De-construction
Well, we made it. Thanks to the Minchins who carried some of our 117 bags, and no thanks to the surly train staff, one of whom ended up in a shouting argument with TV’s Lee Nelson. Yes, the train was packed with comedians. You can imagine how hilarious a ride it was.
We’ve come home to find our builders, when they said ‘we’ll definitely finish your new kitchen by the time you’re home’, actually meant ‘we won’t quite finish your kitchen; you will spend several days surrounded by crap, without a sink, and trying to prepare meals for your baby without many kitchen implements.’ Rather depressing, if predictable: the old trouble-with-builders thing is a rite of passage for people like me around the age of 30.
I go straight into making a TV show- not for broadcast, just a pilot- and am running this half marathon, somehow, if I manage it, and then going to Australia. So these sort of complications are not welcome. I’ll speak to you tomorrow when I hope to have sorted some of them out…
Posted by Britt on September 2, 2010
I can’t wait until you make it to Australia. Not long now! Have you decided on a date/venue for the book launch?
Posted by Megan on September 1, 2010
Again, reading about your level of business (busyness?) is awesome in the “how the hell can he do all this?” kind of way.
The cinema’s undergoing renovations in the next year. If there are delays like you’re having, we are fucked.
Posted by Lydia on September 1, 2010
That’s really annoying. I hope they finish soon. Good luck with the pilot x
Posted by Laura-B on September 1, 2010
I wish I’d been on that train. I’m not on twitter, but I bet there must have been a fair few posts from people going “I’m in a train carriage with looooads of comedians!”
Especialy if Minchin was there!
Posted by Ben Draper on September 1, 2010
We’ve all been in a shouting match with Lee Nelson at some point.
Posted by Madeleine on September 1, 2010
Good luck with the pilot and the running. I have nothing to offer except encouragment and best wishes. Glad you made it back in one piece(or 117 pieces) .
I know you were probably being sarcastic, but that train journey sounds glorious to me. But I am also without child.
It would be great to see you in Australia soon! After you’re finished running stupidly far for a stupidly good cause.
Posted by SamJJ on September 1, 2010
Welcome to my world! Builders and babies are not a good combo. The whole living in a building site thing is really beginning to grind me down now. It’s been 2 months (6 weeks of which we were without hot water) and due to unforeseen things we have run out of money so is going to be much longer than we originally thought. My usual optimism is waining.
Posted by Tibbs on September 1, 2010
Nice that you had help getting all those bags back home, but boo for not getting to come home to a finished kitchen. On the other hand, complaining about a somewhat similar situation during Robin Ince and Michael Legge’s show at the Fringe earned me two shots of whiskey, so … sometimes it’s not all bad?
And I’m very exited to hear about you going to Australia, even though I myself will not be there until next year (any chance you’ll be at MICF?).
Posted by Kathryn on August 31, 2010
I do like to comment every day, but I can’t think of anything to add. So: what everyone else said. It’s always good to be home.
Posted by Aislinn on August 31, 2010
I’m pretty sure (/hopeful) Lee Nelson is a character act, but I like the idea of him getting on the train in full sports-gear, complete with chav voice and everything. I imagine it wasn’t enjoyable either way, though, so hope it wasn’t too bad.
You’ll definitely make the half-marathon. You have however many hundreds of blog readers all cheering you on.
Posted by Someone on August 31, 2010
Glad you’re back home which must be nice! But unglad your kitchen is a site. Hope ’tis sorted soon.
Do we get to sit in a crowd and watch this pilot of yours? :]
Posted by Rachel Winter on August 31, 2010
Oh what a shame.
It just occurred to me the other day perhaps that’s what you were doing (having your kitchen done while you were away).
I know it doesn’t take much to tip me over edge if I’ve got in from travelling already frazzled – you sound v pragmatic and patient about it.
Posted by Ally on August 31, 2010
Australia! This gives me something to look forward to!
Glad that the trip back was managed without too much struggle 
Posted by Rachael on August 31, 2010
Did you make old man dad noises when you got in and put all the bags down? Hooray for being home again, hope the kitchen is done really soon, like last week.
Posted by Misha on August 31, 2010
Hurray for the Minchin’s!
My friend came up with the theory last night that red wine must be good for your career because you and Minchin drink lots of it, I think he was just justifying having a drink.
Phew, sounds busy! Just remember to not die of exhaustion or something.
Posted by Kate B on August 31, 2010
You’re a very busy person! Hope the pilot goes well, and looking forward to hearing of the half marathon.
Posted by Kate W on August 31, 2010
Your life is a complex thing. Glad you all made it back; hope the builders disappear swiftly and the pilot goes well.
Posted by Laurs on August 31, 2010
Glad to hear you are all home safely. Hope the complications resolve themselves quickly. x
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on August 31, 2010
Glad you all made it home safely, and that the complications resolve themselves soon, without too much stress. X