What are you thinking now?

[JuniperWoolf]

In some ways I like coming back to my town during the summer. I get to actually hang out with friends I've had since birth, I love the thunderstorms in the rockies, and reading in a lawn chair on my own lawn beats reading on a park bench. However, a large part of me hates coming home, because I keep having the same casual conversation with old acquaintances over and over again. Every day I've been here so far has had at least three of these:

"Heeey, I didn't know you were in town!"
Yeah, back from Vancouver for the summer. You know, to save on rent and food."
"What are you doing these days"
Living, going to school.
"What are you taking?"
Psychology, English, Biology, Japanese, lots of things.
*confused and/or condescending expression* "What can you do with that?"
*enumerate several post-graduate options that strike me as potentially fulfilling, most of which are not high-paying and some of which don't require a degree.
"What a waste. You guys should have just stayed here, work at the mine and drive a truck like me/my family member(s)."
*polite laugh and comment about how "I'd sure make more money"*
"What's Dave doing?"
Making movies.
*incredulent expresion* "Does he make much money off that?"
Nope, next to nothing.
*Gets embarrassed and quickly changes the subject, as a man Dave is considered a failure by rural Alberta standards* "...So, when are you guys going to start a family?"

You know what I'd rather do than stay in Grande Cache, work at the mine, and start a family? I'd rather cut open my belly, pull out my entrails, wrap them around my neck, and hang myself from a tree, because at least then the suffering would be over quickly. A lot of people here are great, I watched a dozen of my favorites put out a house fire yesterday, they have personalities, they have intrerests beyond judging other people and drinking. On the other hand, some people here are just dead-eyed yokels who can't comprehend any lifestyle that isn't situated around either making money or having children.

[prendrelemick]

Oh look, a pregnant woman has gone into labour. I won't be turning on the telly for a few days while the furore dies down.

[Darcy88]

Thich Nhat Hanh is awesome.

Also, I've been there Juniper. I don't get it much anymore because most such people are off at the oil patch and the ones left have accepted that I'm different.

[Helga]

Oh Juniper I get that same questions all the time (not about Dave though)

'What can you do with a literature degree?' 'no one knows...'

People want everyone to make money all the time. I live a very good life with very little money.

There must be something wrong, either with me or them depending on your viewpoint.

[qimissung]

In some ways I like coming back to my town during the summer. I get to actually hang out with friends I've had since birth, I love the thunderstorms in the rockies, and reading in a lawn chair on my own lawn beats reading on a park bench. However, a large part of me hates coming home, because I keep having the same casual conversation with old acquaintances over and over again. Every day I've been here so far has had at least three of these:

"Heeey, I didn't know you were in town!"
Yeah, back from Vancouver for the summer. You know, to save on rent and food."
"What are you doing these days"
Living, going to school.
"What are you taking?"
Psychology, English, Biology, Japanese, lots of things.
*confused and/or condescending expression* "What can you do with that?"
*enumerate several post-graduate options that strike me as potentially fulfilling, most of which are not high-paying and some of which don't require a degree.
"What a waste. You guys should have just stayed here, work at the mine and drive a truck like me/my family member(s)."
*polite laugh and comment about how "I'd sure make more money"*
"What's Dave doing?"
Making movies.
*incredulent expresion* "Does he make much money off that?"
Nope, next to nothing.
*Gets embarrassed and quickly changes the subject, as a man Dave is considered a failure by rural Alberta standards* "...So, when are you guys going to start a family?"

You know what I'd rather do than stay in Grande Cache, work at the mine, and start a family? I'd rather cut open my belly, pull out my entrails, wrap them around my neck, and hang myself from a tree, because at least then the suffering would be over quickly. A lot of people here are great, I watched a dozen of my favorites put out a house fire yesterday, they have personalities, they have intrerests beyond judging other people and drinking. On the other hand, some people here are just dead-eyed yokels who can't comprehend any lifestyle that isn't situated around either making money or having children.

That reminds me of when I was young, single, and living in a small town. Somehow, they always managed to ask whether or not I was married. That's some good writing there, Jun. Oh, wait, that doesn't pay either, does it. No worries, though, this too shall pass.

[qimissung]

Oh look, a pregnant woman has gone into labour. I won't be turning on the telly for a few days while the furore dies down.

She had the baby! O frabjious day! You can turn the TV on again, prendrelemick.

[Snowqueen]

It rained early this morning, but made no difference and weather is still very hot.

[Pensive]

I am thinking about the vacations which are starting for me tomorrow after this summer job. Also thinking about how lucky I was to have found something so satisfactory and fun. I actually kind of miss it!

I’ve just read the poem. It seems quite a serious matter to me, Pensy! Does your family know about it?
Don't worry, you can share it with me anytime!

It's just my love for poetry. But I will keep you in mind to share it with, if it ever comes to that.

[tailor STATELY]

Editing eBooks. Will it ever end ?

[*Classic*Charm*]

How sentimental of me...

[Darcy88]

I wear my Elmer Fud cap in the full blistering late July heat in order to thwart the creepy beach-going tourist teens.

[Calidore]

I wear my Elmer Fud cap in the full blistering late July heat in order to thwart the creepy beach-going tourist teens.

An Elmer Fudd shotgun would also work well.

[Darcy88]

An Elmer Fudd shotgun would also work well.

I'm a big fan of Kurt Cobain. He mixed an Elmer Fudd cap with an Elmer Fudd shotgun and it did not end well.

[tailor STATELY]

The wabbit did it.

[Calidore]

I'm a big fan of Kurt Cobain. He mixed an Elmer Fudd cap with an Elmer Fudd shotgun and it did not end well.

He misread the instructions; rather than use the shotgun to get something to eat, he ate the shotgun.