Thursdate. Eurovish.
Thursdays have become a tradition for Liz and I, one we like to refer to as Thursdate. Thursdate normally consists of meeting for coffee after work and then getting some dinner somewhere (most of the time that somewhere is the stupendous Café Soya). Sometimes it's nice to mix things up a little however, so this week's Thursdate was a little different.
After the standard coffee shop meetup (Liz was already there ordering drinks when I arrived, which was unusual - this was because Mike and Rich at the comics shop had kept me talking about the Lost finale) we decided it had been far too long since we had seen Paul and Esther and their recently-turned-one-year-old son, Sebastian. It didn't occur to me until later in the evening but it must have been around six months, because I think we last saw them at Christmas. Scary how quickly time goes by.
It was Sebastian's 1st Birthday party last weekend, but neither of us could make it, sadly - I was at a friend's stag weekend in Liverpool, and Liz had Birmingham Photospace commitments until they fell through at the last minute.
Once we checked with P & E that they were susceptible to a visit from us, we had a final mooch around the Bull Ring and then left for King's Heath - with a quick and welcome stop off en-route at Mushtaq's on the Stratford Road to pick up some dinner for later. We made it to Paul and Esther's at just before 8 pm. Paul was still at German class; after a few minutes of chat in the front room, we all realised that the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest 2nd Semi-Final was just starting. There then followed a pleasurable hour or so of weighing up the contenders (in the fiercely-fought categories such as "Use of Fire" and "Revolving Violinists") for the grand final on Saturday.
I know rather too many people (not least Liz and myself) who love Eurovision. I can't entirely categorise my adoration as ironic, either. I know it's rubbish but I just can't help myself. I know I wouldn't buy a single one of the songs on display were I to hear them on the radio or on Spotify, but I can't not watch. I know the voting is stupidly political but still, it fascinates. Each year (except for the odd occasion where we've been on holiday) Liz and I try to get together with David and Michelle (preferably, also cocktails) and just make an evening of it. We make scorecards. Honestly.
Anyway -
Paul dashed through the door at about 8:08 pm and was crestfallen to discover he'd missed two or three songs - amongst them, the Lithuanian entry, "Eastern European Funk", which contains not only an almost-Full Monty moment, but also inflatable instruments and a kazoo.
Eventually, some time between Ireland's dreary entry (ooh-err) and a Welshman singing for the Cypriots, Liz and I managed to tear our eyes away so we could head back home for a late dinner. We left our gifts for Sebastian (a nice outfit from Mamas & Papas) and took away Paul and Esther's birthday present (and card) for me - Ghostbusters on the 360.
At home, we dined on Indian savouries and once again went to bed too late, whereupon I filed my nails and watched Question Time.
Because I am a 70-year-old woman.
Tonight! The Gym.