Giving way

The weather was asking us all to stay rugged up indoors. And who am I to argue with that? So I stayed inside almost all day doing nothing, and I loved it. It was only towards 3pm where my legs wanted a walk (despite the fact the body was still sore from the 4 hour marathon walk the day before. Perhaps that's why I was born in the year of the dog. Coz just like dogs, I need to be walked everyday!) so I decided to go for a wander further out than I had been before. There's nothing out there but houses, but I forgot where I was as the houses and units were similar to the ones back at home. And you know how here they drive on the right hand side - and I'm used to driving on the left hand side - and you know how when you are walking and sharing the footpath that the same rules apply? Well I was on a seeemingly deserted path, so I gave in to the Aussie in me and started going onto the left side. I was in my own little fantasy world (with fairies and weird looking leprachauns. And somehow my boyfriend got into that little fantasy!!) when I almost got rammed into by a kid on a bike who was doing the right thing and overtaking from the left - which of course he couldn't do coz the Aussie was on the left side. If he hadn't spoken up we'd be both in the shit. And people over here just love to strike up a conversation in any way that they can coz after that, this other guy just kept looking over at me and trying to get a convo going, but I just walked like the wind and left the scene.

I have been noticing the fact that ppl are more open here and try to talk to you more. Dawn and Judy say it's like a 'busy-body' syndrome, but I kind of liked it. But I have a feeling I'd only like it until it got me into trouble, which it almost did on Remembrance Day. Dawn and I were at Oshawa Centre and I was waiting for her outside the ATM, just pacing up and down the sidewalk when I noticed this old dude walking and staring at me. So as I've been trained to do by my navy friends as a tool of intimidation, I stared back with a dirty look - as he did. He walked past me, turned around and was STILL looking at me, so I continued looking at him. (Apparantly it's a good tool because ppl don't want to get busted staring, so if someone stares at you intentionally, you stare back and keep at their eyes until someone stares away - preferably them). I was relentless and continued staring. He then says, "So I guess you caught me staring at you" in a mildly aggressive way just as Dawn comes out, to which I said, "Yeah, why don't you make it less obvious next time". Dawn wisely pushed me away and gave me the 'Don't talk to crazies' speech, which was quite funny. But I could have taken him on, even if he was a veteran. I was taught all this in Arg - never back off from a fight until it's finished (which would probably explain why some relatives of mine in Arg are scared of me and what I'm capable of - and for men being fearful of a woman is more of a kick in the face to them, as they are still quite behind on the equality issue - and will be trying to kill me off when I'm there this Summer. Hey, look what I have to look forward to!!!). There was this other guy yesterday who was checking out my groceries and built up a convo through that way. But he wasn't a crazy, just a busy body, which I can handle!

As I woke up late, I wasn't tired so I stayed up til 2 watching TV and bumming around. Although it's going to be a busy weekend. I'm going to be in Toronto all day on my own exploring the city, which I can't wait for. I'll be there til 11pm, where I'll meet up with Dawn after work and then make our way home. I haven't got much planned, just looking through my Lonely Planet Toronto book and doing some things from there. There are a few suggested walking tours - and seeing as I love walking so much, I may do them all. And I think there was a free opening at a gallery just this weekend, plus a customer loyalty day at a major book retailer, so I may have a peruse of that. I love not having plans! Sunday we may be going to the big apple. YEAH BABY! I'll keep you posted on that!

Today I may go to the gym, which is a 30 minute walk from the house (but it's free, so I don't mind!), tonight we're going out for hamburgers and tomorrow I have to be up early for Toronto. And if the boy is reading this, welcome back to Spain :)

I'm off. If I don't blog this weekend you now know why - I haven't been busted for injuring a veteran, I'm just out! :)

See ya!