Dog shit

Arrived home in a cab. On getting out, the driver helpfully said:

“Stop a second, someone’s let their dog mess right outside your front gate – I’ll guide you”

It’s the third time in 4 months that this has happened – not just on the pavement, but right in the middle of my front gate. Fills me with anger and disgust – especially having the difficulty of trying to clear it up as best I can!

All or nothing

“So how can you take photographs if you can’t see?” He asked incredulously

“Oh, I’m just very intuitive”

Fear and loathing in Brunswick Square

Walking home from work, crossing the square, a guy starts shouting aggressively:

“Oi…. Oi You…. Oi you…”

I carry on walking, thinking he’s high or pissed and could be shouting at anyone or no one.

“Oi YOU… You with the white stick”

I turned round for a moment, not stopping, couldn’t see him. He shouts something slurred:

“Rhrrrhrrrh fuckin rhhrrrhhhh”

I took a different and more public route to Broadmead. Just crossing James Barton Roundabout, I heard:

“Oi YOU”.

I picked up my pace and didn’t hear him again.

Challenging the stereotype

In a taxi from meeting back to work. Guess the driver was late 50s Bristolian - 5Live on & phone-in about the new rape law. Taxi driver becoming anoyed at what he hears. I think, do I get into an argument or keep my mouth shut… I say:

“What are you thinking”

Taxi driver says:

“I think it’s all down to Thatcher’s government. It just tought people that they had a right to have what they want when they wanted it and not to care about anyone else. Some women say they’ve been raped when they haven’t but men just think that they have a right to do whatever they like with women. How old are you?”

“43”

“It’s your age group, a few years older and everyone after you”

I was shocked and moved.

Playing games

At a gig on Saturday – dark, noisy room. Walking through the audience.

A guy starts talking to me in an odd way, I recognise his voice. I said:

“Is that “X”?)

“Yes - so you worked it out in the end then”

On first meeting

Going to a friend’s for supper, he’d organised me a lift with another guest.

The stranger knocks on my door, I open it…

“Hello, good to meet you, thanks for the lift”

"Hi... So how much can you see? What can you see? Cand you see anything? Can you see me?”

“Goodness, that’s a lot of questions. Let’s get into the car first”

A nod's as good as a wink...

In the shop:

“Could you show me where the printer paper is please?”

The shop assistant points.

“I’m blind, could you show me?”

“It’s over there” he points again