A little while ago I mentioned that when returning from my late afternoon walks, I regularly pass a female bicyclist travelling on the footpath in the opposite direction. The question I posed was - how do we strike up a conversation?A few people have been following this story and I can now announce that contact has been established!
First of all, she has started flashing at me.
I will let you think about that for a while before disappointing you with an innocent clarification. She flashes her bicycle light at me as a greeting, (I can't believe I am 51 and writing that sentence!).
As Sydney heads towards winter it is getting dark much earlier and though the last rays of the sun light up the clouds in the western sky, at ground level it is quite dark - hence the bicycle lights (one of those Dymos we all wanted to have when I was a kid).
Today I was walking home along the busy main road where our brief and silent rendezvous take place. I turned my head to the west and saw a power pole silhouetted against a flame orange background. For some reason it appealed to me so I stopped to take a few photographs - not noticing the female cyclist was heading my way. It was only when I had finished that I realised she had stopped for me to take the photographs without interruption. This was my chance!
"Sorry, I didn't realise you were waiting for me. Thank you." Richard Gere eat your heart out - I bet you couldn't have come up with anything as smooth as that!
"No problem" she replied, then asked "Can I ask what you were photographing?"
It was a good question as the only thing of any apparent interest was the local liquor shop advertising it's weekly specials.
"A power pole in the dark." I answered. I bet she has never had that line used on her before!
"Oh right" was her response.
I could see I was losing control of the conversation and any credibility I may have had to begin with.
"Would you like to see?" I asked and unfolded the flashy looking rotating LCD screen that I can never see unless it is pitch black.
"Hey that's great" she said kindly. "I like the contrast - it's very dramatic". This girl has obviously been to acting class. However, she didn't stop there - she decided to elaborate.
"It reminds me of one of those road movies - looks like a desert in Arizona or New Mexico".
A tree lined desert is a new one on me, but I guess we all live and learn.
"Yes it does rather" I said in support of her artistic vision, "I can imagine Harry Nilsson singing the theme song in the background".
"Who?"
A little voice in my head gatecrashed the conversation to inform me -
"Houston, we have a problem".
"Harry Nilsson - the singer" I explained.
"Sorry, I've never heard of him."
It was then I realised she is a lot younger than me. Until today I had never actually seen what she looked like, as in daylight she always wears large dark goggles and a crash helmet. At least no one can say I judge a girl by her looks. She wouldn't have even been born when I was humming Nilsson records.
Of course age is not a barrier to romance these days.
But not knowing who Harry Nilsson is - that's pushing it!
