Two Months Until Christmas

I should really update more regularly, but I seemed to have lost my inspiration for being consistent. At any rate, I kind of think that my observations would be better received if they were a lot more timely.

Case in point is the above picture which I shot on October 8th. I know that Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center is closing after the 2010 Holiday season, but who came up with the brilliant idea to yank out the Christmas wrapping paper in early October and display it all over the main floor? Do the sales execs at B&N actually think that anyone who is not completely sane would buy gift wrap in October? I know times are tough, but that doesn't mean we want to be whacked over the head with anything even remotely dealing with Christmas before Halloween. What's next, Easter baskets in January?

And what's up with the kid with the glasses? I think he was as shocked as I was. This is a really good way to ruin Columbus Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving for everyone, Barnes & Noble.

All Arrows Lead Forward

For reasons unbeknownst to me, there are arrows in on the floor at Barnes & Noble in Union Square.

Are the lines so long there that people would get confused which way to go to find one of the 10 or so cashiers? Is the process of buying books that entirely mind-boggling that in order to go a dozen or so steps straight forward, someone felt compelled to haphazardly affix masking tape of some sort directly onto the carpet as though this will radically simplify things?

I should realize that some people have difficulty doing what they say they are going to do. You can't wait around forever for even the simplest of things to happen like making a phone call, or waiting in line to go to see a movie or buy a book. You need to put directions directly on the floor and if they can't figure it out you have to realize they'll never get to the cashier and you just need to look for more thoughtful customers.