Gabby's WORD 17 April 2012

I've been thinking about today's WORD and what to write. The problem is, it's my birthday today, so I can't help thinking about presents, flowers, bubbles, cake and the whole day being about me! I'm one of eight children (long story!) and as such, my birthday is a really big deal for me. It was the one day when my siblings couldn’t steal the limelight. I got to choose the dinner that night, could be a cow and demand what I wanted on the TV and was generally spoilt with attention, which, when living in such a big family, is a rare occurrence.

 

As the years go by, birthdays don't seem as important, or as much fun, but the inner ‘madam’ in me still demands a birthday tea with friends - and a birthday treat. This year, I asked six of my close friends to visit the Haymarket Theatre with me to watch 'One Man, Two Guv'nors'. I had read the rave reviews and heard all the general excitement around the play but, I'll be honest, I saw the posters all over London's tube stations and I really liked the colour and font! Sad, isn't it? But I just couldn't help noticing this great print and it made me really want to go. 

 

I wasn't disappointed. If anyone has the chance to see this play, I heartily recommend it. Probably one of the best things I have seen in a long time. From the music (amazing band throughout), the beautiful, simple and truly effective stage design, the cast, the fantastic script...I was like a little girl at the pantomime again. I laughed until my tummy ached. I clapped until the palms of my hands were sore. And I walked out feeling so happy, that the feeling still hasn't gone away. Check it out if you have the chance, either in London or in NYC. 

 

After a really great afternoon, we headed into Soho, which is something I usually try and avoid at the weekend. It is a totally different place, and not one I usually enjoy. The new favourite find for me and my friends has to be Spuntino, the Brooklyn-styled bar on Rupert Street, just off Brewer Street. After spending a year of my two years in the Five Boroughs in Williamsburg - I love Brooklyn. Not only does my wonderful old roommate inhabit that part of NYC, but it's been the scene of many a great party, lunch, dinner, shopping trip... just generally hanging out. To find a little bit of my favourite part of NYC in London is fantastic, and the evening was completed with great music, lots of red wine and plates of grits, sliders and mac 'n' cheese. I also got truly spoilt this year by my friends. Not only was I given a lovely print for my hall, but they'd clubbed in to buy me an Apple TV, as they know how much I miss watching my US shows on a TV, and not on a laptop. An, just to ruin me with generosity, I was given membership to the Tate for the year. The evening rounded off with much drunkeness in the John Snow and I have to apologise to the sweet couple who were clearly on their first date and who we shouldn’t have teased - I think he probably would have kissed her if we hadn't 'kiss her, kiss her' at him. 

So, today is not about advertising, it's about me. Like I said earlier, it's my birthday and as such, I'm going to be a brat!

 

Thursday team LBB shall be attending the D&AD awards at the IMAX London. For those of you who don’t know me, you might recognise me from the terrible photo that accompanies this piece, so please come say 'hello' to Matt and me. We're a friendly pair and would love to make new friends. Promise it'll be service as usual on Thursday. 

 

Best,

~Gabby