My manager is a crazy Englishman named Des. And I do mean crazy. One small example: he's given all of us fighter pilot names, which he uses in preference to our real names. In case you're wondering, I'm Alpha Lemur. He's Chowder. I usually call him Mr. Chowder, to maintain a properly respectful employer-employee relationship.
I mentioned to Des today that I'm considering holding a Robert Burns supper at Chateau Greyskull (I haven't told him the name of my house yet; I'm afraid it would only lead to me being assigned a new fighter pilot name, most likely She-Ra). He said, "Well if you do have one, you should incorporate spiders into the decor. I remember an anecdote from primary school regarding Robert Burns, that once when he was trapped in a cave he saw a spider climbing up a thread, & it inspired him to continue his struggles no matter what the odds."
"That was Robert the Bruce, not Robert Burns," I replied. "Robert the Bruce was a king of Scotland in the 14th century. Robert Burns was a drunken Scottish poet from much later."
"Indeed he was, Alpha Lemur. But you did not let me complete my thought. You see, I am envisioning a combined theme party, with elements of poetry, drinking, spiders, kingship, Sassanach-whacking, history, & perhaps polecat-hunting, in a fantastic tapestry spanning centuries of Scottish history. Alpha Lemur ... you need to start thinking outside of the box."
And with that he spun on his heel & marched into his office. With my stapler. He steals my stapler at least three times a week. He's also a pen thief.
Edit: This post is now officially designated DesWorld Dispatch #0.
DesWorld Dispatch #0.5.
I mentioned to Des today that I'm considering holding a Robert Burns supper at Chateau Greyskull (I haven't told him the name of my house yet; I'm afraid it would only lead to me being assigned a new fighter pilot name, most likely She-Ra). He said, "Well if you do have one, you should incorporate spiders into the decor. I remember an anecdote from primary school regarding Robert Burns, that once when he was trapped in a cave he saw a spider climbing up a thread, & it inspired him to continue his struggles no matter what the odds."
"That was Robert the Bruce, not Robert Burns," I replied. "Robert the Bruce was a king of Scotland in the 14th century. Robert Burns was a drunken Scottish poet from much later."
"Indeed he was, Alpha Lemur. But you did not let me complete my thought. You see, I am envisioning a combined theme party, with elements of poetry, drinking, spiders, kingship, Sassanach-whacking, history, & perhaps polecat-hunting, in a fantastic tapestry spanning centuries of Scottish history. Alpha Lemur ... you need to start thinking outside of the box."
And with that he spun on his heel & marched into his office. With my stapler. He steals my stapler at least three times a week. He's also a pen thief.
Edit: This post is now officially designated DesWorld Dispatch #0.
DesWorld Dispatch #0.5.
![[profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
funkyplaid's beautiful photos inspired me to finally post a few of my own Edinburgh snapshots, which were taken about two months ago.The first photo is taken from the window of the kitchen on my floor. That's right, if my room was on the other side of the hall, this is the view I would have. Instead, I look into the dumpy courtyard behind Farm Foods & a wall covered with pigeon crap. Alas. I took this photo at about 4:00 AM one morning whilst struggling with insomnia. Sometimes being up early is ... worth it. The only feature I dislike in this photo is the antenna that mars the silhouette of the mountain on the left. But I think the colours of the sky more than compensate for the small technological intrusion.
The photo on the left, below, was taken from along the Royal Mile. The building pictured used to be a church, but it is now called the Hub, & is one of the central organising points for Edinburgh's many summer festivals. Church recycling is quite common here; offhand, I can think of former churches that now serve as a hostel, pub, movie theatre, & an automotive garage. When I'm walking from
home to the Institute of Geography, I see three steeples along the Royal Mile. In order, they belong to buildings that are now: a tourist information centre (the Tron), a cathedral/tourist destination (High Kirk of St. Giles), and the Hub.Edinburgh is really an amazing city - almost everything I could want in a place to live is located within walking distance of my residence. There's stunning history, fine shopping, a plethora of pubs, quality academic institutions (not just the University but the National Library & numerous museums), & accessible natural areas just outside the door. There's so much variety packed tightly into the city centre - very few American cities can compare. And no American city can even come close to matching the architectural diversity! But there's diversity in more than just the buildings. The THINGS that go on here! I haven't even done one-tenth of the things I want to do - I haven't hiked in the Pentlands, I haven't gone to a Gaelic church service, I haven't been to the Royal Observatory, or gone to a football match, or toured a distillery, or been to ANY live music ... I better stop this train of thought before I convince myself to play hooky tomorrow ...
The final photo combines the first two, showing the Hub's steeple in the foreground & Arthur's Seat behind. You can also see the line of the Salisbury Crags running in front of Arthur's Seat. I took this from the Half Moon Battery in Edinburgh Castle on the finest, clearest day imaginable.
matricula-shon
Oct. 8th, 2003 01:00 pm/* Note: I tried to post this around 1:00 PM today, but LJ was ganking on the database connection. Thus, the backdate. */
I finally got through the matriculation process today. Whoopee! I'm officially a student now. What a stupid, ass-backwards process. My basic observation of this country so far is this: Scottish people as individuals are wonderful, fun, generous people. However, Scottish institutions are bureaucratic, obstructive, inefficient, & callous.
