observations in ashfield

1.
while walking about ashfield i'm given to making assumptions about the demographics of the area. i have noticed there are two very large discount chemists, at least three other chemists, a discount vitamin store and a priceline (something of a discount chemist) and about six doctors/general practitioners offices/surgeries within two blocks. me thinks the population is rather ill, or at least concerned about fending off illness.
on the other hand there are five small to large fresh fruit and vegetable stores in the same proximity. surely with all that fresh produce illness is not so prevalent?

2.
an over-heard conversation in the office today centred on the age and ability of women to bear and raise children. i'm feeling very gen x now. i believe the women whose conversation i could hear are between 7 and 12 years younger than me, childless and very gen y.
i could not help but smile when they flatly said they would not give up their lifestyle to accommodate a child. they despaired over friends or acquaintances that were no longer '48 hour party people' and that had children that were monsters. oh dear... i did hold my tongue. i considered asking them what they would do if in the situation of having no family within two hours reach, no money for bought care and a child that screamed to the point of vomiting if separated from their mother? hmmmm...

3.
contining my eavesdropping (hardly my responsibility in an open plan office) i wondered at the selfishness or maybe it's the self control of these gen y'ers. one was explaining that her and her partner have been together four years, during which they were friends first and trialled living together for six months before they committed to their relationship. perhaps it's just me but i found this odd. when i fell in love with paul it was instantaneous, it brooked no argument or dissent, it was uncontrollable, there was not any necessary logic to it and it is endless. thinking of a trial living together or wondering whether this is the match for me, for life, is causing me to giggle now- it's just untenable and unreal. maybe this is a mark against me, and that i should be more dispassionate about love. what a ridiculous statement! that's the whole point of love; it is passionate and consuming and fearless.

nothing really about percy in these observations... oh well.