Lost work
About twenty minutes ago I posted the longest blog I’ve ever done. It was an edition of Can I Help You. I had cut and pasted it in from my other little computer, which I’d been using to write it as I travelled. I added some stuff on this, proper-sized laptop. The mix of cut-and-paste-and-different-fonts for some reason led my computer, for some fucking reason, to mangle loads of the text, shrink things down, jumble things, basically ruin it. I went back and tried to edit it. It got even worse. It ended up being a total mess. So I’ve deleted it.
I worked for ages on that and now it’s ruined. I could go back and retrieve some of it from the mini-laptop, but I’d still have to faff about for another two hours and it would only fuck the formatting up all over again, no doubt.
So I’ve deleted it and there won’t be a blog entry today because I’m too miserable about this and I’m sitting here resisting the temptation to smash the shit out of my computer. It’s particularly upsetting because I was really proud of this feature and I was hopeful people would like it.
If you were writing a film about me, and you wanted a metaphor for the way my career has essentially been an enormous amount of effort to practically no effect at all, this would be the perfect scene.
Posted by Rachael on June 25, 2010
can we give computers fines like the people who play music on their phones?
Posted by Tom Beasley on June 18, 2010
‘a metaphor for the way my career has essentially been an enormous amount of effort to practically no effect at all’
Optimism Mark! Come on!
You have a fanbase that come here every day to read what you have to say about various things, many of whom have also pledged to try and improve their lives over ten years based on what you have said.
Every time you ask for volunteers on various things, such as emergency blogging and adminning the various features, you get a torrent of people who would love to help you out.
You are embarking on a national tour later this year where you will do the job you adore in front of thousands of people, almost all of whom will really enjoy it.
Over time, you are building a fairly successful career in both comedy and writing, something that a lot of people (including a lot of your blog readers) would give an arm and a leg for.
It’s not all bad, is it?
Posted by Someone on June 18, 2010
Ah, dude! I’m also a bit late spotting this entry and realising what went wrong (too drunk to understand last night :[) but just read the actual entry all through that at least was salvaged in the end... I can imagine was extrrremely frustrating at the time but it ended ok! This entry is too sad though. You are awesome and all of us know it... some of the best people aren't completely recognised for their brilliance you know, but we recognise it! :]
Thanks for the help advice by the way; see, you are just being nice and you don’t have to be doing this but we appreciate that you do! Hope something good happens today for you, and that technology sorts itself out one day. One day.
Posted by Ivan on June 18, 2010
Oh Mark, this entry made me sob a little. Alistair has posted it in the comments below, I’ve read it, and it was a great blog entry, one of the best. Don’t let this get you down, it really is a fantastic project and one that I’m in complete awe of.
Also, and in response to your final, depressing, sentence, this is just a lie. For one, I am now sponsoring a child in Mozambique with ActionAid, only after meeting you at the grand portrait-made-of-portraits reveal in Bristol (remember me? I was the one with the exams and the book deal.) So you’ve made a whole lot of difference in many, many, direct and indirect, ways.
Please realise this.
Ivan
Posted by MusicalLottie on June 17, 2010
I got here a bit late so the non-stalkerish hugs and sympathy are a bit redundant for now. Have them as a reserve for the next time something goes wrong, or you’re feeling rubbish
@ the person who lost their Sibelius file: there should be an autosave version of it *some*where – you might have to search high and low but it should be there somewhere. (Unless the restore thing wiped any files, but if it was just a restore point no files go AWOL anyway.) If you can’t find it, check that your settings have enables autosave, so that you know if anything happens in the future you will have backups.
Posted by Lisa brunders on June 17, 2010
Glad it all worked out ok, but I’m sorry you had to go through the stress.
It was a great blog too, would’ve been a shame to lose it.
I don’t really understand why you put in so much effort for us, but very grateful you do.
THANK YOU x
Posted by Anna Lowman on June 17, 2010
“If you were writing a film about me, and you wanted a metaphor for the way my career has essentially been an enormous amount of effort to practically no effect at all, this would be the perfect scene”
Damn, I hope this isn’t how you feel. I also know it kinds is, at least sometimes. This makes me sad. Glad the behemoth of a blog is now up and resplendent though.
x
Posted by Chris (Cambs/Bath) on June 17, 2010
Maybe smashing the computer would help, why wouldn’t it? Treat yourself with a shiny new, more reliable one.
and bollocks that’s not a metaphor for your career; you’re a great comedian and after reading one of your books I can say you’re a great author too. You know this.
