Friday 15 May 2015

Here’s looking at me kid…


Another me popped up on Facebook last night.

I almost recognised him; he was almost me. Even though he was dressed as an Egyptian dilettante with underworld connections. Yes, I was mysterious back then and my name was Mr Cairo.

That fake tan streaked and took weeks to wash off. Of course it was the eighties so it didn't matter, everyone was orange back then and I was at a big house in Edgbaston, a place I really had no right to be, but my chum Paul took pity on me and got me invited to the best murder party I have ever been to. When I turned up it was raining, but only above the door of the lovely house courtesy of a hosepipe. So theatrical… It has stuck with me all these years.

The party was great. I had no idea who dunnit, or where, or with what, 
but as I wandered around the house trying to lose my wife of the time so I could enjoy myself (cast as a nanny, much to her annoyance) I had a thought… There was more to life than I realised.


Just who was that masked man in the fez? You can't see his mask but it was clearly there. I don't know even now. What was I playing at and just how had I got to who and where I was back then?

Life is a mystery, as Toyah Wilcox almost said.

Anyway, that party was a turning point for me. For some strange reason I realised that I was meant to do more than drink mild and bitter and eat curry on a Saturday night. Mr Cairo slowly became El Grosso Fez, thanks to my buddy Glyn, and he has been my alter ego for all these years in-between and one who, at times, I have had to moderate.

Looking at these images of the past is like watching an old silent movie. I remember how I felt generally, the fun I had, my annoyance that my fun was limited, but I can't hear the words or remember all the characters so it doesn't help me to understand the story. Oh well, I guess I was lucky to have the chance to be there in the first place.

Strange how, on the flip of a coin (ffffflip) a whole world can change. Life is chance, death is chance, chance is chance, it is all chance...

That was the night when I believe I became aspirational, inspirational, a chameleon, comedian, Corinthian and a caricature – or some such nonsense. From council house kid to a surrealist dreamer all in the space of a single fantastic fireworky night.

Of course, it took me a while, far longer than it should, to grow into my new skin - there was baggage to lose all along the way - but eventually I made it I think.

So today I’m not sitting at the Blue Parrot sucking away at my hookah, nor am I about to board the Orient Express. But that night changed me and made me into a different person and for that I will be eternally grateful to almost all of the people involved that night. I’m pleased to have the pictures to remember me by (thanks Paul) and I will keep them here for all time. They make a difference and made me different.

And as El Grosso Fez always says (even when I try to shut him the fuck up), ‘Here’s looking at me kid.’




15 comments:

  1. David West-Mullen on FB
    Reminds me of the party we had at our flat in Erdington when you came in similar garb...

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    Replies
    1. Andrew Height
      I just couldn't help it David. I am El Grosso Fez. Cocktail party I remember.

      Delete
  2. Paul Whitehouse on FB
    Gosh Andrew Height I had no idea that the Murder Party at Antony Waller's would have such a profound effect on you. I have to agree for me too, it remains possibly the best party/night out I've ever had.... And god knows there were many others which Antony hosted (with panache) at his parents' wonderful Edgbaston home.
    There is more than one interesting parallel here though...I went to school with Antony but only properly got to know him and his amazingly arty, talented family during sixth form days. But that period of time was a defining moment for me, I came, a lonely, only-child from the most banal and duller than dull background with very controlling parents then boom! suddenly I was catapulted into this incredible world of massively creative and wonderfully warm, tolerant people. I was in awe, and sorry to say a bit of a pain in the arse, as this became a drug I just couldn't get enough of. I was exposed to a world I never knew existed before ...incredible surroundings ( you should have seen the cellar it was bigger than my parents' entire house) tolerant, artistic, inclusive parents and two very creative sisters. There were things hanging on the walls worthy of any art gallery. Antony's mum Irene, who he sadly lost this week, was a tremendously talented fine artist and textile artist. They didn't know it of course, but these people shaped my future, Albeit a spoonful, I tasted a life that I was determined to have a further slice of in later years, and to an extent I have achieved it. I have Antony to thank for this and for helping me to develop enough creativity to give me a rewarding career in design and marketing. Let us never forget though Andrew that whilst Antony and his family imbued me with a creative gene, you gave me a personality and for these two things I will be forever grateful to you both.

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    1. Sharon Taylor on FB
      Paul Whitehouse what wonderful words, you sound like you had it in you anyway, just needed something to bring it out?x

      Delete
  3. Paul Whitehouse
    Thanks Sharon !

