2 September 2009

Back with purpose

Back from Edinburgh, as much as I enjoyed it, it’s good to be home. All those little things I missed. Lucy Meacock on Granada Reports, proper cup of tea in my own house. The kids. All the things I missed. There was a moment on the M6 at about half eleven on the way home on Monday when I thought I’d never get home, the motorway was flooded by a cloudburst making it one of the most treacherous journeys I’ve ever done, and I’ve been on the 192 night bus. I’ve often wondered what the thoughts people have as they are about to die are. Does your life flash before you? Will there be a chance to change your mind about the whole atheist thing whilst waiting in limbo for a decision on entry to Heaven? As I aquaplaned towards the central reservation my mind was firmly fixed on one thing. If I crash now and the authorities don’t recover the car until after midnight, am I in trouble? As I hurtled towards near-death I recalled that the road tax was running out on the car the next day and it would need an M.O.T. Would that make the insurance invalid? Phew, good job I didn’t crash then. On top of spinal injuries and internal bleeding the last thing I need is any more admin worries.

One of the best things about participating in the whole Edinburgh thing for me is the feeling I have towards the end that anything can be possible. The idea that with hard work, dedication and organization you can achieve great things. This notion may be for a number of reasons. Firstly if you want, you can buy into the whole “there is such a creative buzz about the City of Edinburgh for a month it kinda y’know imbues a spirit of oneness”. Bollocks. It may be that on reflection your show hasn’t really been good enough, perhaps if you had worked a bit harder, been a little more dedicated and organised then the show would have stepped up to the level you know you are capable of. Bollocks. (It may not be bollocks but I’m not admitting to that in public). It could be that when you have seen a few shows and watched open-mouthed at some of the crap that’s being offered at fifteen quid a ticket. I’ve performed solo shows in Edinburgh for the last three years and each time I have returned home not broken and sobbing like I expected to, but invigorated with a passion to do stuff. This is the first thing I’m going to do. I’m taking inspiration from two comics I admire, Richard Herring and Michael Legge. I’m attempting to blog every day. Richard’s excellent blog ‘Warming Up’ is something I enjoy reading and I like the idea that he gets going every day with it. Michael’s on the other is fast becoming one of the highlights of my day. If you don’t read it, you should. If you do, you know why I like it.