Most of all I think all of us here would say you’ve been at the very least a positive influence and personally I’d say an inspiration (in terms of attitude/mindset stopped me being so grouchy; I could never even attempt to write a book). In particular this blog has really helped in more difficult times than I am in now.
So don’t worry about the work for the time being, we all really, really appreciate the effort this all takes.
And by the sounds of it people have a copy of the blog, so it’s not lost anyway! Saves you a blog tomorrow, see. Sometimes I wish we could do a Can We Help Mark? feature.
now, go smash your computer up
Posted by Amy B on June 17, 2010
Ah I see someone beat me to it! Computers are rubbish. Hope you feel happier soon. x
Posted by Amy B on June 17, 2010
Hi Mark,
It really upset me to read how disappointed you were so I salvaged the blog from my RSS feed and had a go at sorting the formatting. I’ve probably not done a very good job, and I wasn’t sure how your blog formatting worked so I guessed but it’s there if you want to use it. Chin up. x
http://www.speedfile.org/149148
Posted by Alistair on June 17, 2010
Here it is from the rss feed hope that helps. Cheer up Mark your Back of the Net twitter feed was the best part of the first set of games at this world cup.
Welcome once more to Can I Help You?, the occasional Agony Aunt column I run on this blog, undeterred by the fact I’m not an Agony Aunt and it isn’t a column. I asked for questions/problems/insecure rants a couple of weeks ago. Think I’ve dealt with most or all of them; if I’ve missed yours, please let me know. In Comments for this blog, you can (and should) add your own thoughts on any of the ‘letters’ – quite a lot of people have already done this, when they were first posted – and also submit anything YOU’d like answered. OK?
Here we go…
MEG I cannot sleep. Well. I can. But not much. Every night for the last week or so, I have been going to sleep at about 1am at the earliest. I go to bed at about 9 or 10 each night and I’m getting really bored of lying awake. It’s also really annoying since I have to get up at 6.45 in the morning to get ready for school.
Several people have supplied tips on this. Among them: tire yourself out with exercise; go to bed a bit later; if lying awake, get up and do something else rather than worrying about it. I heartily agree with all three of these. And Megan posted an interesting article. Good luck Meg. As I’ve said often on this blog, sleep should be your slave, not your master. Relax and trust your body. PS I have a baby; haven’t slept properly in what feels like 55 years.
LYDIA I was just wondering how you stopped your pessimism from stopping you doing things.
Like, I really, really want to be a writer…but I am way too sure that I will fail to ever let people actually see stuff that I’ve written. It would be awesome if you had any advice on that.
Pessimism is a hard foe to overcome. I’ve been lucky that my desire to write has always been so ferocious, it’s won over my tendency to fear failure or assume I AM a failure. This doesn’t extend to all areas of my life. There are plenty of times when I duck out of doing things – having a chat, asking for something I want, putting myself forward for this or that TV show – because pessimism tells me it won’t work out. When it comes to writing, I am bloody-minded enough to think ‘I’m just going to have to do this, regardless’. If you want to be a writer enough, you will find a way to put things on paper, however scary it can be. Remember nobody has to see it. Just write it. Confidence comes from the process itself as much as any results.
ANON Hello. Basically, there is a girl I have known for quite a few years as part of my social circle, and always quite liked. About a year ago, we became good friends, to the point that she is now my best friend… So, basically, I can ask her out, which would mean I get a yes or no answer. Yes would be amazing, and I would be over the moon. No would mean that not only would I have been rejected by her, but I would not have anyone to talk to about it, as talking to her would be very uncomfortable. There is also the fact that I am unsure if she still likes her ex-boyfriend. On top of that, I am aware that two of my friends have asked her out, and she has said no, but not why, which could be a good or bad. No matter which it is, both times were incredibly stressful for me, as I was there. Trying to not show the feeling of dread I felt when they each asked her nearly killed me… So, to sum up, my social life is a massive cluster-fuck, and because of it, there aren’t many people I can ask for help without the risk of making it even worse. I know you can’t give a definitive answer, because there isn’t one, but someone else’s perspective on my situation would be very helpful. Thank you.
