I usually go on a shopping trip this time of year. Normally, I prefer to go before Thanksgiving, but this year, I went after so to avoid some wet weather. So, instead of rain and temps in the low 50s, I had intermittent snow flurries in the morning when I woke up and temps near freezing. Yea. Because this would be an all day affair, I had to wake up over an hour earlier than usual to make sure I could leave by 6:30. I was ready by 6:10, a little later than I was planning for, but still good. Unfortunately, the person who would be going with me was nowhere near ready by then. We wound up leaving at almost 7:00. While this meant that the flurries were over and the sun would be mostly risen, it also meant that I would have to cut out some destinations. Still, I made good time even with stretches of road work where I had to slow way down, even after stopping for a few minutes for my passenger. At least everything was open by the time we got to the first place, a book store. Yes, I own one, but I'm always looking out for titles I may have missed. Also, I don't carry magazines, and there was one I was looking for that hadn't been available locally for over six months. The store had plenty, but done of them had the subscription cards I was looking for. The one time I actually wanted them. Still, I was planning on buying a copy, until I was made to notice that it was an expired issue. The current one wasn't there yet, even though it was supposed to have already been out. I put the mag back and searched for anything else. Unfortunately, almost every magazine I liked has either been cancelled or not carried by that store. I then looked for authors and subjects I like, but to no avail. There weren't even any books on discount that caught my eye. Then, for the first time ever at that store, I had to wait on my shopping companion as they had lost a glove somewhere and they had to backtrack to find it. Usually, they are the one who is waiting on me. I had never been on shopping trip where I never got any reading material, so this did not bode well for the rest of the day. The next stop was a big box department store. I went in alone, as my companion felt like freezing in the car and resting. I rushed through that place as fast as I could, looking for a number of products I had been having trouble with finding locally. Except for some office supplies, which were in a configuration I couldn't find elsewhere, as well as being cheaper, I didn't get anything. I mean, I needed it, but I didn't think that I wouldn't be buying anything else that day. Anyway, it was onto the real shopping. The first place had been open for an hour, but we still had to speed through it. See, the food court here can get really busy if yo wait to long, so lunch had to be as early as possible, but still late enough to fit into my regular schedule. After a quick run through of the first floor, with little result, it was time for the second floor for me. But first, I had to wait in the toy section while someone was in the restroom. The "Bluey" section was almost completely sold out. I took a quick search in the mens' department. I've been told that I need more vibrant colors in my outfits. While I don't go all goth or emo dark, I do veer fairly close. I couldn't find anything in a color and style I really liked. There was this white/silvery shirt similar to some I got last year, but I didn't really want any more in that style. Also, I prefer to wait until I see what all is out there before trying anything on. Next, the bargain room. Nothing, unless you wanted a dinosaur, ugly Christmas sweater. After that, lunch. A whole bevy of kids were brought in while we were eating, so maybe going early was the right idea, although the mall wasn't too crowded that day. I managed to eat without problems swallowing for once, even though I finished way faster than my companion. Fast enough to check out a nearby store before they finished. Nothing. A brief look down one wing without seeing anything before the next store, and their next restroom break. This time, I was stuck between mens' accessories and big-and-tall. Obviously, nothing to see there for me. Also, nothing in the store for either of us. One half of the mall to go. Most of the stores were skipped to save time, although my companion decided to check out one place at the last second (found nothing to even try on), which delayed my time to check out some stores down the other wing. How they decide how I can go on my own some times and some times not is confusing. I didn't find anything in those stores either. Finally, the last store. I had to wait again for them to get some free skin care stuff, about fifteen minutes. I was stuck looking at mens' gift ideas. I was starting to attract sales associates. By that time, I was rushing through the mens' department looking for the things on my list. Unfortunately, I made the huge mistake of asking for some advice. Now, I was never going to buy a pair of pink Levi's or a seventy dollar shirt, but I was still rebuffed on some of my choices. No, I don't have chinos that shade of blue-gray, and I actually have plenty of things to go with that orange/brown pair. More than a light-olive green. But I didn't try anything on, I was too dejected. This would mark the only time I took a major shopping trip to there and didn't get anything. After one last restroom break with me just standing in the rest area since I didn't want to sit near anyone, it was back up the mall, checking out one last store, before leaving. We were forced to leave early as to avoid the schools letting out. We easily made it, even after forgoing a few last stops. The drive back was dull. I had to stop for a snack and for a fill-up. This time, I did have some trouble swallowing, mainly because someone begged me for some of my drink, I had to sip more than I wanted to at once. The fuel pumps were slow, possibly due to the cold. It took ten minutes just to get the first gallon. They tried to reconfigure the pump, but it would take longer than we had, so it meant stopping closer to home and a detour to finish up. (I only use a certain make for my car, so I have to look around sometimes for the right one. At least it was noticeably cheaper closer to home.) There was a stop at the library to print off some things and to call in a takeout order. I was able to pick up some free books they were giving away, including one I read from there a few years ago that I actually wanted for my own at one time. I actually had to wait in the car while my companion tried to look for books to check out. While there, I noticed a bunch of rescue vehicles going in the opposite direction where we were going. The drive to the restaurant got dark kind of fast. Even with the long delay getting there, the order wasn't finished yet. I had to wait and keep moving the car around until the order was ready. On the way out, I looked at the highway we would've gone through and noticed a traffic hold up. At least we missed out on that. We had to get home early because of my unusual night-driving problem. I have great night-vision, but I acclimate so well that bright headlights and streetlights can cause me problems. The waning full moon though kept things bright enough that I didn't have problems. We got home around six thirty, after almost twelve hours gone. To top off a miserable trip, there was something not as great about dinner. While it is not my favorite, it was usually better than this. I'm not sure if they were using a new supplier or a different amount of toppings, but it wasn't the best it could have been. Ten dollars of office supplies, three old library books, and some condiment packets. Worse shopping trip ever.
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