THE LTSM WRITES…..
Hello Watsonians. It’s Giles here Mark’s long suffering tour manager (LTSM). That’s Mark’s name for me, not mine. I’ve been working with Mark for just over a year now and I wouldn’t say I’ve suffered to any degree.
I was hoping I would be able to say that I was blogging to represent our 100th gig together or some other milestone, but it isn’t. It’s my birthday today and Mark asked me if I wanted to take over the blog to mark the occasion.
We are nearly half way through the dates for this section of ‘Request Stops’ and on the whole Team Watson is firmly in the top half of the table and challenging for Europe. There have been some hard fought games, but generally, I think TW are winning. My real tour highlight must be Project Preston during last season (‘Do I Know You?’ last year). Classic Team Watson!
I imagine the question you all want the answer to is ‘What is Mark Watson really like?’ Errrrm, exactly what you see on the tele, on the blog and live. Very funny, a bit surreal at times and European fidget champion 1998 -2007, 2009 and 2011. He is doing his best to retain the crown for 2012 as it’s an Olympic year. Oh yeah, and he never stops working. When The Knot is published next year, bear in mind chunks of it were written on the UK’s motorway network, late at night as we either headed back to London or to the next gig. He is always working on something be it a book, TV script, radio show etc.
As for me, I just hate people who hog the middle lane of the motorway for no reason at all. If we could cure the country of this evil, we would find our way on the fast lane (geddit!) to fiscal stability.
Time for a shameless plug. I’m doing the Movember think this year where I grow a moustache during the month of November to raise money for research in to prostate and testicular cancer. I’d like to raise £1,000, so if any Watsonians have a couple of quid to spare, you can donate here http://mobro.co/LSTM or catch up with the goings on here http://gileswakely.co.uk/category/blog
Thank you Mark, for letting me use the blog. Normal service will be resumed tomorrow.
P.S. If you see him anywhere say ‘widdly widdly woo’ or ask him to explain the rules of the ‘in car’ game called Kingsley Black.
Posted by Suzanne aka Senior Watsonian on November 1, 2011
Hey, everyone … although Bristol City only managed a goalless draw at West Ham … guess who are no longer propping up the rest of the table!!!
The point earned tonight lifts City one point above Doncaster Rovers!!!
We’re getting there thanks to finger crossers anonymous!!! Well played everyone …
Sounds as if we’d probably sing in perfect harmony, Jen!!!
x
Posted by Jen on November 1, 2011
Fingers crossed Suzanne!!Jx ps my singing is always better in written form – trust me,hehe!
Posted by Corry on November 1, 2011
Happy birthday lovely man. I love the fact that Mark ‘gives you the blog’ as a birthday present! Surely just more work! Big hugs to you xxx
Posted by Sam Freeman on November 1, 2011
Don’t suppose you fancy a tiny tiny tiny gig at Unity theatre in Liverpool 14th Feb?
Posted by Suzanne aka Senior Watsonian on November 1, 2011
* * * FINGERS AT THE READY FOR CROSSING * * *
TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER
WEST HAM UNITED v BRISTOL CITY
KO: 07.45 pm
* * * KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!! * * *
Last remark aimed at the team AND all the finger crossers on this blog!!!
Posted by Louise on November 1, 2011
Project Preston was the greatest thing ever!
Happy birthday x
Posted by Rachael on November 1, 2011
@Andrew Yes! I did notice. Maybe it is just Long Tour Suffering Manager but it doesn’t have the same ring to it.
Posted by Andrew on November 1, 2011
Now this is a true pedant’s point, but didn’t anybody else notice that Giles referred to himself not as LSTM but LTSM? Which must stand for something different. Answers on a postcard please. (And that’s a phrase which is starting to date me terribly.)
Posted by Lydia on November 1, 2011
Happy birthday!
I will donate when I get paid. I love Movember. The English Department at my old school used to go nuts over it.
Posted by Suzanne aka Senior Watsonian on November 1, 2011
I’ve missed it by now … but Very Happy Birthday, LSTM and many more to follow … as in years to come not Twitter, if you see what I mean!!! And, many, many thanks for minding our absent minded, hard working hero!!! Never mind his books, I reckon yours would be a best seller too … or has he taken out a gagging order???
Anyone else see NMTB??? Great show – loved your excellent contributions, Mark … would love to be at a live recording of the show … bet the out takes are even funnier than the show itself!!!
Btw, lovely singing, Jen xx
Posted by Melinda on November 1, 2011
Happy Birthday Giles!
Posted by Jen on October 31, 2011
Happy Birthday tooooo youuuuu!!!Jx
Posted by Katie K on October 31, 2011
Have a wonderful birthday Giles. Kx
Posted by Misha on October 31, 2011
Consider it noted Giles.
Have a nice birthday yes? Hope to see you soon x
Posted by Cathy (traineeflorist) on October 31, 2011
Hi Giles! Have just started following you on Twitter as you seem just as interesting as Mark … hmmm, how interesting is that I wonder? Hee hee!
My hubby has just registered as a MoBro too! And a good friend of mine was trying to persuade Mark, among other comedians to take part. Why is he not? Shave the beard off Mark and grow the moustache Mexican style, I can picture you now in poncho and sombrero!
The alarming thing about this comment is that I haven’t had a drink tonight, I obviously just have a wonderful imagination …
Anyway, Happy Birthday LSTM and many more to come, hopefully your mo will not be grey as my hubby’s undoubtedly will! x