Magickal Realism

My original plan for my artist’s date was to walk through the former Camp Snoopy - now Nickelodean world - in an altered state. Having gone through there on an overcast day a few years ago while running an errand for the job all my friends do not name but refer to as “when Di hit rock bottom” I had the trippy experience of having fallen down a rabbit hole. Besides, I had been injured on that roller coaster as well.

So, despite my dislike of the Mall of America I drove out there, and approached the edge of Camp Snoopy, where you can go left or right. The little voice spoke up. Remember what you told Joel?¹ I picked the one that matched my own energy the closest.

Eat first, the voice urged. I was hungry. I usually do these pseudo-shamanic workings as low on calories as my body will allow.  I wandered towards the food stand and it was practically unstaffed; I also found it curious that they dropped Pepsico for catering to true little kid food - tacos, mac and cheese, pb&j.

Well, this is about feeding my inner child, I thought. The kiddie food booth has a shortcut stairwell to the third floor.

Go upstairs. Eat in the food court up there.

I was informed no Long John Silver’s this visit. The tacos looked tempting. Maybe at that slightly overpriced taco chain that wasn’t Chipotle.²

No, NOT Long John Silver’s

I veered towards the other side of that half of the food court and got pointed to the Japanese food booth I always think guiltily I should have eaten at. I tried to balk.

But - my inner child!

Tell your inner child she gets to have a meal like a big girl.

My inner child was excited by the prospect of “biggie girl food.” Well damn.

I got something nutritious and vegetable heavy, and it turns out I’d been craving it. I turned to sit down and moved - I was skeeved out by how dirty the tables were.

At last I came to rest on a four seater. I realized a few bites into my food there were two blue pieces of paper on the table, giving a $4 discount off tickets to Water World. $4 brought a visit into my price range.

There’s your date today, said the voice. Now go have a good time.

1. I’ve been teaching Joel how to energy read objects without making it a big production. [↩]
2. I hate Chipotle. Yes, I am a heretic. AND a Pagan.)

   I climbed the stairs to the third floor east food court. ((There are two food courts on the third floor; it is possible to shop at the mall for years and not know they’re both there. [↩]