I never used to like Bruce Springsteen. Actually, to tell you the truth, until I was about thirteen I thought he and Sylvester Stallone were the same person, and once I found out they weren’t I still thought they were both kind of intimidating and mainly for boys.

These days I am more or less indifferent to Sylvester Stallone, but I have discovered a late-burgeoning love for The Boss. So much so that I might even go and see him when he comes to the UK next year, and if he does I hope I will see Alex there. Alex and I have known each other since we were teenagers and shared some times that, now I think about them, were pretty special and formative. I don’t see her very often these days but it’s always loads of fun when I do, and then I remember how sweet and funny she is and I wonder why I don’t see her more often.

So happy Christmas, Alex, and I hope to see more of you in 2012. We’ll make a date for Springsteen, shall we?