New Leaves

wee update

Today is a grey, cloudy day, with the clouds moving by so quickly. I'm not used to that. Where I've lived, it's usually grey all day if it's grey in the morning, or its clear all day if it's blue. We rarely have quick moving clouds unless there's a huge storm coming.

Today we are meeting up with Loki, and we will chill out with her for a while.

We've watched a few DVD's in the last days, 'A Few Good Men' , 'American President', and we've also watched some Larry Sanders. I've not seen the movies before and I really liked them.

I've been drawing/ writing a lot lately. When I return home, I'll be prepping the last chapters of the first draft of EBT (First novel) for editing. Then, hopefully, I'll be quickly done with TTAV (my second book) which is taking shape much quicker than EBT. Which is probably because it's more likely a screen play. I might try to enter it in Project Greenlight. It can't hurt. I'm more than a little frustrated right now because I know that editing is going to take longer than I would like it to because my grammar completely sucks. My understanding of it is crap. Bleah. Oh well, time to learn. I think I will agree with Pipsie on the Matrix thing. She wanted code to be downloaded into her noggin, I want grammar downloaded into mine.

John is moved into the new place, but there will be a lot of unpacking when I get in.

I should mention that they have Buffy on twice a day here, and I will admit that I am sommat addicted. Angel comes on after that, then X files. Rock on.

Rainbows

I finally went into Glasgow cathedral. That place is completely awesome, and it is open to the public. I expected there to be guards and such, but there weren't. You could walk around anywhere in the church and take pictures as you like. I didn't take any pictures because I was a bit overwhelmed by it when I went inside. It was just amazing.

The sky changes here so much. The clouds just move so quickly past. I was all excited about the blue sky yesterday morning. By the time I got to town, it was mostly grey. But there was a rainbow. I love rainbows. I haven't seen this many rainbows since Janet died. (step mom) When she died I saw about ten rainbows in the space of a week. Just doesn't happen that much in Alexandria. So now, whenever I see a rainbow, I think of her and it makes me smile.

I've been going for walks to explore the area in the south of Glasgow, it's nice to just walk wherever you want. I use a church steeple as a landmark so that I don't get lost. And I always find something. I found some Thistle last week. (The flower that was in Braveheart) It's 'very' thorny. (Hence the name thistle)

The plan for this weekend is to get crackin on the especially the living room. Lots to do in our version of 'this old flat' but I am excited to get working on it.

We've been hanging out with Loki from the forum, she's going to Glasgow University too, and I'm hoping to recruit her for work on 'This Old Flat'. I wasn't brave enough to try haggis.

I won't say what I'd do for a crunchy taco right about now.

xxxx

:)

The leaves are turning and falling here. There's still a lot of green, but I am hoping that in the next two weeks that there is going to be a signifigant change so I can get the picture.

Last night Pipsie and I went out with Sean and Sally. It was so nice to catch up with them. I'd only met them once in December, but I found myself thinking about them from time to time. They told us some valuable information about the area. Parks and such. Sean seemed to know about some scary history bits and I'd love to know more of that.

Pipsie and I are on a mission to find a place to buy paint, and start painting the flat. I know that if we can just get started that it won't take long. But it seems like something keeps coming up.

Theres going to be a Highland Cattle Fair, not too far from us. I think we may go to it. Call me a tourist, I don't care, but I want to see a hairy cow. Ok? Also thinking about a wee venture into Edinborough for the day. Wish I could finagle a bus or train for a day trip to the highlands. I'd really love for both Pipsie and I to go to the Highlands, but I doubt it since she is becoming increasingly busy with school. The heather is in bloom. Never give up, Never surrender. I will find a way. (hopefully)

Currently I am out of contact with John until the phone is installed at the new place. I hate the waiting. I miss him a lot. A few things have become clearer to me on this trip. I think that I've spent too long indulging myself, and being somewhat selfish. I hope to change that. I used to think opposite of that, but I don't believe so anymore.

xxx

Round and Round

What comes around goes around.... Damn that RATT song. It's stuck in my head.

