Conversations With Strangers

Being a pedestrian has it's perks.  How often do you talk to strangers while going to doctor appointments, grocery shopping, or work?  Not at all if you drive yourself, right?  For a long time I would put headphones on and ignore the world as I traveled to my destinations.  I was always afraid to chat with people on the bus or at the corner while I waited for the light to change.  We were raised not to talk to strangers as if all other humans were some terrifying beast.   Yes, there are some scary people in the world and we may be at risk sometimes while out and about.  Don't worry, I don't go anywhere with these strangers.

 People want connection, even for a moment with a stranger.  People want to feel noticed, heard, and a little less lonely.  Most of my brief conversations are not pleasant, but the ones that last just long enough for me to get to my destination are the ones I know made a difference in someones life.  Even if all I did was smile and say Hello.

When speaking to the homeless, I always remind myself that they may not have full mental capabilities anymore.  I usually just listen to their stories, offer food, and let then be on their way.  It's heart breaking to hear about their families and old life.  Then there are ones who just want to talk about what a nice day it is. Their happiness is a pleasant sight which gives me hope.

There are the older ladies who are lonely. Kids don't visit anymore because everyone is too busy.  I see pictures of grand kids all the time.  If only their children could see the pride in these ladies eyes as they speak of family and all the accomplishments made in life.

Recently I have been chatting it up with random people everywhere I go.  Some are customers from my store.  I don't remember them, but they know me.  It's still weird when that happens.  My last conversation was about traffic and how every driver seems to be in such a hurry.  As we walked he told me that he enjoys riding his bike to work when the weather permits.  He also enjoys taking walks to Starbucks on his lunch breaks.  Then it turns into me listening to this man talking about his wife and how awesome she is.  I wonder if she knows how much he loves her and admires her hard work.

My favorite conversations are the ones I'm not participating in.  Just listening to strangers on the bus or at Starbucks chat about celebrities, world events, their families, and politics is entertaining and inspiring.  It is rare that I hear arguments.  What I hear and see in these conversations are strangers coming together to educate and understand opposing views, or just bragging about who has the more funny or successful kids/ grand kids.

I didn't realize how much of the world I was missing out on until I broke my headphones.

Sunday funday

Today was an unexpected adventure out of the house. I had planned on going to purchase 1 item,  but actually came home with new running shoes, accessories for Pride, and I treated myself to Tpgos & a movie.

Jurassic World was amazing as I expected it would be.  Good storyline, decent charactors, beautiful dinosaurs. I love dinos by the way.  I am Team Raptor for sure when it comes to the Jurassic movies. The only issue I had was the people behind me laughed loudly and talked through the movie. Also the two ladies next to me brought their toddlers who cried and talked through the whole movie. Grrr, personally I feel children don't belong in most movie theater showings.  There are ratings for a reason. So my movie experience was semi-ruined by stupid people.

I got some new shoes I will be using to walk and jog the trails. I start tomorrow.  I bought a boa, beads, and leis for pride. I also bought a spool of colored mesh to sew onto my white pettycoat for Sam to wear to pride.  We can't wait to go.

Now onto a more personal note.  Something is bugging me.  I am hoping it's just my mind over thinking.  I have this awful feeling something is wrong.  I can't figure it out, and it needs to go away.  This is making not trust people and be on constant alert .  If I knew who the vibe was coming from, I could attempt to confront the issue.  I have no clue who or what it is.  Frustrating to say the least.  If you know me and keeping secrets or know something I should. Please tell me. Whatever this is needs to go away.

I guess that is it for now.  Keep moving forward.

My Random Opinion

This was supposed to be about what I am looking for in a relationship, sorta.  Somehow it turned into what I think about all the quotes online about relationships.  This is what happens when I go looking for a picture or quote for the blog.  I get sidetracked and sometimes frustrated.  Most of the darn quotes are made by teenagers who don't know anything about love yet and the rest are from books or movies that are just B.S. stories.  GGrrrr maybe I'm just jaded. 

NOTE: This is just my personal opinion on the quotes I found while surfing the web.  So calm yourself.

