A different world, a different pace of life

I freaked out in a Sainsburys. So much food, so organised. It was a good freak-out. I think I appreciated western civilisation so much more now. Developed countries have really got it together, and it takes all of us to believe in it, and pay our taxes and question our government and all those things that we do that make it work.

The British in particular have dedication to their society and the rules. They won't hesitate to tut if you cut in a queue. Frustrations are regularly vented with letters to the editor or talk back radio. Old people seem to be the moral voice of the the media. I love it.

about a lovely estate in Reading with a jiffy bag on my head pretending to play keyboard, lounging by the pool, and cruising about the Thames in a boat. So just to do a bit of Shortly after writing the last blog entry Missy got a call from The Damned, a British punk band (www.officialdamned.com), asking her to be in a youtube music video for a new song. She asked if I could come along too. And low and behold I got a part in the video that involved frolickingshameless name dropping for those of you who know music. Aside from hanging with The Damned band members and staying a night in the Reading studio; I sat by the pool with Patricia Morrison who was in Sisters of Mercy and had a cup of tea with Barry the drummer from Jethro Tull. Not bad for someone who earlier the same month was checking her plate for cockroaches before eating.

I had a fabulous time staying with Missy. She is doing really well for herself and is one of the few people talented enough to make a living from performance alone.

In Edinburgh I was greeted at the train station by a teary eyed Gemma carrying flowers, shortbread and gin and tonics. Wow, what a welcome back. David, Gemma and I went to the Royal Mile for a pub meal. I had haggis, neeps and taties. Bliss.

David has kindly put me up. He and his lovely flatmate Dave are exceptional hosts to accommodate me despite their house undergoing renovations at the moment. I'm digging up old boxes I had left behind before I went travelling and discovering a delightful selection of suspenders, tutus, boas, bras and pants.

means I I arrived on Thursday with the intention of finding a minimum wadge summer job like waitressing. By Monday I had secured two really good jobs. During the day I'm assisting with promotions and publicity for City of the Dead, my old ghost tour company. Which essentiallystand by the signboards on the royal mile selling tickets and giving out flyers.

At night I work in the Speigel gardens, an excellent fringe festival venue known mostly for the amazing Speigel tent. I work at Paul Zenon's Marquee de Sideshow. It's a good old fashioned freak show. I am one of the people who sprook. Sprooking is the "ROLL-UP ROLL-IN ladies and gentlemen our next astounding show is about to begin..." The performers themselves are the best at it, but I'm slowly picking it up. Although I did announce one of the performers as "Al the Hymen Knot" instead of the Human Knot.

I'm a bit star struck with the performers, Paul has found top quality acts that I have either seen perform before of have heard of. These guys are awesome. Space Cowboy and Shep Huntley from Australia are famous on the sideshow and street performance circuit, Space Cowboy is the Guinness book of record holder for sword swallowing. Captian Frodo is a Norwegian contortionist who squeezes through two tennis rackets. Kitten of the Keys is a musical burlesque cabaret performer. There are different acts every night, it's hard for me not to go all groupie on them.

Despite the miserable weather, there is nowhere I would rather be right now than encouraging punters to experience the astounding world of the modern freakshow or insisting that they must get locked in a mausoleum with an active poltergeist.