I was clutching at straws a little tonight, until I got into bed, and I had a sudden thought. And I had to get up, turn on my laptop and inform the world of everything. Because, today goes to the legend that is DANNY WALLACE.
I love his work - I read my first Danny Wallace book in 2007, and read them all since. And I've got halfway into his new book, 'Awkward Situations For Men', and realised just how much I want to be like him.
I want to notice the weird shizzle that he sees, and I want to be able to write in such a way that you can picture everything that goes on. I want to be able to write a regular column, and have a kid with my beautiful wife. And I want to be able to tell the world about my conversations at the pub with my friend Colin.
And hopefully, that's exactly what will happen. But I just can't believe how good this man is. His writing amazes me every time I turn the page, or read his ShortList stuff. Its just class.
And I wish him every luck in the world with the new pilot for the show too. Top man. No wonder he's my idol.
DANNY WALLACE, you are the Day Dedicatee for Saturday 31st July 2010.
Saturday, 31 July 2010
Friday 30th July 2010 - Boris Johnson
This evening, there was no Post-It. Just a stick figure with highlighter yellow hair scrawled across this face. And a jaunty hat to show he is a bit mad. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, today goes to BORIS JOHNSON.
His new cycle hire scheme kicked off today in London, a week after the new cycle lanes appeared as a blue haven for the two-wheeled vehicles. And how well did it work?! 12,000 people have signed up to use the scheme already, and with only 5,000 bikes available currently at 315 different docking stations across the city, there is a lot of interest. Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh are already looking at trying this.
It is a phenomenal scheme, something that, in a few years time, will hopefully take the strain off the Underground and the bus system. Its green, eco-friendly, and very cheap to operate. Plus, its blue. And blue's a good colour.
And with all the news with him helping mark the '2 Years To Go' 2012 Olympic landmark, and his jokes and witty remarks on the One Show - well, who else would get today?!
A top bloke, and a brilliant Mayor and politician.
BORIS JOHNSON, you are the Day Dedicatee for Friday 30th July 2010.
His new cycle hire scheme kicked off today in London, a week after the new cycle lanes appeared as a blue haven for the two-wheeled vehicles. And how well did it work?! 12,000 people have signed up to use the scheme already, and with only 5,000 bikes available currently at 315 different docking stations across the city, there is a lot of interest. Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh are already looking at trying this.
It is a phenomenal scheme, something that, in a few years time, will hopefully take the strain off the Underground and the bus system. Its green, eco-friendly, and very cheap to operate. Plus, its blue. And blue's a good colour.
And with all the news with him helping mark the '2 Years To Go' 2012 Olympic landmark, and his jokes and witty remarks on the One Show - well, who else would get today?!
A top bloke, and a brilliant Mayor and politician.
BORIS JOHNSON, you are the Day Dedicatee for Friday 30th July 2010.
Friday, 30 July 2010
Thursday 29th July 2010 - Brian Clough
So we're edging nearer to our first month back at the helm of Day Dedication, and I guess its fitting that today goes to someone who should have had more than a month at the greatest job in English football.
Again, with me Post-Its, I managed to write down three words next to his name. Today, it just, simply, said 'BRIAN CLOUGH - Ol' Big 'Ed'.' And I think that's all it needs to say.
Dad and I watched another film this evening - The Damned United. I've read the book, and it was a brilliant, brilliant film. I'm shocked by how good Michael Sheen was in it. But it doesn't take away the fact that Leeds were the dirtiest scum in the First Division at the time. And everyone knows that.
But Sheen portrayed Clough in a way that we saw just how warm his personality was, and how much football owes to him now. Its very tempting to say that Michael Sheen actually turns this film into the best sports film ever made.
But still, Clough is, in his own words, the greatest England manager they never had. He was a master of the art of tactics, and technique. He played some beautiful football, and is the reason behind Nottingham Forest becoming European Champions two years running.
And his legacy lives on in the way football is played now. If only we had a couple more Cloughies in the game now.
BRIAN CLOUGH, and to some extent, MICHAEL SHEEN, you are the Day Dedicatee for Thursday 29th July 2010.
Again, with me Post-Its, I managed to write down three words next to his name. Today, it just, simply, said 'BRIAN CLOUGH - Ol' Big 'Ed'.' And I think that's all it needs to say.
