There is, of course, no reason to go to midtown. At least not this time of year. No reason to deal with the church groups—adorned in matching sweatshirts with stenciled sanctuaries and mottoes like "New York '06! God Is Love!"—so absurdly accepting of predetermination that they rumble blindly across intersections, traffic lights and oncoming cabs be damned. No reason to risk tripping over tiny-footed pre-women determinedly toddling toward the American Girl Doll store. No reason to fight armies of anxious AARP members released en masse by Pennsylvania-plated tour buses to cash in their early-bird coupons for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Absolutely no reason to relinquish your sidewalk to phalanxes of red-jacketed, bake sale–veteran band members from parts unknown, eager for their moment of network marching stardom in the Macy's... More >>>