Ideal

There’s a lot to be said for a bloke who, when his missus is out of town with the kids, uses the opportunity to stay with his widowed mother. And is not afraid to admit it. This was the case last night with a passenger whom I dropped at his Mum’s place.

His own house is an impressive waterfront pile. "The place is just so empty without the family there," he lamented. "I hate it." Having once experienced this I asked, "When you walk through the joint does it echo ?" "Sure does," he agreed. "It just makes me miss them more." 

Another pleasant surprise was his ready acknowledgement of my presence, when others in his position could’ve simply ignored me, especially after a long day. Instead, being naturally friendly he sat up front and, without a hint of pompousness, quietly chatted about work and life in general. Plus it was obvious how much he adored his family.

Thus I reckon his missus struck gold jagging him...she must be the luckiest woman in the world. Who is this man...?

Comments

[Grendel]

Both lucky I reckon - or is it luck at all. Two people get it right sometimes I guess.

Nice one Adrian.

[Anthony]

Not even a lecture on going green?

[Skyring]

You know, I often wonder, when reading your blog, just what is it like to share a cab with a famous man?

Do your passengers ever recognise you?

[Stu]

Adrian, I'd have to question your right to publish pretty personal information about someone and then name him?

[Mark]

Stu - why doesn't Adrian have a "right" (your word) to blog about a personal experience which he had in his cab? Is there cabbie/passenger confidentiality now?

[Cat]

My bloke hates being home alone, he loves having me and his kids around. I'm another "luckiest woman in the world" and I love it!

[Adrian]

Anthony, happily, I got no sense whatsoever that Upton was the lecturing type. Far from it.

Skyring, I’ve never been recognised in the cab thanks, in some part, to a missing detail in my sidebar image. Whilst I prefer it that way, this about to change. Stand by...

Stu, allow me to explain. Being more interested in 'why the passenger did what he did', my defining blogging rationale, I chose not to report the full story...

I picked Upton up from the ABC studios where he'd just completed a radio interview on 702am, ostensibly to promote his new play (see link). Yet, unsurprisingly, the interview had strayed into personal matters, including the revelation he was staying at his Mum’s joint. This was repeated in the cab.

At the end of the journey I gave Upton my blog address, in which he'd expressed some interest after a discussion on writing. As a general rule if I choose to reveal my blog to a passenger then it’s a fair bet I won’t be reporting on them. However upon informing him I didn't intend reporting our encounter he assured me he wasn’t concerned, hence my decision to publish.

Whilst there is no guaranteed right to privacy on public transport, I respect that passengers have an understandable expectation of a certain confidentiality in taxis. For this reason I generally take great care in omitting or changing passengers' identifying details when publishing private matters.

[steph]

What a contrasting story to the one below! That's why I love to read you, I never know what I'm going to come across.

[RebeccaH]

Actually, I thought the post was pretty flattering to Mr. Upton. It's always reassuring to see proof that not all people associated with the entertainment business are complete bastards.

[alice Coltheart]

adrian, for the past two years, every time i've got in a cab i've been disappointed it wasn't you! i reckon i'd recognise you before i'd even shut the door ;D

[geebengrrl]

Ah, that rings true. I met him last year when doing a job for the Sydney Theatre Company, and he was the loveliest man.

[art]

i signed him up for membership at my video store once. he was very friendly. i played the prince song "Uptown" to him and sung "upton" to the tune.