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I have so far avoided any non-podcast work in 2023 and I have even managed to avoid some of that - I did a it of prep for a possible Twitch of Fun tonight, but then decided to wait a fortnight for the first of the new series. No one has offered me any writing work and I’ve not taken any on myself (though feel I probably should soon), though the first inklings that one of my new book ideas might be a go-er came through today (or at least warrants a meeting). Maybe now we’re a third of the way through February and having had December and January “off” I should start thinking about doing some stand up or work on a film idea or just write anything, or maybe I should just carry on enjoying relative leisure.
I am spending a good deal of time reading/listening to books for RHLSTP Book Club, with no guarantee that I will get to talk to the author. But I whisked through
“Melt It” by Anthony Irvine and Robert Wringham today, as I will be interviewing Anthony - the legendary Ice Man from the heady days of properly alternative comedy - tomorrow. I am also listening to “Your Show” by Ashley Hickson-Lovence, a novelised version of the life of Uriah Rennie. This is a poetic and absorbing imagining of the mind of one of the UK’s pioneering black football referees, thought he audio book is slightly annoying me as there are quite a lot of retakes, recorded seemingly under different circumstances than the rest of the book, which mainly seem to be re-records of people’s names that have presumably been mispronounced on the first recording. Once you’ve noticed it, it takes you out of the moment, but it’s still a great book, but you’ll have to read the physical copy now as I’ve just ruined the audiobook for you. Have I become an audiobook snob? Undoubtedly - I used to give audiophiles the short shrift they deserve. Am I one of them now? Should I hand myself in?
Ashley’s writing style is hypnotic and enchanting though and given his youth - he’s in his early 30s - he’s done fantastically well in recreating the world of the 70s, 80s and 90s, that he can’t have known much about himself. And not knowing much about Uriah’s story I am very keen to see how far he progresses in his career. Hopefully Ashley will be a guest on the podcast soon. I met him by chance at the event I did for Tortoise a few weeks back and picked up his book then. And I like how sometimes the Universe suggests guests by throwing them in my path.
If all goes ahead tomorrow with the Ice Man then we have Book Clubs to take us through to early March, which is good as I’m away next week and Chris Evans (not that one) is moving house soon, so we’re ahead of the game. Though I have the pressing matter of booking guests for this run of RHLSTP. Kill Smith-Bynoe from Ghosts (and everything) will be one of the guests on the 27th Feb.
Links and other guest news here. Who will be joining him? I DON’T KNOW. I’ve still got a gap to fill on 20th. Stop hassling me. (And don’t worry, plenty of options - just attempting to get the right balance of guests plus ticket sales - no wonder I’ve got no time for a proper job).