I'd like to thank Lava for the wonderful quiz where I was deemed:

Morpheus


?? Which Of The Greek Gods Are You ??
brought to you by Quizilla

Today is a sommat gorgeous day. Nice blue sky with some clouds. The sky can full you here. It can look exactly like winter, but it could be 70 degrees.

So, I was going to stay and wait for Pipsie to get home from her first day at orientation, but I decided to go out.

I can't stand staying in too much. So, even if it is just walking around my area, I'd rather be out and about today. I may go up to the Necropolis. I have a little time.

And I was even inspired to bring out my camera. There's a graveyard not so far from here that has a small courtyard of nothing but Ivy. There are some leaves of the Ivy that are as big as my hands. I fucking love that.

I still don't do well with finding my way around, but I'm getting better.

Pipsie and I stopped into the Museum of Modern art. They have a piece of work in there called 'Titanic' that moves with music. I love it. I want to spend a whole roll of film on it alone. It goes off once every hour, and we watched it again. We saw it in December, and it always stuck with me.

I must remember to ask them if I can bring my tripod before I haul it around.

Well, I must get going.

love
x

Random Things

Time seems to be flying since I've been here. Last night I broke down and bought my staples: veggie burgers, oatmeal, frozen pizza, diet vanilla coke, avocados.

Pipsie and I had tortilla chips and guacamole. yummy yummy
and settled down to watch some tele.

There's a promise of more guacamole, brie cheese, french bread, and red wine called, 'Claret'. I thought that was a good name for a red wine. I've always liked the word claret.

I like Pipsie's flat, it has a lot of character and I'm pretty excited about all the things that we are going to be doing to it. She has some excellent ideas for redecorating. I can't wait to see it take shape.

We went out two nights ago with some people from the forum. It was nice. But even better was when we went home and went for a pint at Pandora's. Pandora's Pub is a completely beautiful place. Then we hopped in for fish and chips, and I got cheese (salt) pizza. The fact that it was really salty didn't stop me from eating it.

I've an odd fascination that is growing in architecture and furniture. Why hadn't I really noticed these things before? Antiques, wrought iron, (I've always loved wrought iron) But, old furniture and how its put together, and how functional it was.

We went to a little cemetary that looks like a park, and has nice benches and drew the other day. It was a perfectly lovely sunny day. Days here seem to start grey and gradually the clouds break.

I am finally getting in the mood to take pictures. I really have to be in the mood because I'll have to lug out Sabrina (my snotty tripod). I don't care how neatly she folds up, she's a pain in the arse.

There's an art store that we go to, that is just too tempting. It makes me want to do a million things. So, I've resolved to draw out the ideas/ the designs, and pick them up later. I want to finish all my old projects.

We've also been doing a bit of writing. It's been writing weather lately.
gotta run, almost out of time
xxxxxx

Take your rubbish, your mother doesn't work here.

That's what the internet cafe message screen says when you leave. ha ha

I deserve to be flogged. I'm buying into full moon madness. I'm so frickin paranoid. I think I'm just used to having to be on my guard because of the last month being so intense. It's hard to let my guard down.

And It's hard to not be an arse that almost got hit by a bus. It's habit to look left then right dammit. I've been doing good up until then.

I took a healthy detour to the internet place. Healthy as in, a very strong walk, in the wrong direction a few times, but it's cool. I knew I'd find it, the key was just remembering the surrounding shops. I lean towards the fact that my feet just wanted to walk right up to that old church with the necropolis. I realized when I looked up the street that it was the same way to that church. I entertained the thought of going there before meeting Pipsie at the Internet cafe, but I wanted to be able to spend more time than just a few moments.

We went to a pub last night. Stewart was with us, and It was fun catching up and meeting new people. Also cajoling nachos out of the already closed kitchen was quite easy. We have our ways, and we will use those ways.

And, yeast is spelled, YEEST.

Just kidding.

