Hazards of the Mall

I have spent more time in malls lately than I usually do doing some essential shopping with a close friend who is preparing for a wedding and I thought I would point out some mall oddities.

Malls should be a standard layout. The University Mall in Provo is HUGE and I had never been before. Instead of a standard T or H shape this mall is some kind of shape I don't even know what I would have to get an aerial view to figure it out. I was on my own for a while and got confused to where I was, partly because there was a Pretzelmaker at every turn. I only figured out where I was by looking at the employees.

Kiosks in the mall. Sigh. I don't mind the ones where the people sit at their little booths and wait for a patron to browse before they pounce and tell you about their product. However, there are the few that pray on the lone shopper. This time it was the exotic facial and hand lotion kiosk that got me. As I was walking past a woman stepped in front of me and started her spiel and I immediately told her no. As I started to walk past she tried to goad me into conversation by claiming that I wouldn't talk to her because of her accent. I didn't justify myself, knowing that she just wanted me to stop long enough to engage her in conversation. On the other side of the mall I ran into an identical kiosk run this time by attractive foreign men. This time I caved. This good looking stranger with an accent was a charmer! I let him do his pitch while he caressed my hands and promoted the benefits of what essentially is exotic sugar. Then of course I felt guilty and told him I had no money, I also promised to walk back this way before his shift is over and maybe bring some money. Did I go back? Of course not, in fact my final destination would have taken me past him again so instead I left the mall and walked all the way on the outside of this monstrosity to my destination simply to avoid him. Sad right?

I have an inherently guilty conscience whether it is deserved or not. I was helping a friend shop for wedding bands for her betrothed and of course we visited more than one jewelry store. At the mall we went to there are 5 jewelers all within view of each other. We traversed from place to place where each pampered us with free water, jewelry cleaning and various promises of the best value. My problem came when we would go from one to another within full view of the salespeople who were just vying for our business. My guilt came from visiting the competitor and knowing that the other salespeople could see me doing it. Luckily my friend is not so guilt ridden, and merely dragged me behind her with a roll of the eyes.

Letter to the Principal

Dear Mr. C,

Welcome to our school. I hope you enjoy it here. Can you make it so that we get seconds at lunch?


Your friend,

Andrew

P.S. I like food.

New Music Discoveries

I have been on a girl music kick and found some new music artists that I have become a fan of because of my new roommate. Check them out!

Barlowgirl
Charlotte Martin
Emiliana Torrini
Britt Nicole
Natalie Grant
Kari Jobe
Laura Marling
Jaymay
Anuhea
Kate Earl
Hope Partlow

and Regina Spektor's new album!