Dad and I watched another film this evening - The Damned United. I've read the book, and it was a brilliant, brilliant film. I'm shocked by how good Michael Sheen was in it. But it doesn't take away the fact that Leeds were the dirtiest scum in the First Division at the time. And everyone knows that.
But Sheen portrayed Clough in a way that we saw just how warm his personality was, and how much football owes to him now. Its very tempting to say that Michael Sheen actually turns this film into the best sports film ever made.
But still, Clough is, in his own words, the greatest England manager they never had. He was a master of the art of tactics, and technique. He played some beautiful football, and is the reason behind Nottingham Forest becoming European Champions two years running.
And his legacy lives on in the way football is played now. If only we had a couple more Cloughies in the game now.
BRIAN CLOUGH, and to some extent, MICHAEL SHEEN, you are the Day Dedicatee for Thursday 29th July 2010.
Wednesday 28th July 2010 - Robin Williams
We're gonna try something new! Interactivity eh?! Well, it was gonna be a bit different, but someone (ie. Dabr) won't let me upload to TwitPic!
I now have a little stash of Post-Its where I can write down who is going to be the Day Dedicatee, and for what reason. Today its quite weird. Today, it says this. 'ROBIN WILLIAMS - Just because he's the greatest comedian that ever lived.'
Yes indeedy, the day today goes to Mr ROBIN WILLIAMS. And I'm surprised he's never appeared before. He is, by a living mile, the funniest man to have ever walked the planet. You hear people talking about it, and you shake it off, knowing you are right (I thought Peter Kay - second maybe?), but having watched 'Man of the Year' tonight with Dad, and watching this man change a film dying on its arse into something where its laugh a minute, and knowing that half the stuff he's saying wasn't in the script, and then you know why.
I grew up with the big man - Aladdin, Flubber and Mrs Doubtfire to name just three. But it's only when you get slightly older that you realise the genius of this funny, witty and charming man. Now I sound like I'm singing a Smiths record, but hey, no problem in that!
I just can't believe quite how many films he's been in, and how many people he's made laugh. Yes, sometimes he can be slightly annoying with how quick he talks, but everything that spews from his gob is just immediately a classic.
ROBIN WILLIAMS, you are the Day Dedicatee for Wednesday 28th July 2010.
I now have a little stash of Post-Its where I can write down who is going to be the Day Dedicatee, and for what reason. Today its quite weird. Today, it says this. 'ROBIN WILLIAMS - Just because he's the greatest comedian that ever lived.'
Yes indeedy, the day today goes to Mr ROBIN WILLIAMS. And I'm surprised he's never appeared before. He is, by a living mile, the funniest man to have ever walked the planet. You hear people talking about it, and you shake it off, knowing you are right (I thought Peter Kay - second maybe?), but having watched 'Man of the Year' tonight with Dad, and watching this man change a film dying on its arse into something where its laugh a minute, and knowing that half the stuff he's saying wasn't in the script, and then you know why.
I grew up with the big man - Aladdin, Flubber and Mrs Doubtfire to name just three. But it's only when you get slightly older that you realise the genius of this funny, witty and charming man. Now I sound like I'm singing a Smiths record, but hey, no problem in that!
I just can't believe quite how many films he's been in, and how many people he's made laugh. Yes, sometimes he can be slightly annoying with how quick he talks, but everything that spews from his gob is just immediately a classic.
ROBIN WILLIAMS, you are the Day Dedicatee for Wednesday 28th July 2010.
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Tuesday 27th July 2010 - Lee Unkrich
So we went to watch Toy Story 3 last night. And you know what? It were'nt half bad.
In fact, its one of my favourite films of all time. What a great piece of work. They could have absolutely detroyed the franchise, but they treated the story properly, and the subtle use of 3D made it even better.
And its all down to this man, LEE UNKRICH. He's directed the film, and its been a phenomenon. The new characters are all brilliant, the storyline is so clever, and I have a feeling that TS4 may already be in the pipeline.
There aren't many films that touch everyone that goes to watch it. I'm sure everyone has seen at least one of the three, but this film had men crying. It was a very sad ending, but so beautifully written that it gives hope at the same time.
I just hope that Lee conitinues to create films just like this.
LEE UNKRICH, you are the Day Dedicatee for Tuesday 27th July 2010.
In fact, its one of my favourite films of all time. What a great piece of work. They could have absolutely detroyed the franchise, but they treated the story properly, and the subtle use of 3D made it even better.
