Nina In New York: Merry Halloween!
A young professional's take on the trials and tribulations of everyday life in New York City.
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By Nina Pajak
Happy Halloween, everyone. May your costumes remain intact, may you have selected clothing that can withstand an October snowstorm, and may no one put raisins or Dum Dum Pops in your plastic pumpkin.
Now that that's over, you know what time it is.
Merry Christmas! Happy HanuKwanzBoxingday!
Can't you feel the holiday spirit in the air? I can.
No sooner has the Halloween candy gone through its first markdown cycle than the trees in Santaland Midtown are suddenly strung up with lights, the tourists begin to swarm with great purpose, and . . . uh . . . it snows.
I have to tell you, I'm pretty excited.
If you talk to me in a month, I will be at the end of my rope. I will be grouchy and impatient and I will be throwing elbows left and right just trying to get my morning cup of coffee. Rockefeller Center will have sapped the peace and goodwill right out of me, and my heart will have shrunk two sizes too small. I will avoid moving about in the outside world as much as possible, choosing instead to hole up inside my office and apartment with enough wine and Bailey's to sustain me through winter. Perhaps in something like this! Adult footed pajamas with a bathroom hatch is exactly what I've always been missing.
But for now, I haven't given up. The Salvation Army Santas haven't yet hollered me out of town. The impossible crowds around Radio City and the big tree haven't formed. I can still get some lunchtime shopping done in peace. I should be grumpy about the fact that the holidays start tomorrow, but I'm not. I love it. The aggressive commercialism gives me time to appreciate how pretty this city gets during the season, before it becomes overrun and the traffic cops have to bring out the tourist nets for the crosswalks.
I'm not even bothered by winter's early and completely unexpected appearance yet. It all just seems charming and cozy, and makes me think of why I theoretically love the holidays.
Wow. I'm shocked at my own good nature! This seems like a good time for people who know me to ask me for gifts and favors.
I'm only going to say that once.
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Dear Readers: While I am rarely at a loss for words, I'm always grateful for column ideas. Please feel free to e-mail me your suggestions.
Nina Pajak is a writer and publishing professional living with her husband on the Upper West Side.
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