Rhydiary January 31st 2008

Rhydiary january 31st 2008

I think it was an old funk song that had the line, “Fame. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. Sing it again, Huh”
I was only saying to a newspaper interviewer yesterday about how, sometimes, I get worried about the whole fame thing. I know it's still early days but I feel like everyone is being too kind you see. I've no regrets about winning, sorry, I meant being the runner up, it's just I'm waiting for the backlash.
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It was such a thrill to be back in Birmingham to receive my degree. I rang Gran before the ceremony and told her what I was doing. Her first response was,
“I bet that toe rag Leon hasn't got a degree, has he?.”
“Gran!” I can't tell you how shocking she can be sometimes. I said, “You don't really need to have many qualification to be a singer, Gran.”
“Singer!” I thought she was going to explode, “That manky toothed gnome? A singer?”
She's like that Gran. She speaks her mind.

Julia was thrilled for me of course,
“Rhydian, you've got to wear your white fur coat for the ceremony,” she purred
“You're joking, “ I said, “It's not that sort of event Julia”
Sometimes, I think that Jules has spent too long in the entertainment industry. She says that she wants to get into films. She says that hours spent trowelling filler onto Sharon's face has taken its toll on her, mentally.
In the end we settled for a very stylish pin stripe suit. She dabbed powder on my forehead,
“We don't want shiny shiny now, do we Rhyd?” and stood back to look at me.
“Oh Rhydian,"she sighed, “When?”

It was a strange sort of feeling receiving my degree. Being in front of a large audience again. The urge to sing was almost overwhelming,
The Dean, University Principal and Vice Chairwoman were all sitting together on the side of the stage, just like Simon and the gang. I was tempted, I can tell you. Although I'm not sure that the Dean would have been appreciative if I had burst into Get the Party Started and thrown my graduation gown over his face. When he introduced me I was a little thrown. I was expecting the full works, you see. The big intro. Ladies and Gentlemen, it's ... but, no. He gave a small speech about fame and responsibility and then I went up to receive it. The audience were cheering and then some one shouted, “Speech”
“Thank you. This makes me feel so humble,” I mumbled.
Like a lot of singers I'm fine with a song but get quite nervous when I have to speak in public. That is the only explanation I have for what I said next.
“What do you call a Scotsman with only one GCSE?”
The whole audience, as one, shouted, “Leon”

Love, the Rhydler BA(Hons)