| 10:56p |
"so, do you know kylie minogue?"
I was beginning to think that I was becoming pretty boring, because all I've been talking about lately is my dissertation. But, it seems that a mini-thesis about parties is not as dull to others as I had thought. Here is a conversation that occurred yesterday afternoon, after I finished work.
THE SCENE: Woolworths, Macquarie Centre. Carla is standing at the express checkout, being served by a boy who is probably around 18. She is spaced out, because she hasn't eaten lunch yet. She has a whole lot of party things in her basket, like a Pin The Tail On The Donkey game, party poppers and lolly bags.
Boy: How are you today?
Carla: Good thanks, how are you?
Boy: Good. (Pause) So you're having a party.
Carla: Um, no, actually. (Pause. Carla thinks that she'd better explain herself, otherwise she'll sound like a weirdo.) I'm actually writing a thesis about parties.
Boy: (Stops scanning things and stares in puzzlement.) How?
Carla: Well, it's about how people interact with each other at parties, and all the things surrounding them. I'm also looking at pop culture and the depiction of parties there.
Boy: So what are you doing with all this stuff?
Carla: I'm going to scan them into my computer and then put them into the design of the thesis.
Boy: What are you studying?
Carla: I'm doing a design degree.
Boy: (He's holding another item, and pauses before scanning it.) How does that relate to-
Carla: (Used to this question) It doesn't relate at all. I have to do a major project at the end of the year, and I'm making a book about parties.
Boy: (Pauses again before scanning something.) What do you mean?
Carla: Well, it's a story about these two people who are having different experiences during their day, and they meet at the party. It's a bit of a love story. Can I pay with EFTPOS?
Boy: Sure.
(Carla puts her card into the thingy, but it doesn't work. She does this four more times, and it still doesn't work.)
Carla: Um, I'm having issues with the card thingy. Can you help me?
Boy: (Looks confused.) Okay. (He swipes her card.) So what are you having issues with?
Carla: My card! So what do you study?
Boy: Business and Law at Macquarie.
Carla: Oh, is that good?
Boy: Well, it's pretty easy, but it should get harder. I'm only in second year.
(Carla is aware that there is a long queue behind her. She wants to leave and eat her chips. She's feeling dizzy.)
Boy: So what year are you in?
Carla: Final year.
Boy: What year is that?
Carla: Fourth year.
Boy: (Looks stunned.) Oh.
Carla: Okay, thanks, have a nice day!
(Leaves very quickly.)
What do you make of THAT conversation? Weird, or what? I think that the boy thought that maybe I was a high school student exaggerating about an essay or something. Then I reckon he probably figured that I was eighteen and in first year. Then I think that he was completely shocked that I was around twenty-one. Come on, I know I look young, but do I need the kid at Woolies to remind me? Nah, I'm just being silly...I love it when people think I'm younger! Because eighteen year olds are so idealistic and fresh- my sister's one, and she's a very positive and happy influence. PLUS, it means that when I'm thirty, I'll look like I'm in my mid-twenties! Hurrah!
Meanwhile, the dissertation is due on Wednesday, and I still had time last night to burst into tears and tell my sister all of my woes. Golly, somedays things take me by surprise. One thing I was particularly dreading to face is now going to happen- yuck!
Oh, and guess what? Today, my mum came home from the shops with a present for me! And guess what they were! BRIGHT PINK UGH BOOTS! Like, they're FUCHSIA! And they're hardcore ughs as well- really tough ones, hurrah! So I am one very well co-ordinated girl at home- pink stripey scarf, pink pantalons de jogging, pink ugh boots, pink raspberry lip gloss (am addicted), pink raspberry and peach tea! Actually, I look a bit like a spacegirl, because my boots blend into my pants!
Spacegirl Princess Carla signing out...ooooh, I should SO be in bed already. Not because I'm tired, but because I should be trying to get up early to write the you-know-what! |