Monday, September 27, 2004
Ben arrived home from his trip in Canada tonight, bouncing around like a little kid with all his new toys i.e. mountian bike, climbing gear, wetsuit, etc. etc.. He was also raving about Vancouver and now fully respects why I keep harping on about it. I ached for the place as he was telling me about his run around Stanley Park and Burrard Inlet over the bridges. Grrr.
He's talking about 2 weeks in BC skiing in Whistler and then hanging out in Van for a bit. Not sure if I'll do it this year, I really have to knuckle down with the PhD and finish off most of the writing next year. Besides, I want to have more shorter trips around Europe to Sorrento, Tuscany, Spain and perhaps Paris again. My incentive to finish the Phd is to really do the Americas from Alaska to BC to West Coast USA, Mexico and finish up trekking in Sth America... I'll need at least 6 months!! Better start saving!
Speaking of trips. Scott came back from his three days in Barcelona with a bottle of Bombay Saphire Gin and some lovely Lindt chocolates for me! Now don't think me trite or perhaps lost control of my marbles... but I think I am in love... !? Weird I know. Now I may be deluded and have just had one bottle of red wine too many... but I really feel bizarrely connected to this guy (and he has said the same to me). We've only known each other 2 weeks, but we just seem so compatible and it just feels ... right... weird ... right... He lived mainly in Toronto for 12 years but is originally from Glasgow, so he has a gorgeous deep Canadian accent with a sly Scottish brogue to complement it. I can listen to him talk for hours... and we do on the phone most days. Ah, I'll shut up now, but stay tuned on this one...
Speaking of lovely boys with Canadian accents... I went to see 'Motor Cycle Diaries' Friday night (wonderful - do see it if you can). As I was watching the trailers for a movie http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379225/ and as some corporate images were being flashed on the screen... up pops a picture of Warren! Have you ever seen the art of Chris Woods? Well, Warren is often a model for him. One of Chris's paintings has been used as an image in the film!? Check out 'Behold the King' http://www.dianefarrisgallery.com/artist/woods/mctopia/index.html
Ok - I'm to ma bed. Going to try another 6am wake up call for a training run... yawn!
Night night
He's talking about 2 weeks in BC skiing in Whistler and then hanging out in Van for a bit. Not sure if I'll do it this year, I really have to knuckle down with the PhD and finish off most of the writing next year. Besides, I want to have more shorter trips around Europe to Sorrento, Tuscany, Spain and perhaps Paris again. My incentive to finish the Phd is to really do the Americas from Alaska to BC to West Coast USA, Mexico and finish up trekking in Sth America... I'll need at least 6 months!! Better start saving!
Speaking of trips. Scott came back from his three days in Barcelona with a bottle of Bombay Saphire Gin and some lovely Lindt chocolates for me! Now don't think me trite or perhaps lost control of my marbles... but I think I am in love... !? Weird I know. Now I may be deluded and have just had one bottle of red wine too many... but I really feel bizarrely connected to this guy (and he has said the same to me). We've only known each other 2 weeks, but we just seem so compatible and it just feels ... right... weird ... right... He lived mainly in Toronto for 12 years but is originally from Glasgow, so he has a gorgeous deep Canadian accent with a sly Scottish brogue to complement it. I can listen to him talk for hours... and we do on the phone most days. Ah, I'll shut up now, but stay tuned on this one...
Speaking of lovely boys with Canadian accents... I went to see 'Motor Cycle Diaries' Friday night (wonderful - do see it if you can). As I was watching the trailers for a movie http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379225/ and as some corporate images were being flashed on the screen... up pops a picture of Warren! Have you ever seen the art of Chris Woods? Well, Warren is often a model for him. One of Chris's paintings has been used as an image in the film!? Check out 'Behold the King' http://www.dianefarrisgallery.com/artist/woods/mctopia/index.html
Ok - I'm to ma bed. Going to try another 6am wake up call for a training run... yawn!
