Today I picked up The Mint at Union Station for a day of fun in the Los Angeles Fashion District. We were so psyched, having heard great things about the 90 blocks of flowers, fabrics, clothes, and knock-off designer handbags. I'd heard from trustworthy sources (you know who you are) that it would just be fabulous. And perhaps it is when the sun is out. But I'm not so sure if balmy weather could increase my appreciation of the merchandise in Santee Alley. By the time we circled back to the fabric stores, we were so worn down by all the pleather, skanky tank tops, and barrels of polycotton socks (THREE "PAIRS" FOR A DOLLAR!) that we actually passed on entire warehouses full of $1/yard fabrics. Total Fashion District purchases: one (1) umbrella, two (2) apple juices, one (1) silk-ish scarf.Later, at The Grove, Lisa got super excited about Forever 21, a staple in Southern California malls. My perception of Forever 21 is that it exists for the sole purpose of turning teenage girls into hootchie-mamas. At such establishments, I take an Extra-Large, despite the fact that I am firmly Medium in the real world. Even the Extra-Large leisure sweatshirts do not have enough fabric for my line of work. Lisa, however, is not a pastor, but a swingin' single who regularly soaks up the Akron nightlife. She spent approximately 45 minutes sorting through racks of plunging necklines and skirts approximately the size of wristbands.
At the end of the day, Lisa has a flirty new top, and I have a scarf that will double as a headscarf the next time I do a dramatic interpretation of Mary Magdelene at the tomb.
hee-hee, I'm giggling because you typed hootchie mama... at least you described the look honestly!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, since when did I become a "trustworthy source"? :)
ReplyDeleteEven though you were, shall we say, underwhelmed with the whole Garmet District experience, you have to admit it was an experience. And I bet you even had a little fun too...am I right? Am I right?
love the banner here.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter K.
Military intelligence.
ReplyDeleteJumbo shrimp.
Microsoft Works.
Akron nightlife.
;)
Never knew how to spell "Hootchie Mama." These are the reasons why your blog rocks. Preach well manana.
ReplyDeletejoy,
guido
Did you really shop on Good Friday? If so, I am a bit gobsmacked to say the least. You see, my experience is that American christians who have been to the Land of Oz think we are dreadfully secular. But in Australia there are two public holidays above all others - Christmas Day and Good Friday. The shops don't open. Maybe, a service station. But no shops. Even to-day, Easter Sunday, none of the big shops were open. Service stations yes. The newsagent for only an hour or two until the few papers he ordered ran out. The local milk bar - Melbourne name for a small family shop where you can get your bread, your milk, your newspaper. I think this isn't bad for a country with a highly secular reputation. How long we can hang on to these precious days in this reverent way will remain to be seen. Big retail corporates are always trying to chip away. This year again they wanted CBD shopping. As well, our government has brought in highly controversial labour laws which will bring huge changes in working conditions and remuneration. The dollar seeks to triumph over the gospel, family life and re-creation. Born to shop? I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteHootchie mama cracked me up, too! Unfortunately, it is the only word to describe "that look" on the confines of a Christian blog.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I went to college near Akron. Nightlife not so good, if memory serves. Of course it's been a while . . .
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