The thing I really hate about living here is the lack of parking. With nowhere else at all to park, I had to PAY for parking outside the house. This niggled me a lot.
Sorted public liability insurance for my forthcoming show, and then took Mum shopping again (yes, I know) because she's just so down. Got some writing done on my new laptop whilst waiting in Asda car park, at least.
Lovely drum lesson with one of my regulars in the evening, followed by a long writing session around A's, as she just waited patiently for me. She gets it.
Thursday, 31 May 2018
Tuesday 29th May 2018
Need to write this new show. The show I did on Sunday around Josie's was a mix of old and new stuff - it was nice to drip-feed old content in, but structurally it needs to be a whole new hour.
Took Mum shopping today, whilst working out the show in a notepad. Also got a haircut and I now look like a child.
Mum seems stressed, and lonely. I'm stressed because I have two shows to write this week and I'm running out of time.
Evening taught one lesson to one of my very fun regulars, and then had a mini fringe reunion with Claudia, Marcel, Jo and Meg which was nice.
Took Mum shopping today, whilst working out the show in a notepad. Also got a haircut and I now look like a child.
Mum seems stressed, and lonely. I'm stressed because I have two shows to write this week and I'm running out of time.
Evening taught one lesson to one of my very fun regulars, and then had a mini fringe reunion with Claudia, Marcel, Jo and Meg which was nice.
Monday 28th May 2018
Half-term...the fact I am so excited about this suggests that maybe I am a proper teacher now? Uh oh!
More excited about the sleep, though, in all honesty.
Slept well after last night's absolute cracker of a show, and then spent the morning working on fringe admin - the blurb for 7 different productions, complete with images, can get quite confusing so it ended up taking about 4 hours.
Over to Claire's to teach her boy how to drum, and then another lesson with one of my newer weekly regulars. I thought Bank Holiday Monday is time of rest?
And my car key fell apart in my hand.
At least the evening was relaxing enough; A and I hosted a barbecue and were joined by Vix, Adam, Rob and Alison. Great times and late drunken chats ensued.
More excited about the sleep, though, in all honesty.
Slept well after last night's absolute cracker of a show, and then spent the morning working on fringe admin - the blurb for 7 different productions, complete with images, can get quite confusing so it ended up taking about 4 hours.
Over to Claire's to teach her boy how to drum, and then another lesson with one of my newer weekly regulars. I thought Bank Holiday Monday is time of rest?
And my car key fell apart in my hand.
At least the evening was relaxing enough; A and I hosted a barbecue and were joined by Vix, Adam, Rob and Alison. Great times and late drunken chats ensued.
Monday, 28 May 2018
Sunday 27th May 2018
After a somewhat gruelling schedule over the last couple of weeks, it was nice to sleep in for 10 hours today - it was totally what I needed.
Over to Kettering to meet some of A's friends for a nice Sunday lunch, and then we quickly visited my mum on the way back as she's having a tough time at the moment (all it took was for A to play with the dog a bit though and all was fine).
Then off to do a private house show of new and old material at Josie's house. Bit of a mish-mash of stuff that I'm trying out for the first time and stuff that I know totally works - amazing audience who loved every second of it. Show lasted 80 minutes without stopping and could have gone on for longer, they were just totally onside and suddenly I feel all cocky about my comedy stuff again. It's gonna be a good fringe.
Over to Kettering to meet some of A's friends for a nice Sunday lunch, and then we quickly visited my mum on the way back as she's having a tough time at the moment (all it took was for A to play with the dog a bit though and all was fine).
Then off to do a private house show of new and old material at Josie's house. Bit of a mish-mash of stuff that I'm trying out for the first time and stuff that I know totally works - amazing audience who loved every second of it. Show lasted 80 minutes without stopping and could have gone on for longer, they were just totally onside and suddenly I feel all cocky about my comedy stuff again. It's gonna be a good fringe.
