Leave it to me to offend New York pride with innocence and honesty. I am going to state it for the record, New York is not the greatest city in the world in every aspect of everything. Those may be my last words as despite their PC positions, people here are more intolerant than many others I’ve experienced throughout the country. Either because many of them have never been anywhere else or when they go anywhere else, they immediately expect elsewhere to be NYC. Guess what, that’s why New York City is what it is, it’s different. You will not find it elsewhere. What you can find elsewhere are other things well done.

Recently a New Yorker with great swagger and confidence (is that redundant?) asked me what I thought of the holiday displays in the city. I had the audacity to state that in my opinion Chicago does a better job uplifting the entire city in lights. It really comes down to the difference between the Democrats and the Republicans. Chicago laces the trees in public parks and lining the streets in a spectacular array of lights evoking a feeling of festivity for any soul wandering or lost. New York throws up a few leftover, bargain bin light features on random light poles and calls it a day, relying on private businesses to provide the spectacle for shoppers. Well, not every business is Rockefeller Center or Harry Winston (currently my favorite commercial light display ever). Most of New York is dark, lit only with store windows featuring the same old mannequins sporting sparkly clothing surrounded by items the storeowners want you to buy. Seriously Michael Kors you can’t afford anything better than a bit of silver garland? “I’m sorry, but you’re out! Auf Wiedersehen.” (Kiss. Kiss) Tiffany & Co, the inventors of lavishness barely eke out a boring display of white buildings dotted with Tiffany boxes and designs so dull you wonder if not for the box, did he get it at Kay? Come on, folks. Get into the spirit. Pay your taxes for an uplifting holiday display to counter the short, gray days.

I had to smile though, when I received the pat answer to any criticism of Manhattan. “You should see the holiday displays in Brooklyn.”

PS I am only able to post images of Chicago because since the streets of NYC are so pathetic there are no images online. I will have to photographically update some time this week. Check back.

Magnificent Mile Chicago

Lincoln Park, Chicago