Strange little moments.....

I love when you're spending time with someone who is definitely not a Stranger, and you discover another of their strange little quirky habits. For example my dear friend who likes to head bang when ever he's really excited! He says he usually only does this in the privacy of his own home. At the moment his home is mine.

Sitting in a cafe.....

When you visit a regular cafe and see other regulars sipping their lattes - at what point do you consider they acquaintances?

Treated like a stranger....

I was only away for just over a week, but this seems to be all the time needed for Saturn (the Cat) to treat me like a stranger when I returned. Such disdain, on her part. That is until dinner time; oh Saturn how you've changed.

Have a Chat Stranger.....

My gorgeous friends and family always tease me whenever I decide to have a chat with the waitress, receptionist or the lady next to me in the grocery aisle. Yet there are times when I just wish to be insular and carry on without being disturbed. This seems to be the times when a Stranger wants to 'have-a-chat'.

Are we being rude by not wanting to engage in conversation?

Feelings can be a Stranger......

My dear Aunty Dot passed away.... and I feel sad. Each time I lose a loved one I find the feelings generated are an unwelcome Stranger. Do we ever (I hope) become accustomed to these feelings? Aunty Dot was, is my Mum's big sister and had been an amazing support when my Mum passed ten years ago. RIP Dorothy.

Leaving on a jet plane....

Tomorrow I get to spend time doing one of my favourite things..... watch Strangers at the Airport while waiting to board my flight..... life doesn't get any better!

Shame of Strangers....

Since moving to this area nearly three years ago I have seen the news report two fatal shootings, two stabbings and now another heinous crime. A man who I will never meet, yet has affected me each time I drive past the place he was savagely kicked and stabbed by a pack of thugs. A Stranger. Who died All he did was go to the aid of a stranger. RIP Stranger.

Friends........

We all have 'friends' that we haven't seen for ages; I'm not talking a few weeks, but months that before you realise it have turned into a year or two. Do these friends become Strangers again?

Strangers working together.....

Strangers and friends in the public square at Chawang Beach, Koh Samui working out

Morning Strangers.....

Every morning we drive to work passing strangers encased in their metal and glass worlds. Occassionally you notice the nod of a head as they sing along to their favourite song, or a creeping smile as the early morning radio announcer shares yet another humorous tale. But every now and then you'll glance across at one of these Strangers and they will surprize you with a welcoming smile.

I hope the man I smiled at today has a happy day.

Thousands of Strangers.......

Thousands of Strangers coming together. Mother's Day Classic 2009, Melbourne, Victoria. Just goes to show world peace isn't that far a stretch!

A synthetic Stranger at Zekka in Perth

Strangers in the nite.....

.....exchanging glances.....

Strangers at work....

I love it when Strangers are hard at work and can make us laugh.............for example..... The bus driver of the the Free Tourist Bus who informed us over and over and over again... Billy Elliott is a musical!!!!!!

I love it when............

I love it when a stranger generously engages with you just when you need it..... and not only do you walk away smiling.... you walk away having your faith renewed in human nature!

I remember the looks from Strangers where ever I went after Shaving for a Cure. If I was a man would I have received as many looks?

Stranger at the laundrette....

Bless the sweet Stranger who had plenty of gold coins to share when the laundrette operator didn't answer the "Ring for Change Bell".

Sharing with a stranger....

It's amazing how you share the intimates of the past with strangers over the phone.

Strangers without sleep

I witnessed a group of strangers go without sleep for over 24 hours while they brainstormed, created and developed a web based business from scratch .... and their businesses are now LIVE!!! The best part - they are no longer strangers. Love being inspired by people who were once strangers.

Helping Hands.......

Love it when a young stranger takes the time to help an octogenarian. Simple.

Strangers who drive cars............

The only time we jump in the back seat of a vehicle driven by a total stranger is when we need a cab. No questions asked, with no doubt we will arrive at our destination safe and sound. This week I doubted this on more than one occasion. Three cab drivers in a row had to consult their Melway's to deliver me to my destination, while attempting to navigate their vehicle in city traffic (one even considered answering his mobile until I cracked it!!). When I offered directions to one said driver he essentially told me I didn't know what I was talking about. Funny how the Melway offered him the same directions???? In this technically advanced society and with an industry that "should" rely heavily on customer service, what ever happened to every cab driver knowing their way around or owning a GPS!!!??

By the time came to travel to my last appointment that would result in a fare in the vicinity of $60 my patience was running thin. But to my surprise I encountered an amazing stranger who not only KNEW where he was expected to go BUT offered to what and return me to my office safe and sound!! This stranger I now call Martin.

When Strangers meet Strangers....

I love being part of bringing strangers together. One of my besties and I had arranged an all female gathering for this afternoon; as a result two groups of friends who had never met came together. What eventuated was the beginning of some great friendships!

Strangers you never wish to meet again...

As we learn to trust our intuition you quickly discover there are some strangers you hope you never have to spend time with again.

Transitional strangers.....

At what point does someone cease becoming a stranger?

Stranger in a lift....

I love it when you are in a lift and a total stranger tells you she loves your dress! How good does that make you feel?

These were strangers in Thailand...

Blessed by a stranger

I love when you are out with friends chilling at a cafe and a stranger, or two picks up on your conversation and feels compelled to offer comment. Thank stranger ladies who brought another smile to my face!

And thank you to the handsome European waiter who shared one of the sexiest smiles I've seen of late.

Have you ever stood on a street corner waiting for a friend as horde of strangers pass by attempting to avoid your eyes?

Tonite one stranger was brave enough to say hello as she passed by. That made me smile.

Today I watched strangers line up for free food..... some chatted, some waited patiently, while others became impatient waiting for free food. The ones i found especially interesting were the individuals who were not happy that some of the sausages were burnt! What ever happened to gratitude?

Next time a stranger offers you free food don't be afraid to show some simple old fashioned manners and just say thank you. It's free.

Sitting in a cafe while waiting for my morning coffee I had the pleasure of watching strangers order their morning caffeine. Some seriously should consider drinking chamomile.

I want to thank the stranger who graciously passed me the Financial Review when his coffee was ready.

Midnite coffees for a stranger....

Thank you strangers at Perth airport who reminded me just how special it is to express one's self in a random act of kindness. In front of me at the cafe a young American tourist ordered two lattes, with three shots of expresso; to help keep him and his girlfriend awake till their flight left six hours later. When it came time to pay the assistant told him it was cash only. The ATM was a fair distance away and before I knew it I'd offered to pay for his coffees. I have no regrets as I came away feeling as if I had given someone an amazing gift. The young man could not believe a total stranger would give so freely; the coffee maker said in all the time she had worked at the airport she had never had anyone pay for a strangers coffee.

For me, it was simple. I expected and want nothing in return. I just felt it was the right thing to do; to help out a fellow human.

I thank you stranger at the airport, as it has me thinking how many other's out there perform such random acts of kindness?