Cheer up.

Making my way back from the shops with my family, when an elderly woman passes me on the pavement. As we near her, she says,
"I hope you get better."
Erm...thanks? I'm not sure what I should say to this. I don't have the heart to tell her that it's extremely unlikely to happen unless there are a whole series of Eureka moments in medical research.  So instead I just smile and try to look hopeful.

Then a week later I am at a gig, enjoying a pint while the support act shreds the eardrums of anyone foolish enough to go into the auditorium. The noise finishes and people start making their way in. While queuing to go in, a woman in the crowd looks over at me and says,
"You look really sad. Don't be. What you're about to see is going to be amazing."
She is referring Gogol Bordello, the band I have come to see and who certainly know how to put on a good show.

I explain to her that I have seen them before so I know what to expect, and that 'sad' seems to be a default position with my face and that I'm actually perfectly happy, thank you very much.

I did for a moment toy with the idea of looking even more morose and saying,
"Yeah, well, I'm in a f***ing wheelchair, aren't I!" But it seemed a little cruel.

So I have now set myself some homework. I am going to practice looking a bit less miserable. Who knows, I might even try smiling, but people will probably just think I'm a bit simple.