Written on 23rd of July 2015

On this particular day in July which was a Saturday in 1960 and also the year of the rat, this fine gentleman was born. He was not planned as he was to discover later in life. But he was told he was a brilliant mistake. At this point I should say that there was no residual scarring from this revelation as far as he is aware.

He made it through school even although he got knocked down by a car on the way there one morning. He even survived a close shave when a friend called George, who was walking along side, got shot in the face while walking home from school, yes shot……..

The Cochrane House hotel was the centre of that universe and it was his favourite drinking hole. His first pint was had at the age of 15 and he was on the pool team by 17.

The only tangible piece of evidence he has from then is the pint glass he stole from there 30 years ago

Several drunken years where consuming over a gallon of beer in a single night was common practice and then having the cheek to go to work the next morn to drive his trusty Volvo double Decker.

That bus could do 70 mph fully loaded. Best job ever for fun and enjoyment. Doing a 360 degree handbrake turn in the double Decker was magic. Even better than the Ice Cream van where he sold some very interesting items.

He grew up in a time where there was no surveillance, where you could get away with lots of mischief and where freedom really meant freedom.

He had then an interesting eclectic mix of friends then and still does.

Some were on the good and some on the bad. He walked a tightrope at times between these two worlds but thankfully never fell too far or got caught up.

He had a sea change at 28 when he left for Australia. He still lives there after 25 years and is now looking for another path to stroll, so he is now in China for a while……

He gets bored easily and I sometimes worry about him but usually in hindsight there is no need.

He is ?