Post-Halloween Pot Pourri

If you're thinking that the title of this post indicates a creative way to scent your home using dried pumpkin seeds and candy wrappers from Halloween, you're wrong.  "Pot Pourri" is just my title for when I can't think of any one specific thing to write, but instead have a few little things to write.  So - off we go.

• I should be mystified by this sight, but I'm not. Today, November 6, 2009, I witnessed a semi-truckload of Christmas trees heading down the road.  WTF people, (Wow, That's Freaky, people - for those who prefer to think of this as a family site) it's NOVEMBER. And not November 29th, which is the start of Advent, for some religions.  It's EARLY NOVEMBER. Can we "can" the Christmas stuff, at the very least, until December 1?
• Better yet, may I suggest a full-blown revolt where the majority of people in this country get their heads out of their . . . wallets? greed? shopping malls? . . . and start celebrating Christmas beginning on December 24th? Shop ahead, please do.  Get your tree a week or two before Christmas if you wish. But let's quit catering to Commercialized Christmas.  Are you sick of Christmas music, already? In November?
• Oh, and let's celebrate Christmas for the full 12 days - until January 6. It is NOT time for Valentines by 1:00 p.m. December 25.
• And, dammit, I'm referring to the trees as "Christmas" and music as "Christmas" and not "holiday trees" or "holiday music."  There ARE other holidays.  When people say "holiday music," it's entirely possible they're referring to some jingle about an Easter bonnet with frills upon it.  Or, perhaps, a John Phillip Sousa march in a 4th of July parade.
• Like calling a spade a spade, I'm calling a holiday a holiday, too.  If I were of a different faith, I might participate in Passover, Kwaanza, Ramadan, Diwali, Maha Shiva Ratri, or Paryushana-Parva.  But - I'm of the faith that celebrates Christmas, and so I refer to December 25th as "Christmas" and all the (sometimes, and unfortunately commercial) accoutrements of that day as "Christmas" items: Christmas music, Christmas gifts, Christmas trees, etc.
• I understand that "Happy Holidays" is generic enough of a greeting to not offend most people, but if this is the case, why limit the phrase to just December? Why can't we say "Happy Holidays" in April, or July? There are holidays throughout the year, after all.
• My sister and I have decided that we'll have to make sure every hair is in place, and our clothing perfect before we set foot in any store from now on. I'd hate to see us end up on the People of Walmart site.  I was at our local Walmart today, and for once didn't see anyone who made me wish I had a camera.
• Must I tattoo it on foreheads?  If you're over the age of five, please give this up:  No more wearing of pajamas in public places.  I beseech you.  A full-grown adult entered my workplace this week wearing pajamas, complete with slippers.  To my knowledge, this parent wasn't ill, recovering from surgery, or wearing the only items of clothing she owned.  KNOCK IT OFF, PEOPLE!!!
• Does anyone else think that "self-checkout" at stores is overrated?  Has anyone else ever thought that perhaps, if everyone quit using the self-checkout and instead went to the aisles with an actual, live person behind the register, people might keep their jobs a little longer?  Just wondering.
• I'm pretty bummed that the B. Dalton Bookstore at our local shopping mall is closing.  B. Dalton is part of the Barnes and Noble chain, and paying the lease at the mall is what's killing the company.  I don't think our city has another bookstore. There are several used-book stores around, but the only option for new books will now be found at the local Walmarts, Meijer, Target, and Kmart stores - which have a very limited selection.  We can drive to the next town and shop at the Barnes and Noble there, but it's a shame that we're losing a good bookstore with really great employees.  B. Dalton has the kind of employees who can help you find the book you want even when you don't know the title or the author.  Can you describe the cover? Remember the subject matter? Where you last saw it in the store?  They'll find it for you.  And now, those employees might be able to work at the Barnes & Noble store, but many of them will be laid-off. 
• School pictures:  They suck, there's no doubt about it.  It's torturous to see the final result, but it has to be even worse taking pictures of the little darlings, who wiggle and grimace and rarely have a natural smile when the flash goes off.   I heartily recommend, if you hate your school pictures, or your work I.D. card, a site called Yearbook Yourself.   Here, you can download a picture of yourself, and see what you look like with hairstyles from the 1950s or the wonderful 1980s.  There are wonderful hair-cuts to relive for both men and women.