Yo, Brother A-to-Z... What Time Is It?

Ha, ha... (says Jason Mraz)... it's LAUNDRY day!  (doot doot doot, doot doot doot doooo doodle-oodle-oo-doot...) 

I love that song. And I love that singer.  And if you don't know what I'm talking about, you should.  =D

I Hate iTunes

I have spent the entire day trying to get my music from my iPod back onto my lappy.  I have been putting this off ever since my other lappy was stolen;  I just can't be bothered ripping each cd, one by one.  I knew there must be a way to do it, even though Apple says 'No.  That can't be done.  Unless you own a Mac and bring it in to us in the store.  If you're a PC, well, tough luck.'  My friend Aleithia had shown me a site a while back when my iPod was frozen where I could get the stuff back onto my computer, in case we had to reformat the dang thing, but I couldn't remember the name of the software.  So I searched for programs, and most of them want oodles of money.  I'm not paying for this.  I finally found SharePod, which is free (and the one Aleithia showed me before), but it's been a bear.  It worked at first, and then seemed like it worked, and then didn't work at all.  I ended up having to take EVERYthing music related off my computer (all songs, all media players, everything) and then reinstall them all.  What a headache!  But finally, it all works.  And I have all my music pretty much where I want it.  Now Paige and I had better share our stuff like we planned, because otherwise I've gone through all this trauma for next to nothing....

I was working on my corrections during all this, but not very productively.  Oh well. 

Inspiring View

The following view, and the immediate surroundings, have been most inspirational throughout the past year of my thesis-writing, and that has continued into my correcting currently.  Today I got half of my last chapter restructured... which isn't as hard as it sounds, but it is very time-consuming.  It's a magic spot, I'm sure of it:

Paige, I hope your wee flat brings you as much thesis-luck as it has Lynch and me!  Especially me.  And thanks.  =)

Happy Spider Cake, Paige!

We've had a long and fun weekend in the capitol, but we needed a cake to bring back to wee Alva.  We tried a bakery in Stockbridge, but they were always closed.  So we went to Waitrose, and hit paydirt!  I love his shifty eyes..

This cute guy was even half price.  Now how's that for a birthday gift?!  Happy Birthday, Paige!

Philoso-tea

Liz gave me some Aztec spice choco-tea, cos she thought it was gross.  I think it's okay.  And they give you fortune-cookie type fortunes in it.  What's not to like?  Here are mine from the past few days:

My Fictional-Character Crush

Yes, yes, I know.  I am a dork.  Please don't tell me again, I've heard it enough.  But I have been waiting for months for this season premiere.  I've watched reruns just to get a fix.  Finally-- FINALLY-- it is back. Oh, how I love him. 

Oh, H.  If I ever get brutally murdered in suspicious circumstances, I totally want you on my case.  Please ?

The Final

I had wanted my Uruguay to go all the way.  Oh well.  In my initial choosing of 16 teams (from each of the initial group match-ups, I picked one.  Those were my half of the teams I 'supported'.), I had picked the Netherlands.  I had not picked Spain. 

But... after seeing how the Dutch were playing in the first half, I totally wanted Spain to win.  I mean, they kicked a guy full-on in the chest with their spikes!  That's just not right.  I don't care how badly you want to win, you don't play to injure the other team.  Sheesh.  And the ref just wasn't sending people off for dangerous stuff!  So Spain needed to win.  And win they did.  And I supported that. 

I had a good World Cup.  Next year is both the Women's (soccer/football) World Cup, and the Rugby World Cup.  Woot.  A very good year, indeed. 

The Famous Alva Highland Games!

I think this was the 154th Games, and these are the only ones still held in Clackmananshire, the wee county.  Sadly, they weren't so great because it rained all. day. long.  The poor strong men had trouble even gripping the cabers and other throwing things, and the dancing had to be moved to somewhere else, and only one pipe band made only one appearance, and the runners and cyclists were filthy with mud.  And me?  I was cold and numb and very damp by the time I left the Games, got fish 'n chips, and went home to watch the 3rd place World Cup match (Germany beat my Uruguay, but just barely). 

Still, I'm not sorry I went.  It was still fun.  And they have a carnival all week, too! 

Good Day Sunshine!

Today was one of the few days that it wasn't cloudy and windy and rainy.  Well, it was windy, but not too bad.  And the sun was blazing for a while, so I went out to the park across the road to study.  I sat there for an hour or so, til the clouds started moving in on the wind.  Boooo!  But still, it was nice to get out in the sun for a wee while, at least...

Most Comments Ever!

For my breakfast today, I made french toast and covered it with bananas and strawberries.  It. Was. Delicious. 

I posted about it on Facebook, and I got more comments on it than any other status ever.  More than 25!  I think the final count was 26 or 27.  It was awesome. How much fun is that?!

My Study Spot

I always wanted a window seat as a kid, to sit in and read.  I don't have one in Aberdeen, but I have one in Alva.  I've done some of my best work sitting here...

My World Cup Crush

Four years ago, in the first World Cup I ever really watched, I picked a 'crush'.  He was just the guy who really caught my eye, good looking and great to watch in action.  His name was Prso, from the Czech Republic (after the fact, I found out that he played for Glasgow Rangers, but retired right after the World Cup.  Bummer!).  So this time, watching the first games, I decided I'd pick another this year.  Before I'd even seen him play, I chose this man:

And boy, do I have good taste!  Not only is he good looking, but he is amazing to watch!  He's one of the top scorers of the tournament so far, and is a great sportsman, as well.  Yay, me!  And yay, Diego Forlan!  =D

Making Myself Comfortable

The only thing I don't like about staying at Paige's is her bed.  It's just too firm for me, and it ends up giving my back and hips problems.  This time, I devised a solution:

If you can't tell from the photos, I took the duvet and doubled it up.  I slept on top of it, like a feather bed.  Then I just piled a fleece, a fuzzy throw, and a quilt on top to keep me warm.  It worked.  In the summer.  I'm not sure it would have been so nice in the winter, though...

Happy Independence Day!

It's rainy and gloomy here, and there won't be any fireworks.  I am doing the closest thing I can to have a barbeque and celebrate-- I'm making hot dogs! 

Okay, so technically they are frankfurters.  And they are totally skinny.  And buns don't exist here.  And there's no relish.  But still.  They taste good, and they remind me of home, so that's the best I can do today.  =D

A Pretty Slow Day

When all I can think of to take a photo of is my dinner (oven fries and chilli, ha) then I know I haven't done much.  And I haven't.  I've pretty much gone to the grocery for supplies, and worked.  Which I suppose is a good thing, since working is what I'm here for...

The steak fries were pretty good. 

Alva Thesis Retreat, Take Two

I came down to Alva today, to get away and write and watch the wee flat for part of the time Paige is in the States.  I was lucky enough to get uni to loan me a laptop for a couple of weeks, so I brought that and my work down.  I'm also very glad she has a TV, since the World Cup is still going.  I love it.  Today my crush, Diego Forlan, played with his Uruguay team.  I worked and watched and will continue to do so.  Hopefully it will be as productive as January was...