Fringe-really good fesstival; terrible hair choice for Rachel

The last few weeks I've been chillin with my home skillets in Edinburgh. It has been a whole new world here since I've been back because its been the Fringe. Edinburgh has the biggest Fringe festival in the world for the month of August, and it also brings a bunch of other festivals into town, like a gigantic comedy festival, fringe of the fringe, and the ever important international book festival.

The festival means that the population basically doubles with tourists, there are things to do here 24hrs a day, there are street performers everywhere, free shows, and celebrities walking around try to catch a glimpse of me all the time.

I've seen quite a few good shows. The first one I saw was actually just before the Fringe started and it was put on by one of Sarah's mates, who wrote a screen play and had it preformed. It was a pretty cool show and really introduced me into the indie feel of the fringe.

I should mention that I picked up a few shifts at Starbucks or as I like to call it now the abusive lover I can't stop going back to. Anyways the shifts have all been on George street which is a major tourist area and part of the fringe. So basically I talk to excited North Americans all day, as well as performers in the fringe. I have made a new friend at George street her name is Libby, is a Canadian/American depending on what you're looking for, who is from Utah and my new ticket and free accommodation to the Sundance film festival. Booya. The good thing about this is that my whit and charm has landed me free tickets to a few shows. One free shows I snagged was a stand up show by Greg Behrendt- aka the author of 'he's just not that into you'. He was hilarious, and I of course made an ass of myself by laughing like and obnoxious trucker on some sort of volume enhancing drug. Libby was welcomed too my comedic world with this delicate display.

Ive also gone to quite a few shows by myself that have been hilarious. My first official fringe show was entiled a Ruddy brief history of swearing. It as hilarious, and informative ( and included the Japanese curse baca!!). other shows that I've seen have included numerous stand up shows, street performers, comedic book reading, and the Moscow state circus. The later was and 80's costume/music spectacular, focusing on the life and times of Rasputin via high flying acts, clowns, and cross bow dazzlement. Could you ask for more?

I went to a stand up show on a whim a couple nights ago performed by a man named . Paul Foot He is the biggest spaz in the world who has the most outrageous haircut and flails around the stage and told three jokes- one about vans, one about loneliness, and the final one on seeking revenge on bed and breakfast owners via a "red Indian" themed psychological nightmare. It was hilarious and I also enjoyed that Russle Brand was among some of the other 15 people in the crowd (now BFF's BTW).

I have one final tid bit for everyone before this long ass blog is over. It has to start however with an explanation of a tv show over here that I quite enjoy. Its called Nevermind the Buzzcocks. Its a quiz type show that has celebrities and musical guests on two teams that basically just make fun of each other and answer a couple of questions. The link I put up there is a particularly good episode because it has Amy Winehouse on it. Now this show is made even better by its host Simon Amstle whom I've developed a crush on because of his stringy body type and witty humour. So I enjoy this show, and Simon just so happens to have a show in the festival and Sarah and I just so happen to be walking through the Pleasance ( a beer garden surrounded by festival venues) when low and behold Simon strolls by. I of course say the first thing that comes to mind to Sarah "OMG its Simon Amstel, I have the biggest boner". Simon comes a little closer and laughs quite loudly- I see this, as anyone else would, as a sign to strike up a conversation. "That's quite the laugh you have there" I say. " I know I really have got to change it" Simon says in a rather coy tone. "You know I've been told the same thing, but I think its got character" I cleverly counter, finishing with a cheeky giggle, and possibly a hair twirl. "You give my friend a big boner" chimes in Sarah with a clever grin creeping across her face. At this Mr. Amstle distorts his face into a horrified/confused/disgusted(/intrigued??) look and simply walks away. And by walk away, I mean right out of the beer garden never to be seen again. Great.

PS. the next show I'm going to see is "The Ladyboys of Bangkok"