with the mall play areas? I've always hated them -- too many big kids running around, oblivious parents chatting on the cell phone, the germs - oh the germs... But today my frustration reached a new level. Usually I am an eagle eye watching everything that goes on, but today I missed the big one. As I'm sitting there watching Katherine run and play, the mom sitting next to me leans over and says, "check this out". She's pointing over to the other side of the play area. There is this young guy sitting there taking pictures. Not to stereotype (but this is my blog and you're reading -- lol) but he looks like a pretty shady character. He's a breath away from being goth. And -- he's got a big dog camera -- I couldn't tell what kind it was from where I was sitting, but it had an attached lens, so he could have taken a close up picture of anyone from where he was sitting. I watched him for a couple of minutes and figured out that he wasn't taking pictures of one or two particular kids. He was just taking pictures of ANY kid.... My heart nearly skipped a beat! Freaky!!
I told her that I'd go and have security check it out. Of course, the guy sitting next to me thought I was over-reacting, and didn't think it was a big deal, but COME ON, why in the world would some guy in his early 20's -- without kids -- go to a public play area and take random pictures of kids. It just made my skin crawl. Call me overprotective, but that's just not cool!
The security guard comes in and starts talking to the guy and his "significant other" who was also a goth wannabe. This chit-chat goes on for about 5 minutes and the security guard leaves and goes to stand by the entrance. I just assumed his story checked out and they weren't going to do anything about it, so I told Katherine she had to stay close to me. A few minutes later an undercover officer walks in, flashes his badge, and questions goth boy. He's taking notes and then makes a phone call... Not sure what happened,or who he called, but goth boy can't leave, and the officer stays in the play area carefully watching him. All of a sudden a uniformed officer comes in, confiscates the camera and leads goth boy out in handcuffs. My eyes had to be bugging out of my head!
On my out of the play area, I make a point of running into the undercover officer, so that I can ask him what in the world happened. He assured me that there were no pictures of Katherine on the camera (thank God), but that a lot of pics were taken today. He also confirmed that the camera was confiscated and it wouldn't be returned to goth boy anytime soon. Right before I walked out, he looked at me and said, "I don't blame you one bit. You have every right to be concerned. I'm not even a parent, and I'd want him to eat that camera".
I can't help but to wonder -- since it's not illegal to take pictures of people in public places -- what in the world did they find on that camera??? I probably don't want to know.
In other random news --
Today's the day!! I'm getting my loaner car, and I can't wait to have wheels again. WOOOOOO-HOOOOO! I'd be waaaaay more excited about it if we didn't have to put a new transmission in the car. YIIIIIKEEES!
Last night we had Matt's "Winter Celebration" (aka Christmas party) downtown. We had so much fun. It was good to hang out with all of Matt's co-workers for an evening, especially since I don't get to see them that often... Oh, and the prizes they gave away were to die for -- home theater systems, IPODS, computer, $$, digital cameras, and 42 inch Sony plasma tv. There were about 20 prizes. How cool is that??? Matt didn't think he was eligible to win any of them because of his title, but it was cool anyway!
While we were away, mom and dad came over to watch the kids. They ate pizza and Katherine got "a little" soda, and had a grand old time. There are days when I think the kids are more excited to see grammy and pop-pops than Matt and I. I'm glad they had fun, it makes it so much easier when we have to leave them for a few hours.
Tonight we're going out to dinner at Red Robin with some friends. Last time we ate there, Katherine and Caleb sat at the table for almost 2 hours. So here's to hoping tonight is just as successful!! It's the perfect restaurant to eat at with the kiddos. Helium balloons, milkshakes, unlimited french fires, and lots of commotion. And to top it off, not only do we get to spend some time with friends, Katherine gets to hang out with her good buddy Ben.
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1 comment:
OH MY GOD! Seriously, you were so smart to go alert the security gaurd and obviously, he was wanted by the law in some way or he had a previous record or they wouldn't have taken him away in handcuffs. That's how petafiles operate. They take pictures, get them developed, take them home, and do things to themselves. You rock Ann!
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