The final furlong, prior to a trip to Edinburgh, was significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, was my forays into theatre. Secondly, was the fact that I stayed, for the majority of the time, in my house in Southampton, under the guise of studying for finals.
I, in fact, spent the majority of the time watching movies (I was particularly keen on mid afternoon sessions with "Stand by Me", a bottle of red and a packet of fags, on the sofa), jerking off, and hosting three-day long parties.
The parties were mainly lunches that turned into so much more. Only once were particularly strong substances used to aid staying power. You could do three dayers in those days with little assistance. For some reason the smell of garlic always reminds me of this time. All the cooking that I did, in that period, involved garlic - a new discovery for me, after years of suburban, 70s, overcooked, unseasoned teatimes.
My studies, of course, suffered. One particular essay was turned out in under a day and the read-through and checking process involved pressing 'spellcheck', printing and submitting. On reflection, a 'pass' for that particular essay was generous. It makes me cringe now though. A prior engagement in the pub with Ch seemed more pressing at the time.
The final night with U was one of particular carnage. Vodka shots at the top of the evening. Sitting in the bath, crying and saying 'what will I do now?' ended it. That's not before I summonded up the energy, however, to shimmy along the neighbours wall, in search of a nearby party, only to end up in the pond. I was meeting my parents the next morning - something I somehow managed to do after waking up on U's floor, fully clothed.
My substandard degree was, of course, a disappointment and my closing interview with my tutor was a non-event, softened by the pint(s) I'd had prior. It was further softened by the fact that all my friends, whose essays I'd diligently proof-read for them, got 2.1s, but that my brother got a 2.2 too. I'm sure he didn't have half as much fun as I did.
It wasn't over yet. Four weeks of rehearsing for and performing in Edinburgh awaited. And, after that India. The three years were kind of over but they provided a trajectory into the next five years without much of a pause for breath.....
