I went to the British Book Awards ceremony tonight. As usual with award ceremonies, I had not been nominated for anything (and as I’ve only written two chapters of my book I think it would be presumptuous to hope to win an award – though there was a part of me hoping I might do anyway). I haven’t had much opportunity to cut loose recently, so I decided to get drunk. Why do I always do that when I’m in a situation where I am likely to meet people that I want to impress?
It was quite a star studded event. Darius was there, funnily enough, but I was too drunk to think to challenge him to Trivial Pursuits. Lulu passed me on the stairs and clearly remembered me because she stuck her tongue out at me (though maybe Lulu does that to everyone). She didnÂ’t stop to chat though, which makes me think that she probably remembered me (and that night at Theo FennelÂ’s) all too well.
But there were also quite a few comedy heroes there. Alan Bennett got an award (but I was so drunk by this point that I canÂ’t even tell you for sure that he was there in person), Michael Moore won best book and I got to say hi to him in the bar after, though he wasnÂ’t that keen to talk. Probably because I was drunk. I was also introduced to my absolute favourite comedian, Michael Palin. It is the first time I have met him. I wish I could remember what happened, but by this stage things are a complete blur. I donÂ’t think I was too embarrassing, but I was probably building up to it, (I think I might have been about to earnestly tell him that I loved him, no really loved him and wanted to kiss him on his mouth) when thankfully he realised he had something better to do and went away.
ItÂ’s a shame I was too drunk to appreciate or converse with this people, but then I would probably have been a bigger idiot if IÂ’d been sober. I am usually an affable drunk who becomes effusive with praise for people. YouÂ’d have to be a bit of a dick to be upset by it. I kind of like the fact that I am still a bit star struck. I often think about how the 15 year old me would feel if he knew the people I would end up meeting and the places I would go. Luckily I am not as much of an idiot as he would be, but I am almost proud of myself for still retaining the sense of wonder for the opportunities that my job gives me. I owe it to that 15 year old comedy fan to get a bit over-excited!
As if to illustrate this point, earlier on I had seen Don “Did you Maclean your teeth today” Maclean in the toilet. How I used to love his antics on Crackerjack, especially the way he got Peter Glaze to say stuff he didn’t want to by throwing in suggestions as Glaze was talking. He was on a table near to mine so I went up to him later, told him I was a comedian and how much I had enjoyed his work as a child. He laughed and took responsibility for my career choice and I left before I had the chance to say anything stupid. I think it made him happy. I think it’s what the 8 year old me would have wanted!
