Return to form
Last night we were all indebted to one of the Emergency Blogging Team, whose identities – apart from Corry -are so secret that they have all been issued with a suicide pill to be taken in the event that they’re unmasked. To be honest it would make more sense if they all knew each other’s details, so they could plan together, but it’s much more fun this way. I feel like I’m in charge of the Freemasons or one of these semi-genuine societies Dan Brown makes his money from writing about.
Her (or his) (but it’s a her, though) reminder about TYSICs was a timely one. I’d like to second her (or his… oh, never mind) call for people to make a renewed push at their challenges before the New Year. As some Comments have pointed out, January 1 is after all only another date and you might argue that one shouldn’t need something as arbitrary as a date to make any sort of important life change. But for people like me, there’s something gratifying about planning in little chunks of time. I’m quite a one for thinking ‘what happened in 2007, what was the highlight of ’08′, etc. So even if one year might be no different from another, the mere act of portioning them off can be a useful incentive to action, I think.
Anyway, theory aside, what I’m saying is, make a bloody cake or whatever it is you were planning to do. I shall be checking people’s TYSIC updates on something like December 14 (this time next week), and writing an end-of-year progress report based on that. Let’s all, including me, try to achieve one thing of note before then. If you’re one of the nice number of people new to this blog since I started touring, look up the TYSIC – it’s a ten-year self improvement challenge. We’re about ten months in, so you’ve still got quite a bit of time to catch up…
In other news, the Toblerone thing. One of our winners is in Birmingham. The other in Sheffield. Not that far apart. We could do a small, efficient chain against the clock, if we have a few people between these landmarks. Say, to try and get the chocolate between the metropolises in a single week. Or we could engineer a meeting of the two. But a chain is arguably more fun. Who’s up for it? Comment here. I’m not going to ask Pandora and the iPod team to arrange this, because they’ve spent most of 2010 organising for a little purple thing to go around the UK, and that can’t be what any of them planned for this year.
I must go, but keep adding your birthdays to the ever-increasing collection from the weekend blog. The race to become the number one birthday, and official day of Watsonian festivities, is hotting up. The number of new names is amazing. All this time I’ve been trying to coax people out of their shells by posing interesting talking points here; all I had to do was pry for personal information. This bodes well for the upcoming census.
(If you have any questions you think should be included in the census, by the way, suggest them. I’ve not run a census before. Like many of us.)
I’ll close by noting, just following on from my cricket blog a week or so ago, that if you ARE thinking about flirting with an interest in cricket, this is now definitely the time to do it. If you saw any of what happened last night, you will back me up on this.
PS First comment gets to determine blog topic, again. Look how well it worked with birthdays…
Posted by Aislinn on December 10, 2010
Although if this is like a proper census there should probably be questions like ‘What is your job?’ and ‘Where abouts do you live?’
We could possibly conjure up an exciting geographical-type thing. Maybe.
London is nowhere near Birmingham or Sheffield; this is a shame. One day I will be massively involved in something. One day.
Posted by Aislinn on December 10, 2010
Ooh ooh ooh could we have a favourite film question please? Or like, director. Or genre. Or something to do with films. I WOULD LOVE IT SO MUCH.
Also we could have a ‘What is your favourite Mark Watson book/tv jaunt/joke/thing?’ as, well, it’s sort of relevant. You might not want that though.
Posted by MusicalLottie on December 8, 2010
Ooh, Sam’s ideas have got my brain working now!
I’d love there to be a question about Star Trek (favourite: TOS, TNG, TAS, DS9, VOY, ENT, film, none)
Also, further to Sam’s question about PC/Mac users, maybe something about operating systems would be more specific? (Linux, Unix, Windoze, Mac, etc.)
Glasses-wearing, Y/N?
Er … come to think of it, most of the questions I could come up with would only really be of interest to me, so maybe I’ll shove off now!
Posted by Paul on December 8, 2010
First comment in a good while, but the thing about New Year really struck a chord. I always used to be of the same opinion – what does midnight on Decmber 31st really signify apart from another day? I really dislike all the dancing and singing and hugging that comes with it, seems to just interrupt the flow of a perfectly enjoyable social occasion.
Except … this year hasn’t been the best. I’m not going to condemn it too much, as many people suffer far greater hardships and there have been a fistful of good moments. But it’s been quite emotionally testing at times, and I’m not disposed to remembering 2010 more fondly than any year from the last decade. For which reason I’m quite looking forward to 2011, and feel January 1st will be a watershed moment from which to approach life with renewed vigour. T
Now then, this Toblerone. Normally my shy and (extremely) reserved nature would cause me to think ‘what a nice idea, but don’t say anything about it’. However, something is compelling me to offer to be a link in the chain (if required) – I’m a few miles north of Stoke, a place through which said triangular chocolate item could conceivably pass en route. Though I couldn’t promise not to try and nab a piece off the end, because I haven’t had a Toblerone for ages and they’re delicious.
Posted by Rachael on December 8, 2010
What about favourite book? Or favourite film? Or favourite song? Or favourite food? Or favourite football team (if they have one)?
Posted by amycool on December 8, 2010
Ben – I think I clicked the like button correctly. Possibly. Probably.
Posted by Sam on December 8, 2010
I’ve been trying to think of some interesting info to gather in the census. What I’ve come up with so far is:
Handedness, ie right, left or ambidextrous
Favourite colour. I know it’s a bit naff, but I have a bit of a compulsion to shout out ‘what’s your favourite colour’ during any Q&A session when the audience are asking some intersting person very thoughtful, insightful questions – I guess it’s the 5 year old in me (a metaphorical 5 year old obviously, not a literal one – that would be all kinds of wrong).
