A Day in the Life
LEXI CROCKFORD
This is a day in my life, specifically the day of the 25th of April, which was a very busy Saturday. My day started at 10am, which sounds like a luxury, but I was up til 2am the night before. I get ready for work (or sleep in til 11 and then run out of the door), then I’m off to my first job of the day: The Cowboy Strip show at Maggie’s. To avoid this being a section of free advertising, I’ll only say that my job is to set up the sound equipment, monitor the mics, and play the tracks. However, starting your Saturday with several very ripped cowboys getting their kit off certainly isn’t the worst thing in the world.
After that finishes, usually around 2:30, I dawdle off home, stopping by to check the local tescos for some cheeky yellow label items for dinner. Today’s pickings was a deli meat pizza, which was pretty good, if not for the fact it was still three pound bloody fifty. If the yellow labels are going to be that high, I’ll skip them all together and rifle through the bins.
After my shopping spree, I get home and try not to have myself a little nap. At 4pm I wake up, and start cooking my dinner. I put the hot water on to do the dishes after I’ve eaten, take my pizza out of the oven, then sit down to watch some Doctor Who and talk with my girlfriend who’s hot off rehearsals for our next show (Fandemonium 7th/8th/10th May if this comes out in time. If it doesn’t, just follow our page at “Martyr Theatre,” we’ll be announcing a fringe show soon 😉). Needless to say, my wife and Doctor who are much more interesting than the potential of doing the dishes, and as 5:30 rolls around and I need to leave for my next job, I swear I’ll do them when I get back to the house. It’s a mental swear, that both I and whatever good lord exists know, will be pushed back to tomorrow, if I’m lucky.
My next job takes place in Polo and I have the honour of teching for the Rasperry Cabaret, hosted by Tootsie Annie. A whole Cabaret dedicated to , the artist formerly known as Prince. This is a grand old time, getting to do sound and lights in the polo club, for a whole show full of Burlesque, hula hooping, musical performances, and even live puppetry! This just unironically is really fun, especially as some acts bring unique tech challenges with them, and I’m apparently nerdy enough to get really enthused about having to set up somebody’s wireless headset, fresh out the box! It does also help that the Annie is wonderful, a good pal, and buys me a cheeky drink to say thanks (which on top of the actual show fee, I feel is far too kind. Not that I’ll ever say no). Just an all around good time with a raffle, lasting from 7-10. But wait, the night isn’t over yet! In fact it’s just beginning, as 10pm marks the end of my polo shift, and the start of my Riding Room shift, just upstairs in polo. Who’d’ve guessed working in a gay bar would suit me so well?
Riding Room holds a special place in my heart. Not only is it my most regular job where I’ve made good friends, learnt lots about my trade, and had an amazing time at, but it was also the location my first professional tech job, which has led me to all of my other employment avenues. So when I say that this weekend is the 14th Birthday of oor wee joint on the corner, I mean that it’s not just a longer shift, but a wee celebration of my home bar. I joined just after the 9 years anniversary if you’re curious. The normal evening bill would be two burlesque acts and a 15-25m singing or magic act; or a hour singer set, but for tonight’s special occasion we have 3 burlesque acts and an hour singer.
Tonight did not disappoint at all. Truly a lovely night, filled with the top talent I’ve come to know and love. Double shout out to Emma Lynne Harley, who not only sang a bangin’ pop set tonight, but will be debuting her solo show “Walking on eggshells “14th-16th May @Summerhall, 22nd May @Paisly Arts centre 😉) And as I write this, I hand over to my wonderful friend Paul Puppet to continue Djing the room for the night. I can happily say I do live a good life, sappy as that is; but I do wish to stress this is the busiest my life does get. Frankly, had I written this on a Monday, I would’ve only detailed me watching youtube, playing video games, and eating a delicious microwave meal. Still, I find the days where I do nothing all the sweeter for my busy ones.
Thank fu*k I didn’t have a comedy set coming up next week. Else I’d’ve had to do all that, and ignore writing my material.