The Gawler Central train has just left the Adelaide Railway Station burdened with the task of carrying me home, while I type this via the Ecency app on my phone.
My original intention with the Friday recap series was to post something weekly, but the events of the last few weeks have left me physically and emotionally drained.
The reason has largely been that I managed to return to work at the Royal Adelaide Show.
It usually goes for just over a week, depending on different factors, and draws large numbers of people.
There are sideshows, carnival rides, show bags (usually filled with plastic toys or confectionery, but have different themes), food stalls, arcade games and lots to see and do.
There are all sorts of animals, like cows, bulls, sheep and pigs being judged in competitions and even being auctioned on by other farmers and buyers. There are also goats, alpacas, bison, lambs, reptiles, dogs and so on.
There are competitions and exhibitions as well.
I managed to get a job working at the show in the Beef Cattle section, which largely entails scooping up literal bullshit in the area. Bulls are judged in competitions, and they crap everywhere!
I also had to deal with human bullshit too, as I was verbally abused by a cattle farmer for some unknown reason, with language I'd rather not taint my Hive account with.
I stood my ground though and I was even commended for doing so by my supervisor. That sort of thing is unnecessary.
I am far more assertive and less tolerant of bullshit, both literal and figurative, now.
What is fun though is playfully teasing my friend Andrew, and it usually starts a week before the Show.
After the Royal Show, my job has been to do a final clean of the area, then to pick up carpet tiles in the big pavillions, wash the pig sheds, and other agricultural areas.
Today, my final day, was spent scanning boxes of wine and sorting them into various classes and put on crates in time for a Wine Show next week.
I also graduated from a 4 week long Comedy Workshop with Ross Voss.
I really need more stage time, and more rehearsal but apparently I am really close to being really good. Practice makes perfect. I just need to commit to it.
Working during the show made rehearsing difficult, and the idea of being judged / not being good enough, triggered an anxiety attack that lasted a few days.
I recovered and had a gig at the Cranker Comedy night.
The night was a good one, and was hosted by Mickey D.
He's famous on the local scene and regularly hosts or headlines comedy events.
I got there early and was told that local radio host Lehmo would be performing either before or after me. It turns out he was on after me and despite being famous, and being confident on stage, he didn't hold my attention at all.
My friends thought his material made him seem arrogant too.
Before I went up on stage I had a last minute insight as to how to improve my opening joke, which turned a collective groan into a collective roar of laughter.
During my set, I started out strong and then prompty forgot a single, but essential, word in the set up of the second joke.
The pause prompted a woman, who had been there during my pre-show rehearsal, to sing out the word "Viagra", the subject of my last joke.
So, thinking on my feet, I referenced back to other comedians who had, coincidently, made Viagra references before me and then went through the rest of my set, building up tension before launching into my final joke when I saw the red light (30 second warning).
The audience roared and cheered with laughter. I thanked them and gave a small head nod before returning the microphone to the stand and leaving the stage.
I thanked the woman after the show and I was rewarded with a free drink voucher.
Tomorrow, there's a chance for more stage time at the Legend's Bar. I'll need to practice before hand just in case.
Thank you for reading.
Until next time, have fun!
Shaidon
