Then and now.

How times have changed from this time ten years ago:-

Then:-

When I used to walk through Market Street in Manchester, no matter which way I was walking, EVERYONE was walking in the opposite direction towards me.

Now:-

When I walk through Market Street in Manchester, no matter which way I walk, EVERYONE is walking in the opposite direction towards me whilst text messaging on their phones.

Then:-

I had friends.

Now:-

I have acquaintances.

Then:-

I used to believe in true love.

Now:-

I don't.

Then:-

I couldn't believe how horrible, nasty and selfish people could be.

Now:-

I'm used to how horrible, nasty and selfish people can be.

Then:-

People would get up and protest for things that they disapproved of:-

Now:-

People will think that they are humanitarians after they have expressed their views on twitter.

Then:-

I was the man. I was something to a lot of people.

Now:-

I am nobody.

A visit from the afterlife? No, it's just a pigeon.

Since sometime last year, nearly everyday there has been a pigeon visiting the back yard in my mothers' house where I live. It's a chubby little thing and ridiculously just waddles around the yard like it owns it. I've now started to leave bread out.

I'm miserable most of the time. I am well and truly down and see the negative side of almost anything. And even though pigeons are really dirty scavengers, I actually genuinely feel happy when it is there. I laugh sometimes and I smile. But I am hardly ever genuinely happy. Granted, it is only for  minute or so but still.

It reminded me of this amazing scene in Lost. Please watch from 23:00-25:55.

http://www.tvids.net/watch103/Lost/season-01-episode-16-Outlaws

Now I'm not saying that the pigeon is a visit from the afterlife. In the words of John Locke:

"That would be silly."

But for some reason when it is there, I feel like it should be there and that it's not just a pigeon-even though it clearly is. When I try and approach it, it of course flies off. That's what pigeons do.

And in some way that isn't explainable, I feel happy when I see it.