Number 9.
The Songs That Saved My Life
Summer 1986. I hold two new cassettes, ready to soundtrack my holidays. One will change my life completely; after this nothing will be the same; it’s the moment that ‘I’ am born.
The other one is Madonna’s True Blue.
The Queen is Dead!
I take the tape from the green case and press play. The wheels of my Sony Walkman whir and spin, and my headphones vibrate into life:
“Take me back to dear old Blighty…”
Then a drone of feedback and Mike Joyce’s pounding rolling drums; then I meet the genius of Johnny Marr’s guitar and Andy Rourke’s bass for the first time.
The voice would take a little getting used to, but what wonderful words, and what sounds! Honesty, passion, joy, sadness, hope, charm, and intelligence; I had found a new compass.
Number 8.
Tintagel
Some coincidences are so incredible that it’s difficult to believe they are purely random.
I’d been exploring Tintagel castle, mystical and mythical location of King Arthur’s conception. No one knew I was in Cornwall, as my holiday had been a last minute decision.
Unbeknown to everyone the Thomas family, who I hadn’t seen for some time, were arriving at Tintagel just as I was leaving. They were walking up a path that diagonally crossed mine at only one specific point. Incredibly we happened to cross at exactly the same time. A few seconds earlier or later and we’d have missed each other!
One of the proudest events in my life was when their daughter, Jemma, chose me to be her godfather. This, and the closeness of my friendship with them all, is due to the synchronicity on that path.
Number 7.
The Maned Wolf
The excitement circled in hushed voices, then fell silent in anticipation. Sitting on the old church steps, we carefully watched the top of the staircase opposite. In between lay a tray of cooked meat, looking like bait in a trap, but actually more of an offering.
Two hours passed. Finally, two large furry ears appeared over the top step…slowly followed by two large eyes, a large nose and a large mouth. It climbed the last step with barely a pause to glance at its assembled audience. Looking bizarrely like a fox on stilts, it’s actually neither fox nor wolf but a different species.
It slowly approached the meat, but then walked straight past and headed directly towards us. My heartbeat skipped momentarily. Then, just a couple of metres away, the wolf turned back and began to eat.
Number 6.
Firing the Flintlock Musket
I pulled the trigger. Click. Nothing.
“Ah, no problem, it’s common with these,” my friend said, readying the rifle again. A member of an English Civil War re-enactment society, he had asked if I wanted to test the replica weapon. “Right, that’s it, get a good grip into your right shoulder, ready for the recoil.”
I braced myself, and pointed the heavy barrel out into the open fields. No worry about hitting any poor animals, we were alone and hadn’t loaded any ammunition.
I took a deep breath, held it, and squeezed the trigger. Click. Nothing. Reset.
Flint sparked, how apt I thought, considering its ancient history. Then steadied myself, pulled the trigger…
WALLOP. A huge bang and flash of light! The recoil dug into my shoulder and I rocked back.
Then we ran, laughing loudly.
Number 5.
Ghost Contact
The atmosphere in the room had definitely changed; the space in-between the objects felt thick; almost electrically charged.
“Can you feel that?!”
My housemate nodded.
We’d been talking about our ghost experiences, particularly, my recent vivid encounters with spirits.
“I wish I could communicate somehow.” I said frustratedly.
Whack! My head jolted suddenly.
The ghost had slapped me across my face!
It wasn’t meant to hurt. Just playful like:
‘So you want to communicate? How’s this!’
“Come to our beds tonight and talk to us”, my housemate said.
“No, go to him, not me!” I joked, nervously.
Late that night I awoke to feel a face leaning over pressing close to me. So close I could almost feel the warm breath of its whispered words in my ear.
I dashed for the light: to find an empty room.
Number 4.
The Cave of the Sun
High up amongst the legendary ruins of Machu Picchu is a little known cave: Intimachay. The name comes from the ancient Incan language of Quechua and means the 'Cave of the Sun’.
As I hurriedly entered inside on that beautiful winter solstice morning, I noticed that the chamber was empty. I was to be the only person blessed with witnessing this sacred moment.
Through the Inca constructed window the first rays of the rising sun began to enlighten the cave’s small dark interior, sending a thin beam of horizontal light to illuminate the wall behind.
Hands trembling, I managed to take a few photos, proof that I was indeed there to see this ancient holy solar show. Emotionally I offered a few whispered words of thanks and lingered until the light gradually began to recede.
Number 3.
The Perfect Christmas Present
Christmas Day. But he’s too young to realise what a ‘Christmas’ is. Right now he’s just tired and hungry. His face wrinkles up in frustration, but just as he’s about to cry, I call out his name.
“Pedro.”
Immediately, he turns. He recognises my voice! Then, he gives me a wide and joyful smile. How fantastic. Now I’m feeling emotional.
A baby’s smile is hard won and gratefully received. A baby doesn’t smile to disguise his feelings nor does he smile just because the other person wants it. It’s a pure expression of how they feel. It’s a gift they choose to give.
How precious this gift is to me. The wrapping paper and gift packaging lie open and ripped on the floor, but his smile brings me more joy than any Christmas present ever could.
Number 2.
A Wish Away
That long sustained chord arrives unexpected on my iPhone shuffle and its vibrations continue down my spine. An echoing from the past; then a flashback, and suddenly it’s 1989…I’m 17, on stage, submerged within the dry ice. My hand is shaking so much that I struggle to plug in my guitar cable. Local heroes, our enthusiasm and joy ready to stand in for our lack of experience. Outside the venue a mini riot is just about to begin.
We stand with our backs to the audience. Our drummer counts us in: one, two, three, FOUR! And then I hit it. That one long sustained chord. We spin round to see three hundred people begin to bounce in unison. A grin lights up my face.
2014. I find the video of the gig. No sound though. Another grin.
Number 1.
The Synchronicity Test
As books and bookcases blurred past, I neither read titles nor glanced at section headings. I kept my eyes down and open just enough not to stumble. At the next gap in the aisles, I turned right. At the next, I turned left, then right, then straight on.
I had recently experienced a number of synchronicities, or meaningful coincidences. I was very intrigued and wanted to know whether to continue the research. Was there a truth behind them, or was it all merely meaningless randomness? So here I was in the large Falmer University library, a place I’d never visited before, conducting a test.
Finally, I reached out and grabbed the first book I touched. Eyes still closed, I randomly opened the book and opened my eyes to find ..... a chapter on synchronicity and meaningful coincidences!