Sunday, 27 May 2018
Saturday 26th May 2018
I know I say this everytime, but I really, really enjoy my Saturday lessons. Vivienne and her kid are both great students, and then over to Swaffham to teach Stu (and generally hang around for another 45 minutes chatting comedy afterwards). Just such a nice way to earn money.
Got back and spent 2 hours doing admin for the Comedians Learning How to Drum show - I've got about 30 acts confirmed now, and then a nice pub gig with Claudia. Trio show tonight as Edd wasn't about, but we played really well tonight, it was a fun one.
Got back and spent 2 hours doing admin for the Comedians Learning How to Drum show - I've got about 30 acts confirmed now, and then a nice pub gig with Claudia. Trio show tonight as Edd wasn't about, but we played really well tonight, it was a fun one.
Friday 25th May 2018
Technically half-term, as most of the schools I teach in have teacher training day and as a freelance/external teacher this doesn't apply to me. Used the time wisely by sleeping, and then had a production meeting at the ADC.
Did a bit of writing ahead of Sunday evening's new material show and had a stressed lunch with A - stressed because I've got so much to do and so little time. She calmed me down well, she's a keeper.
Evening played a nice gig with FH in Royston, hot and sweaty, I totally screwed up the first song which is worrying as we've been playing it for 7 years but Gaf totally saved me - as a rhythm section we totally look after each other. Good gig all the same.
Did a bit of writing ahead of Sunday evening's new material show and had a stressed lunch with A - stressed because I've got so much to do and so little time. She calmed me down well, she's a keeper.
Evening played a nice gig with FH in Royston, hot and sweaty, I totally screwed up the first song which is worrying as we've been playing it for 7 years but Gaf totally saved me - as a rhythm section we totally look after each other. Good gig all the same.
Thursday 24th May 2018
37. Ugggh. I couldn't imagine ever being this old. Still; this time last year I was bumbling around, single, living in Soham, scraping a living out of freelancing in a marketing role I didn't understand, touring my shows to nobody...this year I'm living in a more central place, have an amazing girlfriend, have financial security with all this teaching, won an award for a comedy thing I did and genuine industry interest for two of my shows. I'm in quite a good place right now, even if I'm too tired to appreciate it.
A got me some amazing presents, especially the Boomwhackers, which will be a big part of my Edinburgh show this year.
Had a nice day teaching assisting, spent 2 more hours in the gym there and they gave me a nice cake.
Evening, A and I went to my mum's house for my traditional birthday dinner and a nice time was had by all. 37 isn't so bad, so far.
A got me some amazing presents, especially the Boomwhackers, which will be a big part of my Edinburgh show this year.
Had a nice day teaching assisting, spent 2 more hours in the gym there and they gave me a nice cake.
Evening, A and I went to my mum's house for my traditional birthday dinner and a nice time was had by all. 37 isn't so bad, so far.
Wednesday 23rd May 2018
It's basically all teaching, my life at the moment, isn't it? And invoicing for all of it. Oh, and 112 fringe performances coming up which is basically a lot of admin.
Taught at both schools in St Ives, then quickly took Mum shopping (in which I was "worryingly tired") and then over to the college in Cambridge, where I had a great time as ever (as before - if I could just work more hours there, I'd drop so much other stuff). Finally, a nice hour with one of my regular students.
Got back, found out we have funding for Little Sparks, which is amazing and makes life a LOT easier, and fell asleep on A's sofa.
Taught at both schools in St Ives, then quickly took Mum shopping (in which I was "worryingly tired") and then over to the college in Cambridge, where I had a great time as ever (as before - if I could just work more hours there, I'd drop so much other stuff). Finally, a nice hour with one of my regular students.
Got back, found out we have funding for Little Sparks, which is amazing and makes life a LOT easier, and fell asleep on A's sofa.
Tuesday 22nd May 2018
Another long-ish day of teaching assistant, but I quite enjoy it there really - I get to go to the gym, I feel like I'm keeping fit doing this job if anything else. I never thought I'd be a gym person, but it's totally happening.
From there I drove over to Bottisham to teach drums for an hour, and then over to Cambridge for a first lesson with a brand new student, who was really cool and I know this will be easy.
