The Target Spot = The Circle of Life
(another Whitney-centric post from my archives, dated 12-31-2004. My prayerful condolences to all those grieving her tragic death.)
We returned to Target today. Not the same one where we had our brush with Bobby & Whitney, but a Super Target just up the road a few miles. I’m not certain, but I think the difference between a regular Target and a Super Target is that a Super Target offers special orange flavoring on their shopping carts, although I wouldn’t necessarily recommend licking the handlebar any time soon.
Shortly before our Super Target excursion, we had the TV Radio Station on and Bobby’s Every Little Step I Take played, giving us cause to celebrate by remembrance that Bobby was indeed no One Hit Wonder, and to regale our children with the, “Do you remember who we saw last week?” story, as though they had any social bearing whatsoever that would have given the experience significance.
The reason for Operation Spot Spend was so we could allow the children to redistribute the wealth that was their Christmas money sent by Kelli’s folks. They proved adept at making wise, fun selections. I think they all possess my mother’s genetic proclivity for shopping, which I think lay dormant in me. Cotter has fully committed to the Bionicle way of life, Kelsi decided to invest in some dress-up options (a pink flapper dress and an equally pink boa), while my oldest child Kaylyn warmed/broke my heart with the mature gift decisions of a music CD and jewelry. The days of Barbie have seemingly passed like the doll’s own affection for Ken.
On the way to the check-out, I indulged my inner adolescent and purchased the little “80s video game in a box” that plugs directly into the TV and allows instant access to Galaga, Ms. Pac Man, Pole Position, Mappy, and one other one that I thought was lame back in 1985 and still think it is today. We plugged it in when we got home and I got to enjoy it for approximately 8.4 seconds before the children commandeered it and promptly established high scores that I’ll never approach no matter how long I try.
To offset my own indulgence, I also purchased for my bride the soundtrack to 13 going on 30. With great hits like Jessie’s Girl (is there a better song capturing 8th-grade girlfriend jealousy?) Crazy for You (which, no doubt, Jessie dedicated to his girl at the Spring Dance), and Head over Heels (which causes me to wonder if Belinda Carlisle ever heard the stuttering exclamation, “Go, Go Go’s, Go!”), this disc makes you want to squeeze into the Parachute pants or slip up the leg warmers one more time.
Or maybe it’s just me.
The best moment came though, as we skipped through the aforementioned CD and discovered the most important song of all time.
That’s right….
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
by Whitney.
This all goes to show you that when it comes to Target, eventually all things merge in to one.
And a Houston runs through it.
