Darragh Ó Héiligh blog and accessibility guides

Nice weather really brings out the crazies doesn’t it? Yesterday I was walking back from work when three random strangers stopped me to talk to me about the weather, my dog and the traffic in Dublin city. 

Now, One, I was in my own little world, happily mulling the thought’s of finishing work and having the night to take it easy after a very difficult day, two, I was kind of tired.  I’d had one of those days that seems to drain you completely and three; I was just not in the mood to talk to random strangers about shit.

While enjoying the sun shining on my face walking down the road, some man stopped me to talk about my dog.  He said something like: “Lovely dog isn’t he? “  I replied yeah,  it’s a fabulous evening.  I hope we have more of it.  I was trying to be friendly without showing him that I’d not really been listening to him.  He stopped and repeated his greeting.  I think he was a bit offended that I grunted in agreement and kept walking.

The second man said to me: “Nice day isn’t it?” I replied, yeah.  He’s a lovely dog.  Hay, I’d only walked around the corner when the second man started talking to me and my brain was still thinking about my confusion over the last brief conversation.   The second fella completely took me by surprise!  Still intent on getting home though I purposefully continued walking. 

There’s a busy crossing on one of the roads I need to pass through on my way.  Last night they took a few minutes to change.  During that time though another man started to moan to me about the traffic and how that in his day things were much better because there wasn’t as much noise, pollution or traffic related deaths.  I don’t think he was very impressed when I responded by saying that there wasn’t as much traffic, noise, pollution or deaths on the roads when he was younger but then again, there wasn’t much money, opportunity or equality either so I’d personally take the slight disadvantage caused by increased traffic on the roads. I was ready that time!  I actually participated in a conversation properly!  I’m very proud of my self!

Unbelievable.  I must have looked very approachable yesterday.  Even though I just wanted to tell them all to fuck off and leave me alone. I’m a very intolerant person aren’t I?

Ah we all have our problems.