Ended the evening at the beer festival, which was very nice, especially the cheesy chips. The beer was okay, too.
From there I drove over to Bottisham to teach drums for an hour, and then over to Cambridge for a first lesson with a brand new student, who was really cool and I know this will be easy.
Ended the evening at the beer festival, which was very nice, especially the cheesy chips. The beer was okay, too.
Monday 21st May 2018
My to-do list is getting longer and longer and it feels like more stuff is being added without anything being ticked off.
Long half-ish day of teaching assisting, got back and made various posters for various shows I'm working on a the moment.
Popped out and bought a new laptop as my old one (which has served me very well over the years) has steam coming out of it. Then spent a majority of the evening transferring stuff over to the new one, marvelling at how fast it is. This will make life a lot easier.
Long half-ish day of teaching assisting, got back and made various posters for various shows I'm working on a the moment.
Popped out and bought a new laptop as my old one (which has served me very well over the years) has steam coming out of it. Then spent a majority of the evening transferring stuff over to the new one, marvelling at how fast it is. This will make life a lot easier.
Monday, 21 May 2018
Sunday 20th May 2018
Probably need to drink less; that was two heavy nights in a row and my ageing body can't cope with this as well as it used to.
5 hour trip home, rest for 2 hours, made a massive to-list of all the things I need to this week (so many things) and then over to watch the Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra - A is on viola for them, it was a joy to watch, inspiring actually.
Got home, plan was to crack on with things but apart from agree to a couple of Christmas shows, achieved little but fell asleep.
5 hour trip home, rest for 2 hours, made a massive to-list of all the things I need to this week (so many things) and then over to watch the Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra - A is on viola for them, it was a joy to watch, inspiring actually.
Got home, plan was to crack on with things but apart from agree to a couple of Christmas shows, achieved little but fell asleep.
Saturday 19th May 2018
Up late-ish (10am) and then a short trip over to Birmingham to perform a very enjoyable and very relaxed radio session - we were really good there, you could just feel us working.
Then over to Wales for what was one of the more baffling gigs of recent times. A gig in a castle, a castle we played at last year and did very well, but then it clashed with a school prom - so any of our fans who purchased tickets were told the gig was cancelled. We didn't agree with that, so everyone who had their refunds were suddenly offered free tickets to the show, on the understanding that it may be a bit weird as they're effectively gatecrashing a school leaving party. As a result, only a handful of them actually turned up, but they ended up being the only audience as the prom kids didn't want to come in and watch an original band they'd never heard of. In the end we ended up playing a huge venue to about 20 people and, given the somewhat fragile nature of this band, we argued during the interval (partly my fault, but I was questioning why I wasn't getting paid for this) and V cried onstage. We got through it, but the whole thing was a bit of a fuck up, in the middle of nowhere.
Venue felt guilty and gave us a case of lager, which V, Adam and myself took drank in the room as Gaf slept (before waking up and breaking the blinds). All friends again now. Really lovely to catch up again with Adam over the last few days, an amazing musician and a good friend who I don't see enough of - we drank till the late and plotted a fringe show...
Then over to Wales for what was one of the more baffling gigs of recent times. A gig in a castle, a castle we played at last year and did very well, but then it clashed with a school prom - so any of our fans who purchased tickets were told the gig was cancelled. We didn't agree with that, so everyone who had their refunds were suddenly offered free tickets to the show, on the understanding that it may be a bit weird as they're effectively gatecrashing a school leaving party. As a result, only a handful of them actually turned up, but they ended up being the only audience as the prom kids didn't want to come in and watch an original band they'd never heard of. In the end we ended up playing a huge venue to about 20 people and, given the somewhat fragile nature of this band, we argued during the interval (partly my fault, but I was questioning why I wasn't getting paid for this) and V cried onstage. We got through it, but the whole thing was a bit of a fuck up, in the middle of nowhere.
