A is for Alibi and Application
I re-read a book over the Christmas period. I don’t often re-read anything because I have so many new books on my shelf I want to dive into, which thinking about it makes no sense because I re-watch films all the time.
Over Christmas I re-watched The Holiday and Love Actually, as I do most years.
I also love to catch the end of films I’ve watched countless times before – most recently I’ve turned over the TV, searching for something to watch, and seen the end of Beaches, Armageddon, and Sleepless in Seattle. There is something comforting about it.
So why don’t I re-read book? Probably because they take longer to read than a film takes to watch. And you can always scroll on your phone while watching – a terrible habit, but we all do it.
Although I do think I’ve found a solution. What if I listen to an audiobook of something I’ve already read when I go to bed. Then if I fall asleep, it doesn’t matter too much because I knew the story… or maybe I don’t remember the whole story.
I was listening to A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton. It’s been many years since I read it but I’ve always thought it would be good to read through the entire series from A – Y again.
(To understand why there is no Z click here)
But the more nights I listened, the more I fell asleep, and had to go back to listen again because couldn’t remember who was who in the long list of suspects.
Before I listened to the final chapter I found my paperback copy of the book and had a quick skim read to refresh my memory. Then I listened to the denouement when I went to bed, only to have to scroll back and listen again for the finer details after once again falling asleep, although by then I knew who’d done it!
Maybe I should listen to/re-read the others – I remember once thinking it would make a great specialist subject on Mastermind.
But The Alphabet Mysteries by Sue Grafton still requires reading 25 books.
Perhaps a better series to study would be Kate Atkinson’s Jackson Brodie books – currently a total of six novels.
Should I apply? I always wanted to, I’m just not sure if I know enough.
They are accepting applications I’ve just checked… and then got distracted…
Also open for applications is a new show called Stranded on Honeymoon Island – a dating show, only I’m not sure the world is ready for a middle-aged woman prancing round in a bikini showing off her wobbly bits, scars, and a stoma bag on prime-time telly.
I’ve always said I should do Pointless with my son – but I’d best check he’s still keen before I fill that form in.
A garden makeover show? Need to measure my garden gate – could I get a mini digger in the back garden? It’s too dark to take measurement and photos now.
Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel – oooohhh – I could do that, go for a spin.
I click on the application form and fill in some interesting things about me – I made my wedding dress, I’ve been in a cage with 5 baby gorillas, I’ve published my memoir – does that make me sound interesting enough?
Specialist subjects – I’ve put down for literature, 80s pop music and the Bible. Just need to record a video when my phone has finished charging to show off my bubbly personality. I’ve already added a photo from my website.
Do I have what it takes to be on the telly? What have I got to lose? It’s been on my bucket list for a while, and I think it’s time to finally do something about it!