Well, after a busy week's gigging, which I enjoyed for the most part, it's now time to get ready for the Edinburgh festival. I'll be performing my wee show Claustrophobia Cure EXTREME - in a lift, of course and a few stand-up spots here and there. If you see me wandering round Edinburgh, stop me and be nice to me.

I really must sit down and finalise the script for CCE - it's basically a rework of my usual stand-up with the show's framework holding it together in a themed sort of a way. Should be fun... I hope!

Before I have my "Edinburgh" debut, I'd like to say this. A year ago, I didn't think I'd be doing this. Performing stand-up was an ambition I'd dropped. After the last Edinburgh festival, my dream of having my own show on the fringe resurfaced. Rather than throw my savings away on a whim and launch my own one-man show this year, I decided to build up a stand-up act by working as hard as I could (among my other commitments) and see what would happen. In a few days' time, I'll be performing on the fringe - albeit on the fringe of the fringe. Last night was my 20th gig (I only just realised) and I felt relaxed and confident - indeed, I did it with the least amount of worry (regardless of the reaction). I suspect Edinburgh will be a turning point in my performing career - a place I used to decide how much I want to do in the next 12 months. Before it all happens, I'd like to state publicly that the ride has been fun so far. I'm glad I've decided to give this a go. If it all goes arse over tit, it will still have been worth the effort. LIVE THE DREAM!