i don't know that i've ever seen anything resembling small talk on a forum, and i don't think it necessarily has to be awful if people are willing to be open.
for example, has anyone had to do any adulting lately? i think it's been a while since i've done any. the closest i've come lately is doing a deep clean on the bathroom, which doesn't feel particularly adulty.
have you cooked anything fun lately? i made so much lasagna i just ate some for breakfast.
have you had any weird weather lately? we've been having some serious thunderstorms occasionally at night, but on the whole it hasn't been raining as much as it did in May and June.