Grove City Outlet Mall

[illusionofjoy]

It was the fact that my old trenchcoat was torn beyond repair combined with the fact that I received my first full paycheque (two weeks salary) today which led myself, along with missjoi to journey about an hour north of Pittsburgh to Grove City's Outlet Mall. Contained within that sprawling mecca of commerce was a London Fog store. It was my mission to go to said store in order to procure myself a new garment.

The chilly weather that had been permitting me to wear my wool coat was waning and I didn't exactly relish the idea of going out in warmer temperatures without an outer garment. For me, a coat has two functions: it protects me from the rain/snow or sun and it serves as an "outside carrier." By outside carrier, I refer to the need for something with enough pockets to hold the items that are of little use to me indoors - i.e.: my mass transit pass, my cell phone, my sunglasses, et centra. The former won't get me where I'm going when I'm inside and the second needn't be carried on my person when I'm within a building. As for the latter, only one-hit wonders from the 80s wear their sunglasses at night or indoors, for that matter.

The actual shopping experience was not painful whatsoever, hence the shot you see to the left. As most of the items in the store were on sale, I managed to get the coat and the hat for about $92.00, a markdown of 60%. Couple that with salespeople who were actually pleasant in an environment fairly devoid of other shoppers and I found myself almost enjoying the experience of buying something.

I would surmise that the mall was so empty because of the rain and fog that have been abundant for most of today. The drives to and from Grove City were less than pleasant as the road was difficult to see in the dark through the fog and, in typical Pittsburgh fashion, the other drivers operated their vehicles with complete disregard for their safety, let alone anyone else's. Someday I'll collect all of my pet peeves about drivers in Western Pennsylvania and foist them upon an unsuspecting public.

As for now, I'm enjoying the fact that I have a really bitching new trenchcoat.