I can't find yeast here, despite the fact that I looked in the baked goods area, I want to make my own pizza, or focaccia. And that whole Yeast / Yeest talk was the joke that we were making, 'Its spelled differently over here.' Pish. and my personal favorite, 'did you look in the baking goods?' lol.

all good clean fun.

I can't continue on that tangent, I'll keep going because I'm semi hungry. But not really. I'm enterring that dangerous area of I-don't-really-want-anything-but-I-want something.

Oh, and Pat you were absolutely right, that damn obelisk was going every which way. And for those of you who don't know, I decided to wear a conservative outfit.

I think I'm going to invite Pipsie to smack me when I start my paranoia, but I've already got a bruise that I believe comes from the railing in the spiral stairway at the pub. Who the fuck puts a spiral stairway in a pub? Were they purposely trying to get you to fall and break your neck? Two pints and a spiral stair case = hawk+injury/headache.

Gotta run,
love ya
xxxxxxx

And we're live from Glasgow

I am here, and oh so happy to be. I love Scotland. Even though my hair is shite today because of the flat grey sky and hovering threat of rain, or drizzle, as it was this morning... I love Glasgow.

London bites my ass.

I would really love for someone to un-spoil london from me, but it seems like every time that I am there, there is always something melodramatic going on.
My time as a 'vagrant' was short lived in the Stansted airport. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. I arrived to see that there were other 'vagrants' littered all over the place, just trying to catch a few hours shut eye before the kiosk opened.

So, I was quite tired, but I survived. The trip after the plane to London was quite hectic. But only because I was kinda frazzled. But contrary to previous behaviour, the Londoners were quite nice to me. I rather enjoy being called 'madame'. I was determined that immigration would not reject me.

But I did have a scary moment when my bank card did not work, and I just kept repeating to myself, "You know there's money, just calm down.. just stay calm. " And that was quite nice considering that I'd just spent the last month randomly freaking out everywhere.

When I got off the plane, I took a train, then I took the underground, then I took a train, which happened to be a bus, and then I took a plane, and then I was in Glasgow. I wrote it all down for my return to not be so hectic. bleah.

And then there was the wayward obelisk that weighed 57 lbs. A good 10 lbs more than Pipsies, but that was ok because it was her Rice Krispies, and other goodies I brought her, not to mention Erica's m&m's that caused it to be more than hers.

We had a lovely time with Stewart on Tuesday night, I had a nap at Pipsies, just a short hour and a half, which did me a world of good. I am happy to say that I have absolutely no lag, and I am soooo enjoying everything here.

Allthough, Pipsie has insisted that I not do my 'humping puppy' impersonation after seeing a very sharp looking Scotsman with a camera. Just talk to me, you won't have to do anything. Just talk... So, now that I'm back with the hubby, it appears that I am going to have a month long abstinence. I don't know why I didn't think of getting back together AFTER the Scotish venture so that I could have casual guilt free closet encounters. I get about five emails from him which are all sweet and pleasant, and make me miss him.

Allright, gotta run,
love ya
xxxx

Obelisk

So, this is day 2 in NYC. I arrived here safely, about an hour later than expected, but well rested. I slept the majority of the trip. I brought my denim cap which blocks the light out very well, and made for very quality napping.

Friday night, we had pizza with spinach, onions, and mushrooms, and a nice salad. It was really very good. Then we just sorta wound down a bit.

My suitcase is now known as the obelisk. As in the space oddessy, because Pixel, Pat's cat, has been most intrigued by it. And it is this huge black thing. But it still has room to put more into. It's not that heavy, but I do have to do something to get a better handle. I'll figure that out later. Otherwise it sorta just rolls where it wants to.

Yesterday, Pat and I went out of the city to nice town called Nyack. We had coffee and tea with her sister Molly, at the Runcible Spoon. It's an artist's cafe, it's quite nifty. Then we spent the day just meandering around that area, stopped in to a couple shops, sat by the hudson river looking at the sail boats.
The weather is absolutely wonderful here. I can't believe just how mild, but sunny it is. Perfect weather.

