Monday, 16 February 2009

At the heart of it

Back from an enjoyable weekend in Blacbury. The plan was to slope off early from work on Friday and head up to the cottage for a long weekend. But one of the perils of the job is the inevitable demands on my time from the media and when they come calling, it is one's duty to umbrellas everywhere to reluctantly put oneself in the spotlight.

And so it was on Friday afternoon when I was asked if would do the 6am honours on the shopping channel's excellent umbrella slot on Saturday morning. I have done it before of course but I do love the thrill of live TV. When you consider that audiences at this time can sometimes reach double figures you can understand the touch of apprehension I felt at the same time.

QVC were very hospitable, and while they couldn't stretch to sending a car to collect me, they did send a link to where their studios are on Streetmap and offer me a parking space. And they said I could bring Barkles with me as long as I chained him up to my bumper and he didn't shit everywhere.

It seemed to go very well and there was much excitement in the studio when someone nearly bought a rather quirky and risque "Umbrellas do it going up and down" novelty brollie that I, even if I do say so myself, talked up a storm.

Then it was back to Blacbury for a big lunch, a long walk, and to settle down for Valentine's night.I knew exactly what I was going to do to make the evening special, and it went like a dream. You can keep your fancy meals and champers. You can keep your red roses and diamonique ear-rings. The perfect night is to spend it at home with a loved one and enjoy some culture.

"When the sun shine
We'll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be your friend
Took an oath imma stick it out 'till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella (Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella (Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella (Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella (Ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh)"

There have been many great literary contributions over the centuries that enlighten our world for having been written. Shakespeare, Milton, Waugh, Eliot....and Rihanna. Just reading the above lines brings a tear to the eye. Three hours I spent cavorting alone round the front room in my boxers singing it at the top of my voice. Who says that romance is dead?

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