Talisker Razor Terror

Buying a razor/clipper to keep what's left of my luxurious full head of hair neat and tidy was a mistake, tried a wee trim after a glass of Talisker or two, a total disaster! I luckily found a barber next day who covered the worst of the damage, though I'm looking a bit like Heinrich Himmler now!

Am writing just a few words today because I'm off on a wee trip tomorrow and, well I'll tell you about it later.

Went to my first gay wedding a couple of weeks ago- well the reception anyway and I didn't have far to go, just up the road to the local restaurant. Most of the pub high society were there so it went off well. Other than that I've been doing the usual stuff, looking after my "kids" and going to work on various day and back shifts. Had a bit of a cold at the time of the wedding, was walking around greeting people like a constipated dalek, but I'm more or less back to normal now.

Have to dash now, still load to sort out and not much time,  bis bald!

Here a photo of the happy couple and of the new Morrisons
supermarket along the coast that is being built (thought you'd be excited).

The cute, the mad, and the crusty

Twenty past ten at night, it's gone dark and I'm very tired. Only got in from work about an hour and a half ago, am doing the back shift and it doesn't suit my body clock at all.  I like to get up early and finish early, no saucy pun intended.

July has gone quite quick and it was certainly warm, too warm for me for sure. Been baking hot here at home but when you've free-range budgies flying about the windows can't be opened much. On the rare occassions they are in their cage I open the windows wide. The budgies are spoilt at bit,they have developed a taste for apples and they go mad if they don't get out the cage.

Spent the month watching sport- tennis and golf being the traditional ones for me in July, but that's all past now and August is nearly upon us. Was in Edinburgh at Real Mary King's Close under the Royal Mile in Edinburgh at weekend, was quite good. Then, of course, I sampled a few brews as tradition dictates!

Last Thursday I thought I'd go to the gym as I'd been a lazy sod for a month or so, my reunion with the treadmill did not go well however, I managed to fall off the damned thing and suffered burns to wrist and leg! Old crusty wrist will have to be more careful in future, maybe lifting pints in the Auld Hoose is a better idea..

Looked in at Kath's place a couple of times recently, they now have a cute little doggie! At least I'll not have to get up during the night to take my budgies a walk :-)

Here are photos of the cute dog, the mad birds and me with a scowl on my pus (my usual inane grin being frowned upon by the passport authorities..)

Broken toothed poisoned budgie fan

Almost the end of June, so time for an update. Been at new job for 5 weeks now, things are going ok but I start backshift next week, working until 8pm and I'm not looking forward to it as I'm more of a morning person, still at least I should get more sleep.

Month started off with one of my teeth breaking off when I bit on something hard, went to dentist and I be going back there next week, so I'm not as stunning as I usually am, though it's not a tooth at the very front. The second week of June I felt like hell as I had food poisoning, really I wouldn't wish it on anyone, I won't go into details. I'm sure I get it from a dodgy chicken burger at Wetherspoons in Kirkcaldy so I'll not be rushing back there! I wasn't off work though as I was in training, didn't venture too far from a toilet though! It took about 9 days until I was back to normal, couldn't even enjoy a drink with my ex-colleague Linda who was back in town after 5 years on a brief visit from Australia, next time maybe.

On the same day I was poisoned I bought two Budgies - Robbie (named after a guy from the pub) and Stasi (after Eva Braun's dog..or the East German secret police, take your pick). They are lively wee fellows and demand to fly around the living room at least once a day. The smaller bird simply hates going back into his cage though, or is probably too think to find his way back, unlike the clever Robbie.

Had an eye test done the other day, eyes are fine but my distance sight could be better so have a prescription that I'm hoping Ron from the pub can get me a cheap pair with, we'll see. Plans are afoot for a massive walk on Saturday, probably the Tay Bridge to Newburgh stretch will be attempted, but I don't think there are any pubs before the end of the 17 mile stretch. Guess a wee carry-oot will have to be taken along!

Goodbye Hello

This year has certainly been one of change, my morph era came to an end last Friday and my new job in Dunfermline started yesterday, as with all new jobs it will take a lot of getting used to but I'm glad that I don't have too far to travel, have done the Edinburgh commute for many years and had no enthusiasm to start that again!