Venue felt guilty and gave us a case of lager, which V, Adam and myself took drank in the room as Gaf slept (before waking up and breaking the blinds). All friends again now. Really lovely to catch up again with Adam over the last few days, an amazing musician and a good friend who I don't see enough of - we drank till the late and plotted a fringe show...
Friday 18th May 2018
Back to being a proper drum teacher - one school in St Neots for 6 students, one in St Ives for 3, and then another in St Ives for another 7. Once all of the madness of the fringe is over (which is looking to be a very expensive Edinburgh this year), I reckon I can survive on this teaching lark and go back to being a proper arty weirdo again.
Quickly took Mum shopping, then got angry and frustrated by the traffic on the A14, and then met up with the band for this evening's show in Coventry. Sold out, sweaty show, not sure why but we weren't quite on it tonight - maybe because our food was delayed so we felt bloated as we went onstage? Either way, to me it felt flat. A review was posted literally hours online later by a respectable publication hailing it as one of our best shows, so what do I know?
Got back to the hotel and drank beers with V and our guest guitarist Adam (an old pal of mine) till the early hours.
Quickly took Mum shopping, then got angry and frustrated by the traffic on the A14, and then met up with the band for this evening's show in Coventry. Sold out, sweaty show, not sure why but we weren't quite on it tonight - maybe because our food was delayed so we felt bloated as we went onstage? Either way, to me it felt flat. A review was posted literally hours online later by a respectable publication hailing it as one of our best shows, so what do I know?
Got back to the hotel and drank beers with V and our guest guitarist Adam (an old pal of mine) till the early hours.
Thursday 17th May 2018
I didn't like the TA stuff today (my third and final day of the week there), just felt like myself and the fellow TA's weren't on the same side at times. Later got a text from the boss out of the blue telling me how great I'm doing there, which suggests they may have picked up on my discontent.
From there I taught three different private lessons, in three different locations, and then a 2 hour gig with Claudia. I went into that tired but, as always, had a great time.
Got back was up till 2am writing the press release for Little Sparks, because the deadline is tomorrow and I'm about to go on tour. I NEED MORE HOURS IN THE DAY.
From there I taught three different private lessons, in three different locations, and then a 2 hour gig with Claudia. I went into that tired but, as always, had a great time.
Got back was up till 2am writing the press release for Little Sparks, because the deadline is tomorrow and I'm about to go on tour. I NEED MORE HOURS IN THE DAY.
Wednesday 16th May 2018
Due to exams at the school I normally teach drums at, I was supposed to have a day off - but instead went in and did a day of teaching assisting at the regular place to make up the time as I wasn't in on Monday.
From there I dashed over to Cambridge to teach at the international college (a total joy as always - I basically just want to work there all the time, we're just all on the same page) and then 2 hours of teaching with 2 of my regulars.
13 hour working day today...new show opens at the end of this month. Need to write it.
From there I dashed over to Cambridge to teach at the international college (a total joy as always - I basically just want to work there all the time, we're just all on the same page) and then 2 hours of teaching with 2 of my regulars.
13 hour working day today...new show opens at the end of this month. Need to write it.
Tuesday 15th May 2018
I hate not having a car. Up super early, A gave me a lift to Cambridge station, I got a train, and then had to walk 20 minutes just to get into work for the teaching assistant stuff. Everyone there was very lovely today, it was fine, but I was clearly niggled by having to rely on public transport. If only for one day.
Got a train to Ely, then a cab to the garage and picked up my car...the repairs were basically the same amount as the car cost me.
Niggled, I drove to A's, picked her up, and then off to Shepreth for my regular monthly night there. What started off being a bit of a weird one (I accidentally booked a racist comedian, he was on early, luckily, before some of the audience had arrived) turned into a really, really lovely show - all of the acts (apart from the racist one, obviously) were superb, I tried out some new bits that really worked and I drove home just generally really happy that creatively I'm in quite a good place at the moment.
Got a train to Ely, then a cab to the garage and picked up my car...the repairs were basically the same amount as the car cost me.
