Boxing Day

The day after Christmas falls this year on a Wednesday, which leaves plenty of time this week for the presidential campaigns to get back into gear. I missed the entertainment during the Christmas break. After all, the cast of characters is just so "interesting." We had a quiet holiday here, with our actual exchange of gifts delayed until today because Dan wasn't feeling well yesterday. He's much improved today. As for gifts, I got lots of goodies including new shoes and a light jacket, and a Harry Potter train set, which I'll promptly take downstairs later and get it going on my layout. Only a few days are left in 2007. It'll be time for Auld Lang Syne soon.

PHOTO: Rudolph at Macy's

Scrooge Is Still With Us In The Guise Of Corporations

Today's New York Times has an interesting lead article on the efforts of the governors of three states, California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania, to expand health care coverage to all in each of their states. The efforts came up short all around due to opposition from insurance companies and business interests. That's no surprise. What is a surprise is just how far this country has slipped into corporate control; and the extent to which profit for the shareholders is more important than anything else, even the general welfare of the citizenry. Charles Dickens would recognize what has happened to America as it has regressed back to a society ruled by corporate Scrooges. What kind of shock will it take to break the iron grip of the vested interests?

Photo: The Nutcracker and Clara from the Macy's holiday light show.

Jim

The Grand Court

This is the Grand Court at Macy's Philadelphia. The store is housed in the lower three floors of the great Wanamaker building. During the holidays, the store literally lays out the red carpet for shoppers. This allows visitors to sit on the floor to watch the light show. This indoor space is one of my favorite downtown stops at any time of the year. There are daily organ recitals all year long. Years ago there used to be benches near the famous bronze eagle that you could use to take a break, but they were removed. Nevertheless, its still a great place to meet in downtown Philadelphia.

Jim

Friends Of The Wanamaker Organ Holiday Concert

The Friends Of The Wanamaker Organ sponsored a holiday concert at Macy's Philadelphia last Sunday. Featured was a soprano singing along with organ accompaniment. This lady, whose name I do not know, had a very pretty voice. The beautiful sounds filled the Grand Court.

Jim

Music At The Holidays

Here's the last in the series of fun holiday windows at Macy's Philadelphia. The store is a joy at the holidays especially with the daily organ concerts featuring the Wanamaker organ, the largest pipe organ in the world. Speaking of organ music, last evening we attended a concert at Verizon Hall that featured members of the brass and percussion sections of the Philadelphia Orchestra and an organist. Music is the essence of the holiday season for me, so I try to max out on my listening at this time of the year.

Jim

Gay Conservative Republican Endorses Ron Paul

Gay and Republican? Gay and conservative? I've never understood how you can be both of either of these at the same time. I guess I'll never understand how someone like Andrew Sullivan can be both gay and conservative and a Republican, but he is. The latest from Andy is his endorsement of Republican/Libertarian presidential hopeful Ron Paul for president. I suppose that if you have to pick among the crop of Republicans he does represent the lesser of the evils, but a cursory look at his positions on a number if issues is enough to send me running. Paul is anti-abortion, would define life as beginning at conception, and opposes a woman's right to choose. Paul would repeal the Brady Bill that attempts in a modest fashion to control guns, and appears to favor no restrictions whatsoever on gun sales and ownership. Some of his other positions do have appeal to those with libertarian tendencies, but I would not want to live in a country headed by President Ron Paul. But then, I'm not happy living here under "Dubbya" either.
PHOTO: The next to the last in the series of Macy's Philadelphia holiday display windows.

Jim

The Holidays Are Upon Us

It seems like the holidays are rushing toward us. We have a lot to do this week including trips to see relatives. The winter solstice is on Saturday. Winter arrives at 1:08 AM Saturday morning. It feels like winter out there this morning, actually. Here's the fourth in the series of holiday windows at Macy's downtown. Yesterday I attended the "Friends Of The Wanamaker Organ" concert in the Macy's store. This is always fun. The great organ sounds wonderful any time of the year, but I particularly enjoy listening to it around the holidays. Yesterday's concert featured a soprano singing with organ accompaniment. The sounds that filled the great center court in the historic store were fantastic!

Jim

The Catholic Fanatics Are At It Again!

So, the latest from the religious fanatics on the right comes from the Catholic League, which is calling for a boycott of the movie "The Golden Compass." According to a report I watched on local TV news this morning, the Catholics are upset in part because "the movie promotes atheism." Well, the last time I checked we were still a pluralistic society, so I don't see anything wrong with promoting atheism. The Catholics promote Catholicism all the time. Why shouldn't we atheists be able to promote atheism?

Author Philip Pullman, who wrote the book on which the movie is based, has this to say about Catholic League chief nutcase William Donohue:

"Why don't we trust readers? Why don't we trust filmgoers? Oh, it causes me to shake my head with
sorrow that such nitwits could be loose in the world."

Nitwits indeed!

PHOTO: The third in the series of Macy's Phila. holiday windows.

Jim

Hooray For New Jersey!

New Jersey just voted to eliminate the death penalty, thereby joining the majority of civilized political entities that recognize that state murder is always wrong. Good for them.

Jim

PHOTOS: The second in the series of Macy's Philadelphia holiday store display windows. CLICK ON THE PHOTOS TO ENLARGE.

Macy's Philadelphia Holiday Store Windows

The great John Wanamaker Department Store building is now mostly occupied by offices, but the bottom three floors are still retail space that is currently occupied by Macy's. Macy's has installed a series of holiday windows on the Market Street side of the building. Here is the first. Be sure to click on the pictures so that you can read the story.

Jim