Irritating things

People who walk along staring at their mobile phone. They are like a stone in the shoe, impeding movement. This is especially irritating in cities.

Competitive misery.

When someone says "With all due respect..." and what follows is invariably less than respectful.

Stock phrases such as "to be fair; to cut a long story short; at the end of the day; I hear what you're saying...". Rarely do these phrases serve any other purpose than to fill a silence.

Media sites that deliberately seek to goad or annoy. Why do they feel it necessary to spread misery and anger?

People who check their mobile phones in the middle of a conversation or meeting. How rude!

Dog excrement on the pavement.

People who throw their rubbish out of car windows. This behaviour is simply lazy and inconsiderate.

People who complain about the behaviour of others, but smile and accept it when in that other party's presence. *

Mobile phones.

People who say they are going to do something, but never do.


*I may be guilty of this, on occasion. 

Enviable people

A young woman, unconscious of her innate beauty and grace.

People who can speak more than one language, and learn new ones with apparent ease.

People who know exactly how to dress for their figure. Their elegance and style appears effortless.

An elderly couple walking slowly along, hand in hand.

Men with deep, measured voices. No matter what they say, people listen.

A child at play.

Two women sitting at a cafe table in the mid-afternoon, each with a glass of wine. By the way they talk to each other, the way they laugh, it is obvious that they have nothing more pressing to do than enjoy each other's company.

People who have followed their dreams. Though their life may have followed a difficult path, the result is rewarding.

Young boys playing at war. Their freedom and spirit is enviable.