I'll get you my pretty..

Had a quiet, traditional Xmas dinner along at my parents, then visited others. Hope you have had a good one. Took a few photos with the new camera of course, this one is me doing my "Wizard of Oz" wicked witch impersonation..

Shopping

Had today off which was nice. Got up about 11..bliss.. then headed out for lunch and then went shopping in Kirkcaldy. Suppose it's about time to start the Xmas mad rush! I managed to buy a few pressies-you can't go wrong with booze and chocolate! Still, have quite a few still to buy. Been playing around with a good value digital camera my mater bankrolled for me as a present today. The chaotic bookshelves reflect the owner's life at present. Shame I'd moved all the classsics of English literature to another part of the living room, leaving mindbuilding material such as Viz annuals etc on view!

Hello again!

I'm back! Was in Heidelberg first, visiting Clemens and family (which seems to include Oli these days- those who know will understand..). We went to our traditional haunts and, as usual, in the Sonderbar I asked for a traditional yuletide song to be played..TNT by ACDC..well, it's that kind of bar. Anyway, I got my Glühwein at the Xmas market and next day it was off to Stuttgart and a flight to Vienna. Vienna is a really nice city, took in some culture (e.g. Museums, Hofburg, St Stephen's Cathedral) and more Glühwein next to a huge floodlit church on Karl's Platz (see photo). The heated wine not half warms you up on cold winter evenings, so I was positively roasting when I staggered away from the christmas revellers, singing "Vienna" by Ultravox. We also went to the Prater, where we visited the Planetarium which was excellent. Next day Stuttgart awaited, our magnificent team (Me, Janet, Carla, Olivier) won the quiz in the English pub near the centre and gulped down the winner's Sekt with gusto.

Got back yesterday about midnight after about a 12 hour journey involving trams, trains, bus, planes but no automobiles. Good old Scotland...cold, dreich, but possessing a certain charm, at least it does now that I'm back.... ha haaaaaaa

Tschüss

They seek him here, they seek him there, those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven or is he in hell? That damned elusive..Black Toenail. Yes, a souvenir of the West Highland Way, the big toenail on the right has gone totally black, so at least a part of me has natural rhythm!

Ich verabschiede mich, werde die Woche in Deutschland und Wien verbringen.

Rainforest

It was my turn to drive to work today (I car-share with 3 others) and not only was an accident blocking the bridge causing massive tailbacks, but the weather was the worst it's been in ages. All this and it was still dark too- unsurprisingly I began thinking about how life could be better. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to escape this glorious country forever but at least 6 months of the year would surely be more enjoyable spent abroad in a place like Brazil. A friend, and former colleague of mine, sent this rather interesting picture of herself from that very country the other day- it certainly beats Edinburgh at rush hour! I know what you're thinking, and I agree, the rainforest by the sea looks lovely.

lazy

The "couple of pints" in Edinburgh actually ended up being about a couple of gallons. Texted a couple of people I probably shouldn't have. Nights like that, once common in my youth, are now rare however. Awoke this afternoon to find a half-eaten pizza sharing my bed - could have been worse I suppose!

Edited this blog entry today- Sunday. Should have headed along the coast today but ended up getting up very late again. Having one of those days when I can't be bothered doing anything at all, it was a struggle to switch even the PC on. Perhaps I should put some clothes on because I'm sure a neighbour saw me walking naked into the kitchen. Then again, why was she staring in?

The KKK took my baby away

Just watched a DVD about the Ramones, the right-wing guitarist stole the left-wing singer's girlfriend and the feud lasted about 20 years until one of them died, still, at least the singer wrote a good song about it. It seems it's not only members of famous bands that have problems like this. .

Was murder at work today but at least tomorrow is Friday, I'll go out for a couple in the capital after work, it's been a while since I tripped the light fantastic over there. I was thinking today, why is it that I always have to wait behind people who don't know how to work cash machines? I mean they've been a part of our lives for 20 odd years yet some old grannies act as if they have never seen one before. It's always when I'm in a rush to catch a train or bus too. Shame the KKK haven't taken the geriatric old bedwetters away too. Oohhh controversy..

darkness

Back into the normal routine now, getting up in darkness, going to work, coming back in darkness. It will be like this for ages now, how depressing. Well, I am going over to Europe in December so I've not too long to wait. After we got back from Fort William after our week-long, heroic, West Highland odyssey, we decided to do some Fife coastal walking too. This dreadful photo, taken by Tavis on his phone, shows the conquering highland heroes in a most unflattering light. I can assure my loyal reader(s) that we are really just good friends! Thanks for the camp pose Clemens.

Went to Lidl on way back from work- proper German Lentil soup on offer! Got myself a trolley and filled it up. Lovely jubbly.

Success

We finished the West Highland Way yesterday! Have a few blisters and some aches and pains but it was worth it. More later..

jetzt geht's los

It may be Friday night but I'm not enjoying myself too much, have a new rucksack but I've just discovered how little will fit in it! I've had to sacrifice tons of stuff already and there's more to take out if it is to be carried for a week on the West Highland Way. I'll try no to fash masel aboot it however. My walking companion will arrive from Germany in about 3 hours time, little does he know that I've been drinking the beer in the fridge I bought for him, what he's never had he'll never miss eh? I'm certainly looking forward to the weizenbock beer he's bringing me however :-p ha ha ha, he shouldn't have told me eh? Bis zum nächsten Mal!

