30/03/23 08:51

I’ve decided I’m going to do an Instagram reel of the marathon de Paris.  That means I’ve been filming little snippets before the run, during my preparation to the finish line.  I’ll make sure to take some nicely planned videos during the quiet times so I’m not under so much time-constrained pressure.  The subtle art of filmmaking, covered slightly in my master’s but only as a side option for I chose to narrow my study down to creative non-fiction writing.  Not that you’d know by reading this drivel. £10k down the pan?  Nope.  It’s been a goal I’ve had for many years, since being at school, to have letters after my name.  And not only did I do it once, I followed the bachelor’s with the master’s.  It all seems a long time ago but in reality, it was less than 2 years ago when I finished my final assignment for the Open University after a strenuous 8 years of study.  And now my life is so different.  And so much better…

Sat on the Eurostar next to Nev, I’m mentally prepared for the struggle that is the 26-mile running journey ahead of me in 3 day’s time.  Physically?  I’ve run a total of 25 miles in a month since the half.  Not good at all.  Does it worry me?  Nope.  Will it affect me?  Nope.  Will I gloat in years to come?  Absolutely, I will!  What I’m looking at doing is making notes of some of the places I’ll be passing on my route so that I can mention them in the Instagram Live.  I won’t be taking questions or even looking to see who is watching me, but I don’t mind that part.  It’s a different kind of Live at this point.  The same as the writing.  I tend to write en route to Paris and then once there, I’m too busy to put pen to paper.  I’m busy taking average photos and making run-of-the-mill mental notes for once I’m back, rested and motivated, to put my degrees to good use.  With more emphasis on regular writing.  I always feel more creative and motivated after Paris.  I’m not sure what it is.  Is anybody ever?  If we were to go back in time and ask the authors, the poets, the painters and creators would any of them be able to tell us?  Is their secret flowing in the waters?  Buried beneath the Grands Boulevards?  Floating in the air?  Drizzled on the food?  There are still many creative types in Paris, a new wave of authors, musicians and digital contenters.  One of which I’m hopefully meeting tomorrow.

I know they say to never meet your idol but when you’re buying an original, debut piece of art from him, what choice do I have?  I suspect that meeting will be brief, perhaps a coffee and an exchange of Euros.  I’m hoping there will be more.  I’m hoping he’ll want some information from me; his journalistic instincts breaking out.  I suspect that I’m fairly interesting podcast material – a stroke surviving Londoner that frequents Paris annually and even run in her half and full marathons.  Maybe I’m not.  Maybe I’m just an average chap who listens to a podcast, is trying to write a book and has little over 200 followers on a generally lower-than-average Instagram account.  Whatever the case, I hope I don’t clam up when face to face with Oliver Gee, the Australian expat hosting his own highly acclaimed podcast, The Earful Tower.  Only time will tell.  I simply have to remember we’re two normal men, both dads and both creative types.  And I also have to remember not to order a café noisette.  I’ll find out tomorrow how big this painting of walking canes is and then spend Monday trying to find out the best way of carrying it home on the Eurostar and, worse still, the Tube.