I’m ready for my close-up, all in the name of Brenda
I finally get the opportunity to become a “film star”.
At last I have been recognised for the great actor I had it in me to become.
And yes, I know journalists are just actors with pens, I’ve heard it before!
From now on I will be signing autographs every Friday down Pub du Vin.
What’s it all about?
They asked me (and admittedly lots of others) to take part in filming for the upcoming Brendas, the Birmingham property world’s equivalent of the Oscars.
Actually I’m not sure I should be telling you this and, having done so, there is now every possibility I will end up on the cutting room floor.
But it was sound/camera/action as we submitted ourselves to being part of the traditional film sequence at the end of the lunch.
Lunch! It goes on all day.
Now, the property world is known for letting its hair down in the good times, usually at Metro Bar.
And I’m sure that there is no harm folk letting their hair down in the bad times once in a while.
I mean, this recession is enough to drive anyone to drink.
Anyway, the Brendas take place on Friday May 22, at the Burlington Hotel, on behalf of the Property for Kids charity.
And I am now professionally finished and shall have to emigrate.
Plenty of tongue in cheek foolishness.
Forget all this claptrap about how Birmingham is useless at projecting the city’s image.
It is useless, but no matter.
It is just the best at poking fun at itself and that for me is an example of a city full of confidence and at ease with its culture and identity.
Long live the Brendas, whoever she is!
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That man Tony Taylor is reinventing the calendar again.
The accountant and businessman, head of the Birmingham Business Breakfast Club, has just attended what he describes as “either the first Christmas dinner of 2009 or the last of 2008”.
He reports a “splendid night” at Opus in the city centre – oysters, venison, cheese and lots of brandy.
“I hope my other 2009 Christmas dos are as convivial,” he splutters. “That’s if we are allowed to celebrate Christmas this year.
“We managed to get the bus home and slept like the proverbial log!”
That’s a Yule log, I presume.
Frankly, I’m still baffled.
But, on pressing the lad, he does produce an explanation of sorts.
“Garry Leyland and John Dind, of Panther Contracts, have been organising a Christmas bash since we went to see the world’s worst Elton John cover band about five years ago,” he says.
“The booking was originally for last November – and moved six times – trying to get five couples to the same place on the same night proving impossible.”
No mention of silly hats incidentally but bet there were plenty of bad jokes.
