Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Life Out of Pyjamas


Well, perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s turning into a busy spring. Which means I am having to spend distressingly long periods of time actually dressed in real clothes and not loafing in ratty – but oh, so comfortable – attire. On reflection, sadly many of my friends might not be able to tell the difference.

I don’t really like clothes shopping; even without Nos.1 and 2 daughters in tow I find it a terrible faff - and I have lived through communal changing rooms, which might explain a lot. But this week I helped out at a ‘Boden’ party. For those who have never heard of this before, the fashion retailers Boden will send racks and racks of their latest lines and a bulk email telling their past customers where they can feel the quality at a local party and not just look in the catalogue. One gets a commission on any sale, which in our case is given to our local school. I fancied some new trousers, good cause and all that. Unfortunately, I was not blessed with a womanly rear (most of my childhood was spent being asked to get off someone’s lap as my bony bum was cutting off their circulation) and so for me if it fits the waist it’ll be bagging lower down and Boden, like most, irritatingly cut for the 99% that have a posterior. But I did splurge on two tops. One is out of stock, the other unavailable for 9 weeks. I can pick ‘em. 

The best thing about the Boden party is that I am always on teas, cakes and washing up; where I can give full vent to long abandoned W I fantasies. Next time I may even wear a pinny and take some knitting. I also crochet and embroider, get me! Last week I made a cat’s tail for No.1’s ballet show – Kirstie Allsop would be so proud.

There will be more costumes soon. No.1’s class is presenting ‘Dick Whittington’ and I am turning up to occasionally give a little light direction. No.1 is playing the title role, which came as a bit of a surprise as I was not holding a gun to her teacher’s head when it was cast. I would like to think it’s the natural talent showing through, however I put it down more to the fact that No.1 is virtually embarrassment proof, unlike her mother, and after hearing that ‘Dick’ has to get married to ‘Alice’, she was the only one who volunteered for the job. Bless her heart; she’s doing me proud, as are they all. Fingers crossed for the perf.

Fingers also crossed for Harry’s biography. It is now back from the printers and astoundingly on the shelf (there is one embarrassing typo – if you spot it you get a prize, that of being smug). More astoundingly it will soon be serialised in the Daily Mail. It will be appearing in the form of adapted excerpts, which should make for interesting reading – for you and me both.

If that wasn’t enough ‘One Cool Cat’ is being featured in this month’s Junior Magazine. If things go on like this I may have to stop spouting and start tweeting. Though I don’t think I could cope with reaffirming my existence on an hourly basis, it’s bad enough getting dressed.

You know, I really should think about changing the title of this blog. Possible forthcoming publicity has reminded me of a favoured journalists’ question. “What three words describe you?”

 “Lives in Pyjamas”

Sorted!

Toodle pip, as we say in the WI…

6 comments:

  1. Launch of the book today and I for one, cannot WAIT to read the first (unbelievably) biography of your father. Am just glad it's written by someone who knew him... and can give us an insight into the more personal side of a wonderful actor but elusively private man. Hope the book flies off the shelves Sue, well done again, can't wait for my copy to arrive. RIP Harry, thanks for all the wonderful memories and entertainment you left us.

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  2. I am looking forward to reading the biography of your Dad too Susannah.

    Can`t wait to scan for the typo either lol.

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  3. I will certainly be buying the biography of Harry, he was a fine actor who I much admired while growing up. Maxine

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  4. Times change and life moves on...so what I'm going to say will probably sound, in retrospect, somewhat horrible and pervy...please believe I don't mean it to be so...I'd hate to offend you.

    I'm a 60 year old man and your father was part of my childhood, a big part of my youth...I can still recall my brother and I , as kids, collapsing in hysterics after singing the Steptoe theme to an outraged coachman exiting the Royal Mews in London...I don't care what anyone says your Dad was a pearl and his relationship with Wilfred was made quite clear when Wilfred's clear distress at his unduly young death was shown...

    With regard to your own career, like so many, I first noticed you in D & P - You were so stunningly beautiful and so totally different to the run of the mill bimbos we see so much of...I loved the feeling of independence you brought to the role of Ellie Pascoe...so similar to that I feel Reginald Hill intended....

    Everyone raved about the casting of the triumvirate...Dalziel, Pascoe and Wield...yet few mentioned the (to me at least) critical role of a strong independant Ellie Soper (Pascoe) in anchoring the homelife of a career copper...and that sucks because you did it so well...

    Why am I saying all this? I don't know really...I'm a Sussex lad myself, Brighton born of a Ticehurst-based family...ubtil I made the big move of my life...to Bognor in West Sussex! I suppose it may really be because I think I owe you and your father something...and I never before had a way of expressing it...thank you...

    Dave

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  5. See you on FB Su. Loadsalove xxx

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  6. You were so incredibly whiny & nasty as Ellie on D&P. I was glad to see your character gone.

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