the only time i can really remember consciously avoiding people was when i worked at a certain grocery store -- let's call it "the big A" (it must remain sort of nameless as i am currently interning in their legal department). in my day-to-day life, i think i have always just chosen to be where i am totally comfortable and surround myself with drama-less people. i have a knack of givin' the old 'chop-chop' to people i don't want in my life due to their annoyingness or whatever.

but the big A was a different story. the fact it was across the street from UCI was a blessing and a curse. of course it was cool having friends come visit me, selling alcohol to my dorm mates freshman year, and getting invited to frat parties i would never go to. but it had it's drawbacks, that's for damn sure.

i can't remember the number of times i had to run down some aisle to avoid someone, or call another checker over to my checkstand so i didn't have to be up front. i had managers come over to let me out sometimes. i would hide in the coolers, in the freezerboxes, behind the video counter, whatever. yes, it was a tad overdramatic. but the thought of interacting with some of those fools - especially after things had soured, or gotten creepy, or even bitches i wanted to smack with one of those checkstand divider things - well, sometimes it was just too much. the frustrating part was that i was at work, which meant i generally had to remain 'professional' and have excellent customer service skills. i was lucky to have equally neurotic coworkers who we glad to help me avoid weirdo predators and guys asking me to be the mother of their children (ha!). i can vividly remember certain escape routes (most college kids don't even bother going over to the produce department - the liquor department must be avoided at all costs).

the big A was a lot like a big party, now that i think about it. there were always people showing up at different times who you either loved or made you cringe.

good times.