ALDI

I used to love Aldi, and I still kinda do- the prices are really cheap and they make some yummy stuff. But after a couple of trips, some uniquely-Aldi 'situations' started arising. Like the floors. And the Shelves. (bear with me here). I don't know what it is about the floors, but I'm certain they are positively or negatively charged or SOMETHING. Something that makes my body get more electrons or neutrons or whatever it is that causes static electricity. Cos whenever I get even close to the metal shelves that the specials are in, I get reminded of my dislike for random outbursts of electricity. No joke, 9/10 times I try and see what juicy specials are in the middle aisles today, I will get zapped by static electricity. Does anyone else get this? Like we get punished by the static-forces-that-be because we are trying to sniff out a bargain on the latest retractable hose? Or folding walking stick? Or perhaps a toddler sized ski suit? Aldi has some great seasonal and totally-fricken-random specials, no question at all.

Also if you haven't been to Aldi before, they don't give you plastic bags, have huge grocery-rollin things, an insanely fast scanner and very little space at the other end.
Today there was an employee who was working on the checkout, and he was really passionate. Which is admirable to say the LEAST if you are working checkouts. (Trust me I've been there before.)

He was so enthusiastic that he was just like "okay. Are we ready? Lets get started." Uh-oh.
So here comes ALL of the groceries blipped through in like 30 seconds! It was mental. Checkout Champ was just gunnin it. Its all you can do but just sweep it into your trolley into a huge pile of broken glass, cracked eggs and sloshin Tikka Missala. So whilst your trying to re-gather the groceries covering every inch of the 3 inch squared post-scanning-platform, he wants to know whether your paying by cash or credit! It is strangely and immensely stressful! You almost need to get your blood pressure checked out afterwards.
But the moral of the story is that they sell 4 ice-cream sandwiches for $3. Enough said.

Image Credit: http://www.smartkeitai.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/android-ice-cream-sandwich.jpg

Breathe Deeply and Tread Lightly

Did you know that proportionately the Earth's atmosphere is thinner than the skin of an apple? When I first read this astonishing fact, my mind was blown yet again at the ways which we take things for granted. A simple act like having just the right amount of enough Oxygen in the air is incredible. Whilst this post isn't designed to impart a particular religious view, it is designed to make readers stop. And appreciate. Appreciate that one deep breath that perfectly fills our tireless lungs with a floating gas which allows us to function. No matter whether it is a salty sea breeze, warm country air or a slightly smoggy city gust- breathe it in and thank Mother Nature for making the mix just right. Because without air, we don't function. Now this is not revolutionary, it's not rocket science and it's not new. But we constantly neglect to even think momentarily about the privilege of breathing.
Imagine if the impact of global expansion and industrialization causes the air to become so polluted that it becomes un-breathable. Perhaps our own inhabited apple has already began to rot.