I’m Going To Need A Bigger Table!

After watching Bruce Springsteen’s live performance of Western Stars I wrote a blog about him, how I always thought he was a hero of mine but I’d now learned he was a more of a kindred spirit. I also revealed he would be one of my five dinner guests. Well after reading The Ship Beneath The Ice I have decided this week to write about Shackleton. I am not sure I’d call him a hero, maybe, but I just love his spirit, his attitude, his love of adventure. I would want him at that dinner. Need him. Can you imagine the stories he would share?

I do get influenced easily. I like to be inspired. I like to read a story, watch a story, even listen to a story and come away wanting to know everything about the characters within it, about its construction and, with any luck, learn a new word. You would expect this of an impressionable teenager but now? Am I just as impressionable as a worldly wise fifty three year old? As a child (not kid, kid is a baby goat and Lyn doesn’t like that word) I would watch Karate Kid, 1, 2 or 3 and find myself searching for a white robe to wear while I practised many a move just like Ralph Macchio, kinda. I was reading from a very early age but the first character I remember falling in love with was Robert B Parker’s Spencer, his Private Investigator from Boston whom woman wanted to be with and men just wanted to be. I was no exception. He was tough, funny, smart, sensitive and had the best dog, Pearl.

Throughout the decades the influencers have changed. Springsteen is still up there and that will be no surprise to anyone who knows me. You can also add Brian Wilson to the list and while I am writing about musicians I have to give Dave Grohl a shout out. For his music, of course, but his attitude is stunning. He once cancelled a show he was due to perform in Brazil so he could head back to New York City and play live for the last ever Late Night with David Lettermen show. David Letterman, another hero since Dad first sat me down to watch him. I was hooked. On a trip to New York Dad and I were lucky enough to watch a recording from the props room. It’s a long story but luckily you can read it in That Bloody Book, the story of my relationship with my Dad. It should be available any day now. Well, let’s just say ‘one day’!

Many comedians have influenced me over the years from the legendary to the famous but mostly the ones who were never household names. Richie Minervini from NYC because of the time he spent with me and stories he shared, all to stop me getting nervous before my first performance in front of a predominately American audience. Kevin Devane was the first working comic I saw who did all his own material. Mainstream comedian was a term banded around for a while. It was a different style from the alternative comedians who were known for their originality. Here was one of my own leading the way. Then there is Nick Page who I watch and enjoy always, Russell Hicks and Steve Hewlett. You are going to have to utilise Google to find out more about some of these but I recommend you do. 

This blog was supposed to be about Sir Ernest Shackleton!

It was thanks to the brilliant diary from Mensun Bound all about the search for his missing ship, Endurance, that I found myself inspired all over again. I am very well travelled. My son, Thomas, will say it’s all I talk about and he may be right. I don’t intend to come over as a show off. I know exactly how lucky I am but why should I be quiet when someone brings up a place they have longed to visit and not share my stories? Maybe it is my turn to be the influencer. Maybe a tale or two from me would help inspire someone to turn that idea for a trip into a reality. 

I’ve known about Shackleton for a very long time. In 2003 I stood beside his tombstone in Grytviken. I have visited South Georgia more than a few times. But that was more than twenty years ago. I read Rahul Fiennes book about Sir Ernest Shackleton and then his one about Scott. a fascination with the Big White Continent grew, as did the love of the explorer. I loved how their attitude was to turn left when everyone else would go right. How they’d trust their gut that there was something more out there and why couldn’t it be them that found it. I doubt I will ever find a piece of land previously unheard of but because of  these explorers and their exploits, their attitudes I will continue with my own quest: that being to find the worlds greatest coffee shop. 

I write more after reading, but I need to believe in myself like others seem to. I never thought I was precious about my work. I seriously don’t care about an audience’s reaction to my show. I care much more about the nuances, about the joke being told in exactly the right way. But I find myself really caring about this blog. I think that may be the reason I have been lax with the publishing this year. I, for the first time, find myself craving some comments, good or bad. I just want to know people are reading. I want them to be excited for my next post. I want them to find a coffee shop I have talked about, visit somewhere I mentioned, listen to an album I plugged or read an author I recommended. 

Since I finished The Ship Beneath The Ice I have read Landlines the autobiographical offering from Ranor Winn and naturally I found myself googling the great hikes of Great Britain. I also read Down Cemetery Road by Mick Herron, and made notes for that short story that Keith has been telling me is ‘in you’. Keith, there is possibly no bigger influencer on me than Keith. 

OK, so I had five guests for dinner. That number has increased: Bruce, Dad, Lyn, Joe Marler and Arron Sorkin are now joined by Shackleton, Letterman, Keith and the promise that the numbers for this dinner party will certainly increase.

Have you ever thought about the guests you’d invite for dinner? Drop me a line under this blog, or there is always social media. You can find @classicadams27 on most forums.