Niggled, I drove to A's, picked her up, and then off to Shepreth for my regular monthly night there. What started off being a bit of a weird one (I accidentally booked a racist comedian, he was on early, luckily, before some of the audience had arrived) turned into a really, really lovely show - all of the acts (apart from the racist one, obviously) were superb, I tried out some new bits that really worked and I drove home just generally really happy that creatively I'm in quite a good place at the moment.
Monday 14th May 2018
It's amazing, yet worrying how much I a) rely on the car and b) rely on a certain garage that is out in the middle of nowhere.
Managed to drive it over to them, despite the fact there's barely any steering, and the trip was one of the scariest trips of my life...seriously, I had to plan when to turn corners so far in advanced it was a miracle I didn't crash.
Got there, they told the problem was a lot worse than I thought and I couldn't drive the car away...had to walk 2 miles to the nearest bus stop, and then an hour bus to Cambridge to pick up some more stuff, and then a 6 mile walk to A's house where I'm camped for the next couple of days. And then an another half an hour walk to my lesson. Literally spent the whole day walking, it was beyond frustrating. Probably need a new car at some point.
Managed to drive it over to them, despite the fact there's barely any steering, and the trip was one of the scariest trips of my life...seriously, I had to plan when to turn corners so far in advanced it was a miracle I didn't crash.
Got there, they told the problem was a lot worse than I thought and I couldn't drive the car away...had to walk 2 miles to the nearest bus stop, and then an hour bus to Cambridge to pick up some more stuff, and then a 6 mile walk to A's house where I'm camped for the next couple of days. And then an another half an hour walk to my lesson. Literally spent the whole day walking, it was beyond frustrating. Probably need a new car at some point.
Sunday 13th May 2018
I mean, it really shouldn't take my car breaking down for me to realise that I have totally the best girlfriend in the world, but she ferried me around today, picking up clothes from mine etc and tried in vein to help find me a garage that was actually open on a Sunday.
There wasn't one, but we had a nice day anyway having a nice lunch, and then me frantically writing into a notepad with more show ideas. This could get dangerous, the amount of stuff I want to do. What's even more dangerous is the fact that everyone lets me do it - I have so many shows heading to Edinburgh this year. So many shows, that I haven't finished writing yet.
There wasn't one, but we had a nice day anyway having a nice lunch, and then me frantically writing into a notepad with more show ideas. This could get dangerous, the amount of stuff I want to do. What's even more dangerous is the fact that everyone lets me do it - I have so many shows heading to Edinburgh this year. So many shows, that I haven't finished writing yet.
Sunday, 13 May 2018
Saturday 12th May 2018
Morning lesson with one of my regulars was great (a double lesson) and then my trusty Volvo broke down on the way to my next lesson. Was left stranded for about an hour in the middle of nowhere, and then the nice man from the AA came to have a look at it for me.
We managed to get my car (at limping speed) back to A's, will try and get it fixed tomorrow. That car has been great to me recently, bit annoyed this happened - it cost me an afternoon of work if anything else. I'm rubbish without a car.
This also made me late for the band gig, but Lachy kindly picked me up from A's and then Gaf drove us all up to Corby. Odd venue - half library, half art gallery, at the top of a multi-story carpark. Played well, big encore, were treated very well with nice food, no complaints.
We managed to get my car (at limping speed) back to A's, will try and get it fixed tomorrow. That car has been great to me recently, bit annoyed this happened - it cost me an afternoon of work if anything else. I'm rubbish without a car.
This also made me late for the band gig, but Lachy kindly picked me up from A's and then Gaf drove us all up to Corby. Odd venue - half library, half art gallery, at the top of a multi-story carpark. Played well, big encore, were treated very well with nice food, no complaints.
Friday 11th May 2018
A sad day - went to the funeral of an old friend. I never saw as much of him as I should have done when he was alive, but he was a top chap and it was a beautiful, if tough to accept, ceremony.
From there I dashed back to Cambridge and then off to London to catch up with Matt. The original plan was that we were to play a gig together, but that fell through but I still met up with him for beers anyway. A fun night, a nice end to a busy and at times complicated week.
