Having a great time with someone else’s suffering
(Warning! This post gets a bit schmaltzy towards the end, so don’t read on if you don’t want me to get all emo on you.)
Simon Amstell is a very very funny man. Crammed into the rafters of York’s Grand Opera House (a slightly misleading name) last night, Ellen and I witnessed a man spending an hour talking about how he couldn’t get laid and making it highly amusing and thought provoking.
Without knowing what sort of stand up Amstell does ahead of time (I have never seen him outside of his high-profile TV presenting gigs) I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was quite surprised by his all too brief act. Very much in the vein of Woody Allen, it was the traditional Jewish comedy of neurosis, with his unique spin. Most of the act revolved around his inability to get men, and his predilection for men who look like Jared Leto in ‘My So Called Life.’
The only dissapointment was the brevity of his set, which lasted for just shy of an hour. To be honest for £20+ a ticket I would expect a little more, but if the adage of quality over quantity is applied it was well worth it. And besides, he makes frequent mention of the brevity of life in his act, so it’s all relative.
After the gig Ellen went for a few drinks and a meal, revelling in being out on our own. Having had a daughter for the entirety of our relationship has always meant that it’s difficult to get out. We have a few friends we can ask to fulfil babysitting duties, but we’re keenly aware of the risk of overusing them, and we tend to use them for nights out where we’re meeting up with other people, so it’s very rare we go out as just the two of us.
But last night was lovely. As we sat in the pub launching into massive debates over the nature of religion and the decline of female role-models I was reminded again of how much I love this wonderful woman. She is smarter than me, funny and kind, beautiful, and always willing to listen to the other side of an argument.
Times like last night I really realise what a lucky man I am. The chances that our own unique situation could have worked out as well as it has must have been a thousand to one. But I sit here writing about this and thinking about my beautiful daughter and wonderful girlfriend and have to admit that I have it pretty good really.
I promise I will go back to being a misanthrope tomorrow.
You went out for a meal AFTER?
tuh..dirty stop-outs.
The subject matter was much the same as the last time he was there, but without being repetitive, once again, i was very very impressed.
Oh, and if you ever need an as yet untapped babysitting source, we’d be happy too oblige.
We were gonna go for something to eat before but we needed to get Rosie ready for bed. Where were you? We were in the Grand Circle, which is a nice way of saying the cheap seats.
Paul, I have told you a thousand times we’ll babysit but we are grossly under-used!
Ellen is indeed a wonderful lady and I’m so chuffed that you guys are doing so well. Isn’t it all lovely. Say a very belated happy birthday to her from me and we’ll see you soon.
xx