Shop 'Til You Drop

I'm the sort of customer fixated on deals and discounts. The bigger the price cut, the more tempting a purchase something becomes and this regularly causes me to buy things that I don't truly love. You could be selling me limited edition onion goggles, if they are advertised with dramatically marked-down rates I'll be drawn in. I can't help it, it's a rush, an addictive quality.

Being a sale-obsessed shopper, giant reductions and clearance racks make me feel competent and in control of my compulsive overspending. It helps me rationalize a situation that leaves me drowning in debt and living on supermarket brand noodles.

(Photo via Newcircles.ca)
This week I was out bargain hunting, when I came across a pair of Vans reduced to a fifth of the typical retail price. They were a size and a half too small for me, but that didn't matter as they were cool, affordable and had a quirky design. A deal as beautiful as that was just too good to pass up so I did what I thought was the sensible thing and bought them, then continued on browsing.

I wore them the following morning. I knew it was going to be a struggle breaking them in. I miscalculated the intensity of that struggle. They were excruciatingly painful, almost unendurable. I thought at first I lost a toe. It was like an Asian foot binding master class, this discovery came when I was too late for work to turn back and change. I usually walk everywhere, for some strange reason I enjoy the exercise. Headphones in, parading through the streets of Galway pretending to me a member of Haim can be quite rewarding. Today wasn't a day for that, so I took the shuttle-bus in the midst of the morning rush hour.

I waddled onto the overloaded vehicle, throbbing in pain, blisters probably already formed. Tears visible, I was challenging my best Rylan Clark at bootcamp. A woman gave up her seat for me, assuming I had some sort of disability or podiatric disorder. I should have refused, but I got sucked into the moment and clarifying my appearance in front of all those restricted, cramped, distressed passengers could've got weird. 

(Photo via Lisasee.com)
Later that day I was stuck in a ridiculously long queue at the supermarket. A second member of staff was called over the intercom to help cut down the line of impatient buyers. Three men stood ahead of me, yet when the cashier came she offered to serve me first, I refused but everyone else insisted while simultaneously looking out for my carer and wheelchair. I kept quiet again and was given a complimentary shopping bag, maybe Dunnes Stores do have a heart.

I've always been overly courageous when crossing the road, involuntarily disregarding pedestrian crosses is something I really need to work on. This erratic behaviour usually provokes drivers and they're happy to unleash that anger and frustration in my direction. That day vehicles slowed down to allow me cross the road safely. I think I even saw a woman bless herself when I passed by her car.

I won't be wearing the shoes again, hip replacement surgery would be less physically agonizing. Dignity aside, I really appreciated my day's unexpected enhancements. This time, this reduction devotee got more than what he bargained for.

(Photo via Express.co.uk)

Big Jeans To Fill

Like it or not, we all inherit certain traits and characteristics from our parents. Not to contradict anything I've previously written, this isn't about physical attributes such as eye colour or height but features or quirks down to personality and behavioural habits. Your upbringing and environment is a major part of your heredity. Twerking and foam fingers aside there's a reason why Miley Cyrus can hold a tune and why at twenty-two months North West has probably already mastered the art of a selfie.  

On Sunday my family and I headed out for dinner, it's not often all six of us get the chance to do things together, restricted schedules or stringent sanity measures, you figure. It was nice, we got all dressed up and had the opportunity to appreciate each other's company outside the wonders of our living room. Talking about topics and occurrences that didn't revolve around the television guide was a breath of fresh air. 

(Photo via Shareabite.com)
The restaurant we ventured to was top-notch and well known for its tasty, good-tasting menu. On account of this we were sensible and each knew to be ready in both body and mind. That day we took it easy and refrained from eating too much, saving ourselves for what lied ahead. The preparation could be compared to those training for a marathon. 

Our reservation was for eight o'clock, for once we got there on time and found our table with ease. The staff were all very welcoming, they took our orders and brought us our drinks. It was a proud moment, no hiccups, no fighting, no spillages, no temper tantrums.

(Photo via Pixgood.com)
The food came together and lived up to the hype, we all have different taste levels so there was a real mix of dishes presented to us. Plates of Thai Curry, Sirloin Steak, sizzling Stir-Fry, Steamed Vegetables, Marinated Chicken, you get the picture.

And then it started, the humiliation that seems to shadow me continually at every moment and turn.