Hmm. When I was in sixth form I too had the misfortune of fancying my best mate. I can tell you what I did about it: never said a word, and watched her go out with unsuitable men forever. Then school ended, we went to uni, now we’re married to other people and it’s pretty much all fine.
This sounds patronizing but I’m saying it because it might be worth remembering that if you DO ask her, and it goes wrong, it won’t be the end of the world; if you never ask her, it also won’t be the end of the world.
A lot of the trouble comes from the whole notion of ‘telling someone how you feel’ and ‘asking them out’ and so on. In my limited experience, things are usually not as simple as this. People tend to get together in circumstances that weren’t planned, which run away with them. Even if it was on their minds before. So my advice would be – think about making a move, but not by sitting her down and doing a speech. Get into the frame of mind where it could happen, then wait for events to conspire towards it.
This is slightly rash advice perhaps, many would tell you to ‘not spoil the friendship’, and that may be true, but I reckon if it is a firm friendship, it will survive the embarrassment of an abortive declaration of love, and it’ll be an adventure. And life’s too short not to tell someone if you feel like that. And see this comment below which someone left right after yours:
‘My last post for Can I help you? asked whether it is a good idea to tell someone you love them, even if you aren’t sure they feel the same (or know you exist). I’m glad it wasn’t answered because people may have said ‘DON’T DO IT! Are you insane, woman?!’ As it was, I made my own decision, and it was a good one. Very good XD . sometimes insanity is a blessing.’
…so there you have it, maybe. Good luck and let us know what happens.
CYMRUANGEL Can you help with the following:
My boyfriend works for a small company…he tends to do nothing all evening, then start work at 11pm, working into the small hours of the morning (most recently until 5am). He then complains about feeling tired and drained, and has no energy to do things, including daytime work (although of course he goes into the office as usual anyway). He also wakes me up when he (eventually) rolls into bed as I’m a light sleeper, so I’m getting tired and irritable too…
How do I persuade him to work at more sociable hours, for the sake of his health and sanity? I will go into a period of a lot of work in the Autumn, and had thought about bringing things home with me rather than staying in the office late, and encouraging him to work at the same time as me – what do you think, and do you have any other ideas?
Definitely setting an example by bringing your own work home, and setting ‘working times’, is a good idea. Organising your home life in this slightly school-like way may seem a bit of an unattractive idea, but trust me, a long-term relationship needs these kind of concessions to survive.
Aside from that, this is easier said than done, but I think you need to talk to him, making the case you’ve just made. TELL him that he’s risking his health and sanity and also making your life less fun as well. He will probably respond to that. It’s for his own good. Point out he’s exhausting himself and it’s not good for your relationship or for anyone. I’m speaking as someone who is a night owl and loves working at times like 4am. You can do it, but you have to be aware of the impact it has on your loved ones. So let him know.
SOMEONE I’m going to graduate in a bit – i.e. a month – and am slightly incredibly terrified. I really don’t want to do it because it involves being looked at by a lot of people. And I hate that.
It also involves stairs, and I hate them too.
I’m thinking about trying to find some anti-anxiety meds if they exist so that I don’t have a panic attack. I’ve tried rescue remedy things but they do nothing.
Even just sitting down and imagining the ceremony and everything that could go wrong and which would prompt mean (all) people to point and laugh makes my heart go mental and me feel ill. So yeah, I wouldn’t go at all were it not for my parents who won’t take no for an answer, and also I kind of feel like I owe it to myself to be confident finally, after 21 years of being trodden on by others and myself.
I need to grow a pair. Or something more ladylike.
Rescue Remedy and the like seem to work for some people (see below), but medication aside, I suggest you just try and approach it mentally as if it’s not a big deal. Keep reminding yourself ‘this is bollocks, this is just a load of people in a room’. A tip I’ve been known to use for gigs in the past is to visit the room when it’s empty; you’ll find it a lot less intimidating then when it’s full.
And as someone pointed out, nothing IS going to go wrong to make people laugh at you; even if it did, nobody would have a good enough view to realise. You could probably soil yourself (you WON’T. You WON’T) and get away with it. So be coldly logical about it. It’ll be over very quickly and you’ll wonder what you worried about.
