Meeting

For me it started just like any other day. Got up a bit peeved with the thought of having to rely on Public Transport, (but that’s another story!) to get to my destination. The fascinating thing is it all went to plan, which was a first for me, and at least it was a day away from my place of work. The only problem was finding a seat on the train, which proved to be the start of my little adventure.

My colleagues and I had to split up so I was not happy with the thought of sitting on a packed train with no one I knew. No laptop. No book. Feeling totally naked except for a train ticket and directions to the venue. I managed to find a seat that was next to a woman who looked about my age, with her head in a book. Me being as nimble as an elephant with attitude, managed to fall over and onto this poor lady, who lets say managed to be more dignified for me. She helped sooth my red face and apologies away with such grace it almost had a touch of royalty to it.

After the initial shock of making a total prat of myself and a 1,000 apologies later we both managed to make introductions. She shook hands with me and instantly, like bringing in a new person or object into a familiar environment, settled me with an instant calmness. Something that I had not felt since the tenderness of a mothers love. I felt extremely weird, but somehow elated by this total stranger. Had it been me she might have had more ear ache than a nagging wife!

Her hand was gentle, but firm as we shook, she introduced herself.

'I'm Pamela, Pamela Price. Nice of you to drop in... so to speak' she said with a soft laugh.

Instantly, with the blubbering gone I was able to spurt out my name and thank her once again, why again? I don't know, for making my landing a safe and pleasant fall. Just glad I never had the regular Starbucks glued to my hand, the thought...

It came as no surprise, in an instant we got chatting, the usual traveling innuendo. Where you heading? It seemed a bit ironic when my reply was 'Birmingham'. She looked at me and laughed gently. 'Not bad considering we are on the Birmingham Express, 1 pick-up, 1 stop-off.'

For over an hour we talked intensely. Locked into our own little zone. To passers by we could have been perceived as very good friends. Lovers would have been too extreme as the evidence of passion smoldered like a snuffed-out candle. Although there was a mutual attraction, it never surfaced. This was a journey about life. The mistakes. The good bits. The sad. The most memorable. Wish I had done this, or that. Love, hate. It was an amazing insight, not just about myself but how I got to where I am today. My misconceptions of my youthful years. Things I never thought about or gave second thoughts swirled inside me like a tornado. All I wanted to do was let go of this energy, but not in a destructive way. Every part of me ached with an infusion of thoughts.

You may have met Pamela yourself on your travels? Maybe you know her? Is she familiar? After our journey I felt as if I had known her all my life! The hard part is trying to describe her without being too intrusive and publishing a lot of her thoughts. So in turn I am going to let you know some facts that we talked about. The laughs we shared. The sadness she has endured. Who she is today. Her plans for the future. I never thought I could absorb a lot of information in such a short time. Somehow I managed to do so. I had to, its been a whole host of emotions since my journey that I simply could not ignore it!

Where do I begin? I could just start by saying everything about her. But there would be no logic to that. If you have met or know her, you too would do the same! Putting Pamela into perspective. She is 46 years of age. Born in the UK, Merseyside. Is about 5ft 6" of medium build. Her hair falls past her shoulders. It is olive black. Dresses very smartly, but she was on business. Has the most captivating green eyes. I suppose she sounds like anyone and everyone. Maybe I am being vague? What I am going to do is tell you a 101 things about her. Then if you meet or already know her, you will understand and feel privileged that you do.

101 Things

Its funny when you think about it? What am I, waffling on about? Its just this. I want everyone who has met this remarkable lady to come forth. Maybe you were with her on one of her exploits? If so write your side of the story! She told me that once she ate a raw onion, like an apple when she was at school. She became instantly known as Ringo. No not the Beatles drummer. Kids being kids, duly related her to a packet of crisps. They were onion flavoured rings. So if you are reading this, are you one of those that dared her? Why did you dare her. Was she funny. Popular. An attention seeker? I don't know. But you may do! So that's the first thing I have disclosed about her and the rest is to follow...

101 things: 2.

When she left school she became a Bingo caller in a Bingo Hall in Prescot, Merseyside...

101 things: 3.

She has competed in a hot-air balloon race...

101 things: 4.

On her flight to Orlando the plane lost a wheel and belly flopped on the runway and was delayed for 24hrs (she still traveled)...

101 things: 5.

Auditioned for Pop Idol (first season)...

101 things: 6.

Modelled for a advert for BP...

101 things: 7.

Climbed Mount Etna and still has the ash tray made from the Volcanic rock...

101 things: 8.

Owned a dress shop making wedding dresses, somewhere in Liverpool...

