I just read this article over at CNN. For those of you that are too lazy to follow the link, here’s the highlights:

• Many radio stations go all-Christmas music after Thanksgiving
• Ratings go up, choice is welcomed by listeners

If there’s one thing I hate about Christmas, it’s the music. Seriously, I would rather spend a month in awkward family situations than listen to Christmas music. And it makes me sick to my stomach that ratings actually go up when radio stations change to an all-Christmas music format. Are you fucking kidding me?

This has to be a goddamn joke. People really want to hear Christmas music? I just assumed that the department stores here used it to keep homeless people away. Apparently it has two benefits. The editor of some radio trade publication (owned by Clear Channel, of course) said, “Christmas music, for most people, puts a smile on your face. Even if you resist for a while, you can’t hold out forever.” I think it’s more likely that people just give in. Even Manuel Noriega could only take so much Def Leppard before he started growing out his hair.

But you already knew all of this. The real disturbing news was this: “…the earliest station made the switch in October before trick or treaters made the rounds.” This is completely out of control. We can’t let Christmas invade the best holiday of the year. So do your part. Stop shopping at stores with Christmas music. Smack your parents around until they understand how stupid Christmas music is. And if you have to, kill some people to make your point. I’ll do my part by forgoing Christmas altogether.

In non-Christmas music related news, check out Kat’s post on the Blip Music Festival that I mentioned before. She pretty much said everything that I thought about the show, with the exception of mentioning that we got kick-ass buttons from The Onion columnists including, Jim Anchower, Smoove B, and Jean Teasdale. I’m a sucker for free stuff.