Bobakey[dot]net

So after several months which turn into a year, I finally get my laptop back from the repair place. Simple: I have an fault in my hard drive and they have replaced it. Now I have a laptop that is shiny and new, apart from the fact its my old laptop and its just works like a new one.

It's midnight. I'm shattered and I'm laying in bed.

I've come to enjoy laying in bed, I've had 6 weeks of hardly sleeping, and hardly a bed for that matter to not enjoy the delights that my old bed has to offer me. I never thought that a hard mattress, a thin quilt, and covers that don't quite fit in with the room could ever be anymore delightful as it is now.

Where have I been I hear you shout...!?

Simple. I spent 6 weeks working in Edinburgh at the Edinburgh Fringe 2007 in one of the largest Fringe theatres that operates during the month of August. With 15 theatres spread across 5 buildings, which all equals out at a very large hundred plus shows performing over 4 weeks its hard to believe that I even had a chance to stop and think.

I've learnt so much, its true to say. I've seen a building that was once derelict due to a fire be transformed into 5 theatres. It's hard to say that I "saw" these theatres be made... it was more, I, who along with a group of hard working people, helped to build these structures. These stages where artists would perform.

I have sucessfully operated power tools, built the very essence of a theatre, layed dance flooring, hung drapes, drilled too many holes, cut wood, lifted and carried well over a thousand bits of wood, and all for what?

The FRINGE FESTIVAL.

Can you believe that the city of Edinburgh actually doubles over the course of one month. Thats crazy. And I was there in the very heart of it. To be fair I was only on Box Office and Front of House duties, but I dread to think how much money actually crossed my two hands into my cash tin, how many tickets I printed out, how many credit cards I handled and swipped with happiness.

I'm exhausted.

I worked an average day of 12 hours, 7 days a week for 6 weeks... and only 3 days off. Yes. Three. 3. 3. 3. 3. They say its the magic number, but for me it was a small glimpse of being free.

It's fair to say that I lived and breathed the festival. I survived.

I Survived.

When I think about the many other people I know, my frineds, my family... they... they couldn't do it. They wouldn't have the strength, the pull in the theatrical world to get up everyday and to walk down the same street to work, to the pull of the theatres.

I find it amazing that I'm still alive after those 6 weeks of what can be described as... as what?

An experience.
A desire to wear away any sense of sleep I once had?
The feeling of achievement.
Friendship.
Money

Whatever it is, I can hold my head high and proclaim that Jakey the Bobakey survived.

Now sleep.
With love, and regretful apologies of absence
xXx