Mmm...nutmeg...

Greetings from the Nutmeg State! Despite wind and weather in Chicago yesterday, I was able to sneak on an earlier flight out here to Connecticut and arrive at a reasonable hour*. Of course, then I had the day to hang out in far suburban Hartford. In fact, my hotel is across the parking lot from the mall. I did check it out yesterday, but it contained pretty much the exact same stores as every other mall in America. A&F, Forever 21, Zales (and Kays) Jewelers, Orange Julius, Build-a-Bear**, Macy's, Godiva Chocolates, etc. I really don't believe I saw any store here that looked unique or interesting. Not even an all-nutmeg store - where's the state pride, Connecticuters***?

Walking past the Sbarro, in fact, I realized that I had never seen a Sbarro anywhere *but* a mall. Or a food court of some sort (tollway oasis, airport, etc). Anyone? Did I miss something? Is the whole point that they don't exist as standalone restaurants?

Also, because I arrived early, my rental car got upgraded to a bright yellow Mustang. But I still don't really like these cars. They drive like a car twice their size and you can't see out the back windows. Plus, it has Sirius radio which makes it much harder than usual to listen to NPR. Blech.

* My original flight landed after midnight. Yerg...
** Granted, it wasn't as chic as the Build-a-Bear next to Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen...
*** Connecticans? Connecticaners? Connunists?