No more pens
I’ve now done my two shows in Perth. They went pretty well, and tonight I was lucky enough to meet Joelle, one of the furthest-away-from-London blog readers, if not THE furthest. She gave me a couple of pens in a nice bag, something which many other people have done during my tour (although there’s not normally a bag). I am now going to say officially: please do not give me any more pens. My long-suffering tour manager Giles has a car full of them. I am carrying about 100 of them around with me. We are at saturation point, pens-wise. So, grateful as I am for all these pens, we should now move on to some new collective goal. The whole pens thing is so 2010.
But thank you.
Tomorrow I will fly to Brisbane in the morning. I’ve no idea what my internet access will be like, so fingers crossed. Even if I can’t get online and no-one else can either and the whole of Queensland is still offline because of the terrible floods etc, I will find a way to post. You know that.
Posted by Suzy on March 25, 2011
I was just thinking about the pen I got you and wondering if you still have it. So I thought I’d ask. Though putting this on a more recent blog post would seem weird as its totally off topic … so I’m putting it here where of course there is a risk that you won’t even notice it. But anyway, it’s late and I’m in an odd mood, so … as they say … whatever! So do you still have the pen? The one with writing on … Aberystwyth … fumbling, blushing, babbling person … ring any bells? You must meet so many people it’s likely you’ve forgotten, but I’d like to think the pen lives on. I was soooo nervous giving it to you and was so glad you liked it
I’ll shut up now. G’night x
Posted by Rachael on March 7, 2011
No more pens. Got it. What are you going to do with all the pens you got?
Posted by Kat w on March 7, 2011
Too many pens Mark? Do you really mean that you’ve become selective as to what type of pen you write with, but didn’t want to tell us because it sounds a bit…pretentious? What sort of pens are people giving you? Bic biros?
You do seem like the kind of person who (rightly) would be rather particular about the type of pen you write with…honestly, if you only want a particular type of pen, we’ll try to oblige…
Also, as a student, I always need pens (but the Argos ones just don’t get the creative juices flowing so they’re no good). I’m sure you can find an outlet to rid you of all these pens. Actually sorting the pens into categories and distributing them off sounds quite appealing…maybe it’s just the whiff of goodwill that brought them to you that’s so appealing.
Posted by Zoe Fell on March 6, 2011
I’m not buying 144 notebooks, Aislinn.
Posted by Spam on March 6, 2011
New collectable items, eh? Weill you could always get donations of Cherry Ripe chocolates…..
Just to keep your incredibly quick metabolism going…
Posted by Sue (DiB) on March 6, 2011
The Brisbane Powerhouse has free wifi just like McDonalds, just agree to the terms and conditions and away you go.
See you on Saturday, I will be pen-less as requested: I will bring something interesting to sign though.
Posted by Madeleine on March 6, 2011
I can tell you that Brisbane, exspecially New Farm where they usually put up people who are playing at the powerhouse, is pretty much back to normal so I wouldn’t worry about getting online. I live about a street away from the venue though so if you have problems let me know. Very much looking forward to your show! I’ll be there on Sunday!
Posted by Ally on March 6, 2011
Brisbane! I can’t wait for your Sydney shows. As my plans to travel to Melbourne for the comedy festival fell through – which I was most saddened by.
Posted by Joelle on March 6, 2011
It was great to meet you! I found it difficult to believe that you’d not had another reader of the blog at your Perth shows make themselves known. Perth I am most disappointed.
I did try to look for something more interesting to give you, but I couldn’t find anything that I thought you’d like so I went to my back-up plan.
Also, sorry for heckling you about the question mark when you were typing but you are a published author so I felt it was only fair.
I hope you have a lovely time in Brisbane
Posted by Aislinn on March 5, 2011
Notebooks. You could pair each pen up with a notebook, and then start handing them out to the public as some part of ‘write a diary!’ campaign.
Also it’d mean that everyone would have to remember how many pens they bought you and then buy the equivalent in notebooks. Then they’d really regret it.
Posted by Misha on March 5, 2011
I’m going to put in a vote for something more interesting. Baked goods? Frilly knickers? Pants in general?
Also, do you have any thoughts to impart on David Walliams’ 24 hour adventure?
Posted by Ingrid on March 5, 2011
Wordpress says i’ve already commented and it won’t let me do a ‘duplicate comment’. Have i already commented? because its not comming up on my computer… wierd.
Posted by Sarah on March 5, 2011
All things Ruddy Duck
Posted by Josh (the magnificent one) on March 5, 2011
Maybe something a bit more open to interpretation.
Yellow things?
Toy cars?
White goods? Who doesn’t love a good fridge?
Posted by A lot of Rachels on March 5, 2011
pencils?
Posted by Amy B on March 5, 2011
I have just checked in a suitcase at heathrow airport containing, among other things, some pens. Can I have some sort of special permission? It would be quite annoying to carry them half way around the world only to take them home again. And I did warn you at the radio recording, so it’s only fair. Please?