Bill Simmons of ESPN mentioned this classic 1996 SNL sketch in his Friday NFL column. Hit play and give it a second to load.

Will this project ever get off the ground, or will there be slip-ups? The Geostationary Banana Over Texas project calls itself “an art intervention” and is scheduled to be ready for launch in August of 2008. The 300 meter banana will be constructed of bamboo and paper and be filled with helium. It will float at 30 to 50 km above the state of Texas, which will put it on the line between atmosphere and space. From the ground, the banana will be visible and recognizable day and night from all over Texas. Why a banana? Is it a symbol for comedy or just a phallic symbol? A symbol for a banana republic or has someone gone bananas? And why Texas? Whether this is a hoax or a real art project, there are just too many potential jokes to resist!

“At least we don’t have to listen to holiday music out here.”

It was raining and dreary and we were outside. At a bus stop. The absence of holiday music wasn’t doing it for me.

“And hey, the bus won’t be decorated.” With his second comment, the stranger earned himself December’s silver medal for annoying commuter behavior.

I find complaints about Christmas music and overbearing decorations more annoying than Christmas music and overbearing decorations. I’m staunchly pro-holiday cheer. Especially at the individual commuter level. When people are more polite and patient, life is generally better.

There are, of course, exceptions. Which brings me to an even more annoying encounter. Some passengers can’t handle their cheer. Like last Thursday’s seatmate, whose holiday spirit manifested itself in a steady stream of conversational awkwardness. He gets the gold medal. It was a long ride.