Yesterday, Molly and her husband Carlo went to eat Thai food with Pat and I, and we had a great time. A very small restaurant, and I'd never had Thai food before. I was expecting it to be like Chinese food, But it wasn't. Not only that it had about 20 selections for vegetarians. Selections that actually seemed interesting. It was the perfect meal. I'd been craving something new and different, and that just hit the spot.

I absolutely LOVE Thai food.

There is an olive store not far from Pat's. I told her that I loved olives on Friday, and she determined to take me there. We went to the olive store, and it had at least a hundred different brands of olive oil, and twenty different brands of bulk olives, which you can serve yourself. I got about seven olives and turned around to see about 12 different kinds of feta cheese in a gigantic display. I was like :: drool ::

So, I got a quarter pound of feta, my olives, and Pat and I had a mediterranian salad for lunch. Which we put Balsamic vinegar on. No need for oil. I was quite suprised at how different a fresh olive tastes. The stuff I've been eating for so long is sooooo bland. bleah.

We'll be having a mediterranian salad today too, since there was enough left over.

Today, Pat and I will be journeying into the jungle... aka Manhattan, and going to the Met.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which made such an impression on me last time, that I realize, I'll probably always want to go to.

Well, it looks like we'll be leaving soon.

xxxx

I almost forgot....

Hippie Retreat Highlights

This past weekend was interesting.
Let's get the first thing out of the way....

I finally went skinny dipping.

The camp has an adult night swim, and i usually go with a suit on, everyone else with their suit off. This time, I couldn't be arsed to bring a suit. So, I just went in nekid. I will say that it was a completely different experience. Certain aspects I liked better with a suit and without a suit.

For instance, when you dive in the water, and you have big breasts, you breasts, when they hit the water, go east and west, and you may have to pick them out from under your armpit. I dove in a few times just because I thought the sensation was hilarious.

But for the most part, I stayed in the water. At least at neck level. Until the sun went down, and then I didn't really care too much. It's really quite wonderful when you know everyone in the pool can't really see you because they are blind as a bat without their glasses. Well, blind enough that you are pretty much like the blurs on tv. Rock on.

So, I am quite proud of myself. I am usually way too self concious to even permit the thought. But I did it anyway. ha ha.

And there were other parts that were pretty cool. They had 'pool noodles'. The pool noodles are swimming aides. We were all joking about 'noodle this' 'noodle that' wink wink.. nudge nudge. Don't touch my noodle you pervert.

John and I had a small argument earlier. We are still trying to adjust. But the very cool thing is that we resolve.

Prior to resolving, John jumps into pool. Ah jeez. I'd been avoiding him. Just trying to cool off a bit, and I didn't feel like getting into an argument in front of my friends. Well, Apparently, (so he says) there were dudes interested in me. I was like 'ho hum, oh well, whatever, are you gone yet? gimme space.'
Then, in comes the staff maker.

And I was like Aw yeah!

Let me explain Looooooooonng brown hair, brown eyes, and is artistically inclined. That is enough for me.. woot woot.

Anyhow. He dives into pool. (suh weet)

Then later, there are only about six of us in the pool. It's just about pitch dark. There is a single light that is from up the hill. So its not a direct source of light.
We decide to play beach ball. Which was actually quite fun. Karen and I figured out that the guys were purposely hitting it over our heads to get us to 'jump up and back dive' i.e. free show. We didn't really care. As long as the same rules applied to the guys. Then the joke was that people were 'missing their back dives.' to hell with the ball, just jump out of the water.
hahhah. I told them to 'shut up, they came out of the water anyways.'

There was also a gratuitous collision between staffmaker and I as I went for his ball. (beach ball you perverts, beach ball. pretend we have suits on, if you can't keep your mind outta the gutter.)

I was like 'oops, sorry, my bad' verbally. inner monologue, was like "rock on"
he was like, 'trust me, i'm quite over it.' *wink*

I was like ???

