Let There Be Light(s)

Back in the UK, I view Christmas with a mixed feeling of weariness (mainly over how long the season gets stretched out) and child-like exciement - mainly cause i look forward to seeing family. Well, of course, being over here this year means that the family thing is not so much of an issue - I won't be going back over to the UK for Christmas (saving those holidays for trips to Canada in spring, and the UK in July/August). Thus, my general feelings, you would expect to be weariness of it all - but the fact that the 'holiday season' didn't begin till Thanksgiving has helped temper that somewhat. Plus, the general excitement of Christmas in a different country has helped raised interest to a degree. Anyway, what has been more cause for amusement and bemusement has been the decorating over here. Now, we all now (at least in the UK) that the Americans have to go bigger and better - well, it seems to extend to this as well.

I had the dubious pleasure, last Friday, of being driven round Park Circle in North Charleston - a big roundabout - which has been liberally decorated with a vast array of lights, both tasteful (a white light Christmas tree) to the ghastly (pretty much everything else). Apparently, people come from quite a way around to see it (and say 'what a bloody waste!' in my opinion). Anyway, this seems to extend to the family household. Have any of you seen "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" where he lights up the whole house? Well, you can see where i'm shooting for. Combine that with a giant inflatable Santa and, hey presto! I'll say one thing though - i bet the power companies love this time of year!