December 2005

Weyyyy-heyyyy. Another heavy-duty month. However, most of it was spent at a leisurely pace, interspersed with bursts of energetic panic that left me crying out for sleep. This month I’ve travelled thousands of miles, by car, plane, liner, train, boat and submarine... yes, submarine. But more of that later. I’ve been in and out of London doing pre-shoot and screen test filming, performed in shows (one of them just off the coast of Cuba!), and fried a friends car.

But first, a heartfelt thank you to all of you, agents, friends and bookers who have made 2005 such a howling success. You know who you are; and this year would not have been so amazing had it not been for you support, friendship, advice and guidance – not to mention all your hard work behind the scenes, and the fact you believed in me and put your trust in me.

Highlights, there have been many. Sark, for one, the Caribbean for two, my book coming out for three, and London for four – I have a new-found attachment to that city. The TV filming, and the hosts of gigs and shows around the country, from the North of Scotland to the South of England, and all points in between. Each one brought me into contact with new people with new stories, from the celebrities to the waiting staff and stage engineers. Fellow performers and speakers - new friends, who hopefully will become old friends - and old friends who made this year so deliciously sweet. I only wish I could have spent more time with you than I have.

I also wish I had the time to call each one of you and thank you personally. But believe me, your friendship is incredibly precious to me. Thank you, one and all.

If you know me at all, and we have met on the circuit - or spoken at length in person or on the telephone – the above is meant for you.

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Those of you who know me are well aware that I am mechanically inept – past newsletters have borne testament to that fact on several occasions. If I had a screwdriver, I wouldn’t know which end to hit the nail with. However, all those who managed to fry a friend’s car, take one step forward... Ah, McAdam.

Firstly, having left my lights on in my car, I returned several hours later to find the battery flat. No surprise there, then. I am a member of the RAC, but rather than put the poor patrolman to any bother, I thought I would take care of things myself.. I should have known better.

I bought a jump-lead-thingy from the local auto shop and asked Ian, who works in the same building as my offices, for help. He duly brought his car up to mine and we linked the batteries. Despite the battery terminals being clearly marked, we – and I do mean WE – managed to put 2positive to negative and vice-versa. The result? When I tried to turn my engine there was a pyrotechnic exhibition – and a great deal of heat – of which the annual Edinburgh Castle Firework display would have been proud. We lit up the car park! (I’ve got to admit, Ian’s panicked reaction WAS pretty funny!)

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You know those books you get at Christmas, the ones about the weird things that have happened in the past year, and bumper books of useless information? Well, here are a few short excerpts from one I received.
ONE: "Hot Cockles" was a popular game at Christmas in medieval times. Players took turns striking a blindfolded player, who had to guess the name of the person delivering the blow. (Methinks this sounds like a blast, right up there with a shin-kicking competition, don’t you think? Maybe we could resurrect this beauty... step up, Mr Gary Glitter and accept your blindfold...)
TWO: More than 50% of people in the world have neither made, nor received, a telephone call. (I’ll bet their daughters have, though!)
THREE: Bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers and laser printers were all invented by women. (Oh, well done, the ladies. I’ve been driven to distraction by every one of them at one time or another.)
FOUR: If you place a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke, it will be gone in two days. (And if you leave it unattended near my dog, Hobo, both the steak AND the Coke will be gone in thirty seconds.)

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GIGS THIS MONTH: Well, they were few and far between because I was on a cruise from Florida to Trinidad, just off the coast of Venezuela, and back, taking in most of the islands (except Cuba and Haiti) on the way. Tropical rain forests, humming birds, picking bananas, coconuts, swimming with dolphins, snorkelling on a coral reef, going down in a submarine to examine a wreck... it just goes on and on. I’ve also discovered a liking for Reggae music. (Palm trees, sand, surf and tropical heat does that to a fella’... We Be Jammin’!) Of course, there was the show on board – sharing the stage with a belly dancer, a comedienne, a pop singer and hip-hoppers (not all at the same time, I hasten to add!) Unfortunately, there was no time for the necessary rehearsal / sound check, and so on - though it seemed to go okay. But that aside, I had gigs at St Mary’s School in Melrose (before dashing off to catch a flight to Fort Lauderdale.) Melrose to Miami – not bad. There was test filming (sort of screen tests) and production meetings in London. A job at Norton House. And a gig in Ayr. Then it all starts again with a gig on Hogmanay.

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So, it’s off into the New Year we all go. May I take this opportunity of wishing each and every one of you all the very best in 2006. DO keep me posted of what's going on in your life. It means a lot to me when you keep in touch... But before we disappear, let’s just take a moment.... Those of you who follow this newsletter will know that I was in the Channel Islands, on the Island of Sark, with some of the world’s top mindreaders – my heroes – earlier this year. We were there as the guests of the remarkably generous and hospitable Peter Willats. Well, on December 16, Peter and his family were the recipients of some horrible news. You can follow 2-year old Issac’s progress and read his diary on this website : www.freewebs.com/isaacwillats (his diary really IS worth reading, believe me.) All he asks for is your prayers, and maybe to drop wee Issac a card or minding in the course of his treatment. How difficult can it be to make a 2-year old feel important? Much obliged.

And while we’re on the subject: I mentioned this last month, but it’s only a few weeks away now. Dunbar-based magician Gladys Chucklebutty (no, that’s not her real name!) is doing a special charity event on Friday, January 6 in aid of the Sick Kids Hospital Cancer ward in Edinburgh. She’s going to be given a 100% genuine purple Mohican haircut – cut, shaved and dyed – no messing. You’ve just GOT to admire that! According to Gladys, "The night will be a Fundraising Frenzy consisting of a Darts Marathon, Raffle, Disco and Gelled Purple Mohican,s For ALL that want them! To help out / Donate or find out more, please call Gladys on Tel / Fax ; 01368 863 757 or Mobile 07971 946 708
Journalist friends on this newsletter – take note.

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2005 ahas been an absolute blast, and it’s about to get better. See you all next year – if you can catch me!
Best wishes,
Drew