King Street

What a mess!  And yet, it's lovely.  Nearly home, here...

Snowy Surgery

My GP's office, with the pretty redundant warning in the window...

Scots Place Names

Sure, some of them are impossible to pronounce unless you know how.  And some of them are hard to spell, even if you do know how.  This one, however, just cracked Kenny and I up.  He'd been working some in Inverurie, and apparently someone delivering this box didn't really know how to say OR spell it... tee hee!

My Graduation Gift

I went to see the Scotland men beat Samoa at Pittodrie in Aberdeen.  It was below freezing, and I was numb before I got home.  But we won, and it was a great afternoon.  Thanks, guys, for a great gift! 

Officially Official

That piece of paper is the most expensive thing I've ever owned.  And the hardest to obtain.  Lynch, you'll get your own soon enough!  Kenny, thanks for being my family and photographer for graduation!

Let It Snow?

Today is Thanksgiving.  And there is a ton of snow on the ground! It's pretty well been snowing off and on since Monday, but this is getting ridiculous.  It's too dang early for this much snow... and they say it's going to keep up for at least a week.  Where am I?! 

Honestly, though, if it's going to be cold, I'd rather it snow.  So as long as I don't have to be out in it, I'm quite happy. 

Thanks, McGarrys, for Thanksgiving hosting! 

The Last Day

I came back up to Aberdeen today, and not very happily.  Paige had to jet off early to catch her train to be in Stirling for her class, but I hung around for a while before I caught my train, both at the flat with Hazel, and then in the city.  I love Auld Reekie, the capitol of my adopted homeland.  I wandered around a little once I got into the city, but mainly I just sat and took it all in.  I love this place so much, and will miss it so badly. 

Girls in the Big City

Today Paige and I spent in Auld Reekie.  I did some more shopping, and wandered the sights, and just hung out.  We hit the castle gift shop, and the Mother shop, and Jenners... this third day of shopping has worn me out, but I love it!  Too bad I don't have money to spend.  ;) 

Thanks for the castle photo shoot, Paige! =D

Lost

Today we hung around Stockbridge for the most part.  We even braved the weather to take Hazel-monster on a walk.  It rained.  Pretty much the whole time.  Ah well.  On the way back to the flat, I saw this poor wee bear on top of the parking meter.  Someone must have dropped him, and someone else put him up off the pavement so he could maybe get found.  I hope someone comes and claims him!  He wouldn't tell us his name, because he said he wasn't supposed to talk to strangers.  Smart teddy, that one. 

The Triplets of Stockbridge

Today was a true Scottish day-- it was dreich.  It was cold.  It was dark early.  And we spent it at a castle.  And shopping.  All day long.  Good stuff. 

We found the mother of all shops, too, at the top of the Royal Mile.  I call it the Mother Shop (a little sci-fi humour there).  I found a nice long-sleeve tee for £2.99!  Lynch and Medlock couldn't resist, so we all wound up with one.  And then attempted to take a photo of the three of us in them.  Ha.  That was a series of photos worthy of Kristianna's photo taking style!  It was hilarious, and I laughed my head off.  This is my favourite photo from the shoot, after a favourite day. 

Thanksgiving Early!

Lynch and I travelled down to Edinburgh today on the Megabus (with a lot of rugby fans, going to see Scotland play the Springboks of South Africa at Murrayfield, where I would have been otherwise) to see Paige while she is dog-sitting in Stockbridge again.  We got in and it was raining and cold, so we opted to not do sightseeing today but instead to do Thanksgiving! 

Paige had already shopped and was all prepared to treat us to a feast, so we went back to the flat and helped cook.  Well, partly-- I helped a little, then went to watch the match online.  We won!  It was great.  But I digress. 

We had turkey breast (no whole turkeys found yet), stuffing, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry stuff, almost-from-scratch rolls, green beans... and pumpkin pie!  The real stuff.  Oh baby, it was yummy.  All of it. 

We also had wine, of course, because Lynch and I were present.  We picked one to uncork, and it gave us a run for our money.  Finally we were successful, after a strong joint effort.  Teamwork, totally. 

