I reflect thus, because, knowing Norman was from Manchester, I once asked him about Thomas De Quincey. Thomas De Quincey was also born in Manchester, and he famously ran away from the Manchester Grammar School to begin the adventures which he describes with such poignancy in Confessions of an English Opium Eater. I asked Norman whether he too had gone to the Manchester Grammar School.
Well,Norman said,
I was set to write the entrance exam, but … Manchester United was playing that day, so I went to the football game and didn't write the exam.
He mentioned his father's disgust and displeasure with his action. But Norman, looking back on his younger self, gave the impression of having no regrets. Norman enjoyed telling stories, and he enjoyed telling me this one. Others have lived in regret of such thoughtless youthful actions, imagining other paths that lost opportunities might have opened up. And, those of us fortunate enought to know Norman, can only be thankful that his choices allowed our paths to cross.
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I have spent some hours today working on an html version of a page of recollections of Norman written by friends and colleagues. So, I decided I should add my own recollection of this remarkable person.
