...A good pal of mine had an art exhibition last night. He good, he mighty good. Bought one of his pics - bootiful. All good and lovely - however I did - whilst I was at it, have several pints of the black stuff.
Not such a good idea when this morning, Alex Jones and I are off to make our Friday film for The One Show - Bikram Yoga.
Now I don't know if you have ever had a go at Bikram Yoga, but it is the most physically demanding form of exercise I have ever experienced. It can make you feel sick at the best of times, consequently today should be very interesting to say the least. Watch out Alex, you might need to take cover !
CLP
2010
X.
Downstairs this morning at 3.30 - one of those nights, what can you do ?
A stiff cup of coffee and a fag (I'm joking about the fag - how and why do people do that?)
The coffee? Well you might as well be totally awake, as half awake.
And then to read.
The first five books on my bookshelf were - in order, Douglas Adams - The Meaning Of Life; Seneca - The Shortness Of Life; Tsering - Essence Of Mind Training; Plato - The Republic; Jess Pouret - The History Of The Ferrari 250 GTO.
Difficult decision eh ?
CLP
2010
X.
Have just concluded a one hour "talk" about television and radio at Ö÷²¥´óÐã Television Centre.
I swear it felt as if we were up there for no longer than fifteen minutes maximum. There were clips played in too!
I had never seen the infamous Shaun Ryder appearance on TFI Friday until today. My goodness, that was a live television moment if ever there was one. No wonder it caused such a fuss at the time.
Those days of course, are over - and now seem the pages of someone else's story - but I s'pose the past is generally very much like that.
Here's to the future.
CLP
2010
X.
...to confirm that I can now pass through this mortal coil called life, with only thanks for all I have been fortunate enough to experience.
Seriously, I had one of the best weekends of my life this weekend. The Goodwood Festival was the best its ever been. Every year as I understand it more and more, it becomes even more enjoyable.
This year the almost miraculous drifting Mk l Jag of The Williams family had me spellbound, whilst the Aston DB 1's and the Maserati 300 S's were a revelation.
Before we called it a day yesterday, Tash and I treated ourselves to a last hurrah bowl of pasta at our local Italian, and then this morning I wake up to the prospect of Andrew Flintoff, Kevin McCloud and Selina Scott.
Thank you God.
X
Clp
2010
Moira - she goes!
Selina Scott, she comes!
It's a fair swap, I have to admit. Like bringing Shearer on for Lineker. Moira goes Stateside, Selina arrives from her goat farm in Yorkshire.
With this latest news about our newsreader, and having spent yesterday making a film for The One Show about The Goodwood Revival - when I was greeted with the surprise when I arrived that I would be taking to the skies in a 1943 North American Harvard aeroplane - the last twenty four hours have turned into another "pinch-me" moment.
In fact over the last few months, I've had so many of these moments, I'm in danger of severe bruising
Roll on the weekend. Have a great one.
CLP
2010
X.
The Pope is here, there are mixed feelings about his visit. I actually don't know what I think. And ain't that just a bummer ? When you don't know what you think about something. This happens to me a lot.
I bet Alex Salmond knows what he thinks about everything. I bet Alex Ferguson knows what he thinks about everything. I bet Ken Bruce knows what he thinks about everything.
Maybe it helps to be Scottish.
Maybe that's why The Pope started his papal visit in Scotland - because they tend to know what they think about everything, like the French or Jeremy Clarkson.
CLP
2010
X.
The Electric Proms seem to be cooking on gas already this year - seriously, what a line up.
Tickets go on sale next week for what should be the best EP ever. V excited, good luck if you're hoping to be there.
In other news, Steve was in early to record an interview with Stephen Fry, I nipped in to see him to give him a story about Nick Mason whom he's got tomorrow, and I am currently in a car with Jonny Sports Saunders off to Sporting Challenge number 28 !!!
The sun it shines, the sky is a perfect blue, happy Wednesday from all of us, to all of you.
CLP
2010
X.
P.S. Don't get me started on the George Michael thing. Absolutely - he should take his punishment, but all this talk of it ending his career and his fans not forgiving him is pure uninformed and incendiary tosh.
One year ago, I was sitting in this self same studio, having a photo shoot done for The Sunday Times and my first book.
One year on, book two is threatening the shelves of a book shop near you, and I am sitting for a photo shoot for The Saturday Times cover.
The brief is Michael Caine circa 1965.
"Do you know the photo ?" I was asked upon my arrival. The classic Bailey image of Caine with a cigarette in his mouth.
"It's been hanging in my house for the last fifteen years" I replied.
Other than those of my family, it's my favourite ever photo!
Love it.
CLP
2010
X.
In a lay by, writing my blog, nothing more sinister than that. There's something about lay by's don't you think?
