"I am unsure of your concern"

After receiving 8 million emails from one company in a matter of a few days, I hastily hit reply to one and wrote:

"The number of emails you send me is ridiculous.  If I had an ex-boyfriend contact me this much, I'd call the police."

This is their response.  It makes me laugh really hard.  Poor Nikki is "unsure of my concern".  Really?

Favourite of the Day:  Two things. One:  I want to start blogging again.  I miss it.  I hope this is the catalyst.  Secondly:  Today is the anniversary of my birth.  I am reminded of the many amazing people in my life.  I am thankful and very fortunate. Thank you, my friends.

The Tooth Fairy

A few weeks ago I was at camp sleeping on the bottom bunk in a room full of kids.  I was woken up to see my brother-in-law sneaking around with a flashlight, doing his best not to wake anyone up.  He had to make his way across a pile of and blankets, reach over little Owen and find the tooth that Darienne had placed under her pillow.  He quickly snagged the tooth away and replaced it with money, before anyone stirred.   

I laid there secretly smiling in the dark.  Feeling like I had witnessed part of the magic of childhood.  Smiling because I knew Darienne would be excited when she woke up.  (She had ripped out her barely loose tooth at the mere thought of money.  That kid is funny.)   

Then I thought about it further.  The concept of the 'Tooth Fairy' is pretty whacked.  Who invented this. And why? WHY was this necessary? Kids are going to lose teeth regardless, right? But now parents have to pay for it.  And what would the tooth fairy be doing with all these teeth? And needing them badly enough that she is willing to pay for them. Imagining piles and piles of teeth laying around makes my stomach and my brain hurt.  Gross.  Kids wiggling loose teeth is gross.  You know when you're watching America's Funniest Home video's and there is some clever family that came up with a 'funny' way to pull out a tooth? Augh.  I change the channel. 

And what about inflation?  Let's talk about that.  I remember getting quarters for my teeth.  And being pretty happy with that.  I recall hearing the days of twoonies and loonies.  Are we up to $5.00 now? What?  Attention future breeders - start a savings account now. 

I think I've mentioned before that I frequently have dreams about my own teeth.  That they fall out or crack.  They are nightmares actually.  It is so stressful and I panic every time, waking up feeling exhausted. 

It's safe to say we can add 'loose teeth' to things that freak me out.  Yet another quirk to add to my ever growing list.  

  

Favourite of the Day:   Someone put a dead shark on the subway in NY city today.  Passerbys took pictures of it with cigarettes in its mouth.  Dead sharks aren't funny.  Except that they totally are when they are on the subway. During shark week.  Discovery Channel had to make a statement that they were not involved.  That's hilarious. 

The News Years Post...in June.

Bartending was one of the things on my bucket list and what do you know, I've got connections to some bar owners.  While this is 6 months late, it's a little shout out to my friend Claudia who let me ring in 2013 crossing this item off my list.

Thankfully, the bar crowd at The Roadhouse isn't the type to demand daiquiri's and martini's.  Cracking some beer, pouring some draft and a few rounds of shots was right up my alley.

I loved it!  Give me a few more shifts and I'll be tossing up bottles a la Tom Cruise in Cocktail.

Favourite of the Day: The simple life.  Laughter.  Relaxing.  No drama.  Being thankful and aware that I have this. 

Revelations

Last week I pulled up to a stop light behind a transport full of cows.  Big brown magnificent looking cows. They peered at me through the tiny slits with their beautiful doe eyes. One of them looked right at me.  That's right - we made eye contact.

The sun was shining that day so it was probably gross hot inside considering how many of them were jammed in there.  Just imagine all the poo.  And pee, now that I think about it.  Actually - how was that thing not like a giant slip and slide?  The truck makes a sharp right turn and its just a pissy cow stew in there.  Anyway, I thought about how the cows can't even talk to each other, so it's not like they can even whine or complain to make themselves feel better...or play road trip games.  No - they have to spend hours and hours standing in silence, sweating and basking in their own filth.  PLUS they have no idea they are on a journey to their own demise.

I know what you're thinking - this must have been a REALLY long stop light.  It wasn't.  My thoughts just fly around my brain like a water soaked Gremlin. 

When that cows eye caught mine I decided right then and there I was going to be a vegetarian.  I thought of trucks full of pigs and chickens.  Maybe a goat or two.  Even though I don't eat goat.  Still.  Sad, right? 