From there I dashed back to Cambridge and then off to London to catch up with Matt. The original plan was that we were to play a gig together, but that fell through but I still met up with him for beers anyway. A fun night, a nice end to a busy and at times complicated week.
Thursday 10th May 2018
A lovely, frantic sort of day, even if the heat is making my face more of a mess than normal. Teaching assistant stuff was fine, got to read a book about Spurs and play badminton. I'm surprisingly good at it, and it's really good for my back which seems to be struggling from years of bad posture at the drum kit.
Great drum lesson with one of my regulars in Cambridge, and then over to Cottenham for another one. Back home by 9pm, long day but managed to get a couple hours of writing done in the evening.
Great drum lesson with one of my regulars in Cambridge, and then over to Cottenham for another one. Back home by 9pm, long day but managed to get a couple hours of writing done in the evening.
Wednesday 9th May 2018
I'll be 37 later this month. Just realised that.
Teaching drums at the school in the morning was great, the students on good form. Took Mum shopping and then off to Cambridge to teach there for a bit.
My two evening students cancelled (one due to an electrical fault in the studio, the other one due to an illness) which gave me an unexpected night off. The plan was to write my solo show for Edinburgh, building on the two notepads' worth of words I have for it already, but I just ended up spending an evening working on show admin. There's so much of it, I was working till 1am. I need more creative time!
Teaching drums at the school in the morning was great, the students on good form. Took Mum shopping and then off to Cambridge to teach there for a bit.
My two evening students cancelled (one due to an electrical fault in the studio, the other one due to an illness) which gave me an unexpected night off. The plan was to write my solo show for Edinburgh, building on the two notepads' worth of words I have for it already, but I just ended up spending an evening working on show admin. There's so much of it, I was working till 1am. I need more creative time!
Tuesday 8th May 2018
Back at the college for another shift of teaching assistant work and not as bad as last week - I can feel that I'm starting to build a bit of a bond now with the students I teach, I understand them better and they seem more confident around me. As a school though it's quite an intimidating place...
Then over to Bottisham to teach one of my regulars, and then back to Cambridge. The weather is too hot, for both me and my car. Roll on winter.
Then over to Bottisham to teach one of my regulars, and then back to Cambridge. The weather is too hot, for both me and my car. Roll on winter.
Monday, 7 May 2018
Monday 7th May 2018
So hot. It's too hot out there. Barely slept, and not in a naughty way.
Still, we found time to go to the seaside for a bit, but, as it's a bank holiday, it took us over an hour to even get into the carpark. A is cool, she's putting up with my tentative ways at the moment; there's a lot going through my mind right now.
The shows are getting closer - I now only have 2 free evenings until the fringe and they'll be booked up with previews.
Itching to tour, everything has gotten a bit routine recently.
Got back from the seaside and straight into a Little Sparks rehearsal. Actually the first one with the full team now that Steph is back from her travels. We were all a little hot and drained tonight, but it's making excellent progress.
Still, we found time to go to the seaside for a bit, but, as it's a bank holiday, it took us over an hour to even get into the carpark. A is cool, she's putting up with my tentative ways at the moment; there's a lot going through my mind right now.
The shows are getting closer - I now only have 2 free evenings until the fringe and they'll be booked up with previews.
Itching to tour, everything has gotten a bit routine recently.
Got back from the seaside and straight into a Little Sparks rehearsal. Actually the first one with the full team now that Steph is back from her travels. We were all a little hot and drained tonight, but it's making excellent progress.
Sunday 6th May 2018
Relieved that today's gig was cancelled (an issue with the fee), which meant I could lie in for a bit around A's, and then pop back to mine to quickly catch up on emails, and then we met up again to go to Norfolk where she was running a workshop for a day and I somehow ended up being in the band, even though I hadn't met any of them before. A bizarre day full of nuns.
Booked in a nice hotel for the night, a chance to stop for a moment and turn my phone off, something I haven't been doing for a while.
