As you know, I am a big believer in "change". Last week I switched to phone service provided by my local tinkertoy cable company, I also threw out my 20 year old "deck shoes" (that were crumbling) and I installed several new digital phones into our house. Yep, I was rocking with change.
My health club (the local mall) has also been changing lately too. Little things! More stores within the mall have been either leaving because it is too expensive or they have changed physical location. That usually tells you the retail environment is very difficult. The parking area of the mall has always been well maintained during the winter (and snow hauled away) by a local landscape contractor. Last winter, the local mall "pickup" trucks had plows installed and the contractor was not used. The slow removal of snow made mall access difficult at times. I have always exercised in short sleeve shirts and it has been comfortable. Lately it is cold. My guess is they turn heat down overnight to reduce costs. Controlling costs is an obvious effort.
Yesterday the parent company of the local mall (General Growth Properties) headquarted in Chicago declared bankruptcy. Officially it is called Chapter 11. That means that the parent company is under court supervision and they are allowed to operate until problems can be resolved. People who loaned $24 billion (that is with a "b") to build over 200 malls can not get their money until things get better.
What does this mean for me? In theory nothing because the mall will operate as always but there is this ominous threat of foreclosure hanging over the operation. Potentially I could lose my established exercise routine. I've only been doing it for 10 years. What are my alternatives? What should I do? Oh my!
The lesson Grasshoppers is that "change" affects all our lives and we need to adjust. It is a good thing that I am so flexible and embrace change. Bring it on! Now if I can just get my new "blankity blank" phone system to work!
Love,
Dad