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Saturday 23rd February 2019

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My wife has pointed out that we also played “I’m a Believer” at our wedding, right at the end of the ceremony. Which she contends is more of a big deal than it being the play out to my stand up show. But is she right? What’s really more important in the grand scheme of things?
Another day of parenting, I am afraid. It’s all good for me, but obviously boring for you. If Warming Up has no other function then it at least demonstrates how a person becomes less amusing and interesting the older the get. But what is of more artistic worth than documenting human decline? Almost anything really.
We had a late afternoon trip to our local-ish activity farm, Woodside. It shut at 5pm and we didn’t get there til 3.30pm, but we got lots in and it’s not too expensive, so it was a pretty good use of a couple of hours.
My proudest moment was when my daughter was playing on a small climbing frame and another girl got on.”Hello” said Phoebe and the girl tentatively responded in kind. I already admired my child - having the confidence to initiate social contact is a great thing and not one that either of her parents are great at. I hope she never loses this.“I’m Phoebe” said. The girl didn’t give her own name. She was shy. But Phoebe wasn’t bothered and tried to sum herself up one line so her new potential friend would know where she stood. “I do funny jokes some times.”
My heart burst with pride. My daughter self-identifies as a comedian. And has the confidence to lay that out early doors. Though she’s smart enough to put a little codicil in there. If the girl had said, “Great, let’s see what you’ve got,” and Phoebe had been unable to make her laugh, Phoebe could just say, “I said some times.”
But the shy girl didn’t put any of this to the test and just smiled without saying what defined her. She did not know yet. Phoebe has already committed herself to a life of comedy and all the tears, misery and disappointment that come with that. But for now, she’s proud that she can make people laugh and wants people to know that is who she is, above all else.
My plan to win the Edinburgh Comedy Award, even if it has to be through the medium of one of my sperm, is still on course.


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