I think this is a perfectly valid cause for anxiety, but you’re also right that you do owe it to yourself to beat it.
MEGAN What should I do in London? (this was longer, but I’ve lost the rest of it)
There was an astonishingly detailed reply to this, and I’ve also cleared up your problem by suggesting myself (!) for the 17th. But I’d like to quickly add to the London recommendations by mentioning the Cabinet War Rooms. Right in the centre of town, you can see where Churchill hung out during the war, planned his campaigns, had breakfast in bed, etc. They still have some of the original war maps on the walls, furniture, a general feeling that people were living through a war there only moments before. It’s worth a look.
MARTIN A football question, about picking Danny Alves for his fantasy team. Again, I’ve lost this.
Corey has answered this – it’s a bit late now – but yes, Maicon would have been a better bet (he scored last night even). Don’t give up. That’s all I can say; I’m banned from too much World Cup talk.
RACHEL A question about how her job requires her to stand up for many hours at a time, and it’s really painful for the back and neck.
Hmm. Anyone help with this? My job only involves standing up for two hours, usually.
If you can afford it, or know someone who’ll do it for inducements other than money (!), a massage is always a good idea; it sounds like you need one. And make sure you are resting properly when not working. Beyond that I’m not sure what I can suggest, but anyone with medical/physio knowledge, please chip in…
ZOE I’m 19 and have never been kissed.
Joking aside it’s an odd thing. Young people in the press get such a hard time for being promiscuous – don’t get me wrong, I’ve got friends who go out alone to find someone to go home with, I’ve just never been that way inclined.
I’ve never been one to let myself go at parties – I’m often too busy worrying about everyone else to have fun. Sometimes I wish that I was the complete opposite but then other times, I’m glad to wake up with the same amount of shoes I left the house with, an unbroken pair of glasses and a clear head.
Perhaps it’s a confidence thing, perhaps I’m just a bit strange.
So I suppose what I want to know is…is this unusual? How old were you when you had your first romantic entanglement? And being that little bit older and a lot wiser than me, have I got anything to fret over? Will things eventually just happen? And my whole issue with partying. Do I need to just stop worrying so much and enjoy myself?
I was 17 (my first kiss was the day of Princess Diana’s funeral, fact fans). It felt like I had waited a long time. Actually, it was the perfect time for it to happen; the perfect time is when it’s the right person.
I was also not a party person, quite the opposite. I would strongly, strongly suggest you don’t start going to parties you don’t want to be at, or indeed doing anything you don’t want to do, because you feel you ‘ought’ to, to make things happen. When you do end up in a relationship, or multiple relationships, it won’t be because you have tried to force things – it’ll be because you’ve met people in more natural circumstances. Relax. You absolutely do not have anything to fret about.
And when it comes to parties, by the way – focus on going with people you like. The mistake is to think you have to talk to loads of strangers. It’s a paradox, but you will only be relaxed enough to talk to strangers if you’re already with non-strangers. Then you might find parties are a lot more fun.
SARAH I have a kind-of question. I’m hoping that Mark or some of my fellow Watsonians might be able to help me with this one before the weekend. I’m going to a cocktail party and have been instructed to bring a ’secret liquid’ (which I have already decided on) but I need to give it a mysterious name. Any thoughts? If it helps, this liquid is going to be a pinky/red colour.
I’m answering this too late, but I would have gone for ‘Roseatada’ (pronounced rose-AY-a-TA-da).
LOUISE Who would you (or anyone reading) recommend to see at the Edinburgh Fringe? I’ve never been before and I’m going for two nights at the start of it, and I’m really excited. I just don’t know who to see! I’ve booked tickets to see you (yay), but I can’t decide who else to book for. Any recommended comedians?
Just a selection here: Sarah Millican, Nat Luurtsema, Gary Delaney, Sam Simmons if he’s there, my friend and colleague Alex Horne, Tim Vine, and yes Daniel Kitson if you can get near a ticket. Also, be prepared to take a gamble on someone you haven’t heard of. The festival depends on people doing that. There are some great people playing to tiny crowds. (There are also awful people playing to tiny crowds, admittedly, but still). I’ll add more recommendations when I’ve actually seen the programme. But that’s a start. And thanks to others for a lot of sensible recommendations, too.
