Christmas downtown

I always liked to go downtown at night. I have this weird attraction towards shiny things like street lights and Christmas lights. And what can be the best the thing when it comes to shiny stuff? Yep, that's right… Christmas street lights.

I was sitting at my desk, doing stuff at my computer when I thought "You know… I haven't seen these year's Christmas decorations downtown…" so I put some more cozy clothes on and got in the car, all set up and ready to go for a drive. It was nice outside. Not too cold, not too windy, just perfect for a midnight drive in the big city; not that weather would stand in the way when you're driving, but I was sure I was going to stop by a restaurant or something for a snack…or two… or dinner, although I already had that, but when it comes to food you never have enough, just like makeup and good grades.

I was always fascinated by this view. Imagine that you're driving on some old streets, the same as always, hollow like in every night, poor light and a cat or two running from house to house and then… all of the sudden, just like in a fairy-tale, everything changes big time! The oh so hollow and oh so not bright streets are now filled with shiny lights and exquisite decorations. It's like looking through an old photo album with black and white photographs and then you look through a fashion catalog from Valentino, with all of those dazzling dresses and sparkling accessories. Nice view, eh?

What is there to say about this year's "street fashion"? Well, let's see… we have snowflake-shaped lights and star-shaped ones… hmm, I'm not too impressed, looks a lot like last year's, but hey, it's hard to come up with something new every year and still, they do look nice anyways. There's also a little traffic issue here, although it is late… oh well, at least there aren't any drunken teenagers chasing each other in the middle of the street like last year; that was not nice. The whole thing ended up with them at the police; poor parents.

Ah, yes… and here we have these broken lights that take away from the fairy-tale view; why am I not surprised? I wonder if the mayor's been noticed about this. Definitely not. Surprised? You shouldn't be, it isn't the first time and God knows it's not the last either. Talk about irresponsible people… or is it just the fact that they're too lazy or careless? Probably both. But let's try and disconnect a little from the cruel reality and focus on shiny stuff, eh?

What is light to you? What is the first thing that pops out in your head when you see lights? I, for one, think about lots of stuff. Stuff like birthdays; you know… the little candles on that nasty fruit cake or chocolate cake if you're lucky. Or maybe the candles from that oh so sweet romantic dinner you had with your girlfriend or whatever? Or maybe… the candles lit at church for the ones that passed away. You see, light can represent a lot of stuff. It can either be life or death, depends on the person I guess. Poets and writers like to write about the "light theme", because without light, darkness cannot exist, therefore light is present in the reader's mind even in those dark writings where the author talks about endless dark and hollow unlit streets. But let's not get into that, now is not the time. "Why?" you ask. Simple. Today is Christmas and light should be all about happiness and putting up your Christmas tree.

As I was driving back home it started to snow. Big white fluffy snowflakes falling down the sleeping city. This is one of the things that help me ignore the broken lights I told you about. And so the fairy-tale view is back. In less than ten minutes the streets and roofs are covered up in pure white snow. Such a beautiful night. A perfect Christmas night.

When I got in the house my cat was up my shoulder faster than you can say "Cartman is fat". Apparently she wanted to show me her oh so awful Christmas gift: she violently played with my curtains… again… yes again… that' a bad kitty rolls eyes. I really am not in the mood of arguing with my cat (yes, I argue with my cat, got a problem with that? raises eye brown) so I head towards the bedroom. I lay down in my soft warm bed and of course the cat decides to take a nap with me; why am I not surprised? It's not that I'm not used to that yet, after all these years, it's just that it amazes me in a way… I mean, doesn't she worry about the fact that I might roll over on her? Squish the poor thing? I'm sure she doesn't; as long as it's warm and fuzzy, it's the place for her… kind of like me, but… don't tell anyone!

Staring out the window and waiting to fall asleep I see the city blocks' silhouettes outlined in snow fluffs. Makes me think of cotton candy… too tired to keep my eyes opened for much longer… I hear the wind blowing frost outside, a sweet relaxing melody for these phonic polluted ears of mine and, as well, a prefect relief for my tired mind. One snow fluff… two snow fluffs…three snow fluffs… zzzZzzZZZzzzzzZzz