Shoe Zone - you know where.

I’ve been the biggest ball of slack in Minnesota this week because Chris has been home on half term which means we have been very busy doing lots and lots of nothing. We did have a lovely Valentine’s Day; we spent money we didn’t have on a glorious dinner that lasted three hours. Otherwise we’ve just been napping when ever I’m home. Chris loved his Valentine’s Day gift, he squeaked like a little girl when he opened it. Highlights of the working week were: Tom coming to visit and me giving him a box of chicken stock (that for some reason we had tons of in my newspaper stand.) As Tom pointed out though the chicken stock was only 9% chicken stock and mostly water (chicken bath water), but what do you want for free. Apparently a strange Indian woman wanted a free paper. She just walked up to the stand and asked for a free paper. I was inquisitive and she pointed to the side of the stand that said –Free inside today’s Evening News a 24 page magazine. I pointed out her error and she laughed maniacally and walked away. Strange.

Also Stewart – the guy who likes to sing-a-long to the radio – I realized brings joy to small children. This being half term this week there were tons of kids around and long lines at Pizza Hut (which lets face it is sick and wrong) but every time the kids would pass Stewart signing they would being holding there bellies with laughter. Where adults completely ignore him like if they don’t look he won’t exist but yet he really cracks children up with his booming off-key voice signing hits of the 60’s and 70’s. I’m really starting to understand the appeal of the village idiot. But with the mechanization of Victorian England and the death of the rural village the ‘idiots’ I guess decided to move to Norwich.

Apparently I’m not as cool a place to hang out as I thought. First the weather has been cold – so I look like a soccer Mom with hips the size of my mini-van with my twelve layers of clothes. But it also means it is not as pleasant to sit down next to me on cold marble watching Norwich get hailed on. (I would like to say as I walk to my newsstand I have to pass through a barrage of market researchers and one of them finally stopped me and started the questions and was very surprised at my age she thought I was under 18 which I thought was amazing because I look such a minger in my snowsuit and little red cold nose.) The point in which I realized I was no longer cool to hang out with is when I was just starting to talk to Stewart and he said he had to go and meet someone and got up, walked to his usual spot, and started to sing-a-long to the radio again. That and everyone always asks after Brian – whose spot it usually is. (Small World: Brian’s son goes to Chris’ school.)

At least there is one guy who is happy I’m there. He is this sweet nervous guy who everyday talks to me just that little bit more. It is very sweet really. He finally got to the point he asked me about my book.

Favorite direction given this week: To the closest betting shop.

Favorite overheard quote of the week: “Everyone knows where Shoe Zone is.”