Hanging out at Wal-Mart

Wired has this story about people living in vehicles and staying overnight at Wal-Marts across the country (there are over 3000 Wal-Marts).

I met a homeless man today in our local Wal-Mart. He was buying a leash for his dog, who likes to chase squirrels. I asked him where he was headed, and he said, Santa Fe, New Mexico. He had a big sign that just said SOUTH. I asked him what he planned to do in Santa Fe. He said he hoped to get a job painting designs on skateboards.

Our local Wal-Mart is also a hangout for local teens, especially in the summer at night. They park their cars in the far corner of the huge parking lot under a light, turn on their music and party away, much like my peers did at Drive-Ins or Drive Thru Hamburger joints in the 1950s.

I actually missed that whole scene, preferring to be home with my dad watching the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.