Gucci, Gucci, Louis, Louis, Fendi, Fendi, Prada...
I am currently without a legal car. Because of the mysterious workings of the DMV, the change of address that worked to update my driver's license did not update my car registration. Once we got that sorted out (culminating in a 2+ hour wait at the DMV to be told the opposite of the information communicated by phone) I am still screwed until Sacramento deigns to send my registration stickers. This is a live test of the "walkability" of our neighborhood.
Also, I have decided that Teo and I just don't get out enough. My current hope is that Teo and I can make deliberate plans to have two "adventures" a week to get us out of the house. Given the weather uncertainty and Teo's resistance to getting dressed, it's been a bit of a stretch to my ingenuity.
Today we walked down to the light rail stop and took the trolley to The Great Mall of Milpitas. Teo had never been there before, and I haven't been there in years. They've changed all the decor since the last time I was there, and *that* decor is looking a bit worse for wear, so you know it's been a while. But they've got some moderately useful stores, and a minimum of horrible vanity kiosks with scenty things, and food court options that I can actually eat. We spent a whole $14 at Daiso, I deposited checks into the appropriate atm and spent my birthday money (from several months ago, yes) on "Vimes' Handbag" (giving mad props to Vimes Boot Theory of Economic Injustice.)
I'm getting really, really tired of buying a purse that suits me: not too matronly, not too trendy, long enough strap to get over my elbow and onto my shoulder one-handed, large enough to carry my essentials (yes, a composition book and several pens is essential, as is a spare pair of training chopsticks for Teo, a japanese style small towel and emergency instant coffee ration, in addition to wallet/phone/keys) and then having it wear out within months. Seriously, the purse I carried today I LOVE, but I only bought it a few months ago, and the strap is coming apart and the stitching on the zipper is pulling out and the simulated naga-hide (from genuine mythical snake people!) is starting to rub off.
So, when we got to the Coach store, I dragged Teo in with me to look at expensive purses.
Reader, I bought one. It was on a clearance shelf, and they were handing out 30% off coupons, so it was less than my birthday money. But it was still more than I consider a "reasonable" price for a handbag.
And yet… and yet… logically speaking, even if it lasts only two years, it will have been cheaper, wear for wear, than any other purse I think I've ever owned. If this works out, I will be converted to the way of the expensive-but-durable purse, the way I have also decided that life is too short to wear cheap shoes.
Also, it smells good. Mmmm… leather.
Teo got some more Lego from the toy store there. He's started picking sets based on pieces it has that will fill a gap in his collection, even if he's not that interested in the advertised build.
All in all, it was a pretty useful adventure. But Teo's conclusion, related to his Papa over dinner was: "It was boring." He doesn't like malls, and even toys and ice cream aren't worth pulling him away from his important story building at home.
Maybe next week we'll try to visit a museum or something.
Also, I have decided that Teo and I just don't get out enough. My current hope is that Teo and I can make deliberate plans to have two "adventures" a week to get us out of the house. Given the weather uncertainty and Teo's resistance to getting dressed, it's been a bit of a stretch to my ingenuity.
Today we walked down to the light rail stop and took the trolley to The Great Mall of Milpitas. Teo had never been there before, and I haven't been there in years. They've changed all the decor since the last time I was there, and *that* decor is looking a bit worse for wear, so you know it's been a while. But they've got some moderately useful stores, and a minimum of horrible vanity kiosks with scenty things, and food court options that I can actually eat. We spent a whole $14 at Daiso, I deposited checks into the appropriate atm and spent my birthday money (from several months ago, yes) on "Vimes' Handbag" (giving mad props to Vimes Boot Theory of Economic Injustice.)
I'm getting really, really tired of buying a purse that suits me: not too matronly, not too trendy, long enough strap to get over my elbow and onto my shoulder one-handed, large enough to carry my essentials (yes, a composition book and several pens is essential, as is a spare pair of training chopsticks for Teo, a japanese style small towel and emergency instant coffee ration, in addition to wallet/phone/keys) and then having it wear out within months. Seriously, the purse I carried today I LOVE, but I only bought it a few months ago, and the strap is coming apart and the stitching on the zipper is pulling out and the simulated naga-hide (from genuine mythical snake people!) is starting to rub off.
So, when we got to the Coach store, I dragged Teo in with me to look at expensive purses.
Reader, I bought one. It was on a clearance shelf, and they were handing out 30% off coupons, so it was less than my birthday money. But it was still more than I consider a "reasonable" price for a handbag.
And yet… and yet… logically speaking, even if it lasts only two years, it will have been cheaper, wear for wear, than any other purse I think I've ever owned. If this works out, I will be converted to the way of the expensive-but-durable purse, the way I have also decided that life is too short to wear cheap shoes.
Also, it smells good. Mmmm… leather.
Teo got some more Lego from the toy store there. He's started picking sets based on pieces it has that will fill a gap in his collection, even if he's not that interested in the advertised build.
All in all, it was a pretty useful adventure. But Teo's conclusion, related to his Papa over dinner was: "It was boring." He doesn't like malls, and even toys and ice cream aren't worth pulling him away from his important story building at home.
Maybe next week we'll try to visit a museum or something.