Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Sidewalk

Could you share the damn sidewalk, please.

As I probably already mentioned, I walk to the subway from my house in the morning on my way to work. It's a 20 minute walk, and about 7 blocks. Normally I have to watch for cars at the 4-way stops who race through without stopping, and glare at me as I try to walk across the street, but in the last 2 days, my patience is wearing thin with people taking up the whole sidewalk.

Yesterday, a woman waiting for a ride was standing in the middle of the sidewalk... saw me coming towards her, but did not move. I ended up at the last minute veering around her, and grumbled under my breath. Thought i should have said something or walked into her. Sorry dear, this sidewalk does NOT belong to you and only you. Just today, there were kids getting into a minivan and a girl, about 13 standing there, obvioulsy not moving as I approached her. She was beside her car, door open, and I had to just brush by her, on their lawn while avoiding garbage cans. Again I cursed under my breath.

I also walked towards a couple and their dog, who took up the whole sidewalk. Did they switch to single file to let me pass? NO, I ended up on the grass again, grumbling.

And to make matters worse, I almost got hit by as woman in a car fixing her hair at a corner. She was looking to make a right turn, and was watching traffic on the left. I was coming from the right. You would think since she had almost hit 2 women walking across the street she would have looked my way before going but she did not. By the time she sped forward, I was 3/4's of the way past her car and had to jump forward to avoid her taking out my back leg as I walked. I was filled with rage at this incompetence, but without turning around, just shook my head in disgust and mae my way the next block to the office. Idiots. All of them. Inconsiderate. Maybe next time I'll speak up. Or not.

5 comments:

Blog said...

If I pass you on the street, I'll be sure to move my bugaboo to the right--you go to the left, kay? ;) Funny post Speak Easy! And, soo true in this neighbourhood!

nouseforaname said...

carry a bat with some rusty nails sticking out of it. Wave it menancingly as you walk down the sidewalk while yelling at the top of your lungs. That'll move them I promise!

Urban Daddy said...

Haley-o, I walk along your street to the subway and from the subway every day. I'll make sure if I pass you I wont smack you in the head with my new Shroom-monkey approved bat. :)

Anonymous said...

Hon, you need to relax. Try saying "excuse me" to the people, with a nice smile. No need to get worked up about it.

I guess that means I am in the "SAY SOMETHING" camp.

Then again, when have I been known to keep my mouth shut, right?!?

Jill said...

At least, you do have sidewalk! Down my place, we don't. Some drivers, when there is someone in the other line won't stop to wait for them to pass. They pass at the same time, at our level( we only have like an 2foot-long side) and almost take one of our leg off.
But I know what you meant, some people do believe the world do belong to them!