Today, I took my son and a little guy I babysit out to get some sun and play a little bit at a local park that wasn't our 'usual'. The one I usually take them to has this great big water feature that they both love. However, last time we went, it was being 'snaked' (plumbed), as the drain was clogged with Spaghetti-Monster-Knows-What; in other words, it was 'out of order'.
I can only imagine WHAT it was clogged with, the way people treat the park. They're like fucking pigs. People leave their food wrappers, cups, plates and (yes, hard to believe) dirty diapers wherever they happen to be at the time; there's only a garbage bin every 20 ft, for fuck's sake. Who can be bothered to actually move their ass toward one?
So, seeing as how the only thing that makes that particular park any fun for the kids in this hot weather was not working, I had to find another park nearby the house. This park had better playground facilities, but it's in a much shittier neighborhood. As soon as I sat down and let the kids run off to play, the homeless guy laying on the bench in the covered picnic area felt the need to start asking me about my kids. It was all right, and I don't decide who to talk to based on their home-ownership.....however, this guy was not aware that I had ended the conversation, even though I got up to walk away. I suspect he had a good time finishing the talk with himself, anyhow.
When I looked around the park, I began to notice it was full of very large men....none of whom seemed to have a child or a ladyfriend in tow. When I felt myself being glared at, I began running my hand over my strategically-placed pocket-knife I always carry, and clutching my purse closer. After realizing just how truly outnumbered the kids and I were, I decided to cut short this little visit and walked us swiftly back to the car.
The little 4-yr old I babysit was a little bummed about having to leave so soon, but my own son understood. This, unfortunately, is what the parks within comfortable driving distance have become here. It's getting to the point where, unless you've got a sleeping bag, a cleanliness problem and are content to murmur endlessly to yourself, you're an outcast in the park.
