I was in Thunder Bay this week....

There was this woman on the bus. Yes, she's beautiful and possibly half my size yet somehow taller than me. I am a short person but by no means a small person, anyway...

She got on before Brodie Street Bus Terminal and sat near the front, facing to the left of the bus so I had a good look at her. When the bus stopped at the terminal I went to ask the bus driver how I could best get to my destination. "You're on the right bus," was his reply so I turned to return to my seat and the woman had switched seats to the very back while I was talking to the bus driver. The bus also filled up to near capacity and there were only two seats now available, one was beside her and the other was a couple rows up, a rear-facing seat directly in front of her.

Being a shy person, I didn't sit beside her, but opted to sit facing her. The bus started moving again after sitting at the terminal for a bit, nobody else had gotten on so the seat beside her had remained vacant. We had made Stranger's Eye Contact a few times and smiled. I could tell we were both exhilarated at that little connection but we couldn't help it, even our reflections were in the way when we tried to look outside.

She has a lovely complexion and a well-defined facial structure with an oriental taste. And then there's me... I have no idea what she saw in me, with my ratty dreadlocks and didnt-shave-this-morning face. Yes, I suppose she could have been laughing.

After a fourth amusing, more extended bout of eye contact, she looked at the empty seat beside her then back at me. I took her cue and went to sit with her.

"How many times have you been told you're the cutest living china doll?" I asked her without blinking.

"Never," she answered with a giggle and a grin, "that's completely new to me." We had a nice little conversation at the back of the bus, laughing out loud and flirting like crazy. There was even a little innuendo on her part and an apology for acting like that because she "doesn't do one-night stands." Damn, I wish I was there in Thunder Bay longer...

The conversation wasn't soul-bearing or heart-warming by any means, no, it was two people talking. But I will remember her because of the way she said goodbye when we parted ways: "Bye David, It's been really nice talking to you, I hope we meet again in the future." I could only wave and think "Yeah, me too."

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It's been nice, having nothing to do... I've been off work since last week Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. and I don't return until Monday at 8:30 a.m.

I had cancelled all my plans to go to Big Trout Lake, Sandy Lake and Thunder Bay because I didn't want to spend this pseudo-vacation too busy. I was getting so burned out at work I don't think I could have handled all that travelling and the people I would have to see. But, I still do want to go to Thunder Bay, I'm leaving tommorrow but don't know when I'll be coming back. I don't mind... Even one night will do. I just want to get out of this town for even just the tiniest bit.

I had my 24th birthday last week on the 10th, but I didn't go out and get drunk to celebrate with some friends, no.. I stayed home on the phone and talked to a lot of those very same friends for a very long time. I think it was about 3 in the morning by the time I finally got off the phone and I had made the first call just after supper-time. I'm already dreading my next long distance phone bill.

It's been a nice restful week I've had so far... even if I did spend a lot of it hungover. (I did go out a couple times and get stupid) They were massive hangovers cuz I don't drink that much .... I don't think you believe me, but that's okay.

Hi sheryce!!

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