I work in a grocery store that caters to a large group of communities. Sometimes, people bump into each other. And thus, they must submit to the human ritual that is the “stop and chat.”

I, personally, am not always pleased to be spotted by someone. Especially, if, say, I’m running out to grab groceries or a coffee, and my hair is dirty and my sweat pants are unattractive. If you see me like this, do not stop me to chat. Let me escape!

Anyway, in the instances where I am forced to stop and chat, I generally put effort in to be friendly. A nice hello, and how are you, works wonders. I’m good at thinking on my feet, so I am able to sound intelligent, even when startled.

Some people, are not as gifted as I, as demonstrated in a conversation I overheard at work today:

Woman One: Hey there! How have you been?

Woman Two: [Uneasy smile.  Looks around frantically. Points at cart.] Oh, wow, that’s a lot of water!

Woman One: [Looks down into cart with 24 pack of water, which we have zillions of, and therefore EVERYONE buys. Looks at Woman Two, obviously thinking "I didn't remember her being such a 'tard."] Yeah! Lots of water!

Woman Two: [Obviously sensing her response was somewhat less than satisfactory.] And! You have a baby! [Points to baby sitting in buggy.]

Woman One: [Really starting to regret stopping and chatting.] Yeah, she’s a handful, crazy in the cookie aisle!

Woman Two: Is that why you have her tied down? [Two women look at the baby who is 1) Not tied down and 2) Really couldn't do much damage even if she wanted to. Woman Two finally starts realizes that this whole conversation is crap.] WELL! I’ve got to go!! Bye! [Woman Two runs off, and Woman One stands around like "WTF?" for a second before leaving as well. ]

Aisling: [Laughs.] Fail.

Well, something was up with Dreamhost this week, and for what ever reason, I was blocked from accessing my site! Quelle horreur! My hosting with them expires in October, but I am looking into the funds, to see if I will be able to switch hosts before then. I got a deal for Dreamhost’s 10th anniversary last year, so my entire year of hosting cost under 10$, so it’s not like there’s any money wasted there! And, it’s not like the service was awful for the under two-coffees-at-Starbucks price! It will just depend on my summer, really. Funds may be tight with my August trip to BC, which will result in me taking nine days off of work. Plus, I kind of want to do fun Alberta-y things this summer, including a trip to the Calgary Zoo, and the Royal Tyrell Dinosaur museum in Drumheller. So, we’ll see. It may need to wait until things become boring again in September!

I will get around to doing the truths and dares! The 4th of July one will need to be slightly adjusted, since I was quite sick and dead that day, and therefore didn’t get a chance to travel downtown. Feel free to ask/dare me to do more things, if you feel like it.

My uncle is apparently quite chatty these days, and has been tranferred from ICU to Trauma. He sometimes knows people, and sometimes doesn’t, it seems. My parents are considering going down there, perhaps. But, I won’t be able to go until after Matt gets back, because of my work schedule. Matt (my brother) will be back near the end of August and we will be seeing him while we are in BC (he is off in Katimavik, the youth volunteer program I took part in in 06-07)! So, that is exciting.

Well, I’d best wrap this up, because I’m sure you’re all bored, and the song “I Can Wait Forever,” by Simple Plan just came on. And that song makes me weepy. So, I’m going to go cry like a little girl.

Hopefully, I’ll be able to come up with a more interesting topic this weekend!

Upon the return from my fabulous weekend away, I was, promptly, stricken with a cold. I swear, I am the only person I know who is plagued with a cold every summer. My throat is cut up, my nose is runny, I have a headache, a fever, have made multiple visits to the bathroom and up until an hour ago, I could do little more than lie horizontally, and complain to Rachael over IM.

Now, I am feeling quite a bit better. And here is why:

1. I’m sitting in my livingroom with a giant fan oscillating around me. The fan makes me cold, then moves away to prevent me from becoming too cold!
2. I’ve made some pasta and cheese! Pasta and cheese is one of my favourite foods. I finally felt well enough to try to choke some down, and actually enjoyed it. “Starve a fever, feed a cold,” they say, and I’ve decided to give that old adage a go.
3. I have a fizzy drink. BURN, THROAT, BURN!!!! I normally dislike pop. The carbonation makes my eyes burn, and gives me a headache (I often open a can of pop and let it sit for a day until it is flat. I love flat pop.). And, in general, they are far too sweet for me to handle on a regular basis. But, I definitely enjoy them when I have a sore throat. Long live the tingly burn.
4. I’ve put on a chick flick. I love girly movies! Tonight I opted for “The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants.” I’ve just re-read a few of the books from the series, in anticipation for the 2nd film which is coming out quite soon. I love this movie. I cry within the first few minutes– when Bee runs away from her mother’s funeral.

Obviously, I have my laptop as well, to provide a link to the outside world. My parents have gone off to the Sneek-a-Peek night at the Stampede, which is our 10-day rodeo/ carnival/ festival-type thingy. I’m quite bummed that I couldn’t go, but I’m pleased to be surrounded by some of my favourite things. Besides, it is unlikely I will miss out on the fun, I get to dress like a cowgirl for the next week and a bit at work. Check the Flickr for pics! Ha ha.

So, tell me, what do you do when you’re feeling under-the-weather?