This is a duh picture, it’s the place where pedestrians are meant to be allowed to walk across the street and the vehicles must stop for them. It’s the law. However, in this state, unless you cross at a stop light with the little white man, NO ONE EVER STOPS. I have no idea why they bother having these lovely little areas for people to stop in between stop lights. I am being very serious when I say that. When I was 15 and we moved to the west coast, people stopped for you if you were still three feet from the edge of the curb. I was shocked, I had never experienced this before. Why this phenomenon has not made it’s way to the “nice” state of Minnesota, I don’t know. But today, I was walking with my son to the store to buy poster board for a super fun art prodject, and we both nearly died, crossing the street, at a cross walk. I had to dodge a car.

I am not a saint. I steal pens form the bank tellers. I often park an hour in the half hour parking zone. And, if I knew how to cheat on my taxes, I just might do it. But when there’s a life at stake, I put my foot on the brake and let the person cross the street. And when I do, without fail, the pedestrian acts as though I have done something to increase my karma. When, in fact, I just didn’t break the law.

This state is beautiful, it’s nice and cold (which I love) and I adore the city I live in. Let’s add to the great things about Minnesota BY STOPPING FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CROSS THE STREET LEGALLY!

Have a nice day!

I don’t shop a lot at malls. I instead like to wander them, alone. It’s a weird passion for me that I cannot fully or properly explain. It’s is the greatest therapy I could ever allow myself.

Last Saturday, I had no child in my possession, no shift at my job, and no set in stone plans. I got in my car and made the drive to the mall. The trek is short, ten minutes give or take. The contest between the cars to see who gets the free parking spots took much longer than that. Finally some tired shopper who was exiting the building pointed to his car as if to say, “Want my spot?” I then did something that slightly embarrasses me, I gave him a two thumbs up.

I was parked and i walked in. Immediately I smelled Cinnabon. For some reason every area of the mall either smells like lady’s perfume or the sticky carb filled treat. In those rare areas at the entrance of department stores where you can smell both at once, you might as well allow that broad grin to spread across your face, it’s better than Christmas morning.

Upon entering the main hallway, I walked past a kiosk where hair straighteners were being peddled. The man at the stand asked me to come over and he wanted to show me how my horrid frizzy humidity hair could be perfected with this state of the art straightener. There I was, in the middle of the mall, with a strange man fixing my hair. I told him immediately that I was not in the hunt for hair tools, and would not be buying one today. He kept on straightening and after a short protest I thought, “I am going to go out tonight, if I sit here and let this guy fix my hair, I won’t have to do it when I get home.” So I climbed up into the chair and took pictures of my new friend.

Now, this guy made me think of one thing.

That’s right, Adam Goldberg from Dazed and Confused. Though he did not speak of his hate for greasers.

After my do was done, I thanked the man and found the Magnet Store. When the mall opened, this store sold nothing but magnets clung to the metal walls. Now they sell this as well:

And this

Also This

Especially THIS

I also found a magnet.

(Note to Self: Buy a decent Camera already!)

After getting my hair attacked and watching World War 3 on the dirty floor, I wandered up a couple floors and saw the strangest thing I had ever seen in a mall.

You are probably more style savvy than I am, so the fact that this woman was sitting in front of everyone having her eyebrows shaped with a piece of dental floss isn’t a novelty for you. But I stood there for a moment, like an idiot…taking pictures.

I ended up buying not a thing, other than dinner alone in a near empty restaurant. Which happened to be raw fish. I did not know while ordering that the fish would be looking so similar to as it did when it was swimming around care free and not on a carnivore’s plate, but I ate it regardless.

I did find a jacket. I need it, have to buy it someday. I am not sure if I like it, but the mannequin sure sports it well. I will just have to go back.

I woke up and walked to the cafe’ to get my coffee. On the way I saw mini donuts. Of course, I bought some. My six year old spotted foot-long hot dogs. Breakfast was terrific and vitamin filled for us. On the way home the race had started. Here’s a banana I saw making a worthy effort.

I also saw a very old man on a Segway clearing a path in the runner’s crowd. He was too fast for a picture.

The last picture I will show you (which is only the second, yet still the last) is of a t-shirt I am considering buying for my mother.

That’s right. No need to tell people you are nice and from the land of 10,000 lakes. Let them read it for themselves.

It is illegal to stand around any building without a good reason to be there. I’m pretty sure this means Loitering

A person may not cross state lines with a duck atop his head. Of course