Lyric

Was driving into work today with a lyric stuck in my head "No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women, no fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it's dark" and it took me a while to remember it was from "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors. It kinda sums up my..er..week so far, apart from the wine part of course!

wandered

I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o'er vales and hills, when all at once I saw a pub, a host of golden Holsten Pils..

Walked along the coast with a couple of pals on Saturday, great weather, ended up partaking of liquid refreshment in an Aberdour Inn. Must get in practice for the West Highland Way afterall! The walking was good too.

globalisation

Have you noticed that globalisation is creeping into even farflung corners of our glorious country? I spent time in Germany a few years ago and you could rest assured there was no chance of a white pudding supper washed down with Iron Brew, now perhaps? Well probably not actually, the point I was trying to make is that I've just been to Lidl for very cheap German lager. Shame you can't get authentic German lentil soup though!! I like German things, provided they taste nice (and aren't total bitches!! haaaaaa). Oh, I am witty tonight..

Heil Kitler

I have a new ally in the struggle against the old maid pigeon feeding Mafia- my pal Kitler. Gorgeous isn't he? He goosesteps around the garden chasing off the birds while all the time formulating plans for world domination. He charismatically miaows most evenings before leaving his brown-feathered sparrow stormtroops to protect his domain until his return next day. Those sparrows better look out because I'm sure he's planning to purge a few of them..

Age

It makes you feel old (even me!) when someone in your training group, who you thought was much older, turns out to be seventeen. Year of birth 1989 for gods sake! Seems like yesterday..I mentioned to a colleague last year if she thought the Live 8 concert was as good as the Live Aid one back in 1985, her reply that she was two at the time was a little deflating. I watched it at a friend's house with a beer in my hand. Whatever was his mother doing, plying an eight year old boy with booze? Also makes you feel older when people you think are positively ancient only turn out to be a couple of years older too! Why this age obsession I hear you ask? You're still young, handsome and stunning..exactly, I'll worry in another 5 years.

Respect

Back home and sober! Now there's a Friday night experience most of my readership won't have had in recent times. Was through in Kdy, was going to go to nightclub with my drinking buddies until I realised I couldn't really be bothered. The entry charge never crossed my mind because I'm really generous and have no stinginess issues at all. I'd have fallen asleep there anyway.

Was shocked earlier in the week to hear of the death of the great Australian Steve Irwin, he was someone I really admired. He was a kick-ass spokesman for conservationism and against animal cruelty and the killing of animals for fun. His programs were/are educational, who couldn't admire his knowledge and enthusiasm? He deserved a lot more than than the 44 years he was given. A hero in Khaki.

Bloody ironic really that the scumbag Ian Huntley took an overdose and failed to kill himself in the same week! There really is no justice in the world!

Who?

Was this the quickest week ever? Maybe, perhaps because I wasn't looking forward to the weekend. I've a lot of homework for my course to do but what have I done? Nothing! Now I've a couple of days left and the pressure is on! I've always needed the pressure, even when I was at University I was always running to hand an essay in that was due in about 2 minutes time. I wasn't at Uni to write essays or dissertations afterall, I was there to booze and play pool. In fact I got a joint first class honours. So who is it? Clue for Tavis: She's female.

Back and bitten

Hallo schon wieder! OK enough German, had a great 2 weeks in eastern Germany, went to Jena, Weimar and Berlin and other interesting places. Even went to Buchenwald concentration camp but unfortunately couldn't find "wish you were here" postcards for my countless devoted friends! Arrived back yesterday and was at work today despite being eaten almost alive by a vicious horde of midges/mosquitoes on my last night in Germany. Problem is I'm allergic to the bites and now have huge seeping swellings on arms, legs and body. Apart from that I'm still totally gorgeous so there's no need for Calvin Klein to cancel my contract. This photo was sent to me by one of my Jena German-course friends, it shows a few of people who had the pleasure of my company-hence the wide smiles..or maybe it was because it was the last night..? Note my amazing impression of a tomato. I think fruit and vegetable impersonations are my way to fame and fortune. Yeah! strawberry, melon, pear, celery stick, gooseberry..I can see it now, I'll have to get an agent.

Auf Wiedersehen

Jetzt ist es soweit, ich melde mich für die nächste zwei Wochen ab. Ich fliege morgen nach Leipzig und werde wahrscheinlich die ganze Zeit in den neuen Bundesländern verbringen-bin auf jeden Fall in Jena für die erste sechs Tage. Ich werde euch vermissen. Ich weiss noch nicht ob ich dort Internetzugang haben werde, wenn ja, werde ich die Gelegenheit benutzen hier irgendwas zu schreiben.

Alles gute

keep fit

No..I don't know why I mentioned that either, wouldn't be surprised if I started mentioning the storming of the Bastille next! It's strange what I write sometimes but then if I was only to write what's happened to me every day it wouldn't make for too interesting reading most days (aaahhh). What do you mean it isn't interesting anyway???

Anyway I have been good and tidied my luxurious flat up, even the washing-up is in the process of being done. Had pasta for tea then went for a walk along the beach, of course at that moment the heavens opened so I ran home again. I'll have to get into this running lark, it's a good way to keep fit and it's free- unlike swimming or going to a gym (who said Scots were tight?). Yeah, I'll be fit as a fiddle in next to no time! Think it will have to wait until after my calorie-laden trip to the former GDR though. Wouldn't it be great if there was pub called "The Gym" so you could impress your colleagues and friends by proudly telling them you're off to the gym every night!