Ed if off sick. Boo. So I'm afraid you've got me again, and not, I have to say at my very freshest! My alarm went off this morning at 3.15 and I came in to present Today. All fine. Then Ed's call - and the PM team's attempt to spare me a 15 hour working day came up against the problem that most people are away on holiday. They asked me so nicely - lots of puppy dog eyes etc - how could I say no?
So I've been home, lay on my bed for an hour and have come back in. Now Fiona Leach is about to talk me through the programme plans, which incidentally include an interview with a sculptor who has erected a glass box on the Isle of Tiree.
Will try to stay coherent.
sequin
Sorry to hear about Ed - had wondered about the blog silence and lack of newsletter.
Good luck with the programme - you do know we all think you are superwoman, so I'm sure it'll be fine!
Oh dear, Sequin, you've drawn the short straw! And you managed to sound so cheery and incisive on Today.
Hm. We did warn Eddie about his health problems. But, on a more serious note, please send him our best wishes for a speedy recovery (No, not a Speedo recovery, you naughty, naughty ladies on the Beach!)
I've been a bit worried about 'the boy' lately. Is he overdoing things? A 'virtual hug' from his Big Sis and a big big glass of recovery juice.
The rotters! We could come in and help - we could all run with our own favourite local stories, that would stop it being Londoncentric, and you could have a kip in between times....possibly not. It serves old Eddie right for mocking the sickie throwers though doesn't it. Did he sound all weak and feeble when he rang? I thought I spotted someone remarkably like him lounging behind a camel on the beach earlier.
Good Luck Sequin! Greater wotsit hath no presenter...
If this appears twice, my apologies..
You can never get too much CQ on Radio 4...
Hello Carolyn,
Oh, you are good.
Is this marathon sponsored?
Lovely picture too.
Yay! Poor Carolyn, but lucky us.
Oh bless you! Was beginning to wonder....sure all us Froggers will be sending you energy and supportive thoughts. Nice to come home to a voice I got up with though (that sounded a little weirder than I meant)
Glad to see you back Sequin. I always think of you as being like the much-missed best friend who comes around for a laugh-filled evening of wine and chocolate when the husband is away...or is that too weird?
Notice I used a simile and do not actually think of you as my best friend or Eddie as my husband (who also has man-flu at the moment, coincidentally).
Hello Carolyn,
Oh, you are good.
Is this marathon sponsored?
Lovely picture too.
Sequin - Two things.
No.1 Do you not think that now would be a very good time for you to negotiate a new contract?
No.2 You're too good for this place.
Well, I can't be the only one who wondered. By this time of day Eddie's normally started a couple of dozen new threads on the blog!
And I hope, dear Sequin, you will be responding firmly in the negative if there is any suggestion from the PM team about doing a story about a piano falling off the back of a lorry.
As a former 15-hour shift worker myself (manager in a US-owned cinema chain) I know you will do a fine job today ... as long as you know you'll definitely be left to fester in your pit tomorrow!
And remember, even the puppiest-dog eyes can be disabled by the words: "No, I'm sorry I can't do tomorrow as well, because I'm updating my CV."!
Fifi
As well as a virtual hug from Big Sis I am more than happy to volunteer my services to give an actual hug (yes I know, get in line!!). Anyway speed(o)y recovery from me too. And good luck Sequin, only a few more hours and then you can flop.
Oh dear, poor both of you. Thought it was quiet around here today.
Anyway, best of luck to you for keeping your eyes open and best wishes and a Speedo (I think it should be, Big Sis ;o)) recovery to Eddie.
Best wishes to you both from the other Ed.
xx
ed
What's up with him?
Oh Sequin! We'll all be with you in spirit (or should that be with spirits?) tonight. Do you want us to send anything in to help?
I hope Eddie makes a quick recovery. You don't want to find you've been volunteered to take over from all the other presenters as well, Sequin!
No doubt others heard Greg Woods (usually Business News) co-chairing with regular presenters on the Today Programme over Easter. Sounds like there's a personnel crisis up there (:o/
Of course, the \*real* dilemma will come when Sequin falls ill due to overwork ......
Then Radio 4 will just fall apart.
Hello again Sequin. I hope that this does not put you off during the programme but I thought, on first reading, that there was going to be a glass box on the Isle of Tired.
H.
No doubt others heard Greg Woods (usually Business News) co-chairing with regular presenters on the Today Programme over Easter. Sounds like there's a personnel crisis up there (:o/
Of course, the *real* dilemma will come when Sequin falls ill due to overwork ......
Then Radio 4 will just fall apart.
Carolyn you're a star! I hope they're paying you double! You seem to work all hours already without filling in for poorly presenters - not that we don't enjoy hearing you of course!
When you've finished there's a sparkly sunlounger and a glass of bubbly on the beach to relax on :-)
Hope you're feeling better soon Eric. We can always send Patricia Hewitt round...
Fifi (was 11), I was wondering if everyone else was in September and I was stuck here in the future.
Keep up the good work, Sequin. Maybe you heard me shouting "Isn't it past your bedtime?" when I heard you on Today?
J.
Hohohoho! Thanks to Sequin's lack of title, we're all 'on' ........... . (That's a space, btw!)
Oh, and Sequin -- if you would like some pleasant background music, visit
where you can hear a song with YOU in it!
* Shshsh * -- our secret.
Fifi ;o)
Eddie
Take care.
Mollyxx
Great idea Aunt D. I could chip in with how our new air ambulance providers recently said 'it would be an abuse of the service' to use the air ambulance to fly a pregnant woman who had gone into labour 10 weeks early to Aberdeen.
Makes you wonder what wouldn't be an abuse of the service int heir eyes dunnit?
Big Sis - or each other?!
I really enjoyed listening to you on Today this morning. I'm looking forward to tonight's PM even more!
Sequin has definitely put a sparkle in this day!
What a star!
Sequin for president!
Yay!
Sequin - I did do a bit of a double-take at 5, not having logged on to the frog yet.
But you're doing a massive double-take! There'll be champagne for you by your hammock on the Beach at 6, if you can keep your eyes open.
I suggest the word 'No' might be one to practise tomorrow...
Meanwhile, you're a frog heroine!
(is he really ill?)
Sequin: news bookends to the working day.
Fifi
Ed's got a dose of ' Talota' and everyone else on holiday. Are they still celebrating the Iranian new year? I just went to the frogger's beach to find it as quiet as the Mary Celest. I hope the gentle snoozing of sequin will be upon us soon in the Glass house.
Has PM got a black felt box, too?
Well done. Seek, win.
Sequin, just think of the overtime pay!
Anyway, rather listen to you than Eddie 'Face made for radio' Mair anyday.....
I haven't been able to log in 'til now, but now I know why I found myself doing a doubletake at 5 when I heard you doing your second shift today Sequin. Well done you! What a professional, you're worth your weight in sick notes.
Are we bloggaged on this thread?
Or is it because Sequin was in bed by 6.36pm?
Whatever next, Sequin.....have you done Woman's Hour yet?! Good move to have Portillo on, as he at least let you rest your voice for a bit. Hope you have a long weekend off, and thanks for stepping in again.
Carolyn did Women's Hour last week, I believe (or it may have been the week before).
She's a workaholic, that lady!