SNAKES, WHY'D IT HAVE TO BE SNAKES!
So I'm proud to say I have very few strong fears. Heights don't bother me too much, crowds can be bad (but I usually can handle it), bugs don't freak me out. There is one fear that haunts me. Yep, it's snakes. I could say I'm happy that I'm not alone with this phobia, but I don't like that it is irrational. I have never had a bad experience. I've never been bitten, no one has chased me with one. In fact, the most I ever saw of them growing up was squished on the side of the road. I can't even claim the whole old testament thing because I've never been religious. Despite this, I don't like the little buggers. They make me very uneasy.
Why do I tell you this? Because I have had two very close encounters in the last three days. The first came at Warped Tour 2007. This was the fourth WT I've attended and I was excited because I was going to see my first freak show. (I'll blog about that later) So I'm waiting for the show to start when all of a sudden there is a man with a HUGE albino constrictor right in front of me! I'm not exaggerating, they said it could eat a small goat! Well, I didn't scream or run. I didn't even jump (too much). I just stood there with my hands clenched under my chin and took deep breaths. The guy eventually walked away and that was it. Later, when we were leaving the tent, the snake was out front. I was tempted to go and touch it. I don't know why I didn't-it wasn't fear that kept me, just shyness, I guess. At least I didn't freak out. I wish I had touched it though, maybe even had my picture taken with it. Oh well, next time.
At work today, a young woman asked me if I had a certain movie. She had one of those little dog totes over her shoulder and I didn't think anything of it. As I walked up to her, I noticed that was no Rover in there. You guessed it! I asked, "is that a snake?" No shit! That's not what she said. She just assured me that the tote was secure-mesh sides and a zipper secure! I was nervous, but more put off than afraid. How could she bring a snake in the store? Then I got to thinking. I've always thought it's cool how you can bring your dog into a lot of stores out here. I've even seen people bring cats, so how could I ask her to leave? "I'm sorry, your snake is not cute enough to bring in here?" "All animals brought in store must have four legs and fur?" It's not like it was crawling around on the floor (that has happened in a B&N in Florida, but it wasn't a pet). So I didn't say anything. I think it was a little odd to bring a snake in a bookstore, but it's not the strangest pet. A woman brought a chicken into the Kazoo store. Carried it around in her purse with it's head poked out. All I could think then is how much that purse must stink!
My eventual goal is to overcome this silly fear. I don't think I made any strides these past few days, but at least I can coexist in the same space without making a fool of myself.
Why do I tell you this? Because I have had two very close encounters in the last three days. The first came at Warped Tour 2007. This was the fourth WT I've attended and I was excited because I was going to see my first freak show. (I'll blog about that later) So I'm waiting for the show to start when all of a sudden there is a man with a HUGE albino constrictor right in front of me! I'm not exaggerating, they said it could eat a small goat! Well, I didn't scream or run. I didn't even jump (too much). I just stood there with my hands clenched under my chin and took deep breaths. The guy eventually walked away and that was it. Later, when we were leaving the tent, the snake was out front. I was tempted to go and touch it. I don't know why I didn't-it wasn't fear that kept me, just shyness, I guess. At least I didn't freak out. I wish I had touched it though, maybe even had my picture taken with it. Oh well, next time.
At work today, a young woman asked me if I had a certain movie. She had one of those little dog totes over her shoulder and I didn't think anything of it. As I walked up to her, I noticed that was no Rover in there. You guessed it! I asked, "is that a snake?" No shit! That's not what she said. She just assured me that the tote was secure-mesh sides and a zipper secure! I was nervous, but more put off than afraid. How could she bring a snake in the store? Then I got to thinking. I've always thought it's cool how you can bring your dog into a lot of stores out here. I've even seen people bring cats, so how could I ask her to leave? "I'm sorry, your snake is not cute enough to bring in here?" "All animals brought in store must have four legs and fur?" It's not like it was crawling around on the floor (that has happened in a B&N in Florida, but it wasn't a pet). So I didn't say anything. I think it was a little odd to bring a snake in a bookstore, but it's not the strangest pet. A woman brought a chicken into the Kazoo store. Carried it around in her purse with it's head poked out. All I could think then is how much that purse must stink!
My eventual goal is to overcome this silly fear. I don't think I made any strides these past few days, but at least I can coexist in the same space without making a fool of myself.
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