In those few minutes it took me to get home I decided I better learn to like chick peas and join some kind of chic hummus club.  I'm sure that exists, right?  

When I got home I sat on the couch to hang out with my friend's in Genoa City.  I was hungry by the end and decided I should venture to the kitchen to create myself a delicious meal.  I stood in front of the fridge for a few moments.  I pondered my options and quickly settled on steak.  

The irony was not lost on me. 

But you guys know how delicious cows are, right?  

Don't even get me started on bacon. 

This One is Serious. Seriously.

Today I share my story in case there is someone out there who feels like they are fighting the battle alone. When I went through this I felt very alone and lost. Though the more I spoke of it the more I realized how common my struggle was.  There is strength in numbers.

I had my first panic attack during a presentation in University. It blindsided me.  Up until that point in my life I had no issue with public speaking and had never really experienced feeling nervous. The class was "Speech 101" and we were being evaluated on our delivery and body language.  Each speech was videotaped and we had to meet with the professor privately to watch the tape and go over our evaluation.  Imagine that - I experienced something so awful and then had to re-live it AND be graded on it.  Fun times.

From that day forward I grew paranoid and weary it would happen again. Going to class brought on a constant state of anxiety.  Mentally I was a paranoid wreck and physically I was a mess.  My stomach was constantly in knots.  Then the anxiety grew beyond my schooling and into my every day life.  I suddenly wasn't able to accomplish simple everyday tasks.  I remember not being able to do daily errands like go to the bank or pharmacy. I remember having panic attacks in the waiting room at the dentist. There were at least two times I missed a doctors appointment because I couldn't make myself walk into the building.  I drove there and sat in the parking lot and cried because I couldn't make myself get out of the car.  Once my mom was with me and she had to go inside and tell them I wouldn't be at my appointment.

Friends and family struggled to understand this battle I was going through.  Those who know my personality know that I am quite outgoing and far from shy.  It did not make sense.  I couldn't explain it or understand it myself. I constantly felt sick.

Soon I was off to Riverview to meet with a psychiatrist.  Then I started seeing a therapist.  Then I was put on anti-anxiety medication.  Adjusting to the medication brought on a 2nd battle.  I wasn't able to eat or sleep.  Let me tell you - if you really want to think you are losing your mind - don't sleep for a few days.  Insomnia made me feel like a full blown lunatic.  My dad took some time off work and took me out to camp to see if I could relax and finally eat and sleep.  I could not.  I was assured this was normal and my body just had to adjust to the medication.  Eventually it did but man - I would not wish that on anyone.

Over time I stopped having panic attacks and the anxious feeling in me subsided.  But it was, without question, the worst and most difficult period of my life.  I was lucky.  It was short lived.  I know there are many people who spend their lives feeling this way all the time. I am forever grateful for making it over this hurdle.  And while I no longer struggle with anxiety, I do feel that it still lives in a dark corner inside of me.  I worry it will one day emerge again.  I have yet to confront my fear of public speaking since that awful day in school.  Since then I have been the maid of honour at two weddings and I skipped saying a speech at both of them.  For those dear friends of mine I really wanted to say a speech.  But I couldn't. That hurts my heart. I was asked to MC a wedding for other close friends of mine but after an awful panic attack, I backed out the night before the wedding. (Thank you Steve for talking me through that, for bailing me out and for comforting me and thank you Andre and Claudia for being so understanding.)  I guess anxiety doesn't ever truly go away. It lurks in the shadows it seems. When faced with fight or flight, I chose flight.  I hate that about myself.

Maybe some day I will face it head on.  Maybe some day I will win.

There are so many people fighting so many battles.  In all shapes, sizes, forms and colours.  It is different for all of us.

I hope someday we all win.




Favourite of the Day:  Bell Canada committed to donating $0.05 to this cause for every text or long distance call made today.  As of midnight, the tally was over 88 million.

Bah Hum Bug

I am happy that day to day life has resumed and the holiday hoopla (that's right...hoopla) have passed us by.  I'm a bit of a Grinch about Christmas.  I have no reason to be.  But I am.  Here is one thing that made me un-Grinch-y and put a fat ol' smile on my face. 

This is the house across the street from my friend's Chrissy and Mike's house: 

This is Chrissy and Mike's house: 

Seriously awesome. 

