the foundry was cool, and different from many thrift stores in that they do some training to ex-addicts and the like on site, so they make their own furniture and repair computers at the building. i almost bought some books (i got mad when i saw one book i just recently bought new in paperback) and me and my mom almost went in on a refurb computer (she needs a cpu and i am looking for another monitor) but i escaped without buying anything. at the bessemer thrift store i picked up copies of 'high fidelity' by nick hornby, 'the martian chronicles' by ray bradbury, 'the last don' by mario puzo, and a raymond carver short story collection.

after that, i decided that since i was in the area i would visit watermark place, the outlet mall in bessemer. i got a few shirts from banana republic and some shorts and a t-shirt from gap. i went into rue21's outlet store, but they seem to not want to cater to fat people. even their larger sizes are smaller than comperable sizes from other stores. i have a xl rue21 hoodie i wear all the time that fits me like an old navy medium. i suppose it is a smart strategy in some respects (why take the chance that unattractive people might be seen wearing their clothes?) but i think they are missing out on a great segment of the buying public.

on a mildly humorous closing note, as i was leaving i saw that there was a tommy hilfiger outlet store at the mall. i whipped out my cell and called my sister, the official fashion consultant to jay-world. i asked her if i would like the clothes at tommy hilfiger or not.

'ehhhh...uhhh...um...nah, not really. they're a little too 'ghetto-fabulous' for you.' was her reply. i took one look inside, agreed with her and left.