costume shopping

I spent a decent amount of my Saturday in the various department stores of St. Clair Square in beautiful and completely covered in ice Fairview Heights, IL. I was shopping for a suit, not because I need a suit, but because I read fashion magazine and they've taken over my brain. And because it's always good to have a suit.

I was looking for a navy suit, in a fit similar to a coat I purchased at Circle City Mall's H&M store earlier this year. I had done my required reading (an article from GQ on how to buy a suit), I knew the fit I was after, I had my color chosen... simple enough, right?

No, not really. Three stores later (Macy's, Dillards, Men's Warehouse) I was still without a suit.

My thinking is that the suit has to be the most wonderful looking piece of clothing I've ever owned, or there's a real good chance I'll never wear it. And then why would I bother spending the money (which happens to belong to my mother, actually. It's a Christmas gift)?

Anyway, I'll be in Greenwood this evening, trying on suits.

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When it gets cold I suddenly feel the need to listen to Sufjan Stevens.

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I've been thinking of various ways to improve myself, and here are some things I've considered:

This may look like a resolutions list, but it isn't, because resolution are meant to be kept. I'm just sort of daydreaming.

1) Never be mean. This one is going to take some work.

2) Take some classes at IUPUI. I can't speak any foreign languages, so that would be a good place to start. Single classes are surprisingly affordable. After I've mastered Spanish (In just 3 simple to complete classes!) I'm considering photography courses. I like photos. I just don't have a functioning camera currently.

3) Take up rock climbing. According to my good friend Dave, this is the most difficult thing ever. I'm 20 pounds overweight, sounds perfect. This is probably on hold for a while, I'm currently getting fleeced by the ongoing costs of my soccer league. No one's fault except the 10 people who said they wanted to play and then decided not to pay or show up.

4) Take a cooking class or ten. While this won't help my rock climbing, food is something I really enjoy and I think I'm fairly ok with. But wouldn't it be better to be spectacular? Anyone know anything about some locally available cooking classes? Suggestions?

5) Bike commute to work more often. Which conflicts with...

6) Stop spending so much money on bicycles.

7) Just get out more. I'm in a position where I can afford to not sit around the house, so why don't I take advantage of it? I can complain that the city is boring forever, but if I never actually do anything, then it's probably me that's boring.

YES. SO.

8) Stop writing about myself.