And the winner is. . .

So I know I just posted yesterday, but I had an experience last night that I had to share.  Our group had our end of term send off party last night at a great little Italian place just a couple blocks from school.  There was wine, pizza, pasta and good conversation.  Everyone was a little sentimental as we all knew that out time was wrapping up.  The meal ended about 830 and a group of us decided to head down the Metropolitan line to Harrow on the Hill.  A bar called Yates was holding a karoake contest, and I have never been one to pass up an opportunity of making a fool out of myself, so off I went.

When we got to the bar I found out that they were having some kind of contest called Y-Factor (American Idol is called X-Factor over here so I assume that it had something to do with that.)  The grand prize was £500 and studio time.  Now I am not what you would call a "singer" by any means, more of a melodic shouter, but I thought, what the hell?  Why not enter?  At least I know I will get to sing that way.  The first three people were actual singers.  I think they were hoping that Simon Cowell was in the audience.  No such luck.  The first few songs were karoake standards "The Greatest Love of All"  "You are beautiful" etc.  Then came my turn.  I pulled out my standard gem "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns n' Roses.  Needless to say I changed things up a bit.  It wasn't the best perfomance I've ever done but it wasn't too bad either.  Like I said before I am not really a "singer" but what I lack in talent I more than make up for in enthusiasm.  I did the Axl Rose Serpentine dance.  I got down on my na-na-na-na knees knees, pulled out all the theatrical stops.  When I was finished everyone in the AHA group roared their approval while the rest of the people didn't know what to think.  After that there were a few more singers, all of them serious. 

After a few minutes they announced the 3 finalists who would sing again to determine who goes on to the final competition.  I wasn't one of the lucky three.  But this is not the end of our hero, oh no.  After the final three performed the judges went and conferred for a bit and then came back to announce their decision.

"We chose 3 people tonight and gave them another chance to impress us.  Only one of them did."  They were referring to the best of the three who did a really good version of the 4 Non-Blondes.  I think her name was Karen or something, but she was given one of the 2 final spots. "However what we really wanted tonight was a unique performance, so with that in mind we will have to award the last spot in the finals to. . . Chris!!!"  Oh my God!  I had won. . . sort of, and without having to sing another song, which was probably a good thing as I had chosen "Open Arms" by Journey.  That probably would have been a little too mellow and technical for me to wow anyone.

Anyways back to my victory. I was called up to the dj booth to register for the finals which, much to my chagrin, were to be held on Dec 14th a full three weeks after I fly back home.  I told the judges I was honored but I had to forfeit my victory.  I was a little disappointed but I doubt I would have won anyways.  It was just an honor to be nominated.

On the plus side I can now truthfully refer to myself as "Chris Dawson-Ripley: International Award Winner"

I think that will go nicely with my newly aquired royal title.

There is a rumour that some one from school snapped a few photos and I will post them as soon as I can.  Right now I have to get ready for my midnight bus to Newcastle.