I did not head to the malls at 6AM like everyone else in the house. I was only convinced that I was missing a sketch opportunity late in the day by Margaret Nolan via facebook. I had already drawn The Miami Herald presses so I should have been satisfied. But when Terry and Elaine said they were going back for a second round of shopping, I decided to go. I thought I would be battling huge crowds but the mall was relatively quiet. The sound system piped in constant Christmas music like,”It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. I swear that song is haunting me.
When I started to sketch the sun had already started to set. Christmas lights started to light up on palm trees and on topiaries. Some shoppers looked exhausted while teens patrolled chatting on iPhones. Santa had set up shop in an outdoor booth behind me, but I wasn’t in a mood to face him just yet. Besides he looked nothing like the Macy’s Parade Santa so he must have been an impostor. A mall security guard came over and looked over my shoulder. My stomach muscles tensed. He said “Wow did you do that just now?” Part of me wanted to be a smart-ass, but I just replied “Yes, thanks.”
Outlet Mall
This weekend two friends of Terrys, Elayne and Bob, are staying over so they can go to an antique show – flea market called Renningers in Mount Dora, Florida. Bob and Elayne have been going to this event since, well since before they can remember. Bob flew in from Washington DC and Elayne drove up from Miami. Renningers is a huge event with hundreds of vendors and more stuff than you can shake a stick at. I am a bit disappointed that I can’t go this year since I have to work at Full Sail this afternoon. I had dreams of finding an antique fountain pen with a soft nib that would change the way I drew forever. Oh well, maybe next year.
Once everyone arrived we went out for a quick bite of lunch and then drove straight to the Outlet Mall at the headwaters of International Drive. I avoid the malls like the plague, but decided to go this once to shop for a sketching location. Terry gave me an escape route by letting me drive her car home when I finished the sketch.