No dramas
I’m making sure to post before I go to bed this time, in order to avoid a repeat of the nerve-jangling scenes that saw almost tens of people panicking on last night’s ‘blogwatch’. I would never be so egomaniacal as to delay deliberately in order to raise the tension, but I must admit it was loads of fun reading back through the fraught tweets. Particularly enjoyed the speculation that they might not have the internet in Australia, and also Sam’s threat to kill himself if the Blogless Day had indeed arrived. It would probably have gone down as an overreaction, in the cold light of day.
As you might have seen, Minchin has responded to my mild trash-talking yesterday regarding the Taking It In Turns Race, which we probably need a better phrase/acronym for. He points out that his slight advantage in going second is negated by his magnificent head of hair, which will weigh him down along the way. It is also true that he is slightly heavier than me even not taking the hair into account; although anyone who was much lighter than my pitiful 65kg would probably be deemed unfit to run a half-marathon and forcibly wrapped in a blanket and fed chicken soup. Yes, there are excuses on both sides. But the bottom line is, he has to run faster than 1.50.27. Otherwise my kids (in Moldova) will get new Minchin-funded toys and blankets and his kids won’t get a bean. And if that makes you feel guilty, as it’s meant to, then sponsor dear old Tim – here’s a better link than yesterday’s: http://www.timminchin.com/2010/09/13/run-timmy-run/
…but if you can’t afford to, don’t worry, he’s got eighteen million more fans than me and has organised himself much better, too, so I should imagine he will be on course to raise well in excess of the money Bono’s mob made with Live 8. Or at least enough to justify printing one of those novelty oversized cheques. Run, Timmy! I’ll just be sitting here with my feet up.
Actually, I won’t, I’m up to all sorts here. I’ve been promoting the book with interviews and things. Writing the new one, still. Today I bought a couple of jumpers which I must say are right up there in my top five straight away. And tomorrow I could be going to be see Metallica. Metallica! Not something I ever thought I would find myself typing. It’s a rather long story. Thanks for reading this. I’m glad you didn’t have to suffer for it today.
Posted by Paul on September 16, 2010
Ever since reading Eleven, and specifically Pippa’s tips on using a vacuum cleaner, the quality of my vacuuming whenever I clean the house has improved no end. I’m don’t think any novel has ever, or will ever, benefit my domestic abilities quite so much. The improvement was evidenced again last night, mainly on the carpet on the landing which was covered in bits, so many thanks.
I envy your ability to seemingly knock out nearly an entire novel in the space of one trip to Australia. Perhaps the one thing I would like to do above all other things is write a novel; a decent one at that. Alas, I’m quite certain my fiction is pretty substandard, which makes me wonder how any novellist knows – as they’re writing – that what they’re producing is any good? Perhaps such confidence, if it exists, is a product of making the breakthrough once and building on it.
Completely unrelated to this post, but rather a previous one, I was glad you mentioned your new ‘Kicking Off’ show. The website Digital Spy devoted an entire article to the news of it, so it was a bit bemusing to see no mention of it on here. I’ll even be able to watch it, as I can now receive more than four television channels, and I have fond memories of the brief appearance of Fighting Talk on BBC2 some years ago.
Finally, proving that I really ought to respond to blog entries separately with short responses, rather than like this, it is fun to read someone else use the word nemesis in an everyday context. I too have a nemesis, but it’s a cat and it mainly persists in staring at me frequently. That is nowhere near as entertaining as having an actual ‘other person’ nemesis, and I long ago came to the conclusion that the cat is imaginary whereas Tim Minchin appears to be perfectly real. Ah well.
Posted by Jon on September 16, 2010
To quote Otto from The Simpsons “Metallica Rules!!”
Posted by Rachel Winter on September 16, 2010
65kg? Good God man eat some pies!
I weigh 60kg and I’m 5’1″. And you have the cheek to call me frail!
Australia all sounds very exciting. And it’s their spring isn’t it, hope the weather’s good (though it may be quite British from what my Melbourne friend said of the weather there).
Amazing that you’re charging ahead with your new book, you don’t hang around do you.
Posted by Tibbs on September 16, 2010
Are any of these interviews likely to be available online? I’m very pleased to hear that the new book is coming along; in fact I’m probably more exited about it than I should be, given that I won’t actually be able to read it for some time. But then I’m also super exited about next year’s MICF and Fringe, so at least I’m consistent?
Posted by Ben Draper on September 16, 2010
We weigh the same! I’m 6 ft tall as well, I can’t even justify my lack of weight by being short. You’ve given me an excuse not to try running though, thanks! How tall are you, Mark? I’d say you were over 6 ft.
Posted by Someone on September 15, 2010
Ha thanks Megan and Josh. God, scary now; The plan is out there! Must write a list.
Posted by Josh on September 15, 2010
Just read Someone’s post. That’s incredible, it’s a really long way and everything. I’ve been to both of those places on streetview and that took a while despite taking a shortcut through space.
