Shopping Shock.

    I finally found a way to take a vacation.  I haven't been on a vacation, without horses, or racecars since 2008.  While on vacation.  I decided to go by the local outlet mall and buy some clothes.  I needed some new jeans, and I wanted to get some new sweats and khaki shorts.  Please keep in mind, I don't shop.  I buzz into a store, buy the same old thing I always wear and hurry back out.  Imagine my shock when two pair of jeans cost me $79. and on sale.  And I had to look for a pair that didn't look like they had been worn out and donated to the good will.  Keep in mind I last bought jeans in 2008 when I was hauling for a driving title, and had enough pairs to only have to do laundry once in six weeks.  I also have the largest selection of long sleeve button down Polo shirts on earth.  I'm sorry jeans are supposed to be dark blue when you buy them.  NOT half worn out, faded with holes and wear marks and cost $64.00 each.  I"m sorry wore out jeans look like shit.  They look like you shop at the goodwill.  I don't care what the style is.  Style is marketing gone crazy!!!  It has nothing to do with common sense. 

     Ok now, the best part of the vacation was getting to spend it in Palm Springs with my other half.  We haven't had any vacation time since christmas 2008.  Palm Springs is a GREAT place to  spend a few days. I read an article a few weeks ago in Phoenix magazine that said Service and food in the valley ranked 34 out of 40 for quality in U.S resort cities.  I've thought that for a while, but after spending a few days in Palm Springs I can guarantee that it's probably the truth.  We had GREAT service, and GREAT food everywhere we went.  Meals with large portions, and good value from the local Bills Pizza place on the corner, to TRIO, an upscale downtown restaurant.  Shields date farm and the Rock Garden cafe were mid range places with awesome food. and the best service.  As you can see I was really impressed.  I guess we have lived here long enough that I've gotten used to the service at the places we eat, and we eat at some really nice places.  We had Christmas dinner at Shula's steakhouse, and the service and food there would have been at the bottom of the list in Palm Springs. 

     I would advise visitors to the valley to stay at the resorts and venture out to the locally owned restaurants for the good food and service.  We have some good ones here in the valley, and I'm afraid most of the resorts are just average.  They have such a captive audience, that they don't work very hard to impress anyone.  Of course the resorts want to blame it on our political climate, but with a ranking of 34 out of 40 I think they better guess again. 

Happy New Year everyone!!!