Favourite of the Day:  Seeing Anna's boy's walking on their own.  Motoring around the house with smiles from ear to ear. I saw a video of this over the holiday season. A friendly little reminder that the greatest gifts cannot be bought.  

Random Thought

Am I the only one who thinks massages are weird? 

Hello Stranger.  I don't know you but let me take off all my clothes and then you can rub me.  Then I'll pay you for it.

No thanks. Never say never but I'm pretty sure it's safe to say I will never get a massage.  Not anytime soon, that's for sure.

Something equally weird: Hot Tubs. 

Hey Friends. Want to have a giant bath together? We can soak in eachother's dirt and grossness.  Sounds fun! 

Not going to lie though - I love me some hot tubs.  

To summarize, while both are equally weird, one is disgusting and one is awesome. 

I never claimed to make sense.

They Do!

I went to a wedding two weeks ago.  It was a beautiful, might I say, perfect wedding.  The champagne, the hors d'oeuvres's, the meal, the decor, the music, the speeches, the dancing....everything was absolutely amazing.  The room was full of a love you could feel.  From the happy couple extending to all the guests.  I loved it.

The only thing not present at this wedding was a white dress. Some might use the word non-traditional or alternative to describe the wedding. But it was nothing of the sort. Love is a hard thing to find.  So regardless of where your jiggly parts are - when you find it - hold on tight and never let go. I couldn't be happier to live in a place that recognizes and acknowledges this.  

True north strong and free. Canada, you are a great place to call home.  

Congratulations and warm wishes to Jason and Jake!!

In the Event of a Tie

 

A few weeks ago I played in our annual local women's hockey tournament.  I've posted the tournament rules above. Note the highlighted area of the Tie-Breaking Procedures. I laughed so hard when I read that.  A dance off?  In hockey equipment?  On the ice? It would be the grandest finale of all time. 

Nothing would have made me happier than to participate in that.  However, my team lost every game of the tournament and even if there were a tie, it would never get to that point.  But a girl can dream, right? 

Kudos to the tournament organizers for being hilarious. 




Favourite of the Day:  My house is being painted today! I can't wait to get home to see the changes.  Also, dinner at Indo China Gardens last night means Indo China Gardens leftovers for lunch today.

Boobservations

I have worn this dress twice in my life.  

Note that both times I spilled my drink in the exact same spot. 

I don't know about you but I think that's pretty awesome. 

Stories From My Kitchen

Once upon a time (last night) I decided that I wanted to make pumpkin ravioli.  I found a recipe online.  It was called "Pumpkin Ravioli in Sage Butter". This is what it looked like in the picture: 

 I began my first journey in making homemade ravioli.  

(I did not make the pasta myself - I used won ton wrappers. Go ahead. Judge me.) 

This was not an enjoyable experience. It was tedious and frustrating.  I was sure it would be worthwhile in the end since I love pumpkin ravioli.  

I put them in the freezer with plans to cook them tonight. 

I came home from work and made the savoury butter and sage sauce then eagerly anticipated a delicious meal. 

Guess what?  It was a disaster.  

When they were boiling in the water they all split open and pumpkin mush oozed everywhere.  I carefully moved them to the frying pan in attempts to salvage what I could.  Then they all stuck to the pan. 

  

Here is the final result: 

Looks like barf in a bowl, right?  And did you know that sage tastes like a badger's butt hole? 

They're now in the garbage.   

Screw you pumpkin ravioli.  Screw you Sage. 

The End

Reach for the Stars!

I spent this past weekend contributing to the Michigan economy.  I found this Barbie in Kohl's.  This is too American for words.  I like the branding on the box - "Stands on Her Own.  Literally".  It literally says that.  Dream big, little girls.  You can wear stilettos, be the president AND stand on your own.  Congratulations Barbie.

I bet they found her in a binder.  

Muffins & Whores

Earlier tonight I was going through old boxes in my basement and I found something that made me shake my head and laugh.  I found these calendars I had saved from 1998 & 2000.  What a flashback.

When I was 15 I got a job at a little muffin shop in the mall.  I worked there for 5 years.  We had an all female staff and our boss was this little grumpy man named Art.  Every Christmas Art would order these weird slutty bathing suit calendars to give to certain customers.   They came in brown paper bags.  Seemingly, to conceal the fact that we were teenage girls giving out bathing suit calendars to weird men in the mall.