IT preferences, ie PC or Mac or other (is there an other, or have Gates and Jobs got the whole market?)
Star Wars Movies – seen all, seen none, seen some
Harry Potter Books – read all, read none, read some
You could also formalise some of the other questions/opinions that have been gathered, such as:
Prefered hot beverage: Tea/Coffee/Other
Not exactly the best, most interesting bunch of questions. But there you have it.
x
Posted by Misha on December 8, 2010
I’m definitely flirting with developing an interest in cricket.
(if anyone has any reccomendations on when and where to look for such a thing)
I’ve just sat up having a proper heartfelt chat.
It was lovely.
Posted by Ben Draper on December 8, 2010
Hi Mark, I don’t know if you remember but for a challenge you said you’d help me get into a film premiere. I’d forgotten about this, as I’m sure you have but remembered whilst racking my brains trying to publicise this:
http://bestforfilm.com/community/vote-for-one-sleep-till-santa/
I’d love it if you could encourage your many followers to a)take part themselves if they are interested and b) “Like” my entry to improve my chances of being shortlisted.
It’s a writing competition I took part in. Although the prize isn’t a premier, a win would mean a lot for my reviewing career I think and who knows where that could lead…..
Loving your blog as ever, keep up the good work! x
Posted by Dan on December 8, 2010
First time non lurcher… Huzzah! (Brilliant blog btw.)
In Brum and happy to be the dating ‘bridge’ between both ladies if desperately needed.
…
Ok, promise I’m not as creepy as I just realised both statements sounded!
Posted by LB on December 8, 2010
Rhian, the Don Valley relay handover is a brill idea. If you need a fellow Sheffield resident to run/amble one of the middling legs of said relay… I am in! I would fear some kind of baton dropping incident due to the insane amounts of ice currently covering Sheffield tho, but hey, we wouldn’t be upholding British athletics traditions if there wasn’t a little fumbling of the tobleronebaton.
Posted by Carl on December 7, 2010
I must admit I havnt updated my TYSIC on the forum for AGES. However, I am continuing my ‘discovering new music’ and ‘writing a novel’ pledges.
Also, I’m just in a bar after a fantastic Frank Turner gig at Southampton Guildhall and can’t wait for Mark’s show tomorrow night. Be nice to
meet you, Mark. I live 2 minutes from the venue, you’re more than welcome for a cup of tea and a chat about our sky dive afterwards!
Take care. x
Posted by Rhian on December 7, 2010
So, Derby, it’s almost exactly half-way between Sheffield and Birmingham. I don’t think it should be too tricksy for Deborah and I to meet up (I picture a relay type exchange at Don Valley athletics stadium, although it might be a bit snowy for anything too strenuous).
Any one in Burton upon Trent or Lichfield out there? (I have just drawn a straight line between Derby and Birmingham, no reason for the toblerone to make a straight journey of course.)
Max, I like your style, but as you already said a date depends on singleness so I’m afraid that counts me out. And it looks like, possibly unbeknownst to you, your knowledge of Welsh names didn’t fail either!
Posted by Jamie/James on December 7, 2010
Hi Mark,
Update your TYSIC thing! it’s not been updated since April. I could also help with the Toblerone thing, if it happens to be going through Leeds.
Lovely.
Jamie/James
Posted by DeborahF on December 7, 2010
I live in Derby and work in Sheffield, so I commute everyday, though I do have a trip to Luton Airport lined up for one day soon (its to see a client, I’m not going on holiday). So that might help the Toblerone chain and if I get to take part I promise I won’t eat it even though I love Toblerone
Hurrah for the England cricket team beating the Aussies! I am watching the highlights on ITV4 even though I should probably be in bed since I have to get up a 6:30am. It’s definitely been worth missing some of my beauty sleep to watch.
Posted by Josie on December 7, 2010
Will gladly be part of the Toblerone chain if it passes through Bradford or Leeds. Which, come to think of it, it probably won’t. Shame!
Posted by lisan66 on December 7, 2010
I’m in Dublin, so pretty sure that I couldn’t transport the toblerone (unless it went on a REALLY roundabout way) But if I could be part of it…it would be awesome!
Posted by Beth on December 7, 2010
Oh man, you have NO IDEA how much I would love to be involved in transporting the Toblerone. It’s a bit of a bugger that I’m in London and therefore about as much use as a chocolate teapot. So people of Birmingham, Sheffield, and points betwixt the two – step up and take part in the challenge and you’ll get to be PART OF HISTORY.
…yeah, I get into these types of things a trilfe too much sometimes.
Posted by Tracey on December 7, 2010
The TYSIC is a good one and I will keep it in mind but I’m being really selfish at the moment and cannot get thinking about this awful weather out of my head. It’s amazing how much it disrupts life. I hope everyone else is coping with it ok. Traceyx
Posted by Sam on December 7, 2010
TYSIC-wise I’m continuing the comedy and on the 14th of December will be doing a four hour Christmas show for charity in Portsmouth. Details can be found at http://www.tinyurl.com/HHXmas
If you could please mention this sometime in the blog Mark I would be really grateful, ta.
Posted by max on December 7, 2010
I had a brilliant idea about making the toblerone thing a date! but that -of course- depends on both winners being single and of opposite sexes. Or better put, being of mutually attractive sexes for their choices.
But (if my knowledge of English names doesn’t fail me) it looks as if they are both female.
So yeah. I have nothing to add then.
Posted by Laura-B on December 7, 2010
I live in Manchester, but I’m going to Sheffield on Saturday if that’s any use?
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on December 7, 2010
It is safe to say that the little purple thing was not in my plans for this year, but it has been really fun, honest.
For the next blog topic, I was wondering if you could update us about how the next novel is going? Mostly just cos I’m really nosy…