...an optimist

My fourth radio show today went (almost) without a hitch. I am starting to relish the hours spent in the studio with just the sound of my own voice for company, and the knowledge that somewhere, out there, someone could be listening to what I have to say and appreciating it. The fact that I received zero emails again this week puts serious doubt in my mind about the existence of this solitary listener, however, as someone wise* once said, ‘you gotta have faith (a-faith a-faith)’.

This week I was lucky enough to be treated to an interview with the BBC Radio Sports presenter/producer (and Royal Holloway alumni), Ed Harry, who gave some amazing feedback on his life as a Holloway student back in the late 90’s and on his current career at the Beeb. He was an amazing advocate for a career in radio and totally inspiring.

Ed knew what he wanted to do from the age of 15, and endeavored to make that happen from then on. At 16, he was working at his local radio station in Cornwall and writing for his school newspaper. When he arrived at Royal Holloway he started writing for the student paper, and started up the radio society, which is now the radio station from which I broadcast my show. His c.v. must have looked rather impressive by the time he came to graduate.

I am not far off graduating and feel that my c.v. has some serious gaps in comparison. While I feel grateful to Ed for sharing his experiences and advice, hearing how he was so pro-active from such an early age makes me quiver in my boots.

It makes me wish I could either,

1) control time and rewind back to make sure I was pro-active and focused 5 years earlier than I actually was;

2) be in possession of the Queens Nose 50 pence piece and wish my way to success or,

3) exchange my mother for Julie Walters/Judy Dench/any successful actress and my father for Ian Mckellan/David Jason/any successful actor (this would surely give me some helpful contacts).

Given that option 1 is impossible and options 2 and 3 are a tad ludicrous, I will just have to deal with my lot in life and continue on with grit and determination in pursuit of my dream.

I may not have known what I wanted to do at the age of 5 and by the age of 8 I may not have had my first presenting job on the Disney channel – but this is no reason to panic; I am still bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and have time to gain experience and fill in those gaps on the old c.v.

It’s never too late – and I say this more to myself than anyone else – have faith.

*I use the term ‘wise’ in relation to George Michael, loosely. I do not advocate DUI, indecent exposure, or cheesy pop songs.