Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles
This was another night when I could easily have failed to do this blog, which has so far continued uninterrupted since February 18 or something like that when it started. I just hosted an award ceremony for sustainable development in universities. You heard. (I made a joke about how a lot of universities themselves wouldn’t be sustainable under the new government; got a good laugh, considering). Anyway, I was meant to be away by 10.45, but it ended up being a lot later than that because people – all of them lovely – wanted photos. (Well, they might not all have been lovely, some might have been swindlers or the people who support Katie Price’s career, but they were lovely enough to ME.)
I would never begrudge anyone this of course – at best I’d express mild surprise that they wanted to have a picture taken with me, but then, I guess people have pictures taken with animals at the zoo. However, time was ticking away and with each request, I couldn’t help thinking ‘yeah, but the blog… the blog…’
Now it’s 11.45pm and I’m in a cab. The cabbie often drives Alistair Campbell and tomorrow he’s picking up bony-faced BBC correspondent Nick Robinson (the politics man) from Brussels. Imagine having a job where you’re picked up from Brussels. He’s also driven Blair. This cabbie could be a goldmine of anecdotes and gossip, but I am pretty much too tired to remember my name or what sausages are. (I love sausages so this is a huge admission.)
I promise, I didn’t moan about being tired this often before I had a baby. In fact, I was noted for my stamina. Still am, in some quarters. And I do realise as well that there are people reading this blog who get up at 7 every morning, do jobs they don’t enjoy, get home exhausted, cook dinner. So I don’t mean to complain.
Anyway. Here are the top three things I’m hoping to dream about:
1. Inventing something, like maybe a new game, that really catches on.
2. Something sexy.
3. Going to the USA.
Fingers crossed. Tomorrow, I’ll deal with the Can I Help You? enquiries from last week. I’ve pretty much finished them already but I couldn’t risk going over the midnight deadline.
And keep voting for alternative tour dates. Aberdeen and Belfast are ahead, Swansea and Llangollen doing well, as are Northampton and a couple more. Why am I volunteering to travel another 1,000 miles or so? Because I love you. Sorry I couldn’t write more today. Night.
Posted by Rachael on June 25, 2010
I wonder if those people practice winning a sustainable development award with their shampoo bottles.
Posted by Beth (Bloomability) on June 17, 2010
Sorry other Beth, last night I forgot to choose the bracketed Beth in a rush to be first. I’ll try not to forget again ^_^
Posted by Chris on June 17, 2010
I’ve just noticed that the chap that commented just below me and a bit further down the page also happens to be called Chris, which is the same one as me! I (Chris from Cambridge/Bath student total disappointing lack of long term vision person) will have to rename myself to avoid confusion
Many parents I know (including my own) say it’s easier looking after two children than one. Not sure exactly what I’m saying there but it implies some optimism somehow I’m sure.
Anyway, you hosted an Awards Ceremony? All I can say is, BAFTA the love is gone..? I thought you hated these things! (OK I do get that uni sustainability awards are different)
Posted by Chris on June 17, 2010
As one of the people who kept you back for a picture and a chat – many apologies! I’m impressed with you blogging from your iPhone(?) – I’ve never managed it yet – keys too small. But an iPad – well, that’s definitely possible. Hope you get plenty of sleep, and what you get, make the most of, it only gets worse – my son was once 4 months old, but now goes out as I go to bed, and comes in as i get up!
Posted by Carey on June 17, 2010
I really think you need a holiday. A one with rest (baby permitting). I’m sure we’d forgive you for not blogging without a second thought. If you can’t take a holiday at least spend a day in or close to your bed.
Posted by Sue on June 17, 2010
Just to be the man who walked a 1000 miles to fall down at your door. Da d-da da-da, da d-da da-da, etc. The Proclaimers – 500 Miles.
Just had to say it.
Posted by Mark D on June 17, 2010
The name of the post reminded of tv series by Tommy Tiernan, I remember seeing years ago.