101 things: 9.

Had to escape a large fire in the Isle of Man, Summerland... Sadly 53 people died in the tragedy on 2 August 1973, and it is one of the worst British peacetime disasters involving a fire since 1929

101 things: 11.

Father did a runner when she was five... (now good friends)...

101 things: 12.

When she was young she was playing 'Thunder and Lightning' (knocking on peoples doors, then running away) with a group of friends. When trying to hide she should have jumped over the wall but dived into it. She knocked herself unconscious and was left with a black eye...

101 things: 13.

Decided to go to Australia to study. However got incredibly homesick and came home after six weeks. She never told anybody. Just bought a ticket and flew home...

101 things: 14.

During her short spell in Australia she worked in a banana factory...

101 things: 15.

Is an avid reader and can consume, as she puts it, 1-2 novels a week. This is on top of what she needs to do for her job...

101 things: 16.

She enjoys gardening and rates it as number 1 in her therapeutic list, besides a glass of wine...

101 things: 17.

Her favourite tipple is wine. She is not a connoisseur but likes anything red and costs over £5.00 (why? I ain't gotta clue)...

101 things: 18.

She enjoys modern art and is a regular visitor to the Tate Galleries and when working away from home she has visited many other galleries around the world...

101 things: 19.

Inspired by her curiosity for modern art and its symbolised point of view. It inspired her to join an art class to replicate some of the pictures she wanted to paint for her home. When I asked her why? Her logic was she did not want to make a mess in her own home...

101 things: 20.

She is the mother of 2, as she put it, 'adorable children'. They are in their late teens and of the same sex...

101 things: 21.

Has completed the London Marathon in 4 hours and 08 min...

101 things: 22.

When she got back from her short trip from Oz she was cajoled into going to India on a trek with a couple of friends. They hitched a lift from a mutual friend to drive them up into the mountains to look for a party. He decided that he would like some extra company so he then picked-up a prostitute who then stayed with them for the 7 day trip...

101 things: 23.

Did a fire-walk over hot stones in India...

101 things: 24.

She has many friends. In her youthful days the lads that she hung about with decided that they would give each other a nickname. They used generic terms from vegetables. One friend still carries that name and is affectionately known as Spud...

101 things: 25.

Although she hates cooking she won a mothers cooking competition in her child's Primary School Fare...

101 things: 26.

In order to quell her desire for a smoke, she followed the advice from Dr Chris Steele who was the Dr for the Richard & Judy, 'This Morning Show'. After several attempts and with her habit creeping into the 40-60 a-day bracket, she took his advise. This being: pick a day and a time and stick to it! 16 years and 4 months later she no longer smokes. One of her greatest achievements...

101 things: 27.

The downside of her packing-the-fags-in, was she put on some weight. She joined Slimming World and lost an incredible 31/2 stone in less than a year. She has managed to keep her figure...

101 things: 28.

Is a Gemini and apparently born on the cusp. So if you are into Astrology you will understand what she meant by that...

101 things: 29.

When she was young she took her sisters bike out for ride because she had a 'cob-on' with her. During her trip whilst peddling fervently she crashed the bike when turning a corner. She subsequently fell off and onto the bike. The handle bar actually punctured her leg leaving her with a permanent scar and 10 stitches to repair it...

101 things: 30.

Drunk and a bit worse for the wear, her, and two friends decided to take the shortcut home. However, their journey became an entire night out and a visit to a police cell to sober-up. They ended walking along the hard shoulder of the Motorway in Birmingham's Spaghetti Junction...

101 things: 31.

Likes D.I.Y and will have a go at most things! Says she can do a better job than her partner at decorating... (my kinda woman, 'OH you've missed a bit. Now that's the life!)...

101 things: 32.

Been a computer geek since an early age. Started when she had a job as a 'Punch-Card Operator'...

101 things: 33.

She was so good at typing she was able to: Type. Have a cigarette on the go. Hold a conversation. Have a slurp or two of coffee. All together...

101 things: 34.

Attended University as a mature student when her children started school. It nearly wrecked her relationship with her partner, but they are fine now...

101 things: 35.

Says Uni was one of the best things she did. She has made lots of friends and got one of the best jobs in the world...Well she thinks so! Too much of public transport for me...

101 things: 36.

Enjoys going the cinema and is a regular visitor. (Thanks to Orange Wednesdays). Was happy with the new James Bond.... Hmm I wonder why?

101 things: 37.

Her favourite film of all time is the 'Wizard of OZ'... Not my cup of tea! But hey who am I to judge?...

101 things: 38.