Had a nice wee trip to Berlin, which included a trip to the Baltic Sea last week. Four folk from the local pub were coincidently on same flight, though we resisted the urge to booze together in the big city, we do that all the time at home afterall! I never tire of Berlin, it's too big to discover in a few trips, though I will admit that this trip, like the last one in November was too short and too centred on Alexander Platz. Did have time to visit one of my Morphsuit accounts on the Scharnweber Strasse, it was a case of hello and goodbye really but was interesting to meet  someone I previously only had telephone contact with.

Would have been my mum's 75th today, she was most certainly the glue that kept the family together, things just aren't the same. It's amazing how quickly this year has gone, a year that has been just a tad stressful so far. Thanks to BePo for being there for me when many simply weren't. Here is she before a gate-like structure in Berlin, a photo of Potsdam and a spa health seeker during a very brief visit to Zingst. 



 

Stressed sun-seeker

 April almost over and the sun is shining, it seems winter is over for another year. Things are slowly beginning to normalise after the recent stressful few weeks, though it saw another funeral, this time of my Uncle Jim. I hadn't seen my cousins on that side of the family for a long time, then I see them twice within a few weeks, though both occasions were tinged with sadness. 

A couple of weeks ago I escaped to the sun for a few days, was good to recharge the batteries and relax a bit. I normally go abroad about this time and it was a welcome break from what has been an annus horribilis so far. 

The job situation seems clearer, the parent company want to do their own thing without the experience our office provides. Already they can't cope, a disaster looms, and to paraphrase Rhett Butler "frankly I don't give a damn". Have applied for a couple of things and will do more after my next trip, am off to Berlin in a few days, will be good to see the city I remember from my youth, a full 6 months ago! 

Helped out with the Kinghorn beach clean on Sunday and had our picture taken by a press photographer, have scanned the paper these last couple of days but, alas, the picture has not been in it.

Here a couple of photos taken this month, not in Scotland in case you were wondering.. Have been adding photos to blogs for years but I'm finding aligning them more and more difficult. Am becoming less technical in my old age but I'm sure something has been changed..

Beware the Ides of March

March turned out to be a less than happy month for Julius Caesar, I know how he feels.

Month was dominated by the passing of my mum Laura, whose life journey ended on 19th March.  Even though you might suspect the end is drawing near, it's still a shock when it actually happens, she is at peace now and free of the cruel illness that affected her in her final months.

Auf Wiedersehen Mutti, you won't be forgotten by your family and friends. The funeral was well attended with family and friends, many of whom I hadn't seen for decades.

Other minor incidents this month? Well, after visiting my mum for last time some woman reversed into my car in Lidl carpark, so am going through an insurance claim right now, will probably cost me a whack unless she admits liability- there were no independent witnesses.  Got a courtesy car today while the minor damage to mine is repaired.

Also, at work things have been far from easy, with a major fallout with two members of the co-owners family, however I am in the right and have received support from colleagues. Hardly a stress-free existance this month though! Oh, and we are likely all to lose our jobs due to the parent company of Morphsuits internalising their operation, it will go pear-shaped for them for sure, but such is life.

To clear my head a bit, I spent a couple of nights in Lundin Links, walked Elie to Anstruther in the howling wind and snow, good for the mind so it is.

Anyway, I hope things get a bit better from April onwards, months like this one I really don't want to experience again in a hurry.

crashed again

Spent about an hour writing this update then suddenly a crash when adding a photo or two! No draft, nothing. Well I can' t be fashed writing the whole month again, here a couple of photos..not happy! One shows how much my colleagues love me, another a lovely sunny day here, the other one a whisky challenge that I lost last weekend.

No dooking loony

 

How does the song go again "January, sick and tired, you've been hanging on me ,  You make me sad with your eyes ,  You're telling me lies,  Don't go, don't go".  Well it is going to go and tomorrow it will be gone.


Mouth started off in usual fashion, down the beach looking at brave people doing the loony dook  - walking into the icy cold sea wearing silly clothing, most still nursing hangovers from the night before no doubt. I maybe should have put the morphsuit on and joined in, oh well there's always next year!

The month went by quite quickly if truth be told, I very much have a routine, one week mirroring the next. No massive long walks were done but I did manage Inverkeithing to Aberdour if that counts. Should be walking on Saturday however and no doubt a couple of drinkies will be had along at the Railway Inn or similar.

Birthday was on Tuesday, the folk at work got me a Thomas the Tank Engine cake, a beer and a new Foul Fashion shirt. After work I was in the Auld Hoose for a couple of beers and a wee dram, then it was back to the pipe and slippers at home. It is quite incredible to think how quickly time goes, still I'll never be as young as I am today.

