the fine art of dining alone.

I've written about Christmas shopping in the past. When the story about the plot to blow up the Rockford mall broke last week, part of my heart was sad that someone could feel that harming others and causing damage to a building could prove a point.

And then I attempted Christmas shopping myself.

"A panic attack is a period of intense, often temporarily disabling sense of extreme fear or psychological distress, typically of abrupt onset. Though it is often a purely terrifying feeling to the sufferer, panic attacks are actually an evolutionary body response often known as the fight-or-flight response. Symptoms may include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain (or chest tightness), sweating, nausea, dizziness (or slight vertigo), hyperventilation, paresthesias (tingling sensations), vomiting, and sensations of choking or smothering. During a panic attack, the body typically releases large amounts of adrenaline into the bloodstream. Many first time sufferers of a panic attack believe they are dying or going insane. It is a feeling that cannot be described until one has had an attack. Many often say panic attacks are one of the most frightening experiences in their lives. People who suffer from phobias may experience panic attacks upon exposure to certain triggers."

This is what I experience at the mall at Christmas time. All my shopping has been done online this year for this very reason.

In what could be the worst non-sequiter ever....

I'm in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Everyone here is very, extremely nice. Even the homeless man asked me how I was doing (good) and if I was from around here (no). I would drown in a sea of niceness here. A stranger invited me into his company's Christmas party that was happening in one of the conference rooms of my hotel. Tonight, I was invited to a hockey game. The hockey's mascot gave me a high five. Everyone in Oklahoma is nice!

There are TWO western wear stores outside my hotel window. TWO. You're all getting belt buckles, money clips, cowboy boots, hats, and assless chaps for Christmas.

I've drank Shinerbock and eaten at the Whattaburger across the way from my hotel. A little boy asked me if I was drinking Dr. Pepper. No! But Shinerbock tastes just as good, little boy!

Jen's Guide to Eating Alone:
+Bring a book or a newspaper to read, or a journal to write in.
+Avoid places like Chuck E. Cheese and Cracker Barrel (well, avoid Cracker Barrel regardless).
+Try to get a good vantage point for people watching.
+Be aware of your location. Are you in the middle of the country? Ask yourself where that fish came from to get to your plate.

In conclusion, Oklahoma is okay!

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As a kid, I remember reading a book in the waiting room of the dentist's office about this little boy, Thomas. It was about how when he was little, everyone called him Tommy. Then he grew up a little and everybody called him Tom. Then he was an adult and everyone called him Thomas. Should I let people start calling me Jennifer?

Ha. Right. Like that would ever happen.

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I feel uninspired and lacking in creativity lately. (Too busy.) What inspires you? What websites or blogs do you visit that fuel your creativity, that make you feel inspired?