And the BAFTA goes to...

I’ve been thinking, ‘Do I have an incredibly busy life?’

I know that if I told you the contents of my diary this week the chances are you would say ‘yes’. However, I don’t feel overstretched, or rushed, or like the very seconds of my life are so full to the brim with something – mostly drama – I am somehow missing out on living. So the question is, how do you judge something like that? Do I judge it? Or does it have to be refereed by the eye of the beholder?

I often, if not always, get the impression that the latter is the case as I feel lonely eyes boring into my skull whenever I say, “Oh I can’t make that, I’m taking a course on Monday evenings” or “Nope, sorry, Friday’s out again, as I’m off to the Jazz Cafe”

I hear the unspoken words “How DARE you!” or “Where is/was MY invitation?” The insinuation being that because I am more busy I am somehow more popular, but this is simply not the case. The thing is, ok a lot of the events I attend or places I go ARE at the invitation of others, but it’s not like I hold the secret to the perfect social life.

Yes I DO like to stay busy and I bore easily, so as you’d expect I’m always on the lookout for things that I would be interested in. It’s also true that I prefer not to find out something about AFTER the event or feel a crushing disappointment to have seats up in the gods for a play, knowing that had I bought on the day booking opened I would be on the front row with the smug people ‘in the know’. Is that so bad? Isn’t it normal? Surely it’s better than being the glaring person who can feel the jealous bile rising in their throat? I can say this with some certainty, having only today had the comment “How jealous am I? I actually want to kill you right now”. Okaaaay.

Strangely, as a result of this I have started to get a reputation for being one of those ‘in the know’, especially when it comes to the theatre. I must stress that this is not a coincidence. For many years I toiled in the Big Smoke that is London Town constantly missing things. I would miss festivals, gigs, plays, even cinema releases! Half of the time it was because I had no one to go with, but equally it was because I had no idea they were even there. After around 7 years of this – yes, 7! – I decided enough was enough.

It all started a few years ago when after many indistinguishable weeknights of boredom, one night sitting at home I had a brainwave. “I know,” I said, “I’ll do an MA! There must be one I can do somewhere!” To cut a (very) long story short I did actually do this, but in my infinite wisdom chose to study full time in the evenings – thereby eradicating all weeknight boredom (and unbeknownst to me, in the process weekends, bank holidays, months and years too). Anyway, hooray! Boredom had evaporated like a puddle in a drought, and during my studies I discovered a novel way of detecting events in advance.

Are you ready for my big secret...?

Join a club.

Yes, the complex, demanding, arduous task that you need to complete is just that. Of course, I am absolutely joking when I say that it is hard as it is ridiculously easy! This is why I cannot understand why people don’t do it.

For one of the modules on my MA course I was encouraged to join the Museums Association. Boring you may think, however, did you know that as well as discounts for special events, their membership entitles you to free or discounted entry at almost 800 venues and special exhibitions? Excellent huh? Well, ok, if you like museums you’re sorted.

Anyway, this got me thinking, what other organisations can I join and get benefits from? Well, I’ll tell you – The British Library, The Southbank Centre, The BFI, Friends of Wembley Stadium and The RSC.

Since joining these 5 organisations, and solely because of their membership, in the past year I have been to a lot of events including the BAFTAs last night (hence above acrimonious comment), The London Film Festival and Hamlet with David Tennant and Patrick Stewart – the sold out one. I’m always effusive about the benefits of memberships, but people just don’t listen. Either that or they can’t be bothered and find it easier to be vitriolic instead.

I’m open about the fact that if I wasn’t a member, I would not be a busy person as I’d also think “Oh, there’s nothing to do tonight except watch Corrie”, and as I say, it’s not as if I have a secret formula like Pimms No1 or Colonel Harland Sanders’ special recipe chicken. It’s not as if it costs the earth either, although I understand that not everyone loves Shakespeare enough to join the RSC, hear about the Bard every month in the newsletter as well as paying for the privilege.

So to all those out there who might feel a bit green at the fact that I went to the BAFTAs last night, saw Brangelina and won a prize as well, I don’t feel guilty. Don’t get jealous, get busy like me – if you want to go to these things then go! If you don’t then you only have yourself to blame as you’ve got the knowledge, now put it to use and stop moaning.