I returned to the Scene of Conflict (i.e., my flat) some forty minutes ago to find a package resting on my front doorstep. "What is this?", I asked myself. Only this morning I had taken delivery of a bottle of Single Malt, with a personalised label, sent all the way from the Scotland. On Saturday, I was given Gifts of such extraordinary kindness and imagination it fair took my breath away. Mr Dave Shelton, who took the likeness of me you see above, sent me a representation of myself in a raccoon hat on Saturday, accompanied by a bi-polar Polar Bear and a penguin on a motorcyle. Life couldn't possibly get any better, I thought to myself. But no. For inside the package, all the way from Manchester, came a birthday cake created by the truly astonishing Clare. ("S" is a private name she likes to call me by. I think it's probably 'Squirrel'; I will therefore have to have Words with her at some point.) Look at it! It came with candles and napkins (she assumes I think I will be sharing it with others, which I will Not, for it is too delicious to share), wrapped in brown paper, then wrapping paper, then cellophane, and a box of Real Silver, and tissue paper, and two foil pie tins, and more foil, and other layers of Magic Protective Stuff.
Thank you, dear Clare. Your cake is delicious, and you are very kind. This blogging lark is demonstrating the Truly Astonishing Kindness of Relative Strangers, and leading to all kinds of other extraordinary adventures. All of this leads me to believe that I must stay non-working for as long as possible, breathlessly awaiting the next blog-related Magic.
(No, but really. A cake. How nice is that.)
15 comments:
Now I feel really bad. Not only am I in a different country for your birthday, but I haven't made a cake, taken the trouble to protect it from fooball-playing postmen and then queued in order to post it. What a lovely woman that Clare must be.
Any chance of seeing the excellent Mr Shelton's birthday card? I fear your description may not do it justice.
I forgot didn't I?
I forget my own if that helps.
This blogging lark is demonstrating the Truly Astonishing Kindness of Relative Strangers, and leading to all kinds of other extraordinary adventures.
There is no justice...you get specially made cards and a lovely cake whilst I get abuse and grief.
But then maybe that is because you are a better person...
Hope you had a great time.
No, TD, it is on Thursday 19th October, whereupon I shall be 37 years old.
Davenelli - I doubt very much that I am nicer than you. The Blog Is Only Part Of It.
MM - Naked Grocer more than adequate recompense. Will try and take photos of Dave's pictures but fear the quality will not do them justice. Clare is indeed a very nice person.
Sorry to be a miserable cynical bastard but...
You bake one another cakes and draw each other pictures? Christ up a catflap.
Which is nice though.
Yes, isn't it. I am a bit taken aback by nice. It is Wholly Underrated, as is kindness. . I feel less cynical myself nowadays, and it seeps out. I think being cynical is perhaps overrated, although it is often funnier. I miss it as much as I miss drinking slightly too much and waking up at 5 worrying about work; in a way I do, but mostly I don't. I just can't find it in me anymore.
Just call me Polyanna and throw up on my shoes, whydontcha.
Yes random acts of kindness, paying it forward and all that.
Just lovely.
Tomorrow let someone out of a side street and let goodness ripple throughout the land.
I guess the S is simian.
I'm guessing Sockless
You're right, cynical is often funnier and your blog is testament to that.
Well done on the cake - I've been blogging for 3 years, and no-one made me a cake...
I barely deserve it. Clare I am sure will be reading this in hysterics.
P&A - you are both genii. It is perhaps Sockless Simian. Which would be perfect.
I'm sorry, that S spelt in Smarties means that you are now a Servant of Satan. The fact that they now come in a hexagonal box is the giveaway.
C, you have broken my heart. Still, the icing made up for it. I have a face like a small child, with chocolate smears on my cheeks. Hooray!
Did you sit in the cake?
Philip don't be so babyish. No time to sit on it, I was stuffing it in my face.
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