***STAR LETTER***
COREY
I work with a girl who is due to get married within the next year or so. Nothing bad so far, except for the fact that I know she has cheated on her intended……..but it doesn’t stop there, it wasn’t a one off, she has been carrying on a affair with at least one person for nearly 2 years, slept with another and offered her services to a business client when he muttered the lovely words ”while you’re down there!” as she was bending down to put papers in a box!……she’s not a nice person.
It’s definitely true, I am not one of her conquests, but I do know it’s true. The problem is her boyfriend. I don’t know him but should I meddle in a situation like this and let him know what she’s like? or is it not for me to get involved?
Well, this is a corker.
There are obviously quite a lot of reasons to worry about a man who would end up with this girl, not least because of the supplementary detail you supplied about her looking at my bro’s site and calling it a ’scam’. Die, bitch!!! Sorry. Um.
The consensus from most people was that you shouldn’t get involved in this; you should let people make their own mistakes, especially since the guy isn’t even your friend particularly. I guess this is right. As was pointed out though, it’s an awful thought that kids could be created out of this marriage, and indeed it could have all sorts of other enormous consequences, and you would have known from the outset it was doomed, but never spoken up.
On the whole though, this guy – even if he doesn’t know about his intended’s promiscuity – must have a pretty strong knowledge of her personality, and must love her enough to see through its most obvious defects. This suggests that he will be able to forgive her if she does dishonour their marriage, or – more cynically – he might happily live in ignorance.
Relationships have a way of working out if they’re going to work out, and dissolving (however painfully) if they’re not. Fatalistic as it may be to say ‘what will be, will be,’ I reckon you can let this play itself out. It’s not your problem. But it IS pretty bloody interesting. Keep us informed!
IONA A question about how her friend’s mum had just died; her friend wanted things to as normal as possible; how could she support her?
This is hard; anything as tragic as this is beyond my fortunate experience. I guess if she says she wants everything to be normal, you should take her at her word. She will probably have people to talk to about her grief, but it’s more difficult sometimes in an awful time to find someone just to be normal with. So I would try and have fun, take her out of herself, where you can. Sometimes the best person to have around in a crisis is the one who doesn’t constantly act as if it IS a crisis. Not that you should trivialise it. But you know what I mean.
GABY I have a query. I seem to be getting some fairly nasty attacks of nerves recently. I have my A-levels, (starting tomorrow) as many do, and after trying a host of ridiculously over priced herbal ‘nerve busters’, I am finding nothing works. Have you Mark, or anyone else for that matter, have any tried and tested ways of getting rid of nerves.
Also one less important thing, what is the best confectionery to buy for the inside of my car. I passed my test yesterday (fourth time lucky apparently), and am in need of a sweet which isn’t so good that I will be seething with anger whenever one is taken, but also good enough that I will enjoy sucking on one on a long journey.
Second question: American Hard Gums.
First question: As mentioned above, I don’t know much about Rescue Remedy – described, in rather sinister fashion, on its website as ‘every woman’s emotional ally, on which millions of people now depend’. But I do think nerves can be overcome by non-clinical ways. One thing I’d recommend is to try and convert those nerves into positive adrenalin. Don’t think of an exam as some kind of trap in which you will be reveald as a fraud; think of it as a chance to show what you can do. A cliche perhaps but true, just as it’s true that as a comedian, you’re better off thinking of the audience as friends waiting to be entertained, not cynics waiting for you to NOT be funny.
But you’ll be well into those exams by now, so I hope this isn’t too late. And apologies to all those people in Ireland and Scotland for whom my exam-tips blog last week came too late. Maybe in future blogs I should put ‘EXCEPT SCOTLAND’ like they do on special offers sometimes.
…that’s it. Add your own responses below, and also, any questions you’d like answered for the next edition. Oh yes, and as is traditional, a couple of questions from me:
-What are those flickering lines that appear at the top of the screen on ITV just before adverts start, i.e. at the end of the football? I mean… what are they for? What ARE they? You know?
-And how do I bring jealousy under control?
Thanks!
