Unlimited Thought Bookstore

I really wanted to like this place more than I did. I can’t really put my finger on what was off-​putting, but something definitely was. May have been energetics of the place or area. The jewelry store next door was off-​putting as well, so I really don’t know. One of the reviewers called this «New Age heaven» and I would have to agree.

Great new age store I stumbled across. They have a great selection of books and audio books. They have workshops and Reiki, which I’m interested in checking out. Staff is very friendly.

Christmas Time, 2009. My friend from college invited me to attend a jewelry party at her co-worker’s house for an hour or so, shortly before we made our yearly trek to the university for Christmas Vespers. (I know, right? Me at a jewelry party? Unless it’s Tiffany or Yurman, I couldn’t give a flip). We exchanged presents outside: I’ve totally forgotten what I got her, and she handed me a gift card to «Unlimited Thought», a place she described as a lesbianish-​Wiccan type place that she thought would be amusing for me to try. She suggested a psychic reading.
The card remained in my wallet until yesterday. Finally, when a mutual friend of ours came to visit from Washington State, I decided to drive to San Antonio and see them both. I also wanted this friend to accompany me, as he’s from Venezuela, and if you knew him, you would know that he’s the perfect person to have as your sidekick for an experience like this.
After getting lost in a city I used to know by heart, I finally found the place in a strip mall just blocks from where my uncle used to live (and I had my 1^st birthday party). It had been years since I’d been in the area. Let’s just say I had a mild sense of nostalgia, but tinged with the desire to not stick around for more than a few minutes.
Walking inside, we were bombarded with the overwhelming go-​to hippy scent of patchouli. I mean you can believe in «Magick», and the stars, and all that nonsense – but is the heavy scent really necessary? Patchouli only works as a middle note in my Lauder cologne… it shouldn’t be thick enough in the air that I could slice it and take some home with me.
It was just us in the store. A surprisingly normal looking woman greeted us, and I inquired as to the balance of my gift card. A large man with a mustache glared at me, as he probably could tell that I wasn’t taking the place too seriously, what with me laughing at everything in the store. What was I supposed to do? I’m a well-​adjusted Episcopalian in Louis Vuitton standing in the middle of a store that caters to Goth kids with low self-​esteem, and the adults who WERE Goth kids with low self-​esteem and just never grew out of it.
My card was worth only $ 25 (I thought it was $ 50), and I opted for a 15-​minute reading. I was told this was $ 40, so I reluctantly agreed to pay the balance. I mean I had made the trip. My selection of psychics were 2 or 3 different women, and that guy who was staring at me. I chose the woman who read palms, as she looked the least threatening. The thin woman scuttled around and made sure I was able to be «fit in» for an appointment. What? Like all of San Antonio is throwing away $ 40 on what essentially is a human version of a Magic-​8 ball? Whatever, I kept an open mind. Really, I did.
Renee (?) was my psychic, and she seemed pleasant enough. I asked for an extra chair for my friend to sit in, and we all went into her office. She took a look at my palms, and in 15 minutes told me that:
1.) I’m creative and fun (No sh*t, I’m gay);
2.) She asked me, without any prompting, if I was a writer of some sort. (Do Unilocal!reviews count?). She told me to write a book. (Fine, I’ll get right on it)
3.) People come up to me all the time and tell me their life story (Which they do, and I told her it irritates the hell out of me);
4.) She said I saved a life before (I guess when my friend got alcohol poisoning years ago and I rushed her to the hospital, that counts);
5.) I have psychic abilities myself that I don’t cultivate (which I’ve been told by ANOTHER psychic once before (in a gay bar), but she didn’t know that. I think that’s a standard line they throw out);
6.) She said I have the «entertainer’s line», the one reserved for actors and performers (Well, where’s my Oscar?) and finally;
7.) Contrary to my strong personality, I give too much in my relationships with men (Really, though, who *doesn’t* do this at some point? Ladies, gays – am I right?).
She said I was a very interesting person, and I was able to make her laugh, which may have wasted part of my precious 15-​minutes. I tipped her $ 10 for good measure, because although I know the etiquette for tipping all sorts of service-​industry people, I don’t usually come across witchy-​pagan palm readers in my daily routine.
Epilogue: I was kind of pissed I ended up spending $ 25 extra bucks than I planned to, and I wanted suitable compensation. Be careful what you wish for. The friend who got me the gift card sort of agreed, and purchased two things for me later on that evening: the latest «Honcho» ($ 8), and a colorful little magazine called «Meat Munchers 2» (a whopping $ 17). That’s $ 25 of tacky gay porn.
Touché, my friend.

What’s not to like about this place? It’s a New Age heaven! Complete with meeting rooms for massage and aura readings, a bird softly chirping, trickling waterfall sounds, and helpful staff, you’ll find what you are looking for here. If they don’t have a book or CD you want, they will get it for you right away.
The only problem is the parking lot. Not a lot of room there! But whether you are looking for a Bible, or Witchcraft stuff, Astrology books or Libertarian Party brochures, you’ll find it here. Also a great place to meet like-​minded people. They do offer a frequent buyer card as well. And Barne’s and Noble doesn’t carry all the books on offer from this establishment. See you there!