Light and laughter

Well, what a day folks. I did try and get back to sleep, but there was just too much going on to go back to bed I'm afraid, not least cleaning up cat shit and actually washing some clothes so that the wonderful and lovely Freda had something to iron when she came round today.

'The House on the Corner' is yet again looking like a palace, but only because I've spent approximately 35 minutes here since Freda last touched it. We shall just repeat the cycle again next week I'm sure. Thanks Freda - or Ruby Pinwheel as she is also known, that's another story for another day though!


But I did have a bloody good day work-wise too. Two new VERY interesting new business calls, and at live long last, a meeting with the station editor at Radio Leeds to talk about my pending regular slot.

Apparently the two things they weren't quite sure about were that I didn't just go out and get drunk at free parties, and that my activities weren't just confined to Leeds - it's a West Yorkshire-wide thing Radio Leeds (kind of the opposite to the Yorkshire Evening Post, which is just Leeds really), as is my work and social life.

My escapades as many of you will know extend much wider - even to the North West and Liverpool quite regularly. A favourite spot on the horizon includes a sari demo at Bombay Stores in Bradford - at which I will purchase a purple sari - as well as the upcoming Northern Art Prize - thanks again to Mrs Emma Bearman (www.cultivateltd.co.uk) who for some reason keeps inviting me to these things and introducing me to people like Pavilion. I shall return the favours many times over one day Em. XXXX

Tomorrow night also includes a night out at a folk music festival in Bradford, which will see my good friend - and fellow budding scriptwriter - Boff performing with his band Chumbawumba and his good lady wife Miss Casey Orr and me no doubt getting drunk and a bit stupid. :)

So, today's loveliness, post Berocca-cured hangover, also included a meeting with Network Securities - a client - and as I never say anything behind the backs of people I care about, I shall share what I said to the MD. "You will be the f*cking death of me one day Mr Crosthwaite". I guess these are the joys of working with owner managers - I'm incredibly passionate and impatient about my business, so it only stands to rights that my clients are too. Which I absolutely love, and wouldn't have it any other way really.

This was followed by a meeting with the lovely Leah and my client Bodyline - mesotherapy is the NEWEST AND BEST thing to hit the cosmetic treatments market in half a century. Mesolift facials involve vitamins and minerals being gently injected into your skin, with incredible results.

Also, and my Mother will just brim with pride now, it works a treat on cellulite when adminstered to the hips, thighs and bum area. It takes about 8 treatments and costs about six hundred quid, but yours truly is getting it for nowt, in return for having before and after pics taken. Pride and shame have never been an issue for me, and as I said it will just get my lap dancing career off the ground now. Of course it's the only thing that's been stopping me before...!

This was hotly followed by a very important business meeting with my very very good friend Cathie Reuben at Jo Malone. She was running late so had asked one of her colleagues to treat me to a hand and arm massage while I was waiting. It's amazing how stressed one's hands get really. Blissful.

Our very important meeting took us to the Harvey Nics cafe in the wondrous Victoria Quarter, where I discovered why I bonded so very well with Mrs Reuben just over 12 months ago. She is one of THE funniest people I know, and delightful to boot.

We've decided, well I suggested, she agreed, that we are taking the morning off work next Friday to audition for the VH1 search for an over 25s girl band (I saw the poster when at a meeting with Audiences Yorkshire opp the BBC yesterday). Cathie, like her stunningly beautiful daughter Millie (got the spelling wrong before), loves to sing and dance and perform.

They are only holding auditions in Leeds and Liverpool, so reckon we should go up as 'Nuclear Puppy' - the slightly more mature Atomic Kitten tribute band - any joiners? Let me know!

I had to leave a decent tip, as the three of us (we were joined by lovely Leah after she'd been to take pics at Bodyline) just about cleared the cafe with our laughing and quoting of many favourite lines from 'Rita, Sue & Bob Too', Victoria Wood, French & Saunders and 'Life of Brian'.

I also shared a tiny piece of Cathie's pride when she showed me a letter from Millie's nursery school. As I mentioned, Millie is just three years old, but has been selected to appear - through her writing - in a book called My First Poem (www.myfirstpoem.com). I've not yet seen a copy, but it was about her favourite colour being pink and what a gem her Mummy is.

I reckon I have more in common with this three year old little treasure than anyone else at the moment, which I hope you don't think is either deluded or arrogant. Reckon when we finally meet she will be one of my best mates.

I'm also looking forward to meeting Danny Reuben, Cathie's husband and Millie's dad. He's a talented PR type who is just about to leave as head of PR for Bolton Wanderers (he was one of Sam's guys, so it was only a matter of time I fear) to join Charles Porter lifestyle management agency. The people that Danny, Cathie, Millie, Leah and I will meet through our work and social connections with them will just blow your mind. I will have to really keep myself in total check - as I'm sure you know I get terribly starstruck by anyone remotely famous!

So, after a quick visit to Mint for a nail paint, I headed home to clear up yet more cat shit - Squeak is back to the vets tomorrow, he is quite happy but not at all well - and then ventured out for the evening.

I've lived in Leeds for just over 12 years now - I'm one of those annoying types that came for Uni and stayed, though my grandmother (Nana) was born here in 1911 and told the most fabulous stories, and my dear Dad was a Carnegie boy here many years ago too, so I do have a bit of Tyke/Loiner heritage which I'm fiercely proud of - but tonight is the first ever time I've been to the switching on of Leeds Lights.

Of course Diwali is coming up, which is how I don't get annoyed with it being so damn early. I shall be adorning the 'House on the Corner' with many fairy lights to celebrate the festival of light.

Me and my friend greatly enjoyed watching Chico sing his new track 'Curvy Cola Bottle Body' - he likes 'em round apparently. But even us thick-skinned types couldn't quite hold out for the delight that is Shayne Ward. I know he's a bit chavvy and his Mum's house looks like it smells of chips, but he's quite dishy too I think. He has a sparkle in his eyes.

We then headed off to Sam's Chop House, where my good friend Paul Kevill, the manager. made us feel very welcome yet again. We then headed outside while I went for a ciggy and watched our council tax go up in smoke - literally. What a firework display. I'm not bitter really, I love fireworks (when I don't have to light them or pay for them directly) and they were truly fabulous.

Leeds was truly alight this evening and I'm so very glad I went.

I hope you can see where the laughter was in my day too.

Clancy xxxx