h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

For about the past week, I've been in the midst of a Funk. No, not the Grand Funk Railroad, or the Blue Method good kind of funk, the kind of funk that makes you not want to leave your apartment for days on end. It might be because the semester is starting, I have a committee meeting coming, and I'm looking down the road and panicking because I'm eventually going to have to defend my thesis, with all my scintillating public speaking skills.

After running out of milk this morning and most other staples over the course of the week, I decided to force myself out of it and go shopping. I bought, among other things, some test strips for my aquarium (nitrate is still too darn high! Time to raid the DI system at school!) a bicycle helmet for my as-yet nonexistent bike, a fake anemone (on order), and two weeks worth of groceries, including my favorite double chocolate chunk cookie mix. Well, I over loaded the basket, and after stopping to pick up the frozen french fries for what had to be the fifth time, I stopped by the canned tuna display, ripped everything out of my basket, and started rearranging it.

As I tried to figure out how to fit five cups of yogurt in with the frozen pizza, I took notice of the people who had come up looking at the tuna. One was a slight, elderly woman, had to be near 70, with blue rinse hair. The other two were in their forties, probably husband and wife, and one of them was more than likely her kid. I listened to the conversation as I tried to avoid bruising the peaches.

"No, not that one, I want the blue one!"

"OK mom, this one's blue."

"No, it's the light blue, not that color."

"Well, this one's light blue."

"Oh, yes, that's it! No, wait, I want the one in oil!"

"All right then."

"I need three."

"OK Mom."

"Oh... wait..."

As they walked away with Mom in tow, I had to smile to myself. Mom was acting just like my grandmother, who as most of you know, I lost three months ago. I specifically remember the time we got her a new refrigerator to replace the one that broke, and had to buy two because the first was- I kid you not- "too white."

I wanted to run up and hug that woman, and thank all three of them for making my day. I wanted to tell the younger couple that even though this seems a bit maddening now, to hold on to every insane moment, because it's who your mother is, and that's what you'll remember when she's gone. It might not be the best of her, but it'll make you think of what the best was.

The funk disipated, I handed my coupon for chinese food to someone random in the checkout line, and didn't hit a red light all the way home.

Traveller in Time curious
"Did the cans of tuna fit in the basket ?

. . . "

Of course they did!

It's amazing what can perk up your day

Nice one. It's stories like that that keep us going sometimes. Those little acts of humanity sometimes say more to us than a self-help book.

Little things are important

It's strange how small things can make a big difference, and how quickly a Blue Funk can lift! Learning to accept that they don't last and can go as quickly as they come is a good way to cope when you get one.

Hope all goes well with 'defending' your thesis.

Websailor

Hi Scandrea,

How nice to meet you. I have been to your homepage and you sound a fascinating person, studying a fascinating science.I wish you well in defencding your thesis.

I also liked the way you got over your "funk" (I was not too sure what you meant until I read it!!.)

I look forward to reading your work on Yellowstone Park. I saw a documentary on TV the other day, so I am sure that I shall enjoy your writing.

Enjoy your tuna!. I love fresh tuna and my son and I have it quite often.

Go well

AR1

Ahhahhhh tuna eh! hi tinker and hello and woohoo