and some other stuff.
We popped to the shops this afternoon, it was busy but not unbearable. On the way back to the car we walked through an underpass and around up into the carpark. Above the underpass is a grass verge, and a fence separates the carpark area from the verge.
It’s not a very intimidating fence. I think there might be three horizontal bits between the posts, and pretty big gaps in all areas. Despite this, there was a boy of around 9 busily occupied attempting to kick a hole in it. The middle plank was already broken and he was merrily kicking away at the top, urged on by a mate.
“Excuse me, could you stop that?” I shouted.
They looked rather confused, but did stop.
We walked around another bit of path, and then came back in view of the fence. A third boy had appeared and was having a go at it.
“I’ve just said stop that,” I called.
“Stop it? I’m trying to get through.”
“The fence is there to stop you getting through. Would you stop kicking it please?”
“I want to get through.”
“Stop it, or I’ll send someone back round.”
Hm, that didn’t come out quite how I meant. I’d meant I’d find a security guard and send him over, rather than sending the lads round 😉
Anyway, they did all stop it, clamber through and run off, across the road. I found the whole thing really depressing. I can’t think that at that age I’d have been doing anything nearly as destructive, but had I been challenged at any point during wrong doing by an adult, I’d have been utterly terrified, and I certainly wouldn’t have answered them back.
Tim and I chatted about it on the way home. The problem, I think, is that society is fragmenting. There isn’t a cohesive anything any more – just lots of ppl. It took ages to get to the shopping centre by car (it’s about 3 miles away I think, maybe a little further). I don’t think we passed anyone on foot apart from a few ppl crossing the road from the tramway. We did pass a new school site – it looks like a cross between a warehouse and a low security prison – 6 foot chain link fences and massive floodlights. Depressing.
Enough already. Or rather too much. A couple of more cheering snippets about the children.
Big amused me the other night when I went up to check on her in bed. She was busy reading while listening to a story tape – talk about multitasking!
Small amused me last night. As I mentioned I took them into the office with me while I locked up. There was only one of my colleagues left there – Big hid behind me in case the scary man talked to her. Small walked up to him and started a conversation! Guess he isn’t shy then. 😉
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