We’ll all be here to make sure you go through with it, so never fear.
GO FOR IT SOMEONE.
Posted by Josh on September 15, 2010
I bet we could take his fans in a fight though. Although with “18 million and some” of them, it may look more like a small, slightly unfair, war.
Not that you only have “some” fans, I just don’t know how many you have in whatever system of fan-counting you’re using.
But the point still stands that we are far more dedicated than the average comedian-fan. The only fans more dedicated are stalkers, and they don’t really count.
Posted by Ally on September 15, 2010
Well I’m glad that we didn’t have to stress today!
I really do wish I could be in Melbourne to attend a book launch, but I guess you’ll have to make do without me 
Posted by Kate B on September 15, 2010
I am so excited about your new book! If I lived in Australia I could come round and pester you to write it faster… Although I know you’re a VERY busy person and I imagine quite a fast writer anyway. Hope you’re having a good time down under!
Posted by Megan on September 15, 2010
Someone, that is epically rad.
(I have been to both Land’s End and John O’Groats, but arrived at both by public transport many years apart.
)
Posted by Someone on September 15, 2010
Guess what! I’ve decided I’m going to walk (yeah… i’m not a runner, even if the distance was less) Lands End to John O Groats! I’m so excited and this blog kind of seems topical. You can have some of the kudos for ‘inspiring’ me if ya like :]. I just kind of want to walk the country and be a bit of a girl-monk for a bit though ha.
This will take some planning though, and psyching myself up as I’ll be on my own and might get killed – so meaningful goodbyes’d probably be sensible too. AND (sorry I know nobody probably cares but, if I haven’t mentioned, I’m excited by these ideas) I’m going to walk there in time for the Fringe!
However again, I need a plentiful number of moneys before I set off (maybe May) for the Fringe itself, let alone camping stuff. But yes, and I shall try raise some chips for a charity too – I have one in mind. This is fun – charity exercise eh.
(If nothing comes of these wild assertions of long-legged endeavors then I shall thank ye to ignore this comment, but then again I shall be very sad if I’m still sat here looking at a wall. So this will happen.) And now I shall shut up for goodness sake.
Yay for new jumpers.
Am I gonna post this… am I..?.. am…
Posted by Rachael on September 15, 2010
I should clarify after yesterday that I’m not really pro-violence. Just in case.
Posted by fuzzy_ducky (Laura) on September 15, 2010
This was a nice surprise
I was hoping I’d read the blog on the day it actually comes out rather then being a day behind all the time!
Hope you’re having great fun in land of Oz.
Posted by Nuala on September 15, 2010
I love Meg’s comment! Perhaps she should start with Race For Life. I did this with my mum and daughters last year. We walked rather than ran, well with an 8 yr old in tow it was more of an amble really. But we did it. Unfortunately, this didn’t inspire us to do any more (in fact my kids have forbidden me from signing them up ever again) but you might be different, Meg!
Posted by ChrisP on September 15, 2010
very nice.
Tim’s already getting the excuses out then is he! Magnificent head of hair an inconvenience then? Who else is up for raising some money for Minchin to loose the lovely locks? This could be worth some serious money because, let’s face it, it is nice hair. Prince’s Charity thingy looks like a good cause too.
What do we think? How much money could Minchin turn down for charity to keep the hair? Or his 18 million followers match the sum to keep them?
It’s worth a go, and hey it’s for charity. Thoughts?
Posted by Megan on September 15, 2010
Here’s where I admit that I am *not* doing my second half-marathon this weekend; I’m downgrading to the concurrent 5K. Work, illness, weather have been conspiring with full-on laziness. I feel guilty, but I don’t want to hurt myself. (I went to the chiropractor this morning and my most recent 12K run made today’s adjustment very difficult. “What have you been doing to yourself?!”)
To make up for it (kinda), I’m doing at least one 10K in October. I just am not ready to face 21K right now. Will do a half in May, though. AND I WILL TRAIN PROPERLY.
(Also doing the Run for the Cure on October 3 in honour of my mother, who died four years ago today of Breast Cancer. I know y’all are largely poor students, but I am shameless. My donation page is here: http://bit.ly/forsuzan)
Posted by Meg on September 15, 2010
Can I just say that your amazing half marathon has inspired me and my mum to think about doing a bit of running. We might not get to the stage of actually doing any, but at least we are thinking about it which is more than we’ve ever done before. I think we’ve made huge progress. So cheers for that!
Posted by Kathryn on September 15, 2010
There is no suffering involved; having a blog to look forward to every day is definitely a bonus in life. Especially with the effect of the time difference meaning that it could appear at any time of the day or night.
Tim should stop worrying about drag coefficients and buy a hair bobble. Or possibly several.
Posted by Misha on September 15, 2010
After the stress of moving in i’m glad too.
This means I can have an early night or something, and maybe go for a run tomorrow, you and Minchin have made me feel bad for my terrible unfitness.