I want to preface this by saying that most of the people in the park by my workplace are fine, fine people. Nothing wrong with them at all. Occasionally, however, I will come across some who are what we might call different. I’ve encountered more than a few on my noon hour strolls and, I’m sorry if I sound judgemental, but why don’t you be the judge? Let me tell you a few stories about the people on the street that I meet – not every day – but every once in a while...
Last summer, I was walking my regular noon hour walk through the park, when I came across a middle-aged woman sitting on a park bench facing me. She looked like she was resting, enjoying the day. But as I walked past her, she said something to me rather quietly. I pulled out my AirPods (I don’t walk without them) so I could hear what she was saying. I thought maybe she was asking for the time.
She continued in a quiet tone: “Are you following me?”
I wasn’t sure if this was a joke. I remembered seeing her once before in the distance, but paid little attention. I looked around to see if anyone else might be “following her” but it was just her and me.
“What?” I asked, to make sure I hadn’t misheard her.
She asked again: “Are you following me?”
I laughed nervously. Was this a prank? Judging by the serious look on her face, it was not. So I shook my head and pointed to the building across the street. “No, I work over there. I’m just going for my walk.”
With that, she nodded her head nonchalantly and said, “Okay.”
Another day, while walking by our city’s newest, coolest outdoor pool (it even has slides), I came across a man, probably in his seventies, who looked a little underdressed – as in, not wearing enough clothes.
My first thought was that maybe he was at the pool and came straight out with Speedos still on. But no – I recalled seeing him on the pathway even before the pool... And as I got closer, there lacked any evidence of Speedo material – or at least how I suspect Speedos to look, as I’ve never actually seen a Canadian man in his right mind wearing them. No, this material looked more like cotton.
Could this man really be sporting black underwear with white crew socks and runners?
I got close enough (but not too close) to confirm my suspicion. This was for real. He walked without hesitation or embarrassment, and without any pants on whatsoever.
Another interesting man used to frequent the park near my workplace. I don’t mean to mock him because he clearly had a mental condition and, based on his language, likely had a severe case of Tourette syndrome.
I felt bad for him, but I also felt sorry for anyone unaware of his condition, as he would seemingly direct his swearing at you as you walked past him. If you listened carefully enough, though, you would understand that he wasn’t cussing you out. He was cussing out Calgary, namely their football team, the [bleeping] Calgary Stampeders.
We had gotten so used to him that when he walked by our office picnic lunch one summer day, we just smiled and nodded as he let the obscenities fly. We were okay with it. It was the Calgary Stampeders, after all.
Again, no judgement.
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