Thanks, Paige, for buying and cooking and hosting!  Happy Early Thanksgiving! 

Opening Day

Lynch and I went to see HP7 this morning.  We met at 9.45 so we'd be sure to have time to get tickets for the half-ten showing.  It was a good job we got there early, too-- there was one other person in line!  So we scored our tickets and went to Starbucks, where they did indeed have eggnog lattes (which is never a guarantee here).  Then we saw the film, and it was okay.  I liked it better than the past five (two was the last one I even remotely enjoyed...) except for the end.  I mean, why are we supposed to care about characters who have been written out of every storyline for several films but show up now all dramatic and moving?  NO.  I say no.  I cried in the book, but I did not allow myself to cry in the film.  Because you can't just pull someone in like that and expect there to be a relationship and a reason to mourn their passing.  Stupid hollywood. 

Otherwise, it was fine.  I think because they are doing it in two parts and not leaving out every single important thing, I'm liking it better.  Then again, I couldn't have expected less from it, so it would have been hard to have my expectations disappointed. 

We were going to take out photo with one of the promo posters, which had been up even yesterday, but there was nothing.  Not a single poster.  Nowhere.  It was bizarre.  So we look puzzled by this, and annoyed with the ending.  Pretty much says it all. 

Purty Patterns

You know it's been a slow day when the only thing I've found worth taking a photo of is the travel bottle I filled with body wash...

but it was pretty.  I liked the sparkles, and the way it looped and stuff.  So there.  =P

Kilau with Nat

Nat leaves for Oban and a new job in a few days, and I leave for points unknown in an unknown amount of time.  So meeting for coffee was a must!  We met at Kilau on Little Belmont Street, and ended up chatting the morning away.  It was great to see you, Nat, and to catch up! We'll have to keep in touch, for sure! 

Guard Cat

I swear, Brodie is the weirdest cat ever.  Or maybe, second ever.  Or.. well... he's pretty weird.  He plops himself down in the most bizarre places-- like the middle of the drafty kitchen floor, or the bathtub, or in front of the door.  Honestly.  No one's getting through with that fat cat there! 

Duh, People.

Signs like this just crack me up.  Seriously?!  Oh no!  I would have been so unprepared for that! 

In all honesty, though, that hand dryer does get exceedingly hot without doing much drying.  Too much heating element, not enough blowy air.  So thanks for that, Cineworld. 

I'd Better Ask Trina...

I was standing on my rolling desk chair, pulling stuff off the top of my wardrobe, when I looked over and noticed this:

Trina, you're the expert-- this isn't a health and safety violation, is it?  I mean, I don't have an emergency exit and my door is blocked, but that's fine, right?  ;)

Magic Box

I've been repacking and packing my room-- partly because it's small and I have to pack stuff up from time to time to make room, and partly because I don't know where I'll be or what's happening next.  I couldn't get this box down, but that's okay.  It seems just fine where it is. 

No, nothing is holding it up but the bed and wall.  And it's holding up my lamp and stuff.  Pretty neat trick!

The Printer

As you may or may not remember, I got kicked out of my uni office back in June, which meant no more access to a printer.  This is especially annoying when at the last stages of the thesis, as printing out copies for binding and vivas and whatnot is taking place.  Lucky for me, I've got great friends who let me stick it to the university by using the printer in their office building. 

Thanks, Lynch!  You really are the best.  Especially for getting toner twice and getting told off for it.  ;)

Party Night!

Brian and Steph threw a party tonight at their place, for Brian's students to get together-- and to celebrate my passing and being done!  I found out yesterday that my corrections are sustained and I get to actually graduate at the ceremony, so I have good reason to party!  There were several couples there, three of whom I'd only met once or not at all;  it was nice to meet and chat and hang out, but the best part was once those with wee ones went home and left the Brocks and the Prathers and I.  Good times with good friends, indeed!

I walked home in the wet and chill, but I didn't feel it.  Partly because of the warm fellowship I'd shared, and partly because I'd had two large glasses of wine, two drams of nice whisky, and a glass of champagne on one plate of delicious food.  I was feeling darn good, and I deserved it!  It was pretty, though, with the lights shining on the wet roads.  At least I thought so.  ;)

Keeping An Eye Out...

