They Sound Human
** Today is Oct 7th. We’d like to announce the winning number in the “Marked-Up Scriptstakes”. No one claimed the winning number, 14, so we are re-drawing. The new number, drawn at random is 79. Number 79. If you are holding the Paradoxical Undressing program numbered “079″, please add a comment to that effect here, on this posting. Thank you to all who participated — the “Scriptstakes” was a great success! **
They sound human, these crazy birds. Their cries are maniacal laughter, shrieking guffaws. Billy and I freeze, staring into each other’s eyes, unable to find a category for this sound. I’m holding my guitar on the stage at St. Cecilia’s, he’s plugging in my effects. Well, he was plugging in my effects, now we’re both confused and still.
Until we look up. St. Cecilia’s is the oldest venue in Scotland (second oldest in the whole UK). It has an intricately constructed skylight which, in the summertime, lets light in about twenty hours a day. Right now, the tireless Scottish sun is blotted out by hundreds of laughing, screaming birds flying overhead.
Soon, it will be hidden by torrential rain, but we’re familiar with that sound. During the day, we tear around Edinburgh on foot, rain or shine, like it’s going away, like we’re gonna miss something.
It’s really us that’s going away. This is not enough time to be in Scotland. Not enough time to love everyone we meet, not enough time to watch gorgeous dogs run on the green, not enough time to drink tea as strong as whisky and whisky as strong as god, not enough time to breathe clean meadow air, not enough time to gawk at real-actual-gazillion-year-old-no-fucking-kidding castles, not enough time to soak up pub culture (and make ‘em dance!).
I’m going to miss all this plus black rosehips and rhubarb yoghurt. The Scots sure made it easy for me to show up at work every day and be a goddamn play, of all things. I’m gonna miss that, too.
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August 24th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Dammit. I’m a scottish ex-pat in Canada and this post made me miss home. HARD. Glad we were good to you.
August 27th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Glad you had a great time. Saw you on the Tuesday you were fantastic!
August 29th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
This is what the fringe is all about you took me there cutting edge great word and music great backdrop and perfect room to play it in please bring your music back to Edinburgh.
I am moving to New Zealand at the end of this year please consider touring down under.
Cheers
Mark
September 1st, 2008 at 5:29 am
Another ex patriot here now missing edinburgh a wee bit. kristin was in NZ earlier on this year, i was lucky enough to see her in Wellington, it could be a while till she plays here again.
September 1st, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Yes, another expat from Edinburgh, wishing I had been back in Edinburgh to see the show, Kristin was wonderful here in Auckland last October & yes we want her back!
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:57 am
Glad to hear the “Scriptstakes” was a success (although if it hadn’t been, would you have been forced to stay in Scotland??)
Got quite excited for a couple of seconds there when I saw 14 in the winning line but I’ve got 114 not 014. Oh well …
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:58 am
I’m sooo disappointed not to have won - would have been an amazing reminder of an unforgettable experience. Count me in to any future Scriptstakes!
September 5th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
God, I felt the same way about Edinburgh and I was there in the dead of winter. The people were still warmer than here.
That said, cant wait to see ya in Tucson, even if I’ve no idea what the Shady Circle will sound like.
Safe Travels!
September 9th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Kristin on the BBC!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snhZ_flom1Q
1. Write great song.
2. Get BBC to use song in silly costume drama trailer.
3. ?
4. Profit!
September 14th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
Who has number 014?!
September 21st, 2008 at 2:06 am
Just saw the 10 second trailer for the silly costume drama for the first time and thought, bloody hell, that’s Kristin! Can’t be bad.
October 11th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I’m a winner!
Or calm and collected: I have the winning program 079 and am very vary exited. Thanks for the fantastic show. I can come and collect it in November in London if that is easiest.