September
If I had to pick a favourite month I’d think about September. The weather nearly always picks up, there’s football, you’re not in Edinburgh any more which means you get to eat proper meals and have self-esteem, you sometimes get to go to Australia, certain television shows return to your screens, tour audiences are good, and students flood back into the university of which you are vice-chancellor. By ‘you’ in all these cases I meant myself, except in the final case which was a piece of fiction.
Tomorrow’s date, September 2, marks Tim Key’s birthday and it’ll be the tenth anniversary of his 25th, which was a special day. We performed our Footlights show in the West End for the first and only time. I played Death, with a Welsh accent. Key played
multiple parts, including a loser in a pub who would become a well-known Radio 4 character. Later that evening England recorded a famous 5-1 win over Germany which (unfortunately) still represents the high-water mark of English football this century. I would say my friendship with Key, on the other hand, has continued to flourish.
This September I have a few projects on. I’ll finish my new novel- that is, properly finish it; it’s already at the editing stage. I aim to recover a lost suitcase with the help of all of you. There is a rugby World Cup. I have two more scripts to write, but more on that later. I’ve got my first ever tour shows in Ireland. And there’s more. My life is never dull. Haunted by error and failure, sometimes. But not
dull.
Posted by Gabi on September 2, 2011
September is the month which always marks a fresh start for me. New goals and aims, which this year are going to be very driven. I’m glad you have so much to look forward to, and I am equally ‘psyched’ about the new book.
I also feel sports will drive my time, as living with 5 other sports driven men means I have no other choice in the matter. Ah well! Enjoy Mr Watson
Posted by Steve Doherty on September 2, 2011
That fact makes me 6 yrs 364 days older than Mr Key. (This may or may not include leap years, I didn’t do maths).
Posted by Tim Buckle on September 2, 2011
I also love September. I think it is just about a fresh start in the year.
Posted by Rachael on September 2, 2011
@Jen My sisters birthday is the 24th too!
I hope september will be a good month. Kids will be back in school and I’m going on holiday.
Posted by Misha on September 2, 2011
This is the first september i’ve not got something on. I shall live vicariously through you.
Posted by Miz on September 2, 2011
Happy September, Watsonians. And Happy Birthday to Tim Key. I’m going to chime in with the ‘Rugby? Really?’ comments, also, Lydia’s afternoon of film trailers sounds AWESOME (if very much like the act of someone with too much time on their hands).
Posted by Andrew on September 2, 2011
Rugby? Really?
In fact that’s my suggestion for a future blog – rugby, really?
Posted by Lydia on September 2, 2011
I used to hate September, but now I’m not going back to school it is fairly meaningless.
I am really looking forward to your new book. Then I will have another one that I will probably make you sign more than once, lol.
Lol, I am trying to finish editing my NaNoWriMo from last year before this November. I think doing a levels is a fairly good excuse for not having done it yet. 20 pages to go!
Alex, I can relate to the too much time thing. I actually spent a whole afternoon watching film trailers and writing down everything I want to see for the next three months. I know. Too much time on my hands by far. I think maybe just start off by making a list of (useful. i.e not film trailers) things you want to do, and then actually do them. Writing is good for filling up time because you loose track of it.
Posted by Knox on September 2, 2011
this is the loveliest, loveliest blog. happy birthday to tim key (who very lovely-ly said hello when i saw him in edinburgh).
i am so amazingly psyched about the new novel, it makes me want to express my excitement like an american (i think americans win on proper expressions of absolute excitement – ‘psyched’ is a brilliant example, i reckon).
by the way – “certain television shows return to your screens” – is this a hint about the thing you can’t tell us about yet, or am i just being overzealously hopeful? i am a little hyper (got in about an hour ago from fear of a brown planet gig in brixton – it was AWESOME!!!).
Posted by Jen on September 1, 2011
Rachel my sisters birthday is the 24th too so now I’ll celebrate both n have extra cake!!
Oooo and congrats on your exciting news Suzanne!Jx
Posted by Jen on September 1, 2011
Lovely reflective blog-nice!
…oooo new novel progression…..Fab!
Wow your Septembers sound great… I have mixed views on this month – on the positive it is my dad n sisters birthdays which means lotsa cake!!I do also agree with you on the return of good TV shows!
Hmmmm,however September marks the start of the academic year,which for me means a return to work n the confines of my classroom!I do enjoy being a teacher but Sept is tough and unlike you I do miss Edinburgh,but I’m lucky just to be an audience member,so just get to enjoy the shows without being judged!Jx ps lost luggage help??
Ooo n Steven glad my comment helped n didn’t just add to your confusion
Posted by Suzanne aka Senior Watsonian on September 1, 2011
Hey there, Nuala … when do you start in the back-to-work world??? It is now “next month” so it must be soon … again I wish you all the very best! Enjoy!!!
I understand why September is a good month for you, Mark, but just tell me how can you possibly fit in ALL those amazing achievements???
I’m home again so must look into setting out my TYSIC. One of my aims will be to “get out and socialise more” and I seem to have made a first step in that direction already!!!
Today I contacted my local U3A group … I spoke to the organiser about 4 hours after they’d held their very first meeting with Michael Eavis as guest speaker!!! So near yet so far!!!
However, I’m now on their list so I’m all primed and ready to throw myself into numerous activities … How exciting! I’ve by-passed my second childhood and gone straight into second adolescence … so look out, world here I come … again!!! LOL!!!
Posted by Kathryn on September 1, 2011
I knew there was something I was meaning to do- book a ticket for the Belfast show. I’ll get on it. Tomorrow. Definitely.
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on September 1, 2011
My birthday’s in September too, which should make it everyone’s favourite really. 24th. Buy me presents.
Posted by Alex on September 1, 2011
You’re lucky, my life is very dull at the moment. I have an opportunity to make it less dull next week but that day will probably be haunted by error and failure. Maybe *I* should write a script, it actually went quite well the last (only) time I did that. It was a group effort though. OH I DON’T KNOW. Do you still answer people’s problems? If so- what can I do to fill my time? I have a LOT of it.
Just to be clear- this is actually a very nice blog. Just having (another) moan. Sorry. I’m not this moany in real life I promise.
Posted by Katy on September 1, 2011
I like this blog. I like the Key bit (obviously). The only bit that lets it down is the mention of the rugby. I hate rugby with a passion. I never used to, I used to drink with the Bradford Bulls (celeb story) but then I started having to get the train to Reading for the football at the same time as people heading to twickenham for the rugby. Trust me, its not a pretty sight watching me shout at ignorant rugby fans. And then there was the time they made me miss the game against Boro and I cried. (I know they arent all like that…honest).