Overheard in Chicago

On the #6 bus, an appalling refusal to form possessives:

Woman behind me, talking loudly on her cell phone: Everybody got MySpace now. Dave got MySpace, Nikita got MySpace. You just go to the website and click, click, you know? It all connected.

On the Brown Line, contesting The Powers That Be at CWTV:

Girl #1: Yeah, Melrose totally should have won.

Girl #2: If it was based only on talent? She totally would have won. I mean, if they only just showed all the photo shoots, hers were the best.

Girls #1 and 3 agree.

Girl #3: And that last runway walk? God. Caridee was terrible! I mean, that’s me. That’s how I walk.

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Seen in Chicago today: The El’s Holiday Train, which, holy shit, defies my powers of description. All the windows were decorated with frosty icicles (made from the peelable plastic that teachers and college students often use). There were flashing lights spelling out “Season’s Greetings!” and “Happy Holidays” on the outside of the train, along with oversized garland and holly. According to the CTA website, they use “thousands of twinkling lights,” and the inside hand poles are decorated to look like candy canes. Oh, and there’s an open-air flat car in between regular cars, on which stands several of Santa’s elves, all ringing bells and calling out “Merry Christmas!” These pictures look like they were taken on a cellphone camera, but you can at least get an idea for the garish maximalism of Santa’s Express.

Also seen in Chicago today was a small fleet of bicyclists dressed up like Santas. They were taking up both lanes on Randolph Street heading west into the city. One guy was wearing a Grinch mask with his Santa suit, and one guy was dressed up like a giant dreidel.

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I have had a headache for the last week–I’m beginning to wonder if it’s because somebody’s pot smoke has permeated my entire apartment–can that cause headaches?–and I have to go get ready for a holiday party. Sadly, the pot has not mellowed out Captain Destructo and his Mistress of Destruction, who are VERY EXCITED about the various Christmas-related boxes in the apartment. And the Christmas ribbon. I fear they are going to tear my parents’ house–or the tree, at least–apart next weekend.

* * *

current book: I’ve now read, from cover to cover, every recent Atlantic Monthly and Economist I have. It is a clear and pathetic attempt to ignore the 18-lb book that is on my desk, but I’m exceptionally well-informed about world events.

current music: Sleigh bells ring… are ya listenin’?

current socks: Only the best Christmas socks ever! I will take pictures of them as soon as I figure out why my camera is lacking its memory card. They are black with green trees decorated with glittery red ornaments. But the trees aren’t just evergreens–also palm trees and saguaro cacti. Love them.