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    Replies
    1. Andrew Height
      That party was important. I went on to host a number of my own in my house in Hale and whilst they were very successful, they were only an imitation of that night. How I envied you that particular group of friends Paul - young, smart, privileged, carefree. I seemed to have so many cares compared to them (my own fault, I made my own bed). As for me forming your personality? well, I don't want to take all the blame. You were a glittering star that just needed a little encouragement. Usually at that time I would have made an enemy of you simply because I could, you were always my friend. Of course we worked in an all male environment and were all of a similar age, we fed off each other and I for one am the product of that hothouse of young male hormones wink emoticon Anyway, if I did help to shape who you have become a little then I think I did a pretty good job.

      Delete
  4. Cloe Fyne on FB
    Fabulous pictures!! And look at the size of that tv! Lol smile emoticon x

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    1. Andrew Height
      That was a big TV back then. What a night.

      Delete
  5. Andrew Height
    See that pensive pose. Even then, and after that night, I was planning my escape. I just wish it had not of taken so long. Still planning by the way wink emoticon Grass is always greener...

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  6. Neil Barrett on FB
    I like looking at photos from the olden days.

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    Replies
    1. Andrew Height
      Me too Neil. Proper photos too, on film.

      Delete
  7. Andrew Height
    Now that is a cool me.

    Paul Whitehouse
    Very.

    Andrew Height
    And i am loving that tv.

    Neil Barrett
    Quite impressed

    Neil Barrett
    What on your head?

    Andrew Height
    We were all cool in the eighties in Birmingham Neil. Simon Let Bon used to buy me beers and was grateful to do it.

    Andrew Height
    A fez Neil. I borrowed it from my mate Tommy.

    Fraser Stewart
    The new Eton team.

    Andrew Height
    Ha ha Fraser, yes I thought that when I saw it. I went to Harrow by the way.

    Fraser Stewart
    I went to Bellshill Academy. Take the Z coordinate from Heaven and Bellshill Academy's at the bottom.

    Andrew Height
    It was only a day trip.

    Fraser Stewart
    Keep quiet about that. You might get the leadership of the Lib Dem.

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  8. On the photo with Antony Waller the host...

    Andrew Height
    God, Paul. Remember the 'rain' as we turned up?

    Paul Whitehouse
    Yeah that was a nice touch by Antony Waller... ! Nice piece of theatre.

    Andrew Height
    What is he up to now?

    Paul Whitehouse
    He's a dance-animateur I believe.

    Antony Waller
    aaaargh! A thin person with hair!!!!

    Andrew Height
    What the hell is that?

    Andrew Height
    Ho Antony. I hope I find you in excellent condition like the racehorfe you always were.

    Andrew Height
    Just looked up dance-animateur, so now I know.

    Antony Waller
    Gods know's what that is, it was the 80s, there were many strange things, many being re-visited in politics as we speak. But in my case, I seem to remember there was a mullet involved as well, all terminally embarrasing.

    Jane Armitage
    Who's that with Dudley Moore

    Antony Waller
    Its not Dud. Its Mr Cairo, silly!

    Andrew Height
    You were far too tall Antony, and that is El Grosso Fez.

    Antony Waller
    Ok. my memory's not what it was- its the recent trauma- who was Mr Cairo then?

    Andrew Height
    The name I was given for the evening. Later that year I morphed into El Grosso Fez and have been him ever since. He's a master detective although unfortunately my novel remains unfinished. Best party I ever went to, apart from the ones I went on to hold in my house in Hale wink emoticon

    Sarah Waller
    It was a very good party, wasn't it? I do remember the pretend rain storm provided by my dads hosepipe over the front porch created a sheet of ice outside the front door that made everyone fall over before they got into the party, an excellent start to the evening!

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  9. On the photo of me with Jayne...

    Andrew Height
    Paul, I am loving that at every level. Thanks my friend.

    Paul Whitehouse
    Looking quite debonair Mr H.

    Andrew Height
    No idea what that glove is about. Jayne looks hot though wink emoticon

    Andrew Height
    El Grosso Fez - my alter ego. I'd forgotten about the cane

    Paul Whitehouse
    Of course now I remember El Grosso Fez it was indeed, Andrew ...maybe the glove was hiding a prosthesis ? Or maybe it was just an homage to Alvin Stardust!

    Andrew Height
    It was pre Wacko Jacko. He stole my idea

    Andrew Height
    She wasn't your wife then anyway Paul.

    Paul Whitehouse
    You are quite right about that ! You had your chance....but hey???

    Andrew Height
    Stop.

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  10. On the photo of the French maid...

    Andrew Height
    What was her name?

    Paul Whitehouse
    Maxine ....no rude comments pls her husband is a FB friend !

    Andrew Height
    I remember now. Lovely lady. Happy days.

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