The rise of Star William Francis

Random Act of Kindness No.42 – Offer some handy advice to a tourist.

In recent times, I have become a real believer in fate, kismet, serendipity or whatever one may call it. And today really supported my new found faith in fate.

As you are all aware, I am not in London at the moment. University has wound down for Easter, and I go to Australia on Saturday, therefore, spending some quality time with my rents, and the bros before I go. I was therefore slightly concerned about todays RAOK. Not many tourists pass through my quiet village. I thought I would venture into Stratford-Upon-Avon and help out the thousands or tourists that flood the apparent ‘world-class’ town.

But as luck would have it, whilst I tucked into my bacon, egg, and black pudding sandwhich, someone came onto the drive and knocked on the door. I wasn’t going to budge, as the likely hood is it won’t be for me and be for one of my older brothers. But as the youngest, there are some things you just have to do. All my older brothers sat around the table looking at me waiting for me to get up and go. And well, of course I did.

I held the dogs back and opened the door. “Hello hello”.

“Oh hello, sorry to bother you on a Sunday morning but do you know where corner croft is?”

Hang on. Let me think about this. “so, as you asked me where this place is you don’t know right?”

“yeeees”

“Right, so I could call you a tourist as you are visiting the area, right?”

“ermmmm, yes I suppose”

“Crackin’, yeah I know where it is” I proceeded to give him a blow by blow description of where it is. Told him about all the potholes in the road, and the good spots to stop to get a good view. Corner croft is only 2 minutes away in a car but still. I thought I would do my best at offering some handy advice to a ‘tourist’.

“You’re a star. Thank you so much”

A star? I only told you where a house is, where two potholes in the road are, and one viewing point on the way, but hey I will accept that. Star William Francis. That has a nice ring to it, I like it.

Awesome. RAOK No. 42 complete. I am nearly at half a century. What can I do to celebrate making it that far? Hmmm.

My man Darren...or Tom

ROAK NO.8 – Do a chore at work that someone else usually has to do.

Now those who know me know I don’t have a job. Therefore, today’s RAOK would be difficult to complete.

I started off my day thinking I would do random chores around the house that need doing; like the washing and drying up. I had planned on cleaning the bathroom and vacuuming through the house, however, those activities are benefiting no one other than my housemates and myself.

I needed to re-think.

I am in the process of finding a internship and we had a talk at my University from a man called Ed Baxter. He works at ResonanceFm, which is a local radio station in South-East London specialising in pre-vinyl relics to dubstep, from folk to feedback and beyond. The radio station is a work of art itself. Ed suggested anyone wanting an internship should e-mail him. I decided to just go along to the radio station and show my face and see what happens.

I hopped onto my bicycle and cycled off to Borough. After half an hour searching for the radio station I thought the whole thing was a myth. No one in the area knew where it was, I asked in the library, the tube station, the local newsagents, Costa, and a man standing on the street corner working for Amnesty International. No one knew where it was.

Whilst I was talking to the Amnesty International man he asked me to sign up so they could get in contact with me. As a worthwhile cause I did. We chatted about the weather both complaining that it was cold and we needed some gloves. This sprung an idea in my head.

Let’s adapt RAOK No. 8.

RAOK No. 8 – Buy a pair of gloves for someone looking cold on the street.

Now then, whilst looking for a shop selling gloves I found Resonance. Result!

I stood at the gate buzzing on the buzzer trying to get some response. There was nothing. I contemplated jumping the gates, however, this wouldn’t have helped my quest in getting an internship if I had been caught jumping their gates.

I found the telephone number, and called them informing them I am standing at their gates trying to get in. After much to-do I was finally buzzed in. I met a guy called Richard who told me Ed wasn’t in today but I could speak to Chris, who, guess what, had gone out for lunch. He suggested I came back in half an hour.

So I left the studios and decided to find a shop selling gloves. I found a shop and bought myself a pair of gloves and also a pair for the Amnesty International man, who I am going to call Darren.

I walked around the London Bridge area trying to find Darren. I did find him, and I gave him the gloves. I think he was quite shocked to start off with and didn’t know whether I was joking or whether I wanted him to pay me back. I assured him I didn’t want anything in return. I did, however, do a bit more shameless promotion and told him about my blog. He was very pleased with his gloves and slipped them on. I hope they kept his hands a bit warmer this afternoon.

So, Darren, if you do have a look on here, let me know your real name!! I hope it is Darren though.