On my way into the office this morning I stopped by my local coffee/muffin shop for my extra hot, double shot skinny latte (don’t laugh…that’s what I ask for!) and the guy behind the jump (the owner I think) was doing his usual ‘way too happy for that hour of the morning’ chatty thing. I’d noticed a few other mornings that he was particularly interested in talking to me, but brushed it off. (I’m like twice his age I’m sure and although he’s not bad looking he certainly isn’t my type - sleazy!)

Anyway…he starts chatting about the weather and how cold it is and I laugh politely when he says ‘that it happens in Winter’ and he laughs too. And then it happens. A booger…boogie…bit of snot…what ever you choose to call it…flies out and attaches itself to the end of his nose!

OMG! Now I’m doing my best not to laugh hysterically and I know that I’ve already screwed up my nose and grimaced twice. But, he continues to chat while I wait for my latte; wishing today I’d gone for their generally ‘warm’ coffee which is made in a flash and I’d have been on my way! Instead I stand there trying my best not to stare at that boogie and make idle chit chat.

Then the clincher…he leans over the counter, booger big and green stuck firmly on the very tip of his nose and whispers “would you have a coffee with ME sometime”? Oh fuck…oh fuck…I thought I would vomit! I took one last look at that snot nosed face and replied “Thanks but I dont drink coffee”…grabbed that latte from the counter and was outta there. Shouting back…”have a great day”!

Looks like I’ll be finding a new coffee shop for that extra hot, double shot - hot chocolate!

I had the opportunity this week of attending the new Albury library museum. I went to borrow a book…not an ordinary book…a Living Book. His name was Ian, and for an hour or more he shared his life with me over coffee and cookies. And what a life he’d had.

From being adopted into a very straight family (of homophobic boys) as a young child and then the realization that he was gay (aged 11),to meeting his extended biological family (all girls no less!)… Ian had an amazing story to share and he was quite a character!

He talked about being gay in the seventies and of the need to wear what he termed as his ‘cloak and mask’ - being unable to show the ‘real’ Ian for fear of his life and also his lively hood. He spoke of his first Sydney Gay Mardi Gras parade in 1979 where he announced openly with other males that he was a gay.They were promptly thrown in the back of a police divvy van and taken away. In fact it was illegal then to show open signs of homosexuality…that was nearly 30 years ago and Ian attended this years parade walking directly behind gay representatives of the Australian Police Force…my my how things have changed! I wonder if any of them had been there back in ‘79?

I have never read a book quite like Ian and the hour flew by without either of us realising. I could have listened to him chat for hours. He isn’t actually a writer, nor does he have a book written on his life, but I’m sure glad I got to borrow him even if only for a brief time.

Thank you Ian…I hope our paths cross again some time.