Mark Steel had plenty to say for himself at The Old Fruit Market.  It’s ok, he was on stage, not just rambling.  Although some of his best stuff did announce itself during his rants.  Strangely we’d been having a discussion about Marxism and Communism earlier (thanks scott), as we ate in the Russian Bar Cafe place just round the corner.  I was desperately trying to remember some of the words I had learned and used on my travels in Kiev.  Somehow, “where is the railway station” didn’t really have a place when speaking to the waiter.  I was quite proud of my correct pronounciation of Borscht and the fact that I knew what it was.  By the main course I had even got up to the use of please and thank you.  (Simbo, you would be so proud!).  Steel had plenty of ammunition from his socialist locker, and many an astute observation on the current political climate (a vehicle for his soap box perhaps?).  The 2nd half, as halves usually come in pairs, was by most peoples comments a tad indepth and intense… more Billy Connolly someone did cry… Steel managed to direct the Glasgow Banter well, allowing for it, but not drowning in it.  Due to the slight concussion suffered in the morning amble round the pitch I withdrew from going to the late “The Late Show”, which is meant to be some sort of festival show case.  Next year, I must make more of March.  Well, I want to party like it’s my birthday!  Which it was, but it was tricky to go for it the weekend, after a week long residential away with the class…