Friday, May 30, 2008

I've been a little extravagant!

'
In response to Writers Island prompt 'extravagant'
'
I have just been a little extravagant. In fact I had to lay down to recover. I spent a pound, a pound which I didn’t need to spend! I didn’t spend it a loaf of bread or a couple of apples. I didn’t pop it into my loose change pot. If I had spent it on a half a pair of socks I suppose I could justify it, but I didn’t.

Some people enjoy extravagance. They feel good in a new pair of Jimmy Choos and feel no guilt at all! (Probably not the best examples since heels aren’t really my thing!) Some people are quite happy to blow a hundred quid on a meal cooked by me! Now that is extravagance! And just last week my friend Rosey bought a rose bush because she liked it even though she doesn’t have garden.

But I’m not known for displays of indulgence. Profligacy is not my middle name (it’s Denis actually) and wastefulness is an unfamiliar bedfellow. No, prudence is my friend, and carefulness my creed.

So what led to this display of reckless spending? Why did I part with a whole hard-earned pound? Let me tell you. I have just been watching the last semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent and I was completely gobsmacked by one of tonight’s acts. For the first time in my life I placed a telephone vote.

The only thing that makes me feel a little better is that fifteen pence will be going to charity.
.
Anyway, the results are just coming in, so may I ask you to hang on for a moment? I won’t be long.



*


I’m back, and I actually voted for the act which will be going through to tomorrow night’s final! I may do a couple of calculations to see if I can afford to cast another vote tomorrow, but on the other hand that might be a little too extravagant.

So what made me change the habit of a lifetime? A quartet of young ladies with long legs and short dresses....who happen to be amazing musicians. They play electronic string instruments and give classical music a twenty first century twist. They are known as Escala and I’m delighted to post a video of them at their audition right here.
.
But a pound. One hundred new pence. Two hundred and forty old pennies. I hope I sleep tonight.
.



.

18 comments:

  1. well that extravangance of sort is justifiable as a portion of it is going to the charity, right? :-) lovely write.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Some extravagances can be justified. Sometimes we feel a little eccentric when we break our habits.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I found myself cheering right along with the crowd - it's a pound well spent!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Talent should always be rewarded. That sounds like a pound well spent, Keith!

    ReplyDelete
  5. a pound well spent. they were awesome...i could've listened to some more. and i didn't know simon was a judge there also (altho wasn't the talent show his original idea and when he got a cool reception on it in britain he came over the pond to peddle it in america? i thought i read that somewhere. and even here in the states all 3 major networks turned him down. a secondary network picked him up and don't tell me the others aren't kicking themselves over it now....it is a megamonster here.) american idol is the BIGGEST show here with the last show, the final, drawing in 91 million viewers....WHEW!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, Keith, you weren't watching that rubbish programme, were you? Well, I know what I'll be doing tonight ... Seeing who's the new Nancy :-)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree, a pound well spent..they were rock stars! But I thought you used Euros there now...are they the same thing? Just wondering..
    Take care
    Tory

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ahh, but is it really extravagent to pay a pound for the enrichment of your soul?

    And I agree, they were phenomenal.

    ReplyDelete
  9. there have been rare times when I have voted during a reality show, sometimes the singers get me, I mean I get too happy listening some songs which makes me feel obligated in a way to applaud the talent and thank him/her for the entertainment.

    ReplyDelete
  10. hope he gets to read this, I am sure he will be really happy.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sometimes one can't resist being extravagant. Sounds like money well spent. Great post.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Got to shake yourself out of old habits and look at the world anew now and then. Glad you found something that motivated you to action. Nice story. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I never watch this stuff, but seeing those girls, I can see why you were so taken with them. They are fabulous!

    Thanks for your kind words on my poem - I think I'm getting my groove back. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ha Simmer down now Keith that is a little extragavant don't you think? Casting telephone votes like it is an everything occurence tsk tsk lol. Good luck with your vote though.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nice one Keith, Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves! I've posted a little lyric that you wrote a tune for when I first put it up on Proper Joe's last year.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Very interesting take :) that was money well spent though!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Amazing! Thanks for introducing me to these gals! They should make it with a little help from your pounds!
    Wonderful post!

    Hugs Giggles

    ReplyDelete
  18. You've written this interestingly very well, Keith!

    A poetic prose and I could see where the inspiration is coming. The muses that motivated you to write and become extravagant as you described your spending to vote for them are deserving, I thought it was a wise spending.

    I wish you well.

    ~ Jeques

    ReplyDelete