2nd Guessing...

As Skins fans we are always looking for signs of the Skins via cars, stickers, clothing etc. Always guessing between ourselves how hardcore these other Skins fans are. It is a good sign though after a 5-11 season we are still being surrounded by fellow Skins supporters with various memorabilia. Something tells me though that most of these people probably don't have a full room dedicated in their homes for the Skins, but we've all got problems and it just so happens the Redskins are ours.

The day started with us driving our burgundy SUV to the shop to get inspected. I gave my sister a call to talk about the days plans. I mentioned we were heading to get the inspection done and also joked about the new "Gold" ride we just purchased to complete our burgundy and gold fleet. There has been some doubt in the family about the true shade of gold in the new ride. I tell her the gold shade is all the maker had to offer at purchase time as it was termed "gold" on the sales packet. After we got the car inspected we had some time to kill so we head over to the mall to check out the Official Redskins Store. There are two Skins stores in the Richmond area. This is the first Redskins store in Richmond that opened about five years ago and is quite a bit larger then the store closer to our house. As we pull up in the mall parking lot we see an open spot close to the front door. As we put the car in park I look to my right as I go to climb out and in the next spot is a "GOLD" Hyundai Tuscon. At first glance it looked a pukey mustard color and I mention to Lisa to look at this crappy looking color. I then start to second guess my comment and get out of our car. I compare the two cars next to each other and all of a sudden I say, "These burgundy and gold colors together are beautiful". We start joking about the color which was not offered in the specific model that I picked and this must be a custom color. Either way the two cars accented each other terrifically. Maybe a trade in our future???

We enter the Department store to head towards the Skins store in the mall. Talking between each other about making sure we had the coupon from the Skins ticket invoice and wondering about any possible sales or new merchandise. We have become friendly with the store workers over the years and enjoy chatting with them about the team during our frequent visits. They always make sure to point out the new merchandise knowing that Lisa and I would be all over the new items and they could make a quick sale. As we get closer to the store I notice something is very wrong. The metal gates into the store from the mall walkway are pulled down, and the store looked dark. I say to Lisa, "It's gone, the Skins store is gone!" We put our faces closer to the gate and peer inside seeing nothing but empty shelves and two paper Skins posters laying on the floor and a CSN postgame live sticker across the TV cabinet that once displayed games to onlookers walking by in the mall. Just earlier this week I thought I received a great sign with the Bible from Gibbs, but now was this a new sign? And not to mention NOT a good one at all. We continued to stand questioning why the store would close and thinking that maybe they just moved down the mall a bit. I say "nah", knowing they would have a sign stating their new location if that is the case. I feel hot and pissed so we head to the food court and get a soda and take a seat. Still talking about the store closing and why? Lisa makes a good point saying the 5-11 season probably didn't help merchandise sales. I mention to Lisa that this would be the last time I head into Chesterfield Mall - my purpose is now gone. We finish our drink and head to the mall exit again passing the closed store taking another look I say again "its damn closed". I start singing outloud "As I close my eyes - all we are is dust in the wind" like Will Ferrell in Old School only this time Jim the store manager's "my boy" and Lisa tells me to shut up because people are now looking at me. I am in awe as they even took the large Skins entrance sign down, this would have been a nice addition to my Redskins room, again I say -"SHIT ON THIS PLACE!"

And the day goes on... On to our next destination I am still in disbelief over the loss to our family. I tell Lisa maybe the Danny had to close up the shop to get extra cash for the Danny Rocket's deal. So we head over to a few model homes we've been touring over the past few weekends and low and behold I head down the steps to the basement of the first house and see a Redskins wall. The wall includes an official game helmet, a Carlos Rogers framed jersey, a Superbowl pennant, and a few posters. I tell Lisa, will take the house or even better maybe she should pull the car around back and I can make a quick exit through the basement doors with memorabilia in hand - things are looking better.

We head to dinner at the local Ruby Tuesday's. We walk through the bar headed to our booth and see a very large homemade wood cut out of a Redskins helmet nicely painted in Redskins colors over the bar. On either side of the helmet I notice pictures of Gus Ferrotte in all his glory. Yes, a little outdated I know, but still a part of the Redskins history. We take a seat and are talking with Lisa's folks and enjoying our dinner. The time comes to pay and I whip out my Redskins MasterCard and hand it over to the waiter. He brings the slip and card back to me and says, "It was a pleasure swiping this beautiful card". He starts talking about his passion for the Skins and about his autographed Joe Theisman football. I mention to him our pending trip tomorrow to Williamsburg for a meeting with Captain Chaos, Chris Cooley....

Though we had a major downer today with the store closing, all in all, there were a few positive signs from the day that hope is still alive for a Redskins victorious season. I will keep my eyes open but stay tuned. Hail to the Redskins and shit on Chesterfield Town Center!