Black Friday…Santa Monica style…
Last night, I prepared like all the shoppers I was about to meet. Alarms (plural) set, coffee machine set to start on its own, warm clothes laid out (hey, its not Chicago but we are by the beach and it is chilly in the morning, or so I have heard), lists made.
This morning, alarms went off, other family members, including the dog were less impressed, grumbled and went back to sleep. I poured coffee, squinted in the mirror to see well enough to put on make-up. Once dressed, I checked the Black Friday Watch (BFW) website to see what everyone else had to say and then off I went.
Dutifully arriving at the designated stores that would be opening in an hour, I looked for a line. No line. I drove to the other two early opening stores on my list. No lines. Circuit City had a few employees inside chatting, Michael’s had nothing and Sears, well you can’t see in until they move the locking gates so I have nothing to report on that front.
I drove past the Pier, a pretty famous landmark in this part of the world, apparently they really do shut off all the lights once they close for the night. Back up to the Promenade where I startled some of the “residents” – homeless people – by snapping a few pictures of the holiday decorations. I didn’t stay long, not a great place to be alone in the dark.
Even the Starbucks aren’t open yet, good thing I brought a full travel mug from home. So, until the stores actually open and I actually see shoppers I will just sit here and drink my coffee. Hey!!!!! Who knew? The Krispy Kreme truck just drove by, wait, waaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiittttt, over here. Oh, well.
The rest of the world is in a holiday frenzy but here in Santa Monica it’s just me, the pigeons, some homeless people and a lone donut truck.