Past her driving test when she was 19 on her second attempt. Still hates driving, but is a nessesary evil..

101 things: 39.

After reading 'The Island, by Victoria Hislop' was moved by the story and donated some money to the charity LEPRA, which helps people with Leprosy...

101 things: 40.

Has a charitable soul and gives to many other charities...

101 things: 41.

Favourite colour is 'Red'...

101 things: 42.

Favourite book is 'Of Mice and Men.' Reminds her of her school days...

101 things: 43.

Favourite sport is 'Tennis.' Loves Wimbledon rates it as the best two weeks of TV...

101 things: 44.

Favourite song is 'lots of them'... adores music. Would be lost without it...

101 things: 45.

Is an avid 'Surfer' on the Internet... She could be reading as we speak! Spooky...

101 things: 46.

Sometimes she enjoys cooking when she's got the time. Her speciality is Lamb with Garlic (lots) and Rosemary. Mash potatoes with chives and butter. Asparagus... Hmmmmm...

101 things: 47.

First mobile phone was a Nec 9a (Brick). Was a good self-defence weapon. Throw it at your enemy and run...

101 things: 48.

Enjoys dancing, with or without alcohol. It started at an early age, she was in a 'Morris Dancing' group for several years, (Majorettes with pom-poms)...

101 things: 49.

A local Lap Dancing Club offers dancing lessons for beginers. She and a few friends booked a session and had a 'Girlie' dancing session before painting the Town red...Did'nt ask if she was any good...

101 things: 50.

For a special present was treated to a flight on Concord to New York...

101 things: 51.

Climbed the Statue of Liberty and sadly the Twin Towers...

101 things: 52.

Appeared in the Liverpool Echo, with her former secondary school as they won a North West Gymnastics competition.

101 things: 53.

Had a spell as a Punk Rocker and was a regular at Eric's in Liverpool City Center...

101 things: 54.

Did a spell at cleaning in the local pub when her children were young... cleaning toilets. Dirty ashtrays. Dried-up beer spills...It did'nt last long. Worst job ever...

101 things: 55.

After leaving her cleaning job, tried her hand in chip frying at the local chippy. That too did not last long...

101 things: 56.

Rather than being naughty at 40. She did a parachute jump for charity...

101 things: 57.

Was on her way home from town. Walking past the 'Abbey' the security van that was topping up the cash machine (ATM) was being held-up by armed robbers. One of them pointed a gun towards her. She took the sensible option and RAN...

101 things: 58.

Has a beautiful set of finger nails. She gets extreemly cross and angry if she snaps one, blames typing...

101 things: 59.

Cringes when she sees people biting the nails... taboo...

101 things: 60.

Likes to Tap Dance... in fact enjoys doing it whilst preparing the tea...

101 things: 61.

When totaly drunk one night at a party woke up to find that her fringe had been cut off. Shaved eyebrows and had miraculously had grown a moustache and beard... just what friends are for...

101 things: 62.

Shopping in her local Tesco's supermarket when she was paying for her goods the two gentlemen in the queue before her were no other than, Samuel L Jackson and Robert Carlyle. They where in Liverpool filming, 'The 51st State' (called Formula 51 for USA)... weird...

101 things: 63.

Loves the USA. She just wishes she had a life-time to explore it...

101 things: 64.

Rates watching the sunrise in the Grand Canyon as one of the most rewarding sights given to man...

101 things: 65.

On her trip to Egypt's Gaza Pyramids was amazed that the road that leads to them is actually on the end of town that has been built around them...

101 things: 66.

Hates boats, but went on a sailing holiday because the rest of the family wanted to do it. Never again, but is happy she managed to sail from Northern Spain to St Ives in Cornwall...

101 things: 67.

Tis the season to be jolly! One year when out shopping got a bit tipsy and left the Christmas presents in the pub. Luckily for her they had been handed in and was able to retrieve them... so there is a Father Christams after all.

101 things: 68.

When her children were small she planned an outing to the Safari Park. The got to the Rhino's enclosure and a car in front of them was had parked up. Her partner who was driving decide to overtake the car. This seemed OK but one of the Rhinos took offence to this and made a charge towards their car. After a frantic wheel spin they manged to avoid being pulverised by the Rhino...

101 things: 69.

Was brought up by her Grandparents when she was young...

101 things: 70.

One of her saddest moments is when her Grandmother died when she was 12 and her beloved Granpa followed 4 years later...

101 things: 71.

Made things right with her mother who had always been there but they had never got on with each other... sadly that was not to last. She was orphaned at 27...

101 things: 72.

