My number one pet peeve, over even the misuse of the apostrophe and coworkers putting delicate glasses on the bottom rack of the work dishwasher, is the way merchants conspire to rush time.
I understand why they do it. I know they want to get us thinking about spending money on the next season’s needs, but it pushes back against my endless efforts to live in the moment. Unfortunately, I picked a career path that sometimes takes me down the same road. In a way, I’m part of the problem.
The first mention of a back-to-school sale comes earlier every year. Not that long ago, it was routinely in early August. This year it was on July 7th! That was the date I got an audition request for a back-to-school radio ad. All ads need some lead time. You don’t start working on the CNE commercials a week prior to the event, but July 7th for back-to-school was a little ridiculous.
Our local freebie weekly newspaper contained a flyer for Sears whose headline shouted End of Summer Sale! The sale began July 9th. Seriously. End of summer. It displeased me.
Some people say that Canadians wouldn’t appreciate summer as much if it wasn’t for winter. I call bullshit! Maybe it’s because I’ve seen so many winters, but I appreciate every summer day as if it could be the last and dread winter as if my disdain could create enough energy to keep it away for good. I don’t wish away the week when I get to work on Monday because that’s like asking for less time, and time is all we have. There’s never enough of it, for any of us. People who get pissed off at unpleasant events, such as car trouble or an argument with a spouse, and just want it to be over so they can “get back to my life”, are missing the point. That IS your life. Own it. Accept it. But for the love of all things good and right I wish we could just stop calling an end to things like summer when they’re not even halfway through. Fall will come soon enough and winter will be on its heels. One year, it would be a treat to be able to think about summer as it’s happening and not be constantly reminded of what’s coming next.
Oh Lisa I so agree with you!! I was shocked when I saw all the ads and displays in stores last week. Probably August they start with Thanksgiving….lol