Signs of the Season

The city has begun construction on the official Chicago Christmas tree in Daley Plaza.

As I've noted before, the official tree is not a single pine, but dozens of pines combined to form a single, enormous pine, which then is covered with lights and ornaments and lighted ornaments. The rest of the plaza is then filled with shops selling holiday-appropriate gifts, decorations and food items. The shops stay open from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve; the tree remains until early January.

In the past, I would have lamented such signs of the impending holiday season, and this year holiday spirit will be difficult to come by, given recent events, like the passing of Ms. Christopher, ill health in the family and the woes of the economy.

But now, I can't even work up the energy to get mad about Christmas displays going up even before the Halloween decorations have come down. It's the way of the world now. Fighting it's a waste of breath.

2008 has pretty much knocked the fight out of me, kids. It started with much hope; it is ending with much despair. It cannot be over soon enough.