They are there for emergencies, toilet breaks and the like but there's nothing better than pulling into one just to have a moment. Strangely peaceful - the old lay by.
Contemplating the weekend that has just passed and what might befall us this week - having already had Sir Elt. on the show this morning, announcing the first of three simply magnificent Radio 2 Electric Proms this year - I am in one of my "I can't believe I get to do this for a living" moods.
I am so lucky, I can't tell you but I s'pose I just have. Anyway, I hope you get me gist.
Have a fabulous Monday, and let's all get on with growing our gardens shall we ?
CLP
2010
X.
Tonight: we bake on the telly. That is, Alex Jones and myself.
Sunday: we shake in Hyde Park, that is Priscilla Presley, Tom Jones, K.T. Tunstall and thousands of Elvis fans.
Talked to Priscilla on the radio show today, will see her on The One Show again tonight and then most of Sunday. My wife is becoming suspicious by the way, so if you see her, please reassure her that I'll be home for Christmas.
CLP
2010
X.
Both brilliant, but both so hard to leave - especially as the mornings grow ever darker and more autumnal.
Our bed at home is rubbish (we really must change it), our shower is ok but no more; whereas last night I stayed in a hotel that had the absolute best of both. It was almost illegal to desert such luxuries, albeit unwillingly after such a brief stay (as my seven hours of residency was).
So now, I go to bake for The One Show for tomorrow, and after that I sit down with wife and we discuss showers and shleeping. Shee you shoon.
CLP
2010
X
P.S. Tony Blair just arrived to record some interviews, and we had to move our car for him. Surely that's worth a free signed copy of his book.
Tom Jones on the show and in the park today, and three brand new shiny surprises for you again next week.
Clues: The Electric Proms, big hair, hard rock, a very famous scouser, some bloke called Reg, and a diamond geezer who can knock out a tune with the best of'em.
So, rock and roll just keeps on rollin', and it doesn't look like it's gonna stop anytime soon. Thank The Lord.
CLP
2010
X.
Book ll is now done and dusted and off to the printers. Suddenly I finish the radio show every day and have - at worst - a whole heap more time than I have had for the last few months to ponder...and perhaps plan.
So what happens next - relaxation, reading and reclining? Er, well no actually.
Just the onset of mild panic brought on by space and time opening up again enough to wonder what the heck it's all about, and why we are all here in the first place...
Please anything but that.
Time is to be filled, not killed. Next project please !
CLP
2010
X.
Last night I saw an 'I don't get it' film. I still enjoyed it immensely, it's just that I didn't get it. It was called My Life As A Dog. It was a Swedish film - subtitles on a Sunday night - listen to me.
Now I think it was a love story between the little boy and his mum; the little boy and his dog; and the little boy and his best mate - who turned out to be a little girl in disguise. Always handy, when you're a little boy !
But as I say, if I'm perfectly honest, I didn't get it. It took quirky to a whole new level and talked about the space dog Laika a lot, whilst using perspective to alleviate the woes, worries and misfortunes of most of the things that can happen to a person.
Maybe that was the point.
I'm off to think about it all a bit more.
CLP
2010
X.
Alright - can anyone beat this: up to do the Brekkie show at 5; finish at 9.30; meetings till 1030; gym for an hour; be at The One Show for One (coincidence and capitalised for no real reason)...briefs, read through, rehearsal, do the show and then off to the airport to pick my pals up who are coming in for a wedding tomorrow. They land at ten to eleven, we'll probably be back at ours at something to one tomorrow morning.
So here I am now scribing this blog at midday, approximately one third of the way through said agenda, having recently come off the phone seeing if our local Italian restaurant will let us in after midnight, to provide some light at the end of the tunnel.
They are going to try - hurrah !
So, in conclusion: good luck to Carly and Alex (getting married), hurry up and get here Paulo and Monica, and grazie mille to Rafa at the pasta house.
Have a great weekend you lot.
Clp
2010
X.
Off to Hampstead Heath to construct my carrier bag kite to fly up against Alex J's super kite.
We're making a little film for The One Show as it's 25 years of The Bristol Kite Festival.
Listen to this:
The Festival features spectacular flying displays, kite fighting battles, synchronised routines, giant inflatables and air sculptures.
International flyers from around the world attend, and it takes place this Saturday/Sunday.
Wanna go ?
Yeh, me too.
CLP
2010
X.
...Will he agree to jump on stage at Hyde Park, a week next Sunday and finish off our Elvis Forever concert with a bang? I'm saying yes - but then again I'm not him, I'm not seventy and I'm not still on my hols in Portugal.
Come on though. What would you give to be that successful, for that long, and be in such good shape! Both mentally and physically - entering your eighth decade?
I actually do have a hat on today, and I'm about to take it off to him. Here goes. . .
CLP
2010
X.