Goblin died.  Kenny cleaned the tank, and he only lasted a day.  Poor Goblin.  He killed his way to being the only fish left, and then he bit the dust.  Sad times. 

Kenny got more fish, though.  Mollies this time, and six of them.  They don't have names yet... but Brodie is keeping a close watch on them.  He hasn't figured out yet that he can't get at them.  It's pretty funny. 

They are fun to watch, though.  The fish.  They're quick. 

Brodie Strikes Again

This cat is a menace!  Everytime I turn around, he's knocked something over or broken something or mangled something.  Seriously.  I'm not sure if he's just clumsy, or if he doesn't realise how big he is.  Today I came out to the kitchen to find this on the floor:

Seriously, cat.  You're lucky you're so cute. 

Starting Point

This is what my room looks like, after a few weeks of neglecting everything but corrections:

Well, guess I'd better tackle it.

Take Two!

I tired making hush puppies when we were at Paige's, but they didn't work out so well.  This time, however, they did much better. 

Although now I smell like stinky fry oil.  Blech.  Oh well. 

Good Day

Any day that has rugby on is a good day, especially when I have to be in and doing corrections anyway. 

I watched the two live matches (no northern hemisphere wins) and the highlights from the other.  While doing that, I multitasked correcting my typos.  Or rather, going through and dismissing many of them as NOT typos. 

For instance:  Theologicans.  In my acknowledgements.  He marked it as a typo.  Well, heck yeah it is.  Intentionally.  I'm not just thanking every theologian ever.  Sheesh. 

And my punctuation.  I'm not using the American conventional style, in which every comma and full stop goes inside the quotation marks, no matter what.  I'm using the British logical style, where the comma or full stop only goes inside the quotes when it's actually a part of the quote.  Which doesn't happen often.  And he marked every. single. time.  Those aren't getting changed;  I'll just be including a note as to why I did it that way.  I'm consistent in it, and it's not wrong, and I use british spelling, sooo... what's the problem?  Shouldn't be one. 

Anyway.  The rugby made it bearable.  The next three weeks Scotland will be playing.  Woot. 

I Will Remember

Remember, remember the 5th of November--
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot.
I know of no reason the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever been forgot.  ...ten. 

Otherwise known as 'Annual Celebration of Burning a Catholic'.  Although I'd have been a Jacobite myself, considering I am most definitely NOT a Covenanter (Presbyterian).  But really, any excuse for fireworks is okay with me. 

I went with Lynch, and we had hot cocoa and oohed and aaahed and laughed at the silly music choices, the five second lapse between the end of the countdown and the start of the fireworks, and the 'juggling inferno' group who didn't juggle.  Good times. 

And I wonder if Fawkes the phoenix is named after Guy Fawkes, who was burned at the stake?  Just a thought...

Yoghurt Berries?

I like the odd stuff I see in nature.  These look like they are made of yoghurt.  Or yogurt, if you're American.  I'm not going to taste them, though. 

QML

I spent five horrible hours in QML (that's the Queen Mother Library, for those of you not from Aberdeen).  It was miserable.  It's a terrible old grimy clausterphobic building, and they didn't want to let me in since my student id has expired, despite the fact I'm doing corrections for a degree from here.  And they wouldn't let me take out a three-hour heavy demand book I needed for the same reason, even though it's the only copy they have.  And I had both my old id and my letter stating my corrections.  Jerks.  I hate that place. 

So I didn't take a picture of it.  Or rather, I did... but I'm not using it.  I'm using one I like instead:

Blinding

Kenny mentioned how clean parts of Marishcal College are now, but I didn't expect this.  It doesn't even look like granite anymore! 

I guess hundreds of years of grime will grey up anything.  But I'm not so sure I like this so white, either.

Because I Don't Have One Yet...

Here's a photo of my GP's surgery.  I've been coming here for six years now, and in the last year and a half finally saw a GP who bothered to do more than treat just my symptoms.  Yay for that. 

It's been a good 'un, this surgery.  And yes, here that means doctor's office.