Pop off pop up

I liken them to those completely over the top ads on blogs like this one explaining that somehow you're the one millionth winner and there's a prize if you click here blah blah blah (and apologies if I've suddenly generated one of those ads now just by typing that sentence.) I'm talking about those pop up shops in shopping centers that try to grab your attention to buy something you don't need, support a charity you've never heard of or buy a raffle ticket to win even more gear you never really wanted.

And here I was thinking I'd be safe strolling through the local park...

Hey, how are you today?

This is a trap. I answer, you think I'm interested, things get awkward when I give you the brush off as soon as you start your spiel because I was just being nice in reply and really couldn't give a fig about why you're here starting up conversations with random passerby's..

I just need your attention for one minute...

It's never one minute. Also if I was interested I'd wander over for a look but since you're being so needy and clingy, I'm going to pass..

I'm not going to try and sell you anything today..

Great! Fantastic news! I'm still not stopping. Leave me alone.

But don't you want to help support ______?

If it's supporting the veterans, I definitely support them with plenty of visits and coin spent at my local RSL. If it's a group I've never heard of then sorry, my money has been all tied up with my own charity called 'me and my bills'. It's an ongoing saga.

Would you like to support me instead? 

Here's the deal, leave me alone and we'll get along famously. Do not want. DO NOT WANT. Please stay there behind your counter, thanks very much. 

Then today rocked around...

And after moving Helena The Hire Car (my current ride after a little accident put my usual drive to work in a panel beaters shop) for the second time today to keep the vicious Gold Coast City Council parking inspectors at bay, I opted to avoid all awkward moments from unwanted pop up shops in the local shopping center by taking a quiet stroll through the local park instead. 

A place of people lounging in the sun, kids running around, the glorious beach to my left and then suddenly..

Would you have a minute to talk about our lord and savior?   

A POP UP CHURCH BOOTH THING APPEARS! In the middle of the park and of course I didn't even see it until I walked straight past it..

Maybe I should have stayed in the office and risked the parking fine instead..