Posted by Heather Jones on June 17, 2010
Sorry, Mark – I realise I may have sounded unsympathetic in my comment just now. It’s just that I know that sometimes too much sympathy can make me feel worse when I am depressed about stuff – so I was just trying a different approach. Big BIG hugs and warm fuzzies winging through the ether from me. (why not go and sniff Kit’s hair as soon as you get the chance – fresh baby smell is the best antidote I know to life’s pantiness)
Posted by Heather Jones on June 17, 2010
‘a metaphor for the way my career has essentially been an enormous amount of effort to practically no effect at all’
Oh dear, Mark. that’s not the way to go. As Oscar Wilde put it ‘We are all in the gutter but some of us are looking at the stars.”
And look at all the love! Look at the offers of help! Look at the possibility of snatching victory out of the jaws of defeat!
Include these aspects in any metaphor you propose for the warmth and rewards of your career and life.
(I get knocked down, but I get up again….as that dreadful song puts it)
Perspective, Mark, perspective. Shit happens – to all of us. I’m afraid you’re not exempt. And worse things happen at sea than the loss of a blog.
Yep, it’s cliche time: time to count your blessings (it’s been scientifically proven to work)
Posted by Rosanna on June 17, 2010
*virtual hug*
Posted by Paul O'Regan on June 17, 2010
Mark,
The original version of the blog still exists in the RSS feed. You might be able to salvage it from there.
Posted by Emmy on June 17, 2010
Oh no…
*hug*
Posted by fuzzy_ducky (Laura) on June 17, 2010
I want to send fanmail…. Fanmail surely would cheer anyone up?
Posted by Vikki on June 17, 2010
I’ve all ready destroyed two hard drives today – I coul smash your computer for you to score a hat trick.
Posted by Anji on June 17, 2010
I can send you a hug. Computers know when your tired and stressed and ON PURPOSE they add to it. They are little duckers* (*replace the d with an f).
It’s comforting to know that others get the same problems too, when at uni I don’t think I ever managed to print an essay without a hoha and my Mum rescuing me. Bloody technology.
Br satisfied with the knowledge you will get the little ducker back, and when you do it’ll be a sweet, sweet feeling.
Failing it all Meg sounds like she has the answer, that could well help you out, we promise we won’t mind it the text is a bit funny and squiffy, just tell us we all need an eye test and that it’s fine on your screen!!
*hugs*
Posted by Seamus on June 17, 2010
You have my sympathy. Similar things have happened to me, but don’t smash your computer, it will just mean that you will remember the annoyed feeling you have right now will for a lot longer, what with not having a laptop and such. I would recommend going and having a lie down with some relaxing music (might I recommend some Sigur Ros?) or doing some exercise. Or do what I do and play some drums REALLY LOUDLY. You’d get to hit things and work towards your TYSIC at the same time. See, every cloud has a silver lining.
I hope you cheer up soon.
Posted by Laurs on June 17, 2010
Mark, it’s ok, don’t worry.
as others have said, take the little one for a walk, it’ll clear your head and if he isn’t already sleeping, then the cool air will tire him out. Win win surely.
Failing that, cup of tea, choccie biscuits and your favourite film might help.
*hugs* x
Posted by Joanna on June 17, 2010
Oh, Mark. Computers hate everyone, they really do. I used the phrase “I want to punch my laptop in the face” once. I didn’t even know I thought of computers as having ‘faces’ until the words were out of my mouth. Realising I thought that way calmed me down a little bit. It’s a nice idea, I think.
Have another *hug* =)
Posted by louisel on June 17, 2010
Awwww no!
*hug*
it was the best thing I’ve ever written, and I can’t bear to even think about trying to redo it.
I can totally sympathise, yesterday I was on my laptop and accidentally clicked on a pop up. There was an alarming ‘klunk’ noise, and the screen just went dead. I rang my lovely, computer genius friend in a panic, and thankfully he managed to do some restorey type thing to it so I didn’t lose all of my pictures and music. I did lose the song I had been writing on Sibelius for about 2 hours though
Technology really can be crap sometimes
Posted by Aislinn on June 17, 2010
P.S. Also, if it’d help, you can always e-mail me both the parts if you’d like, and I could try and put them together? Though thinking about the blog again may be the last thing you want to do. Anyway. Please cheer up
Posted by Meg on June 17, 2010
Mark, I’ve still got the original blog open on my computer. Would you like me to send it to you somehow?
