shannon_a

After lunch today, Kimberly and I went out to the Northface Outlet in North Berkeley. My goal was to get a high-quality windbreaker to replace my worn one from three years ago. I wasn't totally successful, as I couldn't find a regular-weather breathable lightweight windbreaker. However I did get a breathable, waterproof, lightweight windbreaker.

It might not be as comfortable in summer, as they can't make waterproof fabric as breathable as non-waterproof fabric. However, I might be a LOT happier with it in rainy weather. (The whole purpose of this is for biking, of course, because the wind really cuts through you when you're biking at a good clip, but at the same time you don't want to get overheated under your outer layer.)

Speaking of waterproof, we also tried out my waterproof new panniers, as we wanted to go grocery shopping at Target after the Northface stop, and our regular backpacks and panniers wouldn't have offered up enough room for purchases from both locations. In short: they're awesome. Super high quality, easy to put on the bikes, and complete with spring latches to keep them from popping off when riding. I think they should keep stuff totally waterproof, as promised (as long as they're closed right & they close really sturdily), which combined with my new windbreaker might make me willing to ride to gaming in somewhat-wet weather. 

At Target I also got some new pants (which together with the windbreaker came out of my Christmas money from my dad & Mary), and then we did some grocery shopping. Which was nice, as we haven't gone shopping at Target in many months, since Kimberly injured her arms.

Mind you, every where was pretty crowded today. The Northface Outlet was so crazy that they were rationing entry to the store. I asked about the wait length as I got in line, and was pleased that the people at the front said, "10 minutes". The woman behind me in line started wondering how long she was going to have to wait, and I chirpily told her, "10 minutes" and she seemed totally aghast. Which I found pretty weird.

In any case, though good things were had at the shopping, it was pretty exhausting. We got home, went out got some Subway sandwiches, watched some TV over dinner (currently watching: Friday Night Lights season one and The Amazing Race 3), then Kimberly and I both collapsed for a while. I'm still pretty worn out, and slightly worried about getting sick as I was very sniffily in the morning (but am somewhat better now).

I think I will mostly kick back for the next couple of days, before meeting with the sister on Thursday (hopefully). I've already started that out with some reading and some playing of Dragon Age: Origins, which Donald lent me. (Thus far: seems OK. I've never been sold on the real-time RPG, but this one's ability to pause has left me willing to try it out while I see if the story draws me in.)