Too Peopley Outside

Deciding to walk the indoor mall today, rather than the campus, was both a good and bad idea.

Good, because there were interesting sights to see.

Bad, because the mall was too peopley.

It appears the sightseers that pre-pandemic populated the outlet mall — sightseers usually coming from out-of-town or out-of-the-country, are back.

So peopley that there were lines and limits as to how many people could get into the ever-popular Rainforest Cafe.

The alligator out front continues to fascinate.

There were long lines and limited entrance also to the Disney Store, the Torey Burch handbag outlet, et al.

Long lines at the Disney Store, I can understand — kids, toys, costumes.

Long lines at Torey Burch, I don’t get because, from what I see in the window, everything is old fashioned, ugly, and overpriced.

Oh well, to each his/her own.

Though I felt relatively safe, being as how I’m vaccinated and wearing a mask, I nevertheless tried my best to keep my distance and only managed a mile and a half of walking, because working my way around folks was slow going — not to mention I was distracted by things to see.

Like this cardboard guy, that if I had room I’d have surely taken him home.

I paused the walk to watch Barbie pop some wheelies.

Then there was a new take on the old Claw machine that drew a crowd of onlookers — you know, the old arcade claw machine that kids operate with a joy stick to capture one of the stuffed animals piled up inside the plexiglass.

The new take is that the plexiglass is dispensed with and the child becomes the claw.

If I were to describe today’s outing as too peopley and a circus, that would be true both figuratively and literally because, outside on the parking lot, was an actual circus — animal free.

Since I was in the area, with my recertification coming up, middle of the month, I jotted down the name of a few apartment buildings I passed, to research price and reviews on management, just in case this time comes up worst case scenario, in that I’m deemed over-income and will have 30 days thereafter to move.

I’d like to stay within driving distance of the Pain Cave, so I can continue working out.

To that end I’ve also been researching the five “luxury” nearby apartment buildings. All are in the price range of making me house poor, four of the five are an absolute NO, because of the reviews — not only terrible office staff, but terrible maintenance and safety issues, both property and person. The one remaining isn’t ideal, but a possibility.

I’d really hate to leave the area but, if push comes to shove, I’ll go where the tide takes me.

At any rate, though this place isn’t perfect — management sucks, but that seems to be the norm ... even in high priced luxury buildings. At least here, the rent is cheap. So, I’m hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.