- "Fall in love when you’re ready, not when you’re lonely."
I agree you shouldn't be with someone just because you are lonely.  Though, I believe we cannot help who we fall in love with, only that we can decide whether or not to act on it.  Maybe that is what the quote means, but I'm not sure. 

- "If the relationship doesn't make you a better person, then you are with the wrong one." 
Horribly written. The only person who can make you better, is YOU.  Your partner can encourage and help, but they cannot make you a better person.  If your relationship hinders your ability to better yourself, then you are in the wrong relationship.  

- "FACT: When a guy wants you to meet his parents, you're into a Lifetime Relationship."
This is B.S. Sorry teen girl who wrote this. It may have been true in the 50s.  This is not 100% true, not even 50% true today.  I've met the parents and you know what I got from it? Nothing really,  maybe some new friends, but it didn't mean I was special.  

- "You really love her, don't you? A simple psychological question, no name was mentioned but suddenly someone came into your mind."
There is also one that says him.  When I read it, a certain someone did come to mind.  I am surprised as I did not think I felt that way about this specific person.  
Did you think of someone? Are you surprised? Will you act on it, if you haven't done so yet?  

- "One of the hardest things in life is watching the one you love, love someone else."
I can understand this one, but I disagree.  For me personally, The person that I loves happiness is important to me.  Happy in life, self, and love.  I would rather the person I love be happy alone or with someone else, than be miserable with me.  

I think I'm done, maybe I'll do another at a later time. My head hurts from all these crazy quotes.  

Day 10 Blog Challenge: My views on drugs and alcohol.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 10: Your views on drugs and alcohol.

I have what i consider mixed or biased views on this topic. To start I will give you a small history of my experience. My children's biological father is a meth addict. He has been in and out of rehab many times.  I myself started drinking alcohol when i was 25, I had a drink once or twice before that, but had not gotten drunk. I have tried weed, all it did was make me hungry and tired. I drink occasionally and not every time do I get drunk. I am having rum and coke as I type this, and I have already had 2 beers.

My views on drugs and alcohol are complicated. For a long time I felt that drugs is drugs and its all bad. It's not like that anymore. Today I believe that in moderation you can have a drink or two and still have a good time. I for example have a one drink limit when I go out but, if I am at home I will allow myself to have more. I do not drive so I don't have to worry about drinking and driving for myself. This is where it gets complicated. In my opinion if someone is arrested for a DUI or DWI that person should lose their drivers license for one year and have to do a program. If that person is arrested again for a DUI or DWI then that person should lose their drivers license permanently and have to participate in an out patient rehab program. If this person is arrested again for the same thing then they get jail time based on the blood alcohol level. YES I know its different for everyone, but these people are CHOOSING to drive under the influence KNOWING that they are raising their chances of killing someone while they drive. Driving is dangerous, but under the influence in my opinion is the same as intent to harm, maim or kill someone. Like I said, this in my opinion.
Marijuana I believe should be legalized. It is a natural substance that anyone can grow. It has health benefits and has helped many people deal with pain during cancer treatments. In my opinion it is no different than cigarettes. If we can buy tobacco (a natural substance) then we should be able to buy marijuana as well. I don't want to talk to much about this topic now, maybe I'll write about it another time.
Hard/street drugs I think should be illegal and selling/ distributing it should have longer jail time. We as a nation need to step up and make a program to help addicts and stop dealers. Anyone caught selling to miners should get longer time in jail. Again, this is my opinion. I understand our prisons are over crowded and need funding. Some people are in prison for having drugs that were for personal use, put them in rehab instead, get them HELP! Make marijuana legal and that will reduce some of the overcrowding.

I wish I knew so much more about how the system worked when it comes to drugs and alcohol. I wish there was more we can do as a community to help addicts and the families who are torn apart from it. It's not fun watching people destroy themselves with addiction. It's hard to watch kids grow up thinking it's okay to be that way. I have been fortunate in that my children don't fall to peer pressure and refuse to have anything to do with drugs and alcohol. For now anyway and I hope it stays that way.