Target Athletic Shoes - Where Men are Men and Women are Too!

My wife and I recently went to target so that she could get a pair of shoes.  She thought she might be able to find a pair of slip on sneakers for the summer.  Unfortunately, there weren't ANY shoes in that style that looked feminine.  Apparently, black and battleship gray is all the rage for women to wear this this summer.   I might think this A-6 Intruder is mighty pretty.  But, I would because I am a MAN.  My wife is not so enamored of the palette.  Apparently, it communicates dreary February rather than Spring to most American women.

My wife would like to wear clothing that is colorful and most definitely feminine for Spring.  Rather than worrying about who is eligible to use their restrooms, Target might want to read up on women's issues.  Things like menopause and the like.  No need to tell me about it because--like I said--I'm a dude.  But, seriously, it would be nice for my wife to have some more definitively feminine choices when it comes to athletic shoes for women.  You could also have flowers on the sides of the shoes or something.


Psst...Target, one more thing, apparently your shoes were 20% off for Memorial Day weekend.  But, your brick-and-mortar store lacked any signage in the shoe department to that effect.

What's not for sale at Target and Walmart

One of the most infuriating aspects of shopping at the big box giants like Target and Walmart is what isn't offered for sale.  Every once in awhile, you'll need something specific for a specific task or a little niche project and you'll head off to a big box thinking you can find it.  Good luck with that!

The big box stores use computer-based planning systems to make sure that every square inch of their shelf space is selling something profitable.  Seldom needed items make way for the often needed items.  Unfortunately, that seldom needed item is often the "project completer" needed to make best use of the often needed items.

I first noticed this a couple of years ago when we were trying to reconfigure some lamps for a new apartment.  We had some lamps that were thrift store finds.  We had some lamps from Target and we had some lamps from Walmart.  For some reason, we needed to find a lamp harp because we had bought a new differently sized lampshade.  But, Target didn't sell them.  They sold lamp shades galore, but not a single lamp harp.


A few nights ago, we went to Target and wanted to get some petroleum jelly.  Apparently, the powers that be have decided that petroleum jelly would not be in any of the personal care or makeup sections of the store.  We don't know why.  I suspect it has gone out of fashion since it contains petrolatum.  But, when you need it and can't find it, it really is frustrating.


So, next time, you are rambling through a big box store, take note of what you don't see.

Walmart: Clean Your Bathrooms

Lately, we've been quite happy with the selection of merchandise in our nearest good zip code Walmart.  The stores have been clean, the products have been fronted properly, and the displays look great.  But, there is one little problem.  In my experience, Walmart bathrooms are often an abomination before the lord and a  scar on the face of humanity.

On a recent visit to a Walmart well outside of Atlanta in an affluent low crime suburb, I came across this horror!  The worst thing about this bathroom in not the stall pictured below.  No, the stall right next door was worse.  It had large gobs of fecal matter on the toilet seat.

This bathroom was disgusting and just not right.  If you have to go while shopping in north Georgia, you might as well go find a portable bathroom at a State Fair!  Oh, and you northern suburb people, you know who your are, we know how you poop and you people just aren't right!

How to Sit in a Big Box Parking Lot

Right now, I'm sitting in a Target parking lot.  I've positioned our car in a space so that I'm facing the front door.  I'm in a well-lit area and I can see all around our vehicle.  When my wife emerges from the store, all I have to do is crank it and punch it.  I'll roll up and the passenger door will be right in front of her.

I'm minimizing her chance to encounter a purse snatcher.  Our dog is in the back seat with a deep bark and sharp pointy teeth to minimize our interactions with car burglars, carjackers.  It's the least I can do for the holidays.

Choosing A Favorite Big Box Location

We frequent lots of big box stores.  Not so much for a pleasant shopping experience but because we need stuff.  Over the years, we've developed a few criteria for choosing a big box retailer to frequent.

1. Good prices.
2. Good selection.
3. Well lit parking lot.
5. Safe neighborhood/clientele.
6. Clean bathrooms.
7. Clean and tidy retail space.
8. Available price scanners.
9. Friendly staff.
10.  Quick check out lanes.

It's not a long list, but these things are important.

The Dangerous People of Walmart

Just when I was warming back up to Walmart, my wife has a bad experience in a Walmart store.  Around 9:30 at night, someone came around a blind corner in a Walmart, ran into her cart, and then threatened to start a physical altercation.  This was in the nicest, cleanest, Walmart we could find in the far flung suburbs of our city.  Of course, the incident is not a reflection on Walmart as a company.  It simply reflects the content of the characters you may find in a Walmart near an urban area.

On the lighter side, you see all types of folks at The People of Walmart website.

Walmart - Low Price Paper

When Walmart isn't busy, it can be a great place to shop.

This weekend I popped in for an American-made toilet plunger that cost less than $5.

Last night, I was able toslip in and pick up a ream of paper for only $3.47.

Quick and cheap--that's cool by me.