I went to sleep later than I should have last night, it was before 2pm but after 1pm. As a result of this, I got up later than I should have today, I rolled out of bed close to 10pm. I had to get ready and meet my friend in Blackburn, the plan was to get together by 12:30pm.
I showered, ate and began getting dressed but I wasn’t sure what to wear, I tried on some of the new jeans I bought a fortnight ago but hadn’t busted out of their packaging. Both pairs are fine but I went with the more casual one. Up top I was wearing a colourful t-shirt and grey sweater with red trim. I was running short on time so I KIK’d my friend to let him know that I’d be late, he told me that he was already on his was so I rushed out and tried to get to the train station, it was in vain though and I headed back. As I didn’t have my house key, my mother had to open the door for me, she didn’t seem too impressed with my lipglossed adorned mouth.
This was for the best though, it gave me more time to brush up and I busted out my new accessories (necklace and watch) but ironically I didn’t brush my hair.
While on the train, I kept in contact with my 6 foot, 2 inch tall friend, I learned he was actually running late too so everything worked out for the best though before learning this I did promise to buy food and the first round. I got to Blackburn first and took time to check out a map posted at the exit of the train station and then I sat down on a nearby bench where I waited for him.
It wasn’t too long before he sauntered through the doors and as is typical of him, lit a cigarette sitting in him mouth. He was so eager to smoke the thing that he seemed to have placed it in his mouth while still inside the station. Today he was wearing tan pants and an open button plaid shirt, though he’ll insist it was “tartan”. After out initial greetings, I broke the news that the local museum is closed on Mondays, he took it well. I’d only learned this while on the train.
Our first activity for the day was a bit of sightseeing, so we went passed a cathedral, the sit of which had been the location of a Church for roughly a millennium. We then went onto the Blackburn markets, we had a good look around at every stall. I debated whether to buy some jumpers and a backpack but decided against both.
We then went into the mall but before stepping inside, we observed that less than 50% of the population was Pakistani, this was shocking as a BBC documentary stated that it was. Inside the mall there were a variety of stores, we visited B&M Bargains, the Works and Primark. While in Primark I bought a couple of tops, my friend was happy to give me advice on colours to avoid. I was amused when he sternly told me to avoid a brown one as I did have some common sense.
The next activity was a lengthy walk through the park, the place was huge and moderately beautiful. It really took it’s toll on me physically though as I had to continually walk uphill and my 6’2 friend teased me about my physical fitness levels. There was a lot of greenery, a pond/lake, wildlife but we couldn’t find the “Russian Cannons” that were supposed to be at the top end of the park. At this time we discussed a possible race war and physics.
We then went back into town to eat, we went to KFC, I think we both consider it our favourite restaurant. We both got large Zinger burger meals, his was larger than mine, which is fitting due to his gender and height. While eating, the conversation got pretty real and he asked some tough questions, I felt uncomfortable and laughed a lot. I think I said some revealing stuff and learned more about myself. One in-particular instance was why I hate seeing Pakistanis with white friends, I said it was because when I was growing up, people were more segregated and I struggled to accept this change, I didn’t understand it. He have me some more general advice, it boiled down to “honesty is the best policy”.
On a lighter note, he thought it was amusing that I was a rather messy eater so he took a picture as a memento.
The next stop was a pub for a drink, I suggested one basked on Google results but he liked the look of another better. It was Rock music themed and looked a bit dingey. We stepped inside and casually ordered out drinks, there was a television playing a Metallica song. My tall pal said he’d never seen the music video for this song before and I asked which song it was. He said that it was something by Metallica, I had never heard of it and then pointed out I went to a Metallica show recently. The barkeep was amused.
It was time to pay but the joint only accepted cash, my friend didn’t bring any with him so I paid. The barkeep was amused again. We sat down in a corner and checked out the various memorabilia stapled to the walls. There was more real talk but not as hard hitting as before, I’ve decided to do a sport as it will help me grow as a human being, a combat sport was suggested and the one most suitable for me was decided to be wrestling. My friend thinks it unlikely I’ll follow through with this but I am very dedicated to picking this up as a hobby.
A man entered the dive as we were half-way done with our drinks and then sat next to me to chat. Topics included grandmothers, Salisbury, grooming gang members (while my 6’2 friend went to the bathroom, the man used the term “Muslim bastard” or something along those lines but I pitied the guy so made nothing of it) and a current ITV television show. I was surprised how well my friend could carry a conversation with him and how normal he came across, he did this before with the card game shop owner in Preston but he felt like a completely different person minus the time he took a sarcastic shot at me for my seeming hypocrisy when it came to the topic of grandmothers.
As we left, the guy asked if we were a couple. I’m sure my 6’2 friend was thrilled that someone thought he could get a woman like me.
It was raining as we walked back to the train station, cold too. We said our goodbyes and departed, I got on a train my ticket wasn’t valid for and it took an extra half an hour to get home. No one checked my ticket though.
At home, I spoke to no one. I was tired, I watched YouTube videos and watched the time pass by. I’m still tired, I might watch the NFL game.
I regret not talking any picture of the rest of the day.