Night night
Sunday, September 19, 2004
Two weeks to go until the Loch Ness marathon. I'm afraid the excesses of August have caught up with me and I am in no way near the shape I was in for Dublin this time last year. However, last weekend I struggled about a 3 hour 15 min run with five other marathon training buddies (they're doing Dublin this year at the end of October). It was mentally painful and physically rather unenjoyable... but I DID run it, so know I still have it in me. Yesterday just three of us ran 15 miles or so along the picturesque River Almond, Crammond and Water of Leith. The day was cool and blustery to start but just kept getting better and better until the sun smiled upon us and a tail breeze encouraged us homeward bound. I truly don't give a flipflop about the time. It will just be a very beautiful run west to east along the length of Loch Ness from Fort Augustus towards the coast and inverness.
Well, I have to admit that I have been 'boy shopping' again. Funny how I have these episodes of wanting total and utter independence and other times when all I want are cuddles and attention of the male kind. I'm only human I guess. The most recent addition to the dating game is Scott.. a 31 year old business analyst for the Royal Bank of Scotland. He is extremely well travelled and used to live in Canada for about 12 years. As such he has the charming combination of a mild Scottish brogue and a soft Canadian lilt. I can listen to him speak for hours. I had plenty of opportunity during our 8 hour date yesterday. Had a good long walk to Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat, drinks in the funky City Cafe, and yummy Thai dinner (all of which he insisted paying for... oh go on then...). Edinburgh being the country-town it is (very similar to Adelaide in this respect), I ran into a bunch of friends and we all hung out chatting and drinking in the cosy wee Thistle Bar (a great pub). Scott lives in Falkirk which is slap bang in the middle of Glasgow and Edinburgh, so he had to catch the last train at 11:30pm; ridiculously early in my opinion. Made for a rather romantic farewell from the platform though. The lucky bugger won an award with the bank and they are paying for him to visit Barcelona for 3 days in 5star accommodation. See how things pan out on his return next week.
Oh yeh... Nick finally got back in contact (interesting timing) that he had his mobile phone stolen, got very busy, had lots of visitors and lost my number.. some codswallop about leaving a note at my flat which I (not) surprisingly didn't receive. Needless to say I gave him a right bollocking and wished him all the best in his future endeavours... you snooze, you lose.
Well, I have to admit that I have been 'boy shopping' again. Funny how I have these episodes of wanting total and utter independence and other times when all I want are cuddles and attention of the male kind. I'm only human I guess. The most recent addition to the dating game is Scott.. a 31 year old business analyst for the Royal Bank of Scotland. He is extremely well travelled and used to live in Canada for about 12 years. As such he has the charming combination of a mild Scottish brogue and a soft Canadian lilt. I can listen to him speak for hours. I had plenty of opportunity during our 8 hour date yesterday. Had a good long walk to Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat, drinks in the funky City Cafe, and yummy Thai dinner (all of which he insisted paying for... oh go on then...). Edinburgh being the country-town it is (very similar to Adelaide in this respect), I ran into a bunch of friends and we all hung out chatting and drinking in the cosy wee Thistle Bar (a great pub). Scott lives in Falkirk which is slap bang in the middle of Glasgow and Edinburgh, so he had to catch the last train at 11:30pm; ridiculously early in my opinion. Made for a rather romantic farewell from the platform though. The lucky bugger won an award with the bank and they are paying for him to visit Barcelona for 3 days in 5star accommodation. See how things pan out on his return next week.
Oh yeh... Nick finally got back in contact (interesting timing) that he had his mobile phone stolen, got very busy, had lots of visitors and lost my number.. some codswallop about leaving a note at my flat which I (not) surprisingly didn't receive. Needless to say I gave him a right bollocking and wished him all the best in his future endeavours... you snooze, you lose.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
I don't quite know where the hell this year has gone... does this make me an old fart? Time is flying by and it's freakin' me out!!!! That means my PhD will be due in next to no time and I feel like all I'll have to show for it is a couple of scraps of paper with coffee stains all over them. I've rolled up the sleeves and made a writing plan with my supervisors. It's pretty rigorous... but, hey, the time has come! Plus it's autumn, and the days will get shorter and darker and colder and precipitous! Good studying weather that.
Anyhoo... let me see... what else can I waffle on about? Well... since August 11th much has occurred as you may well expect.