Think I should maybe book a trip somewhere as these cold winter nights seem to drag on forever, was speaking to my barber on Monday ( a guy who I've known since I was a boy) and he was telling me about all the places he has visited- and he's been almost everywhere and he has 3 trips booked for this year already, including Monaco for the Grand Prix. Yeah, I need to see a bit more of the world, guess I'll have to get a new passport then.

Anyway, here a couple of photos, one of me on my birthday, the loony dookers, and Tavis havering on about Marxism or similar, see you in February.

Battery weirdness and a happy new year!

That's Xmas come and gone then, but still the new year to go. I've never really been one for celebrating the New Year too much, well maybe I have in liquid terms, but less emotionally if you know what I mean. This Xmas meal was held at my parent's place and Anne and her family were in attendance, no, a conservation-fest it wasn't, though the food was nice.

Today started off in sober fashion with me on my way to my work in Kirkcaldy in my wee car, unusually there was a locked gate on the factory's street, I got out car to try to open it but it was locked, went back to car then found it wouldn't start! Got the AA out, they said battery was goosed, and then I went to garage to get a new one. Strangely, when visiting my parents later, my father had the same problem when I was there, and went to the same garage for the same repair. Weird.

I was at work yesterday and today but now am off until into the New Year, all the best to my loyal blog-fans! I'll not lose too much sleep over 2012, things surely must be better in 2013.  Prost!

Here a few work night out photos!!

Lundin calling..

One thing I've not been doing a lot of in recent times is long distance coastal walkathons, have been lazy blaming weather and this and that, but all that changed on Saturday when the stretch from here to Lundin Links and Lower Largo was undertaken. Weather has been very cold, but wasn't too bad on Saturday so off we went on the approx 16 mile or so stretch. It took just under 6 hours and it was getting dark before the destination was reached. Had a pint or two in the Railway Inn and a well deserved meal in the Crusoe Hotel in Lower Largo. Still got stiff legs, but must make a New Year resolution to do more walking!

Canne believe that Xmas is almost here, obviously I haven't bought any presents at all yet, maybe I'll start next week in Edinburgh when I'm over to sample the christmas market there. Either that or I'll have several mulled wines and forget all about it.. Work goes on as usual, hopefully have 2 weeks off but remains to be seen if I'll be paid.   

   
Here are a few pictures, two from my weekend walk and one on a rainy day near Arrochar in November. Had intended to walk the Cobbler, a mountain, but the rain jacket let the icy rain through so retreated back to an open fire in a local inn. Will be better prepared for the next attempt!

Ich bin ein Berliner

The last update was a panic driven last resort because I refuse to let a month go by without my controversial comments..

Just back from Berlin, a bloody good trip too, walked Treptow to Alexander Platz first day, and we managed it. Business meeting went well, words can't really describe it.   Well impresssed by the company we visited, amazing really.  .



 

Halloween

My oh my..Johann Sebastian Strauss fills this this rather small  flat with his excellent musical creations.

Where to begin?

The nice photo is of Ludwigsburg.

Compare the Meerkat

Almost the end of September and the weather is totally shit. Been to the gym today, well I'll be off to Stuttgart on Friday so I'll not have the opportunity for the next week or so. Been putting the calories back on with pasta and beer though!

Was supposed to be on a business trip to Berlin right now but it was canceled due to the person we were supposed to meet being ill - so instead of the Reichstag, Unter den Linden, and those lovely beer gardens I've got the dreichness of the south Fife Riviera on one of the worst days of the year.  Then again, the trip to Berlin looks like being at beginning of November now, we'll see.

As mentioned before I'm off to the Volksfest in Stuttgart on Friday! Actually I've been going for about 10 years or so, with the exception of last year, which I unfortunately missed. So this time I'll have to make up for it. Looking forward to the Gamsbart Trio, the dirndls, and of course those litre glasses of beer! Though my drinking prowess isn't what it used to be, will probably have 3 or 4 before going to bed for 15 hours to sleep it off. It's an age thing I suppose, I remember a trip to Belfast with Clemens in 1992 that was legendary in it's severity, long gone days for me, though Clemens (who will also be at the Oktoberfest) is still up there in the premier league of binge drinkers.


Was at Edinburgh Zoo a couple of weeks ago, was the first time in decades. Only animals I didn't see were the pandas because you're supposed to book a viewing time beforehand. Was good though, well worth a visit. Congratulations to Tavis for buying a panda themed hat to cover his lack of hair, only to lose it within about 4 hours in a pub in South Queensferry somewhere!  Here a couple of pics.