I’ve copied and pasted the entire blog into 2 separate Word documents just in case one of them goes wrong. I could send it to you and you could re-format it a bit and post it tomorrow or the day after. So then you haven’t actually lost it and you wouldn’t have to go through your computer, faffing about for two hours. You can contact me on twitter if you’re interested
Posted by Catherine on June 17, 2010
The sloths were so cute. Hope they cheered you up. Mark, sorry you are having a bad day. I’d tell you to ‘cheer up’ but I hate it when people tell me that. So I won’t. Good night.
Posted by Aislinn on June 17, 2010
Please go and find that letter I sent you ages ago about ‘reasons why Mark Watson should be happy’ or something along those lines. If you have it. And then read it again.
I don’t know if this is the case for anyone else, but I like the clockwork in having something to read every day. Having an interest in comedy, and, in particular, your blog, has led to a few friendships for me which otherwise wouldn’t have happened and which I’m very grateful for. Just the fact that you spend time writing something up here for us, every single day, whether it’s about what you’re working on or something trivial or your new favourite band means actually, I think, surprisingly more than you might guess.
And, hey, a couple of hundred devoted fans means far more than a series on the BBC, who don’t get anything right these days anyway. Right?
Posted by fuzzy_ducky (Laura) on June 17, 2010
It’s okey Mark
Thou shalt be fine!! I demand it!
You should write a blog, or have an emergency blogger write one, that you post if this happens. Copy, paste – done. No stress writing about what happened… just an explanation.
*hugs*
S’ok.. go for walk – clear your mind, enjoy your surroundings… chill
Posted by Linsey on June 17, 2010
So many times have I experienced those emotions, where I have to take a deep breath and get away from the computer for a while. This blog has brought back coursework-themed nightmares…
Posted by Zoe Fell on June 17, 2010
Katie and I managed to read it before your computer conspired against you. If it’s any consolation, we thought that it was brilliant.
I concur with her on the cake thing. Mug cake is absolutely wonderful. Katie has a cracking recipe for it.
All I will say, is that it’s testament to your dedication to this blog that you were willing to write another blog explaining what happened to your original blog. That’s extremely comendable.
Here is a video of some sloths to cheer you up – if you smash your computer up, you won’t be able to see it. So, er…don’t smash it up.
http://vimeo.com/11712103
*Hugs*
Posted by Maddy on June 17, 2010
Damn, that sounds seriously annoying. I personally, as a person who technology hates, thinks that there is something more than computers crashing on us. They hate humans and find it fun to ruin their lives, just remember that your better than them.
Posted by DeborahF on June 17, 2010
You have my sympathy, but please don’t smash up your laptop – it’s not its fault – it’s more likely to be the software messing it up for you.
Hopefully you’ll be in a better mood tomorrow and post it then
Posted by Iona on June 17, 2010
I saw some of the entry that was posted! What I saw was really good.
also put things in perspective, this isn’t the end of the world. No one will die because this went wrong. The world keeps turning. And you still have a loving group of fans. *hug*. In 10 years you won’t even remember this moment. But I know it sucks at the time.
Posted by Ben Draper on June 17, 2010
Nope, you’re free to talk about what you like in future then.
Sorry to hear about the errors. I saw it uploaded and it was HUGE but unfortunately I chose to catch up on one from the other day so I clicked on that and by the time i was back to the main blog page it was gone. You must be gutted, I’ve done that with essays before and it really hurts.
What’s important is that you learn from it and move on. I hope your mood improves by tomorrows blog because I’d hate you to be disillusioned by it and let the blog slide. It’s really good normally and I would miss it.
Posted by Katie on June 17, 2010
Oh Mark. Don’t smash the shit out of your computer. The cost to replace it would only make you more unhappy. You could, however, hit it with a brick. I highly advise you hit it with a brick. Hitting things with bricks makes for less costly therapy.
Alternatively, you could eat some cake. Cake is wonderful. x
Posted by Ben Draper on June 17, 2010
This really confused me. Talk about Kit if I’m first. Cheers!
Posted by DizzyDoo on June 17, 2010
Oh Mark. My sympathies!