HOW FREAKING WEIRD IS THAT????

The more I think about this, the more my mind is blown.  Every year the same guys would come back and request them too.  Art even got our muffin logo stamped on them.   Imagine the corporate office got wind of this?  Geez.  I'm thankful I recognized that this was weird enough I needed to steal a few for keepsakes.

Rest in Peace, Art.  Thanks for the laugh tonight.

Favourite of the Day:  As I type this, I'm watching the episode of Family Guy where Brian the dog sleeps with Lauren Conrad.  It's awesome.  There is a part about Spender and Heidi that made me burst out laughing.  I love this show.

Crushes - 2012

It's time for my annual crush list.  Much to my dismay I did not meet anyone from my 2011 list like I previously thought I would. But that's okay. For 2012 I've got some good ones, obviously, since I have impeccable taste.  Here we go:

Jason Ritter: There is a sweetness about you.  You seem humbled and bashful, but also intelligent and heartfelt.  It's endearing. Your character on Parenthood has a mustache that makes you look like a dirt squirrel, but I realize you have to "act" and I know you'll want to clean up before you sweep me off my feet.  I'm ready.

P.S. Can I watch you shave?  That's so hot.  

Jeremy Sisto: It's very weird that I have a crush on you, considering I fell for you in "Six Feet Under" where your character is bat-shit crazy and you have an incestuous relationship with your sister.  I can't explain it.  But I do know there is something about your voice that drives me wild.  You seem like a man's man.  Messy and carefree, yet strong and in control.  I recently became your friend on twitter.  And by becoming your friend, I mean I follow you.  Twitter is a tricky little devil that makes me think I'm friends with famous people.  Were going to crack up at this at our wedding.  In your speech to me, you'll tell all our friends and family how you 'sealed the deal' by following me back.  They will all laugh while sipping the homemade wine my dad made.  My mom won't laugh though. She doesn't get twitter.  

Aaron Paul - The drug life isn't something I'm into.  But your character has drive and a good work ethic.  What girl doesn't look for that in a man? And what about your sense of loyalty and ability to remain calm in stressful situations?  While I realize that is just your character, I'm confident you possess those qualities in order to act them out so well.  You and those baby blues are peeking into a little window of my heart.  Climb in.   

Dax Sheppard - Oh Dax.  You are a silly and sweet man - just how I like 'em.   I know you're engaged to a really awesome, funny and beautiful girl.  But if she happens to get eaten by one of those sloths she loves, I'll console you.  But not right away.  I don't want to be your rebound.  I'll let you sow some wild oats and get it out of your system.  Then I'll casually cross paths with you.  My awesomeness will emanate off of me and it's a done deal.  I figure we'll spend summers here and I'll head your way during the winter. I'm picturing some waterfront property on St Joe's Island where we'll have huge deck parties.  And a seadoo.  Sound good? 

Zac Brown - You are a bushy-bearded man that I want to cuddle with.  It will probably be at a bonfire.  I'll be cold and you'll lend me your checkered plaid jacket.  Even though you're probably sick of singing because you're on tour all the time,  I bet you pound back a few Bud Light and you're ready to rock.  You don't have to sing your own songs all the time either.  When you're 'off the clock' you can rock out to some Journey or Johnny Cash.  Whatever you'd like.  You could sing Raffi for all I care - I can listen to your voice all day long.  Currently, I have your song "Highway 20 Ride" as my ring tone.  When we get together I'll change it, because well, that's just awkward. 

Note: If you didn't get the reference I made about the sloth, you need to watch this video.  It's really funny.


Favourite of the Day:  It is starting to feel like fall and I love it.  I love the weather, I love the wardrobe, I love the pumpkin-y flavoured things.  PLUS - craft night tomorrow and were making a fall wreath.  Perfect.  

Stinky Marshmallows.

A few summers back my family was out at camp having a bonfire.  I found the perfect little haven of coals in the fire and went to town creating the PERFECT marshmallow.  I slow-roasted it, spinning it continuously so the entire thing was golden brown and the centre was surely creamy.  I was proud of it.   Jana was standing near by and I wanted to show it to her.

"Jana! Come over here.  I have to show you something." I said.   Then Darienne piped in, to offer her cousin some advice.  "Don't go over there, Jana. It's a trick. She's just going to fart."

