Here's the coolest thing I saw on a walk down 5th Avenue, the big snowflake across about 59th Street. Going to look at lights is popular, it was crowded. I tried roasted chestnuts for the first time and I can see why they're good in stuffing. They grew on me, I'd add that to the holiday traditions. I got a little sick of being crowded (and having my crushed foot nudged by strollers) so I bought more street food, a gyro, to bring home.

I went to church at St Saviour this morning, kind of wanted to see that the RC is still kicking it old school. There was a mission statement posted in the antechamber and all of about seven items had to do with communication, we'll communicate with our community, we'll communicate with other Christians, with a goal toward oneness (this was a recurring theme--let's acknowledge that this oneness is to come about when the apostates understand they are in error.), we'll communicate within the church, etc. So they're kind of a religious Toastmasters. There was no talk of sin or helping people to not commit it. "Who are we to judge?" is that the new deal? There was also a calendar provided, as were the missals, by a nearby funeral home. Each month was a different apostle, and if you're interested, look it up--those guys did not die in bed!
What else? Oh, when the old ladies started straggling in, they went straight for the "candles". I say "candles" because it was really a bank of things that looked like candles but were really electric doohickies you pushed a button to set "alight". I didn't think it was very satisfying, but then I thought those huge candles probably cost a dollar. Also, the church has to move with the times in some matters. I probably reacted the same way some medieval worshipper did when he arrived at church all excited only to find candles in place of the heretics. Sadly, the church wasn't a quarter full. This isn't an Hispanic neighborhood, but there are Italians, and I would expect that the Russians would come because it's the most ikon-friendly (and according to the guide in the front of the missal, they're even allowed to take communion). But it was the usual suspects, mostly old ladies, but one babbling toddler and a screaming baby. That's the only advantage of the bland suburban Catholic church, the crying room. Okay, one more thing about church--do they think we won't notice the mysterious third verses in the hymns that don't scan right and seem too modern? Busted!