World of Chig   

21.5.03
Exclusive news! UK's songwriter not coming to Riga

In a tragic farce of almost epic proportions, the writer of Cry Baby will now not be coming to Riga. Which raises the vital question of course of who will pick up his trophy when we win on Saturday. Funnily enough, the BBC doesn't seem to be rushing around making alternative plans. So why isn't Martin coming? Well, the poor bloke is afraid of flying. He's tried, he really has tried. He got as far as the airport, and nearly got on two flights, but pulled out at the last minute. He then decided to do as much of the trip overland as possible, and maybe fly from Helsinki. (To me, as flight is a flight; you may as well do the whole thing. I'm not comfortable with flying either, so I have some sympathies with him.) Anyway, he's been via France, he's been to Bremen, he's even been to Copenhagen, I think. But last night he gave in, and is going back home. There may be one last attempt with a psychologist, but otherwise that's it. Imagine how it must feel to have one of your life's ambitions fulfilled, and not be there to see it. All 25 other writers are here. Martin's family are here. But not Martin. It's a cry babying shame.

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