i need a new entrance line....

i need one. i mean i think everyone needs one. when i was at my high school on the weekend, for just about everyone i saw, i heard/said the same thing..."how are you?" or "what's new with you?" barf. i mean "how are you" is a reference to ones' well-being to their personal state of life and mind...and can you please tell me how many people expect you to respond with a "well things are ok, i actually just lost my job, and im running low on cash, and my dog lost her leg..." no. we dont expect it, neither do we give it. we give a "good, good...and you?" and none of this means anything! please note that this is directed as much at myself as it is anyone else.

i need a new entrance line! any ideas? anyone have a good one? and the thing is...i want to totally mean it and not say it out of habit. i mean the newest one im trying out is opening with a compliment. but this is not to be given without meaning...it is sincere, because as referenced in my blog entitled "#1fan" you build people up with compliments. and we all love getting them.

some other ones im going to try to incorporate...
"hey baby...whats shakin?!" ...no...not me...more the sleezy guys at devils martini...
"dude...its been ages...tell me about your life!" ...a little rusty but with some tweaking...potential
"have you done any travelling lately?" ... comme ci comme ca...

anyways...i will come up with something. i want my greetings to be meaningful, thought-out and purposeful. i want people to know i'm interested in them and what they have to say...but please...i have a bit of a learning curve here...bear with me...and know that i really do care about what you have to say...even if i forget and fall back on the old stand-by.. "how are you?"