Booked in a nice hotel for the night, a chance to stop for a moment and turn my phone off, something I haven't been doing for a while.
Saturday 5th May 2018
Impressed at how good my drum lesson was today despite my hangover. I think this means I am a proper teacher now...
After that, off to Milton Keynes for a stormer of a gig with FH...absolutely nailed it tonight. Shame that offstage it's a total mess, because onstage we're totally unbeatable right now.
After that, off to Milton Keynes for a stormer of a gig with FH...absolutely nailed it tonight. Shame that offstage it's a total mess, because onstage we're totally unbeatable right now.
Friday 4th May 2018
Another really long day, but back to proper teaching today which was nice - St Neots and then the two schools in St Ives. All of it went well, it was almost as if I feel more grateful now to be doing this. Signed a new contract with a new school for September too, which is nice.
Paid in a bunch of cash, took Mum for more shopping and then home in time to quickly hang out with A for a bit, and then I popped down to the pub to drink far too much beer in very good company. Drank too much, let's be honest about that, but I've worked hard this week...
Paid in a bunch of cash, took Mum for more shopping and then home in time to quickly hang out with A for a bit, and then I popped down to the pub to drink far too much beer in very good company. Drank too much, let's be honest about that, but I've worked hard this week...
Thursday, 3 May 2018
Thursday 3rd May 2018
Yeah, there's some really, really exciting stuff happening with that producer, the big radio producer, lots of great contact made (more today) and, you know, my career feels like it's moving in the right direction/okay is actually potentially a proper career.
That was a stark contrast to another difficult teaching assistant day, in which my students refused to work so I had to play football with them (I'm a bit out of shape, it nearly killed me) and then when I did get them to class, random girls laugh at me. It's just the girls that laugh. It reminds me of my own school days. It's okay - I'll get out of there soon. Got another new private student signed up which covers that one financially.
After that, 3 cracking private drum lessons, in 3 different locations, but all a joy - these are up there with my favourite students because they listen to what I say and then just crack on with it. There's many moments where it feels like it's not work at all.
That's three 12-hour working days in a row. I appreciate that's the norm for some, but for me it's a total shock to the system.
In the meantime, the regular monthly comedy night I produce has had it's run extended from July until December, which is awesome, and I should really consider writing my other Edinburgh Fringe shows at some point.
That was a stark contrast to another difficult teaching assistant day, in which my students refused to work so I had to play football with them (I'm a bit out of shape, it nearly killed me) and then when I did get them to class, random girls laugh at me. It's just the girls that laugh. It reminds me of my own school days. It's okay - I'll get out of there soon. Got another new private student signed up which covers that one financially.
After that, 3 cracking private drum lessons, in 3 different locations, but all a joy - these are up there with my favourite students because they listen to what I say and then just crack on with it. There's many moments where it feels like it's not work at all.
That's three 12-hour working days in a row. I appreciate that's the norm for some, but for me it's a total shock to the system.
In the meantime, the regular monthly comedy night I produce has had it's run extended from July until December, which is awesome, and I should really consider writing my other Edinburgh Fringe shows at some point.
Wednesday, 2 May 2018
Wednesday 2nd May 2018
'This is Our Future' has a nice ring to it; I'm back there tomorrow for another 6 hours of being intimidated by teenagers and will turn this into a masterpiece.
A much nicer, if equally long day today - in my regular primary school for 3 hours to teach, and then took mum shopping, and then back at my favourite college for a 90 minute lesson (Tony the student who did his first gig yesterday is now on the complex stuff) and then 2 private lessons. Another day, another 12 and a half hours of teaching. Maybe this is going too far? It's not like I'm actually earning that much, mostly because my car is either just not very economical, or leaking fuel. Not sure, either way, it's more than a bit thirsty.
A much nicer, if equally long day today - in my regular primary school for 3 hours to teach, and then took mum shopping, and then back at my favourite college for a 90 minute lesson (Tony the student who did his first gig yesterday is now on the complex stuff) and then 2 private lessons. Another day, another 12 and a half hours of teaching. Maybe this is going too far? It's not like I'm actually earning that much, mostly because my car is either just not very economical, or leaking fuel. Not sure, either way, it's more than a bit thirsty.