John was across pool, staring into the light, couldn't see a darn thing. I'm thinking that dude is picking up on me. (hind sight, he really was, but i'm just so dense sometimes. ) But husband is too close for me to be anything but freaked.

John's position facing the light proved very effective for my serving the ball right into his head (see previous argument, in which he admits he was wrong)
a few time. Ok, more than a few times. I thought I'd do it once for fun, but it proved so rewarding, I kept doing it. lol. He chuckled about the reason... but, I still laugh, and feel a warmth of satisfaction at my serving abilities. I was damn good at overhanded serving, and I had a straight shot ( no net) to his head.

Thankfully, beachballs are very light, and not damaging, as I'm sure the amusement would not be the same now.

So, I get out of pool, in the dark area of the pool, and I realize that I've swam/played in the pool for three hours. I realize this because my legs are like, "fuck you, we aren't going anywhere". And my sense of balance was thwarted for the rest of the night.

I was drying off, when someone called my name. They didn't see me in the pool and wanted to make sure that I was ok. I replied, and staffmaking dude says, 'darn, i missed it.' I was like, 'you want a replay?' So, I dive back into pool, get out, and go back to my towel. I'm such a brazen hawk. At times. Next time I'll chicken out.

I chicken out quite well.

But, it made the husband quite attentive. which, I find amusing.

Kat

So, friends of my old coven who live in Michigan, visited this retreat this weekend. It was so awesome to share a cabin with all of them again, and just be near to everyone. Get lots of hugs from them, tell them how much I've missed them. Listen to them yell at me for being able to go out of the country for a month, but not to visit them, one state over. They aren't really yelling, but I still feel a wee bit badly. Yeah, I've been slacking.

Well, Kat is pregnant. And Kat is absolutely beautiful. Radiant, gorgeous. But, she's miserable. And she's straight forward. Always straight forward. I love to listen to her tell me about how she deals with relationships. That she doesn't want a relationship, she wants a bedwarmer. She talks on about how she has actually gotten up in the middle of sex and said, 'um, no thank you.' and walked out. She cracks me up. I might be taking her picture when I return, before she has the baby.

the organization
I'm still not too thrilled with the organization. The group that runs the hippie retreats. I think I am growing out of it. I am moving towards something else. It was the last time that we camped at my favorite site. The place is gorgeous, and although hilly, has the best big rocks. Rocks that are so big that one of them actually leans over the road so far, that you drive under it. It's rather precarious looking, like it might fall, it's at such an angle, but it's quite awesome.

I'm not sure what I'll be doing next, but theres a definate shift coming about. We'll just have to see where everything settles.

well, that's that done

ok, have the check, ran the errands, now trying to sort everything else.

i am starting to calm down a bit, although, i could do with a little less close timing, and a little more cooperation in the force.

i am not sure i'm going to have a lot of updates within the next five days, i've got a lot going on.

i'll do what i can.

love you guys
xxxxx

Oxymorons

The newest oxymoron: Customer Service.

Since the past week of festivities have started to be a full swing drama, I have many times run into the need for calling customer service. After this whole fiasco, there are two companies that I will never, ever, use again.

UPS
Greyhound

One hour on the phone with Greyhound .... Morons.
Twenty minutes (I didn't have) on the phone with UPS.

And thanks to them, I am stuck at the computer for the space of one hour while they dangle my package in front of me. I really need to be on my way to the apartment complex to drop off a check and to the bank, and then to pick john up. After that, I have to get the laundry done, pack, and get the carpets done.

WTF?

I swear that if anyone tells me that Mercury Retrograde is a crock of shit, I'll deck them. I will.

I did pack most of the studio last night, and the laundry is nearly done, and my packing for my trip is about half done, but I really hate this scurry here and there.

I will be in NYC on Friday night, and I'll get to catch up with Pat.

Then i'll leave her house very early on the 7th to go to Glasgow.

I need a vacation.

I need a good, stiff scot(ch)

>:)

hehehehehe