Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

My back was well enough today for me to go out. I pointlessly went out, and for some reason I decided to check out some mall action at Garden State Plaza. I walked in and walked around a bit but then I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Consumerism. Year round Christmas consumerism. I was amazed by the meaninglessness of it all. Everyone seemed so empty and shallow. Probably by virtue of being in a mall. Has it always been like this? I grew up on this. It must have been different fifteen years ago. It must have.