While perhaps I should be somewhat ashamed that I somehow trained her to think this, or saddened that when I actually wanted to be serious, she doubted me. But honestly, I'm a little proud.  Proud that she was thinking two steps ahead - and prepared for it.

I laughed when it happened. I'm laughing again now. Happy 10th birthday Darienne.  May you always be thinking two steps ahead.

Darienne, Auntie Sara, Jana. 

Being silly.  Because that's what we do. 

Favourite of the Day:  My sister and I just got back from a movie. (Lawless - good movie!) We brought our 'movie blankets' because it is always cold in the theatre. As we walked out, carrying our matching popcorn patterned blankets, my sister noticed this guy giving us an odd look.  I love it.  The guy was probably just jealous of our genius move. I hope that someday when we are 65 (well, she'll be 72) we'll still be loving the movies, still be carrying our blankets and still be getting looks.

Summer Lovin'

Well, I'm back.  I got away from this thing for quite awhile.  But I'm back. I miss it.  Sometimes I feel like I just don't have anything worthy to say.  But I've come to realize this blog has been a diary for me.  It keeps track of my life, my thoughts and if for no one else, it's good for me to come back too and helps me remember periods of my life.

The absence, in part, is due to my new love for summer.  This has been my first summer having nights free and every weekend off. Boy do I love it and I have not taken it for granted.  In my prior life as a shift worker, I too often found myself saying "I can't, I have to work".  It brought forth frequent feelings of shame and disappointment.  After ten years I finally feel like I'm free to choose my own schedule and what better time to capitalize then during the lovely days of sunshine.

I was busy this summer.  I took golf lessons (something I always wanted to do), I golfed, I played baseball,  I went to London, I went tubing in Indian River, I went on a boat cruise in Munising, I went to four weddings (and I love weddings!!), I went camping in Thessalon, I went swimming, I went to bonfires, I had hot tubs, I went for a boat ride on Basswood Lake, I cuddled with my friends' cute babies, I fostered more kittens and their momma's, I went to camp with my family, I went skinning dipping at 3am in Lake Huron (Happy Birthday Few!), I proudly watched my niece Ryea graduate from grade 8 and kick some valedictorian butt.

I am so thankful I was able to do all of these things, but more importantly - I did them all with so many good people.  I know really good people.  How great is that?

As I embark on the final days of summer, I'm hoping to sneak in one last swim in the lake at my favourite place (St Joe's Island).  Then I'll put away the sunscreen, the sandy flip-flops, the stinky ball cleats, the dirty golf clubs and the wet bathing suits.  We all know happens next.

Let's lace em' up!! It's hockey season!!




Favourite of the Day:  Good visit with Natalie last night ( & Gorgonzola Gnocchi! Hello).  Hitting balls at Strathclair and getting excited about Tarentorus ball tourny!

By the way, the photo at the top was taken the same day I made the chipmunk my friend (more like bribed him to be my friend).  Anyway, I laid on the dock for hours.  It was so quiet and peaceful.  When I had to pee, I would just roll off the side, pee in the lake and hop back up and continue reading.  It was awesome. And don't even pretend you don't pee in lakes. You do.

 

Frolick Away, Goat Man

I stumbled on this today. I feel like this is straight off 'theonion'.  Here is my favourite part:  "...goat man pulled his mask back on and scrambled to catch up with the other goats."

Oh, how this made me laugh.  We welcome you to Canada, Goat Man.  I hope your wonderfully crafted suit fares you well. 



Goat Man Frolicking Through the Utah Wilderness Identified As a Hunter
by Sonia Von Gilder Cooke

http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/07/23/goat-man-frolicks-through-the-utah-wilderness/?hpt=hp_t2#ixzz21bTfNo8w

CODY CREIGHTON / AP

In this Sunday, July 15, 2012 photo, a person is seen in a goat suit in the Wasatch Mountains on Ben Lomond peak outside of Ogden, Utah.

(UPDATED: Tuesday, July 24, 12 noon EDT)

It’s not uncommon for hunters to use camouflage. But usually such outfits are made to blend in with the surrounding foliage — not the animals.

One hunter in Utah had a different idea. He donned a goat suit to better track his targets.

On July 22, a hunter quickly dubbed “goat man” was spotted clambering around the mountains of northern Utah, following a herd of goats. At first, officials were baffled– and worried. They were concerned goat man could be in danger once hunting season starts.

