Yesterday Lisa and I actualized our plans to visit the tracks at Suffolk Downs. Despite my hopes to break the bank on a well-bet quinella or trifecta, we miscalculated — live races are only Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Being a Thursday, and dressed in a semi-coordinated sherbert pallette, we looked slightly out of place. This was made apparent when the man behind the information desk, but not our attendant, told us to “Wait. Age and descent?” We were slightly confused. Lisa double-took before she said, “Yes.” To whic the man said, “Chinese? I knew it. My wife is Philipino.” Lisa remarked later that she was probably purchased.

Since we were on the North Shore and without cause. We did what any normal American teenagers would do, we went to the nearest mall. Enter SquareOne Mall, Saugus. First stop, Filene’s. There was a fantastic sale on Oxfords and ties, but one shouldn’t be too hasty to buy. We meandered slowlly, denying helpful clerks thrice, before leaving for Lindt. The featured flavor this month is dark chocolate pear. The chocolatier behind the counter warned us before allowing us to buy a $2.50 bar that it was intense, suggesting that we sample a small bit first. Indeed it was intense, but we decided to have a go anyway.

The Disney store was also holding a sale; beach towels for as little as 30% off $5.99; characters in plush at 20% off. We stopped by to pose with a cub from Brother Bear before moving to Filene’s Basement. Lisa was immediately drawn to bed linens. She called me from the sports coats periodically to have me feel the thread count. We combed the Oxfords together. We narrowed them down to one cornflower with thin vertical white striped Polo and a what she called a butter cream but what I think is more of a muted dandelion shirt by Calvin Klein. In the end, cornflower won out.

Tutorial let out early last night. Michelle and Mary and I went to Big City to hear their friend’s band play. Mary and I played Endless Ocean, even though Mary didn’t really want to. We dropped the band off in Boston. I told Mary to take a left from Bolyston onto Mass Ave. Unfortunately there is a no-left-turn sign. To remind us, a police officer pulled us over. Fortunately, however, he was very nice if terse. We got off on a warning. Mary lives on Mass Ave herself, so we didn’t have to turn the entire ride home. We did, of course, to reduce the trauma and start the healing process.