And its all down to this man, LEE UNKRICH. He's directed the film, and its been a phenomenon. The new characters are all brilliant, the storyline is so clever, and I have a feeling that TS4 may already be in the pipeline.
There aren't many films that touch everyone that goes to watch it. I'm sure everyone has seen at least one of the three, but this film had men crying. It was a very sad ending, but so beautifully written that it gives hope at the same time.
I just hope that Lee conitinues to create films just like this.
LEE UNKRICH, you are the Day Dedicatee for Tuesday 27th July 2010.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Monday 26th July 2010 - Melody Gardot
So the first 'proper' day of the holidays was today, and it was a bit boring, to be honest.
I've decided to try and get all my work out the way this week, so that I have a nice summer of doing absolutely nothing. I think that's fair enough, seeing as we've all put in a lot of work this year.
So I was sat, typing away, doing my Media blog, when I suddenly realised the tenuous link I could make. I could combine niche marketing, with MELODY GARDOT. Result.
Now I love Melody. I got really heavily into her music just before she became mainstream, and she's brilliant. Best jazz artist around at the minute. And her story makes the music even better.
Her first album had some great little songs - 'Worrisome Heart' was great, as was 'Quiet Fire'. But her second album is one of my favourite albums ever. My One and Only Thrill had songs like 'Baby I'm A Fool', 'If The Stars Were Mine', and that amazing cover of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'.
So yeah, making that link made my day. Hence why you're all reading about it now!
MELODY GARDOT, you are the Day Dedicatee for Monday 26th July 2010.
I've decided to try and get all my work out the way this week, so that I have a nice summer of doing absolutely nothing. I think that's fair enough, seeing as we've all put in a lot of work this year.
So I was sat, typing away, doing my Media blog, when I suddenly realised the tenuous link I could make. I could combine niche marketing, with MELODY GARDOT. Result.
Now I love Melody. I got really heavily into her music just before she became mainstream, and she's brilliant. Best jazz artist around at the minute. And her story makes the music even better.
Her first album had some great little songs - 'Worrisome Heart' was great, as was 'Quiet Fire'. But her second album is one of my favourite albums ever. My One and Only Thrill had songs like 'Baby I'm A Fool', 'If The Stars Were Mine', and that amazing cover of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'.
So yeah, making that link made my day. Hence why you're all reading about it now!
MELODY GARDOT, you are the Day Dedicatee for Monday 26th July 2010.
Sunday 25th July 2010 - The Dodge Brothers
Okay, so today, for the first time in 4 years, I went to Rhythms of the World. I really didn't expect to enjoy it -the bands looked dreadful, and it was a display of Hitchin's 'finest', rather than bands who actually come from around the globe.
So Isobel and I chose bands that sounded a bit different. We went to a Latin band, one from Cuba, and some really far out bands - none of which were very good. But it was the ones who didn't sound great, but we went to see in hope, that were brilliant. The London Gypsy Orchestra were fantastic, as were the Rhythm and Blues Band. But the ones that definitely stood out for me were THE DODGE BROTHERS.
A band, very much like The Baseballs, who play bluegrass skiffle with film critic Mark Kermode on double bass. The band were brilliant - it was a great warm up for Get Cape Wear Cape Fly - supposedly the headliners, but to be frank, I'd rather fill my ears with pig shit.
Anyway, The Dodge Brothers were a top band - a band I'd certainly go and see again at another festival. Let's hope they're back next year!
THE DODGE BROTHERS, you are the Day Dedicatee for Sunday 25th July 2010.
So Isobel and I chose bands that sounded a bit different. We went to a Latin band, one from Cuba, and some really far out bands - none of which were very good. But it was the ones who didn't sound great, but we went to see in hope, that were brilliant. The London Gypsy Orchestra were fantastic, as were the Rhythm and Blues Band. But the ones that definitely stood out for me were THE DODGE BROTHERS.
A band, very much like The Baseballs, who play bluegrass skiffle with film critic Mark Kermode on double bass. The band were brilliant - it was a great warm up for Get Cape Wear Cape Fly - supposedly the headliners, but to be frank, I'd rather fill my ears with pig shit.
Anyway, The Dodge Brothers were a top band - a band I'd certainly go and see again at another festival. Let's hope they're back next year!
THE DODGE BROTHERS, you are the Day Dedicatee for Sunday 25th July 2010.
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