A quick midday bikeride, a few pounds of sweat, and I was at Open Harvest this afternoon.

Today, the floor manager who usually coincides with my shift was gone, so a different person was running things. (And since I know you're all dying to know, yes, she was female, and yes, she was also attractive. I guess I must be lucky.)

I was given the monumental task of facing everything in the store, which felt like a promotion of sorts. I liked it better than sweeping stuff.

Before I knew it, two hours had gone by, and I had only finished one aisle and stocked the soy milk. I suppose I was rather slow at it, but I found it quite educational. I think I know quite a bit more about many of the products they carry than I did before. ("T", the manager today, told me that when she first started working there, she had the same experience, and would often find herself stopping to read ingredients on things. It's definitely a great way to become familiar with what's available.)

Since I was dressed identically to the regular employees, several times, customers mistook me for one, and started asking questions about stuff. Most of the time, I would go and find somebody else to answer their question, but on a couple of occassions, I actually knew the answer, and was able to direct them to what they needed!

(I suppose some credit is due to the training from my deli days long ago. If a customer asks about something in somebody else's department, you never say, "Go ask that person." Instead, you go get the other person yourself. Even though I'm not even really an employee, this seemed like the way to go.)

At one point, T asked me if I had a full-time job somewhere else. I suppose if I wanted to become a full-fledged Open Harvest employee, this might have been the conversation in which to talk about it. Honestly though, I'm not sure I want that at this point. (Two obvious reasons: 1. Location, 2. The manager at my station is super cool.)

I told her that I work slightly less than full time at a gas station very close to where I live, down on 84th St. She seemed a bit surprised at the distance from Open Harvest, given that I always bike in. "You must really like this store."

"Of course I do. It's the best grocery store in town."

Yeehaw. I'm such a dork sometimes. Oh well.

I continued about my task, and when I looked at the clock again, it was 16:10. I finished the section I was working on, and talked with M[i] for a few minutes. (He's a fascinating guy to talk to on a number of subjects. If you ever want to know the nutritional value of pretty much anything, he's the one to ask.)

He posited that the customer obnoxiousness index in Open Harvest is higher than the average retail environment, and gave two reasons: (1) It caters to a demographic that tends to be extremely picky, (2) Since it is officially a "consumer-owned" store, some of the "consumer-owners" tend to get rather haughty about it, and demand to be treated as royalty. (The dark side of being a consumer-owned coop, I suppose.) He also told me about techniques he finds usually work in dealing with such people.

I did my shopping, and decided to get some Earth-balance buttery spread, which I've been meaning to try for a while. (No transfats, 100% vegan, GMO-free, and made with expeller-pressed oils.) Having now tried it, I'm not convinced that the flavor is any better (or worse) than normal butter, but the texture certainly makes it easier to spread at refridgerated temperature.

When I left the store, the sky had changed significantly. Dark clouds overhead. Rain was imminant. As I rode Serenity out, it began to pour.

It didn't take long for me to become completely soaked.

I don't think I've ever had so much fun in the rain before. Whistling, singing, ringing my bell through town as the wheels splashed through the puddles. A glorious scene. Thank you, Mother Nature. No sarcasm whatsoever.

As I neared the end of my journey, and the rain stopped, Serenity's rear tire again became an issue. Another slow leak. I had to stop at ever-shortening intervals to pump more air into it.

That tire has had so many flats, and so many of them have started as slow leaks, I don't think it has anything to do with being punctured. Now that I've got protective lining in there, I'm certain. I think the rubber tubing is just plain flimsy. The first flat I had, which began as a slow leak, was right on the seam. I haven't investigated this one yet, but I suspect it may be a similar issue.

I've only had that bike for slightly more than a year, and it already feels like the damn thing is wearing out. Last week, the front gear guard (between the gear and the petals) fell off. The plastic with which it was made (colored to look like metal) had fractured in several places. It seemed like kind of a useless thing anyway, so it's not as if losing it really matters.

Then there's the issue with the rear gear shifter. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do about that.

I suppose this is my karma for buying a product of Chinese slave labor. When I was a kid, bikes lasted for years with virtually no maintenance, and nothing broke. (And I did all sorts of crazy stunts with them in those days.) In this case, the adage is true: They don't make them like they used to.

I suppose the standard American consumer response at this point would be to replace it with a new one; maybe buy a different brand. I'm not going to do that.

Inside all of us, there lives a little man named Malcolm Reynolds. Serenity has given my little inner Malcolm Reynolds a chance to come out and play. My inner Wash, even more so. Now, it's time for the little inner Kaylee to step forward. She can get it done. I have faith in her. My little inner Kaylee. Time to shine.

[End demented lunacy.]

When I arrived at the Mideast Base, I found that Anya had returned from her multi-day excursion to a neighboring state. Seconds after I had walked in the door, Yanthor followed.

We had pasta for supper (Anya made a mixture of red and white sauces with other stuff in there which tasted very good), and tried out the Earth Balance spread on the parmesan garlic bread I had bought. It all went together very well.

Overall, a very good day. Now I'm going to relax, and let the music flood my mind.