Numbed retro addict

Just been to the dentist and have that numb feeling, oh what a month it's been - rain, sun, rain again and then again, a typical summer really. Still, it's a British thing isn't it? Moan about the weather constantly then complain that it's too hot when the sun shines a bit. Though the summer has been pants it has to be said, no wonder millions of us jet off to the sun each year. Me? My favourite sunny place must be the Algarve, it's not too far away but is far enough!

Was at work between 7am and 9am today as it was my turn to drive my esteemed mother to the Western General  for her ongoing treatment, just a day to go before I'm off to the Ingolstadt German beerfest thingy in Kirkcaldy. Plan on going Friday and Saturday actually and it's sure to be good if last time is anything to go by.  After that I'll have about 4 weeks until I'm off to the Volksfest down Stuttgart way. For this festival I have the ideal thing- a lederhosen Morphsuit! Though would I actually wear it? I can imagine that toilet visits would be complicated. Heard at work that I may have a wee trip to Berlin coming up, not bad if true, we'll see.


This flat needs tidying but I'm just unable to make a start, probably because I'm addicted to a relatively ancient computer game Return to Castle Wolfenstein, my new PC doesn't even play it it's so old, but I have my old PC in the spare room.  Seems a bit daft that I bought a new PC only to spend more time on the old one, but there you go. I'll have to broaden my horizons and stop living in the past - honestly I'm so retro in so many ways...clothes (some say), music, TV, Films, PC Games, mobile phone..etc etc . Am I the only person alive who doesn't have internet on my phone? As for films, I'm working my way through a box-set of Hitchcock's greatest films..brilliant.

Off to fridge to get an alcohol-free beer, have to give my liver a few days rest before the weekend! See you in September!  Photo of me in garden and one of a beach cave in gorgeous weather.

morphsuited seagull victim

Last day in July and it's sunny, makes a change from the rest of the month when it rained almost constantly. When will we finally get a nice summer? Makes you want to emigrate!

Just finished cutting the grass, have to use the opportunities when they come. At least when I'm out there the seagulls that my neighbours delight in feeding disappear, though the noise from them is always to be heard, not that I've anything against seagulls that do seagully things like catch fish, just those that scrounge and land noisily on my roof on the way to another food handout from the old maid bird mafia.

Not been on any massive walks this month but plan on a long one on Saturday, regardless of the weather, I mean I'm getting to be such a wimp, canceling plans if even a few drops are falling, but not next time. Did go a couple of weeks ago to Inchcolm, on the other half decent day we had in July. Was nice to be back on the island after many years but it was like a Hitchcock movie set with all the-yes, you've guessed- seagulls, thousands of them, dive-bombing anyone within the vicinity of their young.

Work is going ok, gave a couple of morphsuits to two of my nephews for their birthday, at my advanced age I should be past wearing them myself but what did I do after a few too many glasses of vino verde? Yeah, I put one on then went off to my local pub. My local one! Oh the shame, had to avoid that place for a few days, though maybe not everyone recognized me..

Enjoyed watching the Open Golf, Wimbledon, now Olympics etc , time for me to get off sofa and get more active myself I think, lets hope August brings good things.  Here a couple of photos..

Computer & Highlands

Near the end of June and all is well, apart from my legs that are still stiff from walking Kinlochleven to Fort William at the weekend, about 17 miles and the weather was pretty crap, what else would you expect up there? Enjoyed it for sure!

Also got myself a new PC, first one in very many years, even wireless now.. Am happy enough with it but I am now at the limit of my monthly usage so can´t post all my usual photos,  will make up for it next time! This one shows the view from my highland hotel, it is a beautiful place so it is.

Herrliches Wetter

Weather these last few days has been unusually great, so much so that I feel myself almost wishing for our normal dreich conditions! Well maybe not, has been good to have the windows open and give the flat a good airing. Not been up to too much this month, have been going to Morphsuits as usual and to be honest I feel quite at home now. Not thinking of applying anywhere else at the moment, life is going ok for me at the moment. Have been thinking of places to go, but can't decide where, would be nice to get away for a few days. Maybe I'll go up the highlands sometime soon. No doubt I'll be going to the Volksfest in Stuttgart in late September too, so predictable. One thing I must mention however is the passing of my uncle, the scanned photo here, taken in 1975 and previously posted by me in 2007, is probably my favourite of us together. RIP Here a few recent photos.

