I ALWAYS say I won’t do it. I promise myself I’ll do something good and constructive with my weekends from August to December.
But each year, I cave. I don’t know, Sofa Saturdays, I guess they must have the X Factor.
So there I was, last Saturday, tuned in and eager to see the many that were singing for their dinner, or at least, their 15 minutes of fame. I’d noticed earlier on Facebook – as I was double screening, as I think it’s called these days (watching telly and on my laptop at the same time) – that a mate of mine Kye Sones’ status read ‘Deep breath...’
And then… there he was, on my telly!
I know Kye from my London days; when everyone’s at parties, trying to network, meet people, get a job. He was, at the time, not a chimney sweep, but in a band called Diagram of the Heart. He was just like me, trying to get his voice heard. Him as a singer, me as a TV presenter.
But of course, that wasn’t our actual 9-5. In a world where you’re trying to make your name bankable, you’re also keeping the bank manager from your door.
I still worked in a bar when I’d started presenting the Lottery on BBC – the regulars thought it was brilliant, I could pull a pint and I might also just make them a millionaire too!
Thankfully, in his X Factor audition Kye didn’t go all Mary Poppins on us. He swept the audience away with his very own medley. It was awesome and, referring to his earlier Facebook status, it took my breath away.
This is the joy of the X Factor, this is what’s worth staying in for. Not people selling their soul (okay, they have a wee bit), but the stuff dreams are made of – just ask Subo.
So, I’ve got my fingers crossed for Kye and the others that have put themselves out there.
Because, somewhere in between the ridicule, the horror of the 80’s week and the judges dressing downs, maybe, just maybe they might make it.
Say hello to hiking in hills
OCH, the highs and lows of Ben Lomond. You know that I love a good hike: clears the head, settles the mind and gets your heart racing. Last week I went up Ben Lomond for the first time. It’s a busy Munro, you know. However, I don’t think this takes away from the joy of it. There was lots of different types of folk out there – young and old, walkers, amblers and not totally sure-ers.
As I love the chirpy ‘hello’ that passes between walkers as they go by, I reckon the more the merrier!
QB’s Corner: 5 things I’m loving this week…
1. OH CANADA!: I'm writing my column this week from a hotel room in Calgary, Canada – ay! It's a wee bit of work and a wee bit of pleasure. Stay tuned and I'll fill you in when I can!
2. WINE-ON: This is not an encouragement to drink more vino tino. Burgundy or possibly claret is the colour of the Autumn season – it's sexy, moody and like a fine wine, is good for any occasion.
3. JUST PLANE FOOD: I know, airplane food can be nasty, but for some reason I love it. Maybe I'm bored, maybe it's because there's no other option or maybe it's because it reminds me of TV dinners when I was wee!
4. FRINGE BENEFITS: All this galavanting at the Edinburgh Fringe has inspired me so this week I got myself a new do – complete with fringe.
5. FABERDEEN!: My new name for the city, think it will catch on?