Let's say you were born in the Middle Ages....

Let's say you were born in the Middle Ages.

After a long day salting away food for the winter darning socks, you would put away your apron thimble and hear that one or more of the passion plays were being performed in the courtyard in front of the church. Actors were basically vagabonds but... a play.

It's a muddy slog, but everyone is there, rubbing elbows, gossiping and laughing. No one actually watches the play unless it gets interesting. Kids run in and out of the crowd, excited by the unusual activity.

There were three main ones, and you probably know them by heart. Certainly you know the basic story line. But the slapstick of the three shepherds shoving each other about like the three stooges was a hoot, and it was a touching moment when the shepherds gave lambswool to the baby Jesus under that big star, after all those wise men brought their fancy gifts. What was myrrh, anyway?

In the Paradise Play the devil was half bad guy and half comic relief, and ran in and out of the crowd, hissing. A risky manuever given how riled up the crowd got, but the little fellow was fast. (Check your pockets.)

Now let's say you lived in Seattle, Black Friday, 2007.

You would bundle up your kids and go downtown to Macy's to watch the giant electric star on the side of the department store light up, kicking off the Christmas shopping season with big savings. Macy's Inc. also lights a four story Christmas tree and there's a fireworks display the moment the star is lit. After the fireworks there are carols singing "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree (Have A Happy Holiday)" and a fat Santa standing next to the mayor and most of the members of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Most years you need an umbrella, but today the skies are clear and cold. There are hundreds of shoppers with plastic bags full of parcels. Tired toddlers crying. You make your kids hold hands as they cross the street.

After braving the sales at Nordstrom and Macy's and buying cotton candy (what the heck), you and your youngsters stand in line to take a ride on the restored Merry-Go-Round in Westlake Center, alive with lights.

The Upshot of it All.

I can't decide if it's really all that different. But I have to say, I watched the extravaganza starting the Christmas shopping season appalled and laughing at the sheer tackiness of it all. What's the underlying message of celebrating the start of the shopping season? Is this really what we celebrate?

A sampler of fandoms I don't read.

A fandom give-away!

On Thanksgiving I asked for recs. Er, I guess I wasn't specific. At all.

People recommended stories for fandoms I don't read, have never heard of, don't read any more, or have never seen the canon.

Ha. Whoops. Sorry guys.

But people took the time to give me links, and it would be a shame to waste the recs. So here. Consider this a sampler of fandoms from my f-list, just for you, courtesy of my f-list.

I haven't read any of these, but the f-list is never wrong.

Last Buns of Krypton by Kat Reitz and Tzigane. Smallville.
I have never seen Smallville. Help yourself.

Various CSI Ficx by Kat Reitz and Tzigane. CSI.
While I've watched CSI, the only character I'm familiar with is Grissom -- and I don't even know his first name. If you dig it, go for it.

Momenti Diversi by zarah5. Harry Potter.
Never much of a fan of Harry/Draco, I found that I've lost all taste for Harry Potter fic. More for you.

The Price of Magic acidburn and sinick. Harry Potter.
I've lost my palate for Snape/Harry completely, but that doesn't mean this isn't a great read.

The Fourth Year by Calligraphy. Harry Potter.
Ditto. Bon Appetit.

Dwarfbread: Buffy/Discworld Crossover by Keswindhover. Discworld, Buffy.
I assume Discworld is a series of books. That's what I hear anyhow. Buffy was a wildly popular television show I saw half an episode of once. The lead character is named Buffy. She's blond. If you know the canon, have at it.