What a year it’s been, eh? For most people, really pretty rubbish. Bad year. Bold 2009. Go and sit on the Naughty Step of Time and think about what you’ve done.
Myself, I’ve hardly worked - if you don’t count the hustling, pan-handling and badgering for work as work. It’s been absolutely shit. So I’ve decided to mark the success of the year in other ways.
I trained for and ran a marathon and (with the help of incredibly generous donations) raised £5000 for the Alzheimer’s Society.
I got engaged!
I didn’t miss a payment. For anything. Instead, I ate a lot of chickpea-based dishes and only went out when work was involved.
I turned 40 (shh…don’t tell anyone).
I did a proper West End Musical audition and got called back. Just once, but still not utter shite.
The dog didn’t need an £800 ear operation and I finally managed to get him some UK insurance. Score.
Finally saw TheWire, Battlestar Galactica, Dexter and House. I regret none of that time.
I did my first guest-role in a soap. The rest of the (very little) telly I did was comedy but I am so proud to have been in Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle that I may still burst.
I rented a car and drove in Britain for the first time. It’s not so bad. Ireland is definitely worse. Ruder.
I did my first ever out-front, just me, singing shows with Damian Coldwell and Charlie Round Turner. Lucky girl.
I dipped my toe back in the stand-up quagmire. Apart from one gig, the shows went really well. I forced new material out each time and it was fun. Still can’t beg for gigs, though. I beg for too much already.
I got this website up and running. That’s been a long time coming. Thanks, Mr Dermot Carmody.
Andy Hollingworth took my photos! I love that guy! Results here soon.
I started the London Comedy Improv. I’ve been threatening to do that since I arrived at the end of 2006. It’s here now.
I made flapjacks and grew out my fringe. Liked the flapjacks. May cut the fringe back in.
THE END.
All told, not a bad little year, although day to day it passed in a haze of stress and tizzy. Your year probably felt somewhat similar; there’s a lot of it about. But look at it this way: you’re not in a coma. As far as I’m concerned, that’s great.
Come to Lenny Beige at the Pigalle on the 21st or the Improv on the 30th.