Father: "Well you'd know ye are all Kirranes."
Me: "Really?" 
Father: "Look at ye, all mad for food, like a bunch of cattle at a trough."
Me: "Right."
Father: "It's in our blood, my side of the family can always handle a feed."
Mother: "Mine too."
Sister: "Anyway better not keep talking." Mortified, she intended on diverting their attention instantly.
Father: "Waitress, you needn't worry about throwing any of this out, this lot are known at home for licking the plates clean, great grazing in them."
Waitress: "Happy to hear." Maintaining grace through tears of laughter. 
Father: "There's no need for a dog living with these."
Mother: "God bless our fine appetites."
Father: "Waitress, could you bring us down another side of Onion Rings? To keep these happy."

Forever the optimist I was hoping to possess some dominant leadership skills or nurturing expertise at some stage down the line. I could have developed an athletic scope or creative flair, it would have been pretty useful but no my siblings and I are praised food connoisseurs and it's going to be hard to forget it. 

It appears that we get this quality from both parents. Well played Padraic and Kathy Kirrane, well played. 

(Photo via Tavel.usnews.com)

What Defines Success?

Last Tuesday I dealt with a rather unpleasant customer. Throughout the years I've had my fair share of general idiots and I've always coped with their mindlessness with a pinch of salt, a cool manner and a smile. Between the grumpy pensioners, hot-tempered parents, irritating young couples, giddy hyperactive children, screaming babies, holiday makers it's been tough but I've managed like everyone else does, but last Tuesday this one particular gentleman got to me and the weird thing is he probably doesn't even know it. 

I've mentioned before that I currently work part-time as a receptionist, to support myself through college. It's fine, I like my job and for the most part the people are all great. I'm not the first student to be gainfully employed and I won't be the last. On Tuesday this man was perhaps the inquisitive kind, as he took it upon himself to ask me four million and one questions, none of them relating to my job description or down to curiosity but with the intention of patronizing, criticizing and condescending me. Through all the sneering I politely answered all his queries, explaining vaguely my current situation, I didn't have to, but I did. The encounter finished up with him informing me how fortunate I was to not have to work in my current position for the rest of my life, because how I earn my money seemingly needs to be validated by him or anyone else.


(Photo via Liveluvcreate.com)
I don't understand how anyone can be so stuck up and degrading to people who work in these 'unskilled' careers. Thinking we have failed at life or that haven't achieved enough to be anything else. People judging what they deem 'success' on other people. My goal is just to continue being the best possible me I can be and everything else should hopefully work itself out. All I want to be in life is happy, if I'm happy I'm fine, I don't give a shit what I do.

My aunt cleans toilets for a living and she's one of the most upbeat, joyous, elated women I know because she's content doing it. I've done it myself for five solid summers, and although many might curl up into the fetal position at the sheer thought, it wasn't half bad. She for one doesn't need some bullshit title or career to boost her ego, she doesn't feel inferior or insecure in what she's doing, so why should it matter to anyone else, she has nothing to prove to anyone.

One of the most valuable traits a person can have is self-reflection, because if you don't have an ounce of self-reflection, nothing is going to absorb you, like stainless steel. If you're incapable of looking inwards, planting a seed and mastering life experience then you're not as on top as things as you make out. 

As RuPaul says, only Judy can judge me. (Photo via www.cinemablend.com)

Sidetracking slightly but while on this topic, I've noticed especially with teenagers and young adults nowadays there is an unhealthy sense of entitlement, an arrogance or pomposity. You really have to keep yourself in check all the time. Certain people who've been told they're royalty since they were five years old, their entire life they've been placed on this pedestal celebrating how great they are. It's worrying me that people like these won't be able to process that their specific college route that typically extends onto an automatic career path isn't a universal norm, it's a privilege not everyone is lucky enough to have or even want. The bright kid at school who isn't pursuing third level straight away has other factors in their life to consider, not everyone's trail is so clear, there's many obstacles people cannot control. Failure isn't a word that should be applied to human beings.

I've been praised in the past for my patience, but I have no sympathy or tolerance for people that have everything and act like idiots, because if you don't understand gratitude I'm out.

Success in life requires happiness, if accountants, solicitors, doctors are judging people for whatever reason it means they're not fulfilled with their own lives. A person should and can only be defined by their character.

I'm going to have to start quoting John Lennon more often it seems. 

(Photo via Tweeka.deviantart.com)
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