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We had another
NCT class today though this time I was able to stay until the end. The pregnant mums had to go in in the morning without the dads for their own special, secret class. It reminded me of the day at school when we were about 10 and all the girls had to go into a special Assembly and none of the boys were allowed in. I never got to find out what that was about. I am glad I only had to do four hours, rather than the full six as I was pretty tired by the end of it all. I am not sure how much I learned. It mainly seemed to consist of the teacher asking us loads of questions and I didn't know any of the answers, that's why I was coming into a cold church hall on a Saturday. I just want to be told what to do and how to keep my baby alive.
I think I probably learned some stuff, though I am still unclear about at what stage we actually have to go into hospital. But I am at least somewhat prepared for the adventure ahead of me and have remembered that there is a bit during the birth where the mothers are hit by a surge of adrenaline and will become scared and angry. I am really looking forward to this bit. I can't do a worse job than Robbie Williams managed recently, but I intend to come close. I suspect my wife will be shouting at me quite a lot, even when the adrenaline isn't hitting in hard. The other dads still largely looked as bewildered and clueless as I was. They all seem like nice people though, which is lucky as I think we'll be meeting up with the quite a few times over the next few months. Occasionally during this afternoon of hearing about the various stages of labour the whole thing started to feel like it might actually be happening and I felt a bit queasy and nervous at the prospect of all the pain and blood (that I will be experiencing when my wife punches me for doing the wrong thing on the day), but I mainly manage to banish those brief flashes of reality and sink back into thinking this is just some weird dream. And the birth still feels like ages and ages away. The pregnancy has already lasted at least 18 months and there are apparently still two to go. That's what I get for having a baby with a Blue Whale. I hope my wife doesn't find out.
It was my last Lord of the Dance Settee at the Leicester Square Theatre. It's been a really fun week at the theatre and we've averaged out nicely between 200-250 people a night. It did better for an audience in the early part of the week than I thought it might, but I had hoped it might sell out at the weekend. But there were still plenty in and they were a top quality crowd. The theatre manager praised the audience for being well behaved and obedient (taking notice of the 5 minute calls in a way that more rude audiences don't always manage). They are great to play to too and I have fun meeting some of them afterwards as I sign programmes. Thanks so much for coming. Remember to keep the secret and don't let any of your friends know about me. Success would only spoil me. Keep me to yourself.
That's my last main gig of an interesting and turbulent year, though I am back at the Leicester Square Theatre on Sunday for a charity gig. But unless I just pop in for fun, Monday will be the first Monday for ten weeks that I haven't spent in this theatre. I will be back in May for more RHLSTPs and maybe next year we might have a crack at some more AIOTMs - who knows?
