No more ArtsGame, its over and believe it or not, I am sad. It was great. The wee show we did was a huge success...I think it was even better than last year...There were a few wee hiccups along the way though - of course. For example, we lost our werewolf (!) three days before the final show...step in one of the younger kids to save the day - MAGIC. Then there was the idea that we may have lost our hunchback between the afternoon and evening shows...who could stand in at three hours notice? Apart from me that is? Well, I got a couple of volunteers, however, after much pleading, I managed to get her back!

Still, the show must go on and go on it did. The kids were brill and so were all the staff involved. Only problem is that now I'm knackered! Sorry for me yet? Nah, shouldn't be either, it was great fun.

I don't know if any of you have tried this, but I had a great night at Hamilton Racecourse one night. What a thrill it was, hearing the horses thundering down the course and listening to all the folk shouting for their particular horse. Well, I thought to myself, I'm going to put on a bet. And bet I did...just as the guy infront of me was putting £100 on number five and the other woman next to him was putting £150 on number seven...I strolled up and said '3 on 3' now in my head I'd said, ' three grand on number three' what I'd actually said (and what I really meant to say anyway) was '£3 on the number three horse please missus'.

Well hey, I was just so suave and cool and sophisticated and - well, I wish I had put three grand on, because I WON! Yes, I won a massive £33. I know I scoff, but I gotta tell you, it was a real thrill winning. I felt like going over and putting my stake on keeping the horse...but instead I just bought the pizza and went to see Poor Old Ben.

Anyway, my gambling days are behind me now, for those of you who may be worrying!

At the end of the ArtsGame, I rounded it off with a wee show at the Edinburgh Festival. It was great fun, although I came in on the back of a kind of political thing, where by, high profile public figures were discussing politics and singing songs - good, but very strange to hear Bill Spiers of the STUC singing away! Very Strange...

Also in July, my wee niece got herself a wee baby - baby Alleah - a wee stoater. So, off we went to Hartlepool to see her. There was much argument between my sister and I - Well, surely my being oldest sister meant that I had more right to hold the baby the longest - SURELY!??

No, that didn't hold much water with Julie either...!

At the end of July, I was off to Rome for a few days. I hadn't been before and was excited at the prospect of chilling out and enjoying some sunshine, good food and wine. And that's almost exactly what I did. I walked for miles and miles and enjoyed the delights of Rome. Including the Coliseum and all the other old stuff. I think Rome has more than its fair share of 'old stuff' right? Then I went to the Vatican and St Peter's Church and all that stuff. Always on the lookout for some crosses and other memorabilia for the shrine you know...

Well, there wasn't much there - well, much for under £60 anyway. I was shocked at the amount of money that the RC church was making on that wee patch of land. The museum charged 12 euros per visitor and apparently has something like 20,000 visitors PER DAY! the whole thing just made me think. You know, I don't know if you are aware of any bible stories, but my RC upbringing means that I am aware of hunners. But one that always sticks with me is the one where JC goes into the temple and is horrified to see all these folk selling their wares and making a profit at the church and stuff. Well, that story was foremost in my mind when I was walking around the extremely rich vatican city, dodging all the street sellers who were getting away with selling their wares - I guess because they sere selling religious icons and stuff - for loads of money. It just struck me as strange...

Anyway, I quickly discussed this struggle over a large glass of wine and some gnocchi and decided that it didn't matter, there will never be a shrine to better our shrine...!

And that's it. A quick August, with September stretching out before us. Loadsa workshops, loadsa songs to finish and (hopefully) loadsa votes for 'the other guy'!

Hopefully see you at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow on Nov 6th for a full band gig.

Have a good September

Carol