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Malone

I have received a message from "R. Stewart" asking me to join his tour. Apparently he wants someone who gets things slightly wrong to be the personal assistant to his personal assistant. I dont know which one it is, as they are both on tour, but I would like to go anyway. I would like to accept but would like your advice please, if you don't mind.

Grunger, thanks for both posts. I've been busy working on seating arrangements for the big PU event and haven't had time to keep up with things. Last week I had a flurry of letters and emails from various PU groups and associations, all expressing a keen interest in attending. I'm planning to seat together the groups from St John's Wood, Bishop's Stortford, Earl's Court and King's Cross. The next table will have members from St Andrews, St Albans and Baronscourt. I'm expecting some interaction from these two tables - the latter group may be resentful at the lack of apostrophes, who knows?

I think you should simply accept the 'PA to the PA' job and see who your new employer is when you turn up on your first day. Your previous touring experience should stand you in good stead, but if there are any personality clashes I Don't Want To Talk About It.

Malone

Yes it's a good idea to keep the Barons away from the Earls and Bishops. I have seen them squabbling in the House of Lords and you must be right that the Barons are jealous of the apostrophe.

I am pleased you have not invited any Kings and Queens. I never know when to put an apostrophe in Kings Cross, Queens school etc. I was once ticked off by the Head of a Queen's School for omitting the apostrophe in a report sent to the press.

Thank you for your advice re the tour. I acted upon it and accepted the job. You were right about drug abuse being essential. They asked me and I replied that I once crushed an aspirin and they said that qualified.

They are picking me up tomorrow morning. If it is Rod, we are in Bolton tomorrow evening. If it is Rory, I don't know. I am thrilled he got into the second round so it could be anywhere.

I have signed up for 2 weeks and I will let you know how I got on. Regards G

Grunger

I was going to include King's Cross and Kings Cross in my seating plan but was beginning to suffer from apostrophitis at that point. I think the Kings and Queens (King's and Queen's) are indeed troublesome -maybe we should just get rid of them altogether? Republicanism does have its attractions at times.

I hope your first day goes well. I was delighted to hear that your aspirin experience stood you in good stead. Maybe R Stewart (whichever R Stewart) will give you a tablet tomorrow. I warn you now, today's tablets are more substantial and sophisticated and can do all sorts of things (relieving headaches isn't one).

Malone

Yes perhaps abolishing the monarchy would have hitherto unclaimed benefits, but then we would not have gags like your "ascending the throne" one that you mentioned recently. Btw how does Her Majesty get on it when it seems rather high and she is so short?

Thanks for the advice on tablets. I will not be taking any - no pills nor those rectangular things that youngsters use for games, videos etc.

Early start tomorrow.....

Grunger

I hope your first day has gone well and that you're enjoying working with ….?

I won't bother abolishing the monarchy, even though it does have its attractions. I'm afraid I can't reveal the details of exactly how HM/ER ascends the throne as I have signed a 'confidentiality' agreement - there were various steps to that.

PS Having survived Easter, Easter Saturday, Ascension Day, I felt no qualms whatsoever at ignoring Pentecost (whatever it is).

Am I being pedantic in asking where's the pedantry gone?

Meanwhile ... saw the knighted R. Stewart just over a week ago. He put on an excellent show. Unlike the knighted P. McCartney, whose sweeter young voice has been superseded by a sadly worsening one, Sir R began raspy and continues to be so. Forever Young, even with This Old Heart Of Mine, he might say? Ok folks, I can see that I'm Losing You. (Pause for groans.)

Pedantry is back!
It's been a long time but I spotted a rogue apostrophe outside a local pub this morning.
DOG'S WELCOME
Which dog?
It was too busy for me to go in and ask. I might save that for another time.

Steve,

I too have wondered if there should be more pedantry - it's a valuable commodity! I'd thought of starting a PU June thread, to feature examples, moans etc. For various reasons, I didn't get round to it - but hope to do it at the start of July.

Glad you enjoyed R Steward … a lot more than I enjoyed your puns (… only kidding).

Looking forward to it Malone.

Just one more for June.

People say good afternoon because it's just past 12 pm and make a point of it.
Midday is surely 1 pm during BST.
Anyway, I don't call it afternoon until I've had my lunch!