The Mary Poppins Rapper (CAUTION not porn)
I am an Army brat. To those that don't know, its a difficult thing to explain. My only memoires of dad are of a Johnny Frost type character from A Bridge Too Far and of him reading Commando comic to me when I was supposed to be asleep. He was always smiling and never raised his voice. I choose to believe he made his decisions for the right reasons and hold him up as a hero defending his country and its liberty.
I have four brothers. The younger two currently serve and my oldest was invalided from the Army when he walked away mostly intact from a helicopter crash. So I understand the sacrifices that some people feel compelled to make.
When I was asked to host an event by some soldiers on here my first thoughts were no way. In fact right up until the time I was due to leave I was frantically thinking up (mostly) believable excuses of why I could not attend. I really did not want to go but as I looked around my comfortable home, I thought who am I to sit here like a coward while braver people than I risk everything to protect the freedoms we so easily take for granted.
The day started with my brother dropping me off in my super fast car and then roaring away setting off every speed camera in London. I was then privileged to have a wonderful lunch with some of the families and listed to their stories, which despite the apathy of our government remain startlingly positive. The wives and c***dren love their husbands and daddies despite some horrendous injuries and that, ladies and gentleman, is a truly humbling experience.
The lads evening arrived despite me using all my Jedi mind powers to hold it at bay and I was invited upon stage to MC the various entertainment acts, all of whom had given their time for free. Bawdy comedians competed with big hearted strippers and made sure all the lads had a great time. For myself I must have seemed a strange character with my posh voice and overly critical demeanour, but the audience seemed to find me funny and even shouted out "Oh Pish Posh Marion" when I failed to understand what an Army "Hot Pocket" was.
Deep breath taken, I embarked on my Mary Poppins rap (I sound somewhat like her apparently) and whilst it may not top the charts the gentleman were roaring with laughter along with some raucous rolling in the aisle and doubtless alcohol consumption reached record highs. The evening ended with a high spirited karaoke which did sadly include Rod Stewarts "Sailing" which brought the house down.
And so I briefly emerged from my solitude to show support and pay my own personal respects to a cause that occupies a place in my heart. I have nothing but admiration for the incredible courage of our wounded veterans and by their side I felt small and unworthy in comparison.
I have four brothers. The younger two currently serve and my oldest was invalided from the Army when he walked away mostly intact from a helicopter crash. So I understand the sacrifices that some people feel compelled to make.
When I was asked to host an event by some soldiers on here my first thoughts were no way. In fact right up until the time I was due to leave I was frantically thinking up (mostly) believable excuses of why I could not attend. I really did not want to go but as I looked around my comfortable home, I thought who am I to sit here like a coward while braver people than I risk everything to protect the freedoms we so easily take for granted.
The day started with my brother dropping me off in my super fast car and then roaring away setting off every speed camera in London. I was then privileged to have a wonderful lunch with some of the families and listed to their stories, which despite the apathy of our government remain startlingly positive. The wives and c***dren love their husbands and daddies despite some horrendous injuries and that, ladies and gentleman, is a truly humbling experience.
The lads evening arrived despite me using all my Jedi mind powers to hold it at bay and I was invited upon stage to MC the various entertainment acts, all of whom had given their time for free. Bawdy comedians competed with big hearted strippers and made sure all the lads had a great time. For myself I must have seemed a strange character with my posh voice and overly critical demeanour, but the audience seemed to find me funny and even shouted out "Oh Pish Posh Marion" when I failed to understand what an Army "Hot Pocket" was.
Deep breath taken, I embarked on my Mary Poppins rap (I sound somewhat like her apparently) and whilst it may not top the charts the gentleman were roaring with laughter along with some raucous rolling in the aisle and doubtless alcohol consumption reached record highs. The evening ended with a high spirited karaoke which did sadly include Rod Stewarts "Sailing" which brought the house down.
And so I briefly emerged from my solitude to show support and pay my own personal respects to a cause that occupies a place in my heart. I have nothing but admiration for the incredible courage of our wounded veterans and by their side I felt small and unworthy in comparison.
7年前
