Annoying.

I have not ascended my soapbox in quite a while, but yesterday’s antics demand comment so buckle up.

Recently, I mentioned the quiet in the country.

Today, I am addressing the self-involved city folk I recently encountered.

I left home for a stroll across Central Park to midtown to play Hairdo Dolly at the Rita Hazan Salon.

I crossed Central Park West and immediately ran into a cell phone Chatty Cathy with her little white doggie dressed like a Barbie doll prancing on the end of a pink feathered leash.

The owner had the leash extended to full length, hogging the entire sidewalk unaware that she was projecting cement ownership while talking on her cell. I came to a dead stop. I was not jumping off the sidewalk into the street to accommodate this moron.

She gave me side eye. I held my ground. She reeled in Barbie and I was on my way.

10 minutes later on my way downhill towards 5th Avenue and 59th street I encountered a stoned Billie Eilish clone who weaved back and forth across the sidewalk while choking on her joint. Total lack of awareness.

Next up the anorexic cell phone woman literally elbowing everyone out of the way at the Le Bibloquet register as she awaited her oat milk no foam cappuccino. Surprise. She did not realize she had to pay for her purchases. She finally put the phone down, fished for her Gucci wallet and carrying bag, paid, took her sweet time loading her bag and putting away her designer wallet, resumed her phone conversation and exiting to a round of boos. You go, New Yorkers.

On the walk home I encountered a pack of nannies  who had to walk three abreast making the road the only option.

Next, a nursery school group of under fivers who were literally tied together in a coiled snake shape on the East 66th Street sidewalk.

That is it for now. There were, remarkably, a few more encounters, but forget about it!

Walk tall and carry a big stick.