samedi 24 mai 2008

And the winner is....

So, this week I hot-tailed it to fancy London for a big awards ceremony.

It's all a bit dull, but trust me when I say that in the industry I work in these awards are the thing. It's kind of a s good as it gets, and winning is seen as a big deal.

I jump on a plane in the morning from Lyon to the glorious Heathrow Terminal 5. After years of being embarrassed by Heathrow and its lacklustre, shabby, grotty terminals - is this how we want the world to first experience the UK? - I am finally thrilled to arrive at a modern, well-designed, spacious, airy terminal.

Who cares if people don't get their bags, I was hand-luggage only and admiring the architecture.

Anyway, I rock up to the fancy schmancy hotel in Mayfair where the awards are being held. It's all a bit over the top in the way that Mayfair 5 star hotels do so well. I had a £6 cup (sorry, pot - much better value) of tea in the salon, and waited for my colleagues to show.

We work our way through the champagne reception, through the glad-handing and air kissing. We munch away at the the lovely rack of lamb and petits fours. We sit and watch as the winners in the 'junior' categories go and get their prizes.

Now, I've never been a big fan of these events, but this year it seemed that I was nervous. I'd written a great entry and presented it well to the 'dragon's den' of judges. But still, we were up against some big names with very big budgets. Companies that can throw a million at this type of event just to make sure they win.

Nonetheless, as the dinner went on and the time for my category came, I got my lovely colleagues to practice 'Oscar faces' with me. You know, the ones that Hollywood stars pull when they don't win but need to look like it doesn't matter? I wasn't very good at this.

They read through the nominees and there I was.

Jesus wept, I started to feel sick. No, it was more than sick. It felt like I was having a stroke or fainting, or maybe just a minor cardiac incident.

Third prize and second prize were read out. As they opened the envelope for the winner, I truly thought I was going to pass out.

And the winner is....

Yes, it was me. I'd won.

Stunned and short of words I accepted the prize, had my photo taken and amazingly, I didn't collapse.

I sat on the plane home that night, with my certificate in a frame, business cards from well-wishers in my pocket and a commitment to updating my CV in my head.

I've never really won anything like it before, never had my hard work recognised in such a public way before. It was bizarre, unnerving, fabulous and all a bit of a shock.

Finally, I know why Gwyneth Paltrow cried.

26 commentaires:

Megan McGurk a dit…

Fabulous!
Hearty congratulations!

Anonyme a dit…

Wow! Congratulations! So you're a celebrity now? ;)

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Medbh - thanks. It was all a bit odd, but good.

Marjolein - If I am a celebrity, it's only in a very very small section of industry (where I pretty much knew most people anyway) and it will only last a very short time (oh, there you go, it's over already).

Hollywood does not beckon.

Lola a dit…

Was there a swimsuit round? Did you ask for world peace? And can I have your autograph?

I'm telling all my friends, except I don't know what award it is in what industry for what achievement. But congratulations anyway.

aims a dit…

I'm with Lola on this one. Don't know what industry - what award - what achievement - but hell - I'm busting my buttons with pride for you!

I can - almost - imagine how you felt with the anticipation. I'm thinking it was something like getting a needle in my knee the other day. "There's the needle (wow it's big) - the doc's filling it with stuff(holy cow that's alot) - here it comes towards my knee(I bet this is really going to hurt) - Shit! That hurts! - Hey it's over(I think I'm going to pass out).

Sound close? (except for the hurting part of course)

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Lola, no swimsuit round. Although the very thought has made me laugh a lot. Maybe next year.

Aims, It sounds very much like the needle. I hate needles. By the time it was out of the doctor's bag I'd have passed out.

I've got to know a few doctors that way.

Anonyme a dit…

many many congrats! it's cool to be recognised for a job well done. My team and I were just nominated for an award where I work... although I'm not sure we will have the same outcome! :)

Hope you popped the champagne corks.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Hey Alan....many many champagne corks were popped.

I just hope my boss doesn't think she paid for the champagne in lieu of giving me a bonus!

Good to see you here again.

The Woman who Can a dit…

Well done you! Did you remember to thank all the people for getting you where you are now?

And having just seen your comment at Lola's, do you know how close I was to typing in 'capsule wardrobe' to see if I got here?

I'll be back soon, through conventional routes.

Eclectic Dilettante a dit…

winning something is always a great feeling. congrats!

softinthehead a dit…

Congrats to you TBNIL

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Tina, I thanked everyone, including Swearing Mother.

Please do come back - using methods conventional or otherwise....

ED - thanks. I was well chuffed as my former countrymen would say.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Hey Softy, thanks. How's the old real estate business going?

I could do with your help over here in my Parisien quest....

Swearing Mother a dit…

Fan-bloody-tastic.

I am so pleased for you.

Good practice for the Oscars!

travelling, but not in love a dit…

SM - it was good practice for any time I might be having a heart attack/stroke/synapse failure.

Not sure I could cope with this level of stress every year!

Breezy a dit…

Well done you! Whatever it is you do well you are obviously the best at it and everyone who knows about such things knows. So well done!

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Thanks Breezy. I'm dreading the fact that my photo'll be all of the industry press....

Anonyme a dit…

hey well done you, so what was the Award a cup, a piece of art etc
and more important where did y put it
Bendegdig

travelling, but not in love a dit…

VM, it was a kind of trophy made of frosted glass. Quite ugly, if truth be told.

It's soon to be languishing in the reception area at HQ in the UK. possibly the most boring spot on the whole planet....ha ha.

A Lewis a dit…

Fantastic! I'm not sure if I should spank you, kiss you, or just bow and throw money! Either way, great news.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Lewis, I find a combination of all of those works best. Let me know when you want to give it a try...!

Daryl a dit…

Belated but sincere none the less .. Congrats!

What did you do for the talent competition since 'we' know you didnt get the Ms Congeniality award .. but then neither would I ..

:-Daryl

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Daryl, I played 'don't rain on my parade' on the water glasses.

It's quite the talent....

Anonyme a dit…

Congratulations! It's singularly lovely to be recognised for one's work (if a little surreal).

tornwordo a dit…

Well good on you. Hearty congrats.

travelling, but not in love a dit…

Catherine, Tornwordo....Thanks very much for the congratulations. I'm starting to come down off my winner's high now...ha ha