During her youthful years her employer lived within the same area. So out walking she past his house. He was there with his two young children digging up the garden. She said her hello's, and trying to impress made what she thought was a nice comment. How nice it was to see a father playing with his children. His reply was they were burying the dog...

101 things: 73.

With eminent birth of her first child she decided that she was going to have this as naturally as possible. No gas. No air. No nothing. For her second she had a bit of everything...

101 things: 74.

When messing about in her garden riding a bike. Not looking where she was going. Braked hard and went flying along the grass. She broke her ankle...

101 things: 75.

On her first attempt at water-skiing she got dragged along and when she re-surfaced she had lost the bottom part of her bikini... that will teach her to tie them knots tighter!...

101 things: 76.

Her favourite childhood book is, 'The Silver Sword.' It captured her tom-boy imagination at primary school and has bought several copies of it since. She has given them away to inspire young people, hoping it will help them carry on reading...

101 things: 77.

Her favourite trilogy of books are the 'His Dark Materials' by Philip Pullman... So say I...

101 things: 78.

Was born in the Everton area of Liverpool, she and her brother use to make money by minding cars whilst the football was on. Would die if she thought her children would do the same... sad sign of the times...

101 things: 79.

Got an addiction for Ebay. Bought more crap than she cares to mention but loves the auction...(women and shopping!)...

101 things: 80.

Loves her iPod! Only thing is she sometimes gets carried away and starts singing along. I can hear them now. 'Mum do you have to'...

101 things: 81.

One day when using MSN she had the web-cam on and she forgot. As she had not long come out of the shower. Her hair was wrapped in a towel and the other just about covered her modesty!...lucky escape...

101 things: 82.

When very tiny she was so excited to go and see father Christmas. When she sat upon his lap she pulled his beard, and it fell off. She was convinced she had hurt Father Christmas. She thought all the other kids would not get any presents... how sweet...

101 things: 83.

One of her employers use to own and fly helicopters.

101 things: 84.

Her most memorable flight is flying around the Manhattan skyline New York. Before 911...

101 things: 85.

Has also flown across Niagra Falls and the Grand Canyon. Its the best way to see them...so she says...

101 things: 86.

Space Invaders is number 1 game...

101 things: 87.

Her partner has had 2 different types of jobs when their children were born. They are described as being the offspring from these professions... (milkman springs to mind?)...

101 things: 88.

According to her stars her lucky number is 7. However she prefers the number 13... unlucky for some...

101 things: 89.

Favourite stage musical is 'Phantom of the Opera'...

101 things: 90.

Funniest play is 'Long Collar' which is about a cab driver working on a Christmas Eve...

101 things: 91.

Is a good communicator and likes to 'gab the leg of a donkey!' Dont know what she meant by that... now where's that carrot?...

101 things: 92.

Her best ever present was when her partner put on her a beautiful Tiffany Diamond ring. They could not afford a real one when they got engaged... how sweet..

101 things: 93.

Got her children reading Harry Potter and are all fans... loves Dobie, he's so cute... (he can of one of socks, he wont thank me for it!)...

101 things: 94.

Made her own computer... once... (she did'nt say if it worked or not though!)...

101 things: 95.

Went to an all girls school in Liverpool, UK.

101 things: 96.

Had to move from her native town and lives in central England because of work...

101 things: 97.

Her favourite item is her Blackberry. It cost her nothing and she gets to play with it for free. Thanks to her kind company...

101 things: 98.

Supports Liverpool Football Club... Justs loves men in shorts!...

101 things: 99.

Once appeared on television. Not for the right reasons though. Was palying truant (sagging) and Granada TV were filming about Kate Bush who was appearing at the Liverpool Empire. She and her friend danced and made funny faces behind the news crew. Was watched by her Grandfather who did not see the funny side of it. Nor either did the school!...

101 things: 100.

Writes regularly in a journal and has done for a long time. She says its nice to look back and reflect upon the past. The future is a story that is untold. Its what you make it that counts...

101 things: 101.

If she was granted a wish, her only wish would be to abolish Cancer. It has decimated most of the people she loves and the lives around them...

Well that’s about it really! I hope this blog has inspired you to write. It might be that somewhere in your life’s journey you have met someone like her. Did some of the daft things. Maybe she might have inspired you or made you think about yourself. I did. I managed to do this! So if you think you know, or are certain Pamela has crossed your path, why not write your meeting? You will know she has travelled far and away from her native country (UK). So this is not just about someone who lives in the North West of England! There are a lot of other bits that we talked about that I have not disclosed. Maybe you know more. Share your thoughts. Let others know... the rest is up to you!...

©Craig M Broadbent 2006

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