Posted by DeborahF on June 17, 2010
I love how the Green Gown Awards website described you as an “amateur green crusader”. I now have a wonderful image of you in green pants over your trousers in the way superheroes do
Now my next task is to find out whether Derby Uni (where I work) won anything.
Posted by Lisa brunders on June 17, 2010
Morning.
I fell asleep waiting last night, sorry, I’ve not got your stamina.
I like your free-flow blogs – I like all your blogs though.
Hope you slept well.
Posted by amycool on June 17, 2010
@Kathryn – I have zombie post-apocalyptic nightmares too! People always think it’s weird so it’s nice to know I’m not alone.
I’m generally in bed by 11 Mark so you could post your blog at 2am and I wouldn’t know, or indeed mind.
It’s been such a long record though that I can see why you wouldn’t want to break it. Well done! 
Posted by Aislinn on June 17, 2010
I agree, I certainly didn’t see Nick Robinson as bony-faced. But, there you go.
P.S. Also my house isn’t doing too badly. I’ve voted for it twenty times in my head already. I’m sure if Simone and Zoe could come too (which they could) then they’d give it lots of votes. (I realise you were joking with this house suggestion but I intend on keeping this thought running entirely seriously.)
Posted by Madeleine on June 17, 2010
I’ve been averaging about 4 hours a night because of this goddamn world cup, so I kind of know how you feel. My exams start tomorrow, thank god the Argentina game is on at a reasonably hour.
It’s great that you hang around after for photos, don’t underestimate how much that means to people, whenever I get to chat briefly with a preformer that I really admire I have a nice feeling for weeks after. Unless I say something stupid, in which case it’s AGONY for MONTHS.
Hope you have a less stressful tomorrow (or today? still not totally accross this time difference).
Posted by Misha on June 17, 2010
A late one? I feel marginally better I didn’t try to stay up for it. (the time stamp on this comment might give you some idea why) I have my driving test today, so I thought I’d go and sleep.
I had a dream about drowning, hope yours were better.
Posted by Steph on June 17, 2010
No More Women started to catch on at my school. Such a great way to waste free periods
And I never thought of Nick Robinson as bony-faced. Will have to notice next time I see him on the telly.
Posted by Kathryn on June 17, 2010
I’d quite like not to dream about the zombie apocalypse for once. It might be nice to have a normal, non-scary, non-psychadelic dream. Maybe something about giraffes.
There’s a man coming to fix our alarm at 9am, and I have a grade 7 piano exam tomorrow. Why the hell am I still up?
Posted by Cathy from USA on June 17, 2010
Are you drunk??? I am. Life is fine in this humid haze. I just drank 3 rum and cokes, multiple cokes, and quesadillas for only $15 USD. I love Clancy’s in Bradenton Florida. Good night, Mark and fellow Watsonians. Good night.
Posted by Chris on June 17, 2010
As one of the people who kept you back for a picture and a chat – many apologies! I’m impressed with you blogging from your iPhone(?) – I’ve never managed it yet – keys too small. But an iPad – well, that’s definitely possible. Hope you get plenty of sleep, and what you get, make the most of, it only gets worse – my son was once 4 months old, but now goes out as I go to bed, and comes in as i get up!
Posted by (Magnificent) Josh on June 17, 2010
I quite like the song on the pampers advert, but it annoys me that I like it.
Posted by Maddie on June 17, 2010
Night Mark. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.
Posted by Shell on June 17, 2010
I’m impressed: blogging typo free, under pressure from a taxi cab! (On a phone or laptop? Just curious.) Heroic really and in the spirit of the thing. Interesting to hear what you’ve been up to and the efforts to post in time. Hope the dream fairy came through for you – A sexy game with an American twist wasn’t it? Hope that goes well for you.
Beth – Well done on the book a week. I am trying and at the moment failing to do that!