The Fringe has indeed finished. Thank God I say! It's not that I don't enjoy it, but oh brother.. my purse is empty, my waist-line has expanded and my liver is in shock. Too many late nights throughout the week, and visitors coming out the woodwork. But what a hoot. Several brilliant shows. Highlights for me included 'A Mobile Thriller' (does that photo remind you of Warren Banks or what?). The review sums it up nicely, but I did think it was unmissable... I mean how many plays have you seen sitting in the back of a car driving around Edinburgh at night? One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest was amazing, but the story is now pretty dated and you're left feeling a bit annoyed that people may actually walk away thinking that's mental health care for you these days... Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed the stand up comedy of one of the 'patients' from the show - Owen O'Neill. And finally, my very last and soul replenishing Fringe show was the uplifting Soweto Gospel Choir. Beautiful voices from beautiful people.
Visits included my Aussie gal pal, Nicki, which was far too brief. But we fitted in a hung-over girlie shopping and coffee expedition. Prior to that Mr. Sims graced Edinburgh with his presence for a couple of days. It was great to see him and all gushy in love with Miss Catherine. Egads... another psychiatrist.
I've moved house! Now sharing with my dear friend, Ben.. yes, the odd ball psychiatrist (who self professes needing to see a therapist). I was rather reluctant to give up my lovely wee flat off the Mile, but, it's great to finally feel like I might be able to save some money and have some top notch (pretty left of centre) company.
Been a bit sick. Got over it. Still training for the Loch Ness marathon in... GASP... under a month... so running a little more and mountain biking a little less. Oh God, and that reminds me. I haven't told you about Sleepless in the Saddle yet (check out number 924 and Ben 631). Well, the long and the short of it was, that bloody event left me a broken woman. The mud, the dark, the slippery tree roots, the slamming into the trees, the mechanical failures, the night lights failing, and oh yeh, the guy with an air rifle taking shots at the marshalls.... as if it isn't hard enough!!!
Until next time... over n oot
Anyhoo... let me see... what else can I waffle on about? Well... since August 11th much has occurred as you may well expect.
The Fringe has indeed finished. Thank God I say! It's not that I don't enjoy it, but oh brother.. my purse is empty, my waist-line has expanded and my liver is in shock. Too many late nights throughout the week, and visitors coming out the woodwork. But what a hoot. Several brilliant shows. Highlights for me included 'A Mobile Thriller' (does that photo remind you of Warren Banks or what?). The review sums it up nicely, but I did think it was unmissable... I mean how many plays have you seen sitting in the back of a car driving around Edinburgh at night? One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest was amazing, but the story is now pretty dated and you're left feeling a bit annoyed that people may actually walk away thinking that's mental health care for you these days... Surprisingly, I actually enjoyed the stand up comedy of one of the 'patients' from the show - Owen O'Neill. And finally, my very last and soul replenishing Fringe show was the uplifting Soweto Gospel Choir. Beautiful voices from beautiful people.
Visits included my Aussie gal pal, Nicki, which was far too brief. But we fitted in a hung-over girlie shopping and coffee expedition. Prior to that Mr. Sims graced Edinburgh with his presence for a couple of days. It was great to see him and all gushy in love with Miss Catherine. Egads... another psychiatrist.
I've moved house! Now sharing with my dear friend, Ben.. yes, the odd ball psychiatrist (who self professes needing to see a therapist). I was rather reluctant to give up my lovely wee flat off the Mile, but, it's great to finally feel like I might be able to save some money and have some top notch (pretty left of centre) company.
Been a bit sick. Got over it. Still training for the Loch Ness marathon in... GASP... under a month... so running a little more and mountain biking a little less. Oh God, and that reminds me. I haven't told you about Sleepless in the Saddle yet (check out number 924 and Ben 631). Well, the long and the short of it was, that bloody event left me a broken woman. The mud, the dark, the slippery tree roots, the slamming into the trees, the mechanical failures, the night lights failing, and oh yeh, the guy with an air rifle taking shots at the marshalls.... as if it isn't hard enough!!!
Until next time... over n oot
