states, the gradual advent of Christmas songs on the radio and in malls is thought of as a harbinger of the end times rather than the precursor for the joyful holiday they are meant to represent. Noel hitting heavy rotation on the airwaves means you can expect excessive mall traffic, crappy weather, and a sudden dip into your savings. Christmas was the definitive half-way point between now and Summer Vacation when you were a kid, but the holidays only get more stressful and oppressive as you grow older. Bah, humbug.

Psudo-religious holiday re-invented through an agnostic nation of foodies=Christmas Cake
But as we all know, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Cut off from the typical Christmas contrivances on the other side of the globe, everything about the season becomes enjoyable. Malls are open past 7:00 so I can actually go shopping. Shops start putting out awesome Christmas-themed drinks and candies. There¡Çs End-Of-Year, New Years, and Christmas parties happening all month. And for the first time in my life I actually enjoy Bing Crosby as I sink back into my seat in Starbucks, no-fat no-whip peppermint Mocha clutched warmly.

Kyoto protocol on its Winter holiday
But the weather¡Çs still crappy.