We're finally having some stereotypical Scottish weather today too - raining, misty, cold, windy. But I bundled up & grabbed my unbrella & life's OK. I'm off to get some groceries, then I'm going to find a place to buy an answering machine so I don't have to tangle with that STUPID voice mail "service" any further.
One other task accomplished - I joined the student gym (the Centre for Sport & Exercise). So now I can start SWIMMING! Hooray! I'm also considering cross-training on weight machines, but it's been so long since I've lifted, I kind of want to talk over a regimen with a trainer.
Update on the back: it's a little better but not much. I'm getting along without any more Valium, since I simply cannot take that stuff & remain functional. I'm also still saying "No" to codeine. I'm doing my stretching exercises, so hopefully a couple more days will see me through this. I also think swimming will help, by getting my shoulders stretched out.
I finally got through the matriculation process today. Whoopee! I'm officially a student now. What a stupid, ass-backwards process. My basic observation of this country so far is this: Scottish people as individuals are wonderful, fun, generous people. However, Scottish institutions are bureaucratic, obstructive, inefficient, & callous.
We're finally having some stereotypical Scottish weather today too - raining, misty, cold, windy. But I bundled up & grabbed my unbrella & life's OK. I'm off to get some groceries, then I'm going to find a place to buy an answering machine so I don't have to tangle with that STUPID voice mail "service" any further.
One other task accomplished - I joined the student gym (the Centre for Sport & Exercise). So now I can start SWIMMING! Hooray! I'm also considering cross-training on weight machines, but it's been so long since I've lifted, I kind of want to talk over a regimen with a trainer.
Update on the back: it's a little better but not much. I'm getting along without any more Valium, since I simply cannot take that stuff & remain functional. I'm also still saying "No" to codeine. I'm doing my stretching exercises, so hopefully a couple more days will see me through this. I also think swimming will help, by getting my shoulders stretched out.
one last entry before bedtime
Oct. 5th, 2003 10:01 pmAfter a fit of anger that almost ended with my POS laptop being launched out my bedroom window, I reformatted the hard drive & installed Windows 2000. Now, my machine is a little short on RAM, so W2K is a bit slow, but by God it's worth it to have gotten rid of all the crapulous little freeware programs my dad had installed on that poor machine over the years. Anyway, I need one more small piece of hardware (a Ethernet -> USB cable dongle - anyone know a good place to buy one in Edinburgh?) (hey, that's a good question for ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
edinburgers), then I'll be all set up to do email from my room, & to upload my digital photos.
[NOTE: this entry edited on 10/22/03, photos added, text modified.] I took some really fine photos this weekend. The photo to the left is from Saturday. Cousin Kate came up for a visit, & we met up with her friend Abby & a bunch of Abby's friends. We took a ferry to Inchcolm, a small island in the Firth of Forth. On the island is Inchcolm Abbey, founded in 1192 by King Alexander I of Scotland, as well as some anti-aircraft emplacements dating from World War II. There was a wedding party on board the ferry with us, & it was mighty traditional - all the men were wearing kilts, sporrans, etc., & there was a bagpiper in full regalia. The poor bride & bridesmaids were wearing sleeveless gowns that looked entirely inadequate considering how cold it was out on the water. I have to say, sailing across the Forth to a 12th century ruin while hearing "Scotland the Brave" being played ... well, it definitely sounded a chord in my soul. On the other hand, I think that there is something about the experience of living on this island as a monk that cannot be recaptured today. How much more isolated would the isle have felt if only windpower or rowers were available to get to the mainland? And there would be very little river traffic, as opposed to today, when at all times at least three or four vessels were visible. Just a random thought.
To the right is a photo of two children who were part of the wedding party.
Even I, noted disliker of children, thought these two were pretty cute. The elder brother had to do a quick bit of persuasion to convince the younger to pose for me to take this piciture. Awww, cute widdle kilts ...
The final photo was taken onboard the ferry boat. You have to read the sign to understand what happened. You see, it's a photo of Abbey & Shirley right before Kate & I sold them into slavery to finance another couple rounds at the pub.
So today, Abby, Kate & I drove into Fife, where Abby's parents live. Abby is heavily involved in social work with refugees, & her mom's church had organised a collection to benefit the Karen people of Burma. So we attended services at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Kirkcaldy so Abby could speak about the Karen, & to collect the money. Halfway there, Abby suddenly remembers that it's Harvest Day, a British church holiday that focuses on getting tinned food donations for the poor. So we stop into a petrol station & buy three tins of the only tinned food available - Spaghetti Hoops. We each stuff one tin in our coat pockets & head on into church. Only to learn there that the tinned food donation was suspended this year - in favor of a money collection for the Karen! This story ends with me eating Spaghetti Hoops for dinner tonight (I don't recommend them; the sauce is pretty bad).
Anyhoo ... first day of real classes tomorrow. We're starting at 10:00 AM with "Software Engineering and Geographical Algorithms". Heeeerrre