Now this is going to sound like a crazy story - and yes, there have been some crazy stories on this blog - but no joke, I was honestly stalked by an old lady the other day. So there I was, innocently wandering around the library on a Saturday afternoon when I came across one of those moments when someone is blocking your path. Over-thinker that I am I often take too much time to ponder the predicament of someone blocking my path. Sometimes I'll turn around and find an alternative route, sometimes I'll say excuse me and sometimes I'll just slip on past. It depends on the situation. Sometimes it's just easier to find an alternative route than to get a woman and her shopping trolley and her dog and her kids to move to the side. Anyway, on this occasion I was faced with an elderly woman and her walking stick. My first instincts are to find an alternative route as it seems rude to say excuse me to an elderly woman and her walking stick. Then I think that's a condescending thought. Then I realise there is plenty of room for me to slip past so engaging in conversation may not even be necessary. Then I realise I've been stood there far too long. So I snap myself back into action and shimmy on past. Quietly, innocently, smooth like a ninja. But the woman does give me an odd look. Like perhaps I've offended her. I smile politely and continue to check out my books. So I head back outside, walk down the road, cross the street, walk down the road, cross the street again and stand at the traffic lights. I'm a fast walker. I have short legs but I'm a fast walker. The next thing I'm aware of is someone standing too close for comfort at the traffic lights. You know how people get into your personal space and you can kind of sense them. I chanced a glance to my left and who should I see? None other than the woman from the library. Spooky. Coincidence that she's going my way? Maybe. But with all due respect, how does a woman with a walking stick catch me up so quickly. The lights turned green and I continued along my path, striding a little more purposefully then before. I pass a newsagent and decide that maybe I'll treat myself to a trashy magazine. I head inside and who should appear seconds later? The woman from the library. She heads to the other side of the magazine rack and starts browsing. I too, continue my browsing but cannot find the trashy magazine I favour. I slope towards the door only half aware that I may or may not look like a shoplifter and then dart back out onto the street. She follows immediately! Now she's being brazen. I flew down that street as if a land dwelling shark was nipping at my heels. I crossed the road, cut through Wooloworths and was back to the car without even looking back. I got home and regaled the story to Mystical Roo who agreed that yes, it was a bit peculiar. Now I'm going to have to seriously think every possible route blocking encounter for fear of getting chased by a woman and her walking stick!
