Oops sorry
Yes, sorry for yesterday’s snivelling. I can see now with the benefit of dear old Mr Hindsight that complaining about my life could seem like something of a slap in the face to anyone reading who had not published novels, etc. It’s just, you know. Hard to live up to your own expectations I guess. Also I hope it didn’t seem like I was carping at blog readers for not making it. Quite a few of you apologised for your absence despite being in Inverurie or
needing a time travelling device to accomplish it. (NB Andrew, no one’s more aware than me of the fact people don’t all live in London. Seen how long my tour is!?) The most intriguing excuse was not wanting to come to London because there would be kids around as it’s the holidays. I can assure everyone it’s possible to have a nice day in London even in the summer.
But my point is- it was just me being spoiled really. Easy to let feelings of failure run away with you and come off self-pitying. Sorry again. We’ll say no more about it.
Posted by Andrew on August 1, 2011
OK, fair point on the London thing – I think I inferred that erroneously from the tone of a piece which was basically “where were you?” which went out to a global readership. That said, it is an attitude of which the London based media are undoubtedly guilty. I once had a reporter from Time Out email me and ask me whether I would like to contribute to a piece about people with odd obsessions, specifically in my case number plates. I said no, probably not, because her piece was about enthusiasts and I was embarrassed about mine. She then asked if I knew anyone in London who shared my hobby. It never occurred to her, in spite of the fact that my blog is overrun with references to Oxford, that I might not be in London, or indeed not even know anyone in London.
I tell this dull anecdote just as a variant from the other comments which, lovely as they are, are generally all of a cyber hug type.
Posted by Josie on July 30, 2011
Hope you’re feeling better! I genuinely felt gutted though… if only you’d held the book signing on Friday, I would have been able to pop in!
Posted by Corey on July 30, 2011
C’mon there Mr Watson, chin up, think positive etc etc….it could be worse. Just think there are people out there who are related to Piers Morgan…..imagine the shame of that, there are even people out there who are Piers Morgan…well, one anyway……and imagine how he feels. If you need cheering up I recommend watching ‘Deal or No Deal Nigeria’ presented by John Fashanu. If you thought Noel Edmonds was a creepy loon……..wait till you see him in action!
Posted by Ingrid on July 30, 2011
Ah mark you can’t be optimistic all the time. We still love you (: Anyway, have a virtual hug and hope you cheer up. X
Posted by Katie K on July 30, 2011
Sending lots of cyber cuddles to you, sure they’re not as good as the real thing, it’s the thought that counts. Nothing like a good cuddle to cheer one up. I think I am going to hug my younger brother, he gives good cuddles.
Posted by Anji on July 30, 2011
Ah we all have days like it Mr Watson. And the only reason you felt like it is because you want to give your all and do things the best you can. You give 100% to everything that is very clear. We are all very good at beating our selves up and rubbish at self praise.
And when all else fails, just remember, tomorrow is a new day. A line underneath what’s been and on to new adventures!
Posted by Rachael on July 30, 2011
Try not to be so hard on yourself in future x
Posted by Knox on July 30, 2011
Agree with comments all below – esp Suzy’s. Sending hugs and hopes for heaps more positive things. xxx
Posted by Cathy (traineeflorist) on July 30, 2011
Another thing I used to do alot, say sorry all the time … don’t worry mate, you’ll grow out of it! x
Posted by Suzy on July 30, 2011
Don’t be sorry! Personally, I only said stuff to try and cheer you up not to make you feel bad – hoped looking on the bright side would help. Now *I’m* sorry! Should have just stuck to my usual hugs & cwtches. Looking forward to seeing you when you come to Aber next … might even be daring enough to give you a real hug, but knowing me I’ll go all silly! xx
Posted by amycool on July 30, 2011
We all need a moan every now and then and the phrase “Somebody else always has it worse” never makes me feel any better.
I hope you’re feeling a bit more positive today, and as somebody else said, it’s good that your blog is so open to show the good news and the bad news. If it was just a platform for you to show off about all your achievements we probably wouldn’t all come here every day.
Sending a hug and a toothy grin xxx
Posted by Misha on July 30, 2011
shush you. You’re only human.
Posted by Helen on July 29, 2011
Very much agree with the comments below, apologise not, no worries, all is well, ecetera.
Anyway, hope everyone has had a good day today and I look forward to tomorrow’s blog, as always
Posted by dawn on July 29, 2011
Don’t say sorry! You are only human, and if you can’t be honest on your own blog, well there would be no point would there???
I’m still offering cake… although boys don’t seem so keen on cake… come do a talk in Woking I’ll still bring cake, because I like it, but I will also bring wine and vodka (you will need it!) 
Posted by Jen on July 29, 2011
Its the fact that you do speak so openly to us that makes this blog so special/unique and makes us well – Watsonians!You’re human – no apology needed – be yourself – that’s all we ask!!Jx ps moving on – eeeeeek not long til Edinburgh,can’t wait!
Posted by MusicalLottie on July 29, 2011
Oh Mark, we all love you. I can see a couple of readers maybe took yesterday’s post the wrong way but the majority of us know you weren’t blaming us, just telling it as it was. You’ve had much better turnouts before, and so I’m presuming you were expecting more of a turnout yesterday, and disappointment is always hard to take so don’t be too hard on yourself.I guess if you’d been expecting a small turnout – I’m not saying you should have, just hypothetically-speaking – then you wouldn’t have been disappointed … but then expecting only a small turnout would not have been thinking very positively, would it?
Such a ramble; I hope at least some of it made sense. In short: we understand, don’t beat yourself up about it, and I hope you’re soon feeling better.
Have a huge *hug*