I happen to be out on Friday evening. This was a quirk all by itself. But that was just the beginning of my Odyssey. Evidently the Christmas season has started and a few thousand people decided to check out the mall last night.

Some folks may have a little trouble understanding the wonder with which I observe the happenings of the season. You see usually, I get my shopping done online or I get my wife to do it. Obviously, I take my kids out sometime near the Christmas holiday and we shop for Mommy’s presents, but this is well into December and I expect that it will be a long and arduous process. This is the one outing that I am willing to put up with that. Luckily birthday shopping is not during a season that brings folks out of the woodwork.

I will admit that I have seen this phenomenon before. Back when I was young, I might have been seen on multiple occasions out shopping. I would see little kids crying about being tired and hot. I would see mothers, daughters and sisters comparing deals. I would hear the tinkling of bells and the sounds of Christmas songs. What I saw last night was barely related.

First of all, this is clearly outside the official mob season. The way the world is supposed to work is that the day after Thanksgiving, a bunch of crazy people all meet up at 5:00Cm at their local commercial establishments and fight over material possessions that no one wants. For approximately one month, crazy people continue to flock to these stores. A few days after Christmas sanity breaks through and people begin to return things that they don’t need. In the mean time, every one in America gains 10 pounds (which they may use as a resolution one week later).

What I saw last night was weird. I fought for a parking spot 3 blocks away and started my hike to the store I was ordered to go to. As I emerged from the parking area I heard the clip-clop of hooves. A horse was pulling an open carriage with a couple taking a ride. I thought this was quaint and went about my business. As I progressed through the streets, I saw 2 more carriages. This actually put a smile on my face. I thought that was just a part of history, but it turns out, a little bit of the quiet life still continues ($10 a piece or $15 per couple).

Then I got into the store. There were people of all ages walking around and smiling. I was at one particular retailer and got quite a surprise. A young gentleman was interested in purchasing a video game. The merchant behind the counter, instead of just mindlessly bagging merchandise, decided to interact with the public. The merchant examined the prospective game and saw that it is required that a person be over 17 to purchase. He actually asked the kid for an ID. When the kid sheepishly said no, the merchant kept the game and told the kid he wouldn’t sell the game.

Here is another oddity. I went into a techie store and saw as many women as men. In fact, I saw entire gangs of estrogen roaming the store testing out the gadgets and pondering purchases. This is a bit awkward question to ask, but does this mean that there are attractive women geeks who are now socially acceptable? Does this mean that we man geeks are now safe to show up at the dance clubs? I think I fear change.

The evening was not all shock and awe. In fact I noticed one change that I found quite pleasant. There was more cleavage than I remember, and rightfully so.