(no subject)

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/28/retailers_deck_the_halls_while_calendar_says_early_fall/

This.

But color me guilty. While I was appalled to see Christmas decorations out already -- in my view, Columbus Day is premature! -- I did buy a silly polarbear-and-penguin thing, for the next Stars of the Arctic Allstate Banquet. But I feel bad for encouraging the shop to sell Christmas things when it's barely back-to-school in these parts.