The medians of Broadway — at least between 35th and 42nd Streets — remained blessedly free of the Christmas decorations, which in the past week have exploded everywhere else, covering Manhattan with candy canes, twinkling lights, and other symbols of Christianity. I don’t mind the holidays, actually, but I like knowing that there’s a “safe space” where I can escape the onslaught.
Based on my very subjective view of pedestrians bearing unwieldy packages, the 2012 economy is better than it’s been in a long time. There are pluses and minuses to this situation if you want to step back and consider the raging, insatiable monster of modern capitalism, but let’s not be churlish and instead envision individuals who have struggled in the past few years now finding a little bit of disposable income in their pockets. Why not indulge in some junk-food optimism? #yolo
Or let’s enjoy the last vestiges of a disappearing New York City, such as this graffiti-covered steam pipe, which can still be found between the glowing icons, if you know where to look.