Posted by fuzzy_ducky (Laura) on June 17, 2010
3 minutes to midnight
Time to put the kettle on, put the tea bag in the mug, sugar etc.. now just wait for the water to boil so we can relax (or just trudge up the stairs and fall asleep)
We love you too. Lately, the last thing I think about before falling asleep is you…. no I’m not a stalker. I’m reading your book “A light hearted look at murder” – I went to bed at 11pm yesterday, in anticipation of reading for maybe 30 minutes before falling asleep. After reading for what I thought to be 30 minutes I looked at my clock and it said 1:20am.
So, thanks for writing such a compelling book!! It’s really got me interested and has me wanting to read more (which is pretty hard to do, although I read a lot of books, if it hasn’t got me interested in the first few chapters I give it away)
I’ve ordered “Crap at the environment” and when I had ordered “A light hearted look at murder” I had also ordered “Bullet Points” but it was sold out! SOLD OUT MARK!!!
So I’ve to re-order that.
What I used take in the morning before school, to keep my energy levels consistent, is, “Ginseng” – it works really well I found.
So Mr. Watson! Go to sleep, dream your dream, tomorrow (well today because it 00:04 now) is a new day.
Posted by Britt on June 17, 2010
I’d like to dream about going to London.
Let’s hope that we all get to dream our desired dreams. [That sounds like some weird motivational proclamation. It's not intended as such].
People here comment so quickly! It seems like everyone was waiting in anticipation for your update- “Oh no, I can’t sleep until I’ve read Mark’s blog. Refresh! Refresh!”
[Note: I'm not mocking. Just observing.]
[Me, on the otherhand, I'm on the other side of the world, so just check the blog in the mornings.]
Posted by Helen on June 16, 2010
You could go to America in which you invent a game where people parachute from the sky and drop cheeseburgers and the people on the ground have to try and catch them in using bras. Or not. Whatever. I’m not you subconscious. Or am I?*
*(No. I’m not.)
Posted by Beth on June 16, 2010
Or not second comment, people are VERY quick with this…
Posted by Joanna on June 16, 2010
Heck, we were panicking on Twitter! Glad you made it in time.
And I hope you dream of flying to America wearing a sexy outfit and sorting through your patent applications.
Night Mark
Posted by Katie on June 16, 2010
You were bloody lovely when I asked for a photo with you last year. Especially considering my general appearance, attitude, and demeanour.
Lovely blog, too!
Posted by Beth on June 16, 2010
Second comment, and second Beth of the blog, it seems!
I’m sorry to hear that you’re so tired – sounds like you could really do with a break from work/stress etc… All I can offer is hugs, though, I’m afraid.
and now I’ve read the blog, I can sleep.
Night!
Posted by Ally on June 16, 2010
Haha, or not. People are quick!
Posted by Laurs on June 16, 2010
Mark, you never cease to amaze me. Your dedication is just brilliant. But, no matter what people say, please don’t push yourself to a state of exhaustion just to write a blog, as much as I love reading your take on life, if, for the sake of your sanity, I could only read your musings every other day, I’d still love it.
Look after yourself. xx
Posted by Ally on June 16, 2010
I may have first comment. This is strange. And don’t worry about complaining about being tired. I’m pretty sure it’s the only thing that everyone is allowed to complain about all the time.
Posted by Beth on June 16, 2010
Could you maybe recommend some of your favourite books to me? I have to read one per week for part of my TYSIC so that would be awesome.
Posted by Zoe Fell on June 16, 2010
Oh heck.
Me, Rachel and Katie were terrified there.
But you made it. That’s the main point.
And I’d like to point out that people clearly like you enough to stop you for photos. You cheer yourself up mister.
If this is first, can we possibly do a throwback to the winners of Eleven? Get some of their reviews and responses to the novel?
(And also help me decide just what’s going on my t-shirt for Edinburgh…)
x
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on June 16, 2010
You had us all worried there Mark. Good luck with your dream ambitions. x
Posted by Maybelle on June 16, 2010
*removes flag for wales and puts it back in the cupboard*
Posted by Maybelle on June 16, 2010
1st?
*Posts flag for wales*
Posted by Beth on June 16, 2010
First ^_^ I think?