Grinch and Scrooge surface in Manhattan

The Thanksgiving celebration in the US of A is the last of the way-stations on the road to Christmas, so we are now on the downward slope to the end of the year. Bucking the tradition of completing one Holiday event before commencing the next one, it seems that the Sally Army’s Christmas bells were ringing a week early this year, as of today they’ve already been out for two weeks in Manhattan. No doubt trying to beat the recession, which still continues to haunt us, and give us longer to feel guilty every time we pass without emptying our pockets of spare change. Grr!

Apartment buildings are stringing up the silver, blue fairy lights in the trees afront of their buildings. Our local specialty grocer has stocked up with chocolate Santas, and is now erecting the A-frames on which to display their Christmas trees.

But what really got my goat today was, on returning to our apartment, an envelope slipped under the door. Lo, what could this be I thought; a kind note from our neighbors for their occasional Saturday night Bacchanalia; no, it must be the note from the newspaper delivery service, no it wasn’t. It was worse. Much worse, it was the annual Holiday Season card from the building management wishing us all the best. I bet, and they kindly listed all the building staff by department, by name in case we wonder who does our bidding sometimes sight unseen. I wonder why they did this.

You’ve guessed, it’s the annual “hold the tenants to ransom tax” perpetuated on all doormen apartment buildings in New York. Let’s just say that concierge staff, doormen, porters, maintenance, and security don’t come cheap. Finally at the top, the manager, the one you absolutely have to bow down and kiss the ring to; the big cheese, the big kahuna. Why you ask. Well for starters he’s got his hands on your deposit money. Gives them a bit of an edge don’t you think? But it’s still November people, albeit the 30th. Couldn’t you just wait one more day, and at least pretend you’re not desperate? Grr! Bah humbug !

And, and tonight NBC is showing "How the Grinch stole Christmas". Yes, from December 25th to November 30th! Puleese.

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