Technical faux pas

Ahhhhh, that's nice, just finished work, more or less got the all clear from the doc (let your imaginations wander..) and tomorrow I'm off to the Frühlingsfest in Stuttgart for a few days! Haven't been to Germany for about a year now, the longest time for 20 years probably, so am looking forward to those beer tents! Still got my packing to do but I'm taking virtually nothing, just a few Foul Fashion items to impress the locals, all crammed together in a Foul Fashion rucksack. Am flying this time with KLM via Paris, so hope all goes smoothly, it might be a bit of a rush in Paris though. In any case, no work for a week! Though, having worked for a long time in a call centre environment, working where I am now is virtually stress-free, lets hope it lasts! Have been to the gym 3 times this month but otherwise have done nothing too strenuous, been in Edinburgh a couple of times, done a few short walks under 4 miles but otherwise have been lazy. I really need to start the massive long walking again, particularly as I plan a walking extravaganza in the highlands again later this year. Watched the Grand National in the Ferry Tap in South Queensferry (between the two Forth bridges) but did not win, this is becoming a bit of a tradition as I did the same last year too. Was a good day, lots of beer/whisky/food, though probably too much! Took many photos but seem to have lost all of them while transferring to PC -bloody idiot, as I'd immediatly cleared the memory card too :-( . Oh well, will take a few more over in the Fatherland. Bis zum nächsten Mal! Here a couple of other photos. Bloody hell, this Blogger has changed, very user-unfriendly now aaaaaarrrrgg

Tired legged fashion icon

Walked from Kincardine to North Queenferry on Saturday, took about 8.5 hours but did spend some time in Culross and had a pint in a couple of small towns along the way. Shame it was as misty as hell, we could hardly see 100 metres in front of us most of the way. We literally didn't see the Forth Road Bridge until we were almost under it! Legs are still stiff..

Clocks have gone forward so summertime has begun, certainly the weather has been fabulous these last couple of days, should continue too for a few days so will go a wee wander maybe after work tomorrow - it helps that I leave work at 2pm, can still enjoy the day.

Work has been fine, I wore some Foul Fashion to the local pub the other week, you could see that all eyes were upon me! Also was prancing about the flat, and my garden in my gorgeous Morphsuit, but have not been drunk enough to wear it to the pub yet! Think I might though, after all no one can recognize me while wearing it, eh? I'll let you know..

What else has March thrown at me? Well, this and that, had my arm x-rayed and am back in for a scan on Friday, however it isn't sore now. Had a run-in with the neighbours again about the seagull feeding, pretty daft when a monster rat was once spotted out there! Still they all love me really...well, we are talking anyway.

Here are a couple of nice pictures taken this month - three of me being fashionable and one a lovely wee street in Culross.

Suited, suave, and an alcoholic giraffe..

Have been at 2 quiz nights, watched the woman in black (good in my opinion), went to Edinburgh a couple of times, went to work Mon-Fri 8 until 2 (it makes a difference, believe me). So in a nutshell I haven't done much extraordinary, why not do something Alan? Why not follow Michael Palin around the world? You've just watched the box-set, reminding you of the world as it was 20 odd years ago, so why not? Must I always have bourgeois concerns about mortgages, money etc? I mean, you need to go when still active enough to do so, eh? So how many of my followers would offer a sofa to a weary traveler?

Been a mild month actually, no snow here at all so far, a relief to me, otherwise I'd have to walk to my morphsuit heaven. Was at an interview at Tullis Russel, a time warp as I was there in 2001 too, interview went well, but to hell with that.."tell me about a time.." bullsh*t..experience and ability to do the job should be more important than cheesy answers and racial/sexual questionnaires!

Armless fun

Hi Blog people!

Well, that's January almost done and dusted then, not the greatest month ever but ok. Worst part was having a knackered arm for about 10 days, no cause (and you can stop thinking that right now..), just woke up one morning and could hardly move right arm. Was painful so went to Doc, had x-ray etc. Just took a call from Doctor's surgery, he wants to see me about x-ray, appointment in 4 weeks! Oh how wonderful our health service is. Other than that I've just been going to my morphsuit heaven during the week and chilling in the local pubs from time to time. Was my birthday on Sunday so had a couple of meals out over the weekend. Sorry about lack of bodice-ripping excitement but now the arm is getting slightly better I can start having some swashbuckling adventures.