But after the story made headlines out of its sheer oddity, state wildlife officials say they’ve identified the man in the bizarre suit. He’s a 57-year-old hunter from Southern California, according to Phil Douglass, conservation outreach manager for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, told Utah newspaper The Standard-Examiner on Monday. Douglass fielded a phone call from the man but didn’t ask his name. “He gave me details that convinced me it was him,” Douglass said.

The hunter told the newspaper his suit was a simple hooded painter’s suit, which he adorned with fleece to give his costume a fur-like appearance. He said he was testing the suit in preparation for an upcoming goat hunt in Canada.

Douglass was initially concerned that if the hunter’s behavior continued, he could be a target in the upcoming hunting season. “My very first concern is the person doesn’t understand the risks,” Phil Douglass of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Douglass told the Associated Press Friday. “Who’s to say what could happen.” Hunting season begins in the area in September, and about 60 shooters are expected to receive permits.

(MORE: Top 10 Creepiest Product Mascots)

Officials said he wasn’t only in danger of being mistaken for prey by a hunter — he might have been attacked by one of his fellow goats. “They may get agitated. They’re territorial. They are, after all, wild animals. This person puts on a goat suit, he changes the game,” said Douglass, adding that wearing an animal costume in the wild is not strictly illegal.

The sighting of the goat man occurred 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, when a hiker saw a herd of goats about 200 yards away, and thought one of them looked a bit weird. “I thought maybe it was injured,” the hiker, 33-year-old Coty Creighton told the AP Friday. After looking through his binoculars, he saw something very odd indeed: a man in fake horns and a cloth mask with eye holes, traipsing around with the four-legged ruminants. “I thought, ‘What is this guy doing?’ ” Creighton said. “He was actually on his hands and knees. He was climbing over rocks and bushes and pretty rough terrain on a steep hillside.”

Creighton said the man pulled up his mask once in a while to check where he was going. Then, he spotted Creighton, staring at him from afar. “He just stopped in his tracks and froze,” he said. Creighton retreated behind a tree and started taking photos while goat man pulled his mask back on and scrambled to catch up with the other goats. “We were the only ones around for miles,” Creighton said. “It was real creepy.”

Creighton provided the Division of Wildlife Resources with blurry photos of a white blob scaling a steep mountainside. When the sighting was reported in local media, wildlife officials received an anonymous call from a so-called “agitated man” who said: “Leave goat man alone. He’s done nothing wrong.”

He Loves Me. He Loves Me Not.

Nate n' Lily

July 2012

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

This is my shower.  Take a look at the top left corner.  My newest purchase from Bed Bath and Beyond is a waterproof clock. My addiction continues. I feel, what I imagine a hoarder feels when they find VHS tapes on clearance at Big Lots:  Pure Joy.   


Favourite of the Day: This, obviously.

Spontaniety and Adventures

One random Monday night, I walked into my friend Matt's bedroom well after midnight with an odd suggestion.  "Want to go on an adventure?" I asked.  Without hesitation he said sure.  Surprised at his quick response, I questioned him.  "Don't you want to know what it is?"  Nope.  He said he didn't care what it was - he'd join in.  And he did. 

**********

A few years ago I went to Vegas with 3 of my friends.  One afternoon while walking around we found ourselves in an ice bar called "Minus 5".  While there, we noticed a guy close to our age having a drink. He was alone.  We thought it seemed like he didn't want to be alone.  I went over and asked him if he wanted to hang out with us.  "Sure" he replied, also without hesitation.  His name was Jim (well, it still is). He was there for a work conference and was going to be spending that day alone.  The five of us spent the day walking around the strip and later went out for dinner together.  It was a really fun day.

**********

Today I was reflecting on both experiences.  I love that both Jim and Matt didn't stop to ponder if they wanted to participate.  They just did - no questions asked.  Jim didn't even know us.  Granted, we didn't know him either.  But your gut just steers you in the right direction sometimes. (For those who will be negative nelly and say it's dangerous and 'crazy' to engage strangers - shut it.  I know that. Obviously.  But your conscience just knows better, I think. Also, I guarantee I have more fun than you.)

Sometimes you can't plan for things.  Things that are spontaneous can lead you to new things, new experiences and new people.  Having an open mind and an open agenda are required and often rewarding.  I like where life takes you when you're ready for it.  This is my personal reminder to be ready and willing to things that may come my way.