Tuesday 1st May 2018
Yeah, not sure if I'll last until July as a teaching assistant in that place - it's fucking intimidating. The kids I have to look after often have issues because socially they feel insecure going into the classrooms...I don't blame them, I'm nearly 37 and I feel uncomfortable there. I've not seen a teacher yet who has full control over his class, or anything like it. The lack of respect these teenagers have is frankly unbelievable. I'm writing it all up into a new book which I'll call 'This is Our Future' - the money is terrible for this role but I'll consider myself to be some sort of undercover researcher, or something.
Anyway, won an award from a recent fringe festival, which was lovely. Told you I had a good night there.
Also, some scarily big stuff is happening thanks to an email which got me all excited. Probably shouldn't say anymore, but a big producer (for radio comedy), who has my script, didn't like it but really, really liked '50 Ways...' instead when he checked out my website. We'll be meeting at the fringe as he wants to see more of my work. This could be huge.
After my teaching assistant stuff, I played in the school concert at my regular college where I teach. The class of people there is so different, so refreshing, so much more...respect. I love it there, I'm really keen to get some more hours there if possible, I'd even go as far to say I'd work there full-ish time. It's just a vibe that I get from the place, it's really nice. Anyway, the concert was great - I got to back the teachers with a hip-hop version of You Can't Hurry Love, and my private student there, Tony, played his first ever gig (to about a hundred people) and totally nailed it. I felt proud and almost emotional, he's only been playing since January but it feels like I've made him into a good little drummer.
After that dashed over to a private lesson, and then another one after that. Basically, teaching for 12 and a half hours today.
Over to A's place, she had (a very lovely) dinner on the table waiting for me, and we were both a little excited because that's the sort of thing that normal couples do.
Anyway, won an award from a recent fringe festival, which was lovely. Told you I had a good night there.
Also, some scarily big stuff is happening thanks to an email which got me all excited. Probably shouldn't say anymore, but a big producer (for radio comedy), who has my script, didn't like it but really, really liked '50 Ways...' instead when he checked out my website. We'll be meeting at the fringe as he wants to see more of my work. This could be huge.
After my teaching assistant stuff, I played in the school concert at my regular college where I teach. The class of people there is so different, so refreshing, so much more...respect. I love it there, I'm really keen to get some more hours there if possible, I'd even go as far to say I'd work there full-ish time. It's just a vibe that I get from the place, it's really nice. Anyway, the concert was great - I got to back the teachers with a hip-hop version of You Can't Hurry Love, and my private student there, Tony, played his first ever gig (to about a hundred people) and totally nailed it. I felt proud and almost emotional, he's only been playing since January but it feels like I've made him into a good little drummer.
After that dashed over to a private lesson, and then another one after that. Basically, teaching for 12 and a half hours today.
Over to A's place, she had (a very lovely) dinner on the table waiting for me, and we were both a little excited because that's the sort of thing that normal couples do.
Monday 30th April 2018
Up so early, for my new short-term, part-time teaching assistant post, helping out autistic kids with music and other subjects. Just three days a week, doesn't interfere with my drum teaching stuff or any gig plans (done by 3pm), there until July, a little extra cash for the fringe pot.
An intimidating college, first time I've had to work in one like that. The kids really do have a sense of aggression about them, and a majority of them laugh when I walk into the room. Other than that, fine.
After that, great drum lesson with one of my regulars, and then another decent lesson.
Superb evening rehearsal for Little Sparks, this is turning into a superb show - amazing, amazing cast.
An intimidating college, first time I've had to work in one like that. The kids really do have a sense of aggression about them, and a majority of them laugh when I walk into the room. Other than that, fine.
After that, great drum lesson with one of my regulars, and then another decent lesson.
Superb evening rehearsal for Little Sparks, this is turning into a superb show - amazing, amazing cast.
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