Hollister

As some of you may know, a year or so ago I accidentally wandered into Hollister at the one and only mall in town. I don't know what I was thinking and I can't imagine the look I had on my face when I walked in, but I made an about face before my eyes even had a chance to adjust to the cave like interior. I realized immediately that I didn't belong there and I had to get out.

Well, I've wondered about that place ever since and when I went to the mall today to pick up a Webkinz for my daughter's birthday, I purposed in my heart to give it another try and see what all the commotion was about...and I heard a rumor that they have their own line of fragrance pumped into the mall's air conditioning system so people will be drawn to their store. Hmmm. Sounds very mysterious.

This time, I walked in like I owned the place. I didn't want to look like a mom. I made a sharp turn to the right, right after the living room set up and didn't notice until later that I actually entered the correct side, the "Betty" side. Score one for the mom! It was still very dark. I think it would be helpful to hand out headlamps at the entrance. Wouldn't that be so cool? I mean, rad. Excuse me, sweeeet. That's it, sweet.

Also, the music was turned up way too loud for me to do the kind of concentrating I need to do to shop for clothes. I do my best shopping with big fluorescent lights and a touch of Barry Manilow in the background. Go ahead, call me old. And I'm pretty sure the song that was playing when I walked in was talking about sex. Not that they didn't have songs like that when I was young. I just don't appreciate them like I did back then.

As soon as I got in to the main part of the cave, I mean store, this perky little sales girl said in a high pitched squeal, "Hi! How you doin?" With a "deer in the headlights" look, I said, "Fine. I don't need anything. I'm just looking."

I walked briskly past her and entered the part of the store where the fragrances and cash registers are and apparently where everyone just hangs out. I mean it. There were young kids everywhere just standing around talking. Just when I decided I was going to try to make it to the back wall of the store, touch it, and then run out, I saw the teenage son of a friend of mine. "Hi Nick!" I said nervously as I gave him a side hug. He said, "Hey." and then I felt the need to say, "I'm just looking around." He gave me an "Okay." And not just any "okay," it was the kind of "okay" you say when what you really meant was, "I don't remember asking, but, okay."

After that I decided I couldn't take it anymore. I took a quick peek into the back part of the store, felt a bunch of teen aged eyes boring into me for trespassing on their sacred ground, circled a rack of polo shirts and headed for the exit. Whoa, that was pretty rough.

I have to admit, though, that place smelled fantastic!