The Art of Creating Problems

Published on May 16, 2025

Thursday, May 1st, 10 AM, a big blue sky, summer is approaching.

It's a public holiday — after sleeping in, I head out for my weekly jog. The day is starting wonderfully.

Two streets over, I come across a man harassing a neighborhood woman walking her dog, because there are too often dog droppings in front of his house. He's not happy that people don't pick up their animals' waste.

He was beside himself, raising his voice, insults were flying and the woman too — she was threatening to call the police.

I thought they were going to come to blows.

At first, it shocked me. It's May 1st, it's a public holiday, the weather is beautiful, the day is starting well, and this guy has only one idea: to find someone to pick a fight with.

Doesn't he have anything else to do with his day?

I walk through this street every day, sometimes several times a day: on foot, running, cycling and even skateboarding!

I've lived in the neighborhood for over six years, and not once have I been bothered by the amount of dog droppings.

But it's never been a minefield. I've never thought to myself that it was annoying to pass here because there were too many dog droppings.

Yes, sometimes there are some, like everywhere — I avoid them and, ten seconds later, I've forgotten. Some people don't pick up. It's not right, but it's not the end of the world either.

It fascinates me how some people are capable of creating problems out of nothing — to keep themselves busy, to pass the time. This man must have been almost 50 years old. The weather is beautiful, you're not working, go enjoy life — you have this whole beautiful day ahead of you! You really have to be a piece of shit (no pun intended) to behave like this.

That day, it was a public holiday, I had plenty of things to do. I was taking advantage of the nice weather to go running, but I also spent the day managing my site Lounio adding concerts and, above all, writing my article on Jane Eyre — it had taken me an enormous amount of time to write.

It's depressing, because this man (whom I don't know) is a neighborhood neighbor. He could be a future friend, someone to chat with, do an activity with, a work colleague, or who knows what.

But when people are complete idiots like this guy who comes looking for trouble; how do you expect to develop relationships? Can't he just be normal?

On the other hand, it's also reassuring: when the competition in life is a guy like that, I tell myself that my May 1st program is a bit more "constructive" than his — I'm getting ahead.

When it comes to finding a job or adapting to the slightest unexpected event, I think I have better chances than a guy who panics just because he sees a dog dropping in front of his garage when taking his car out in the morning.

Anyway, I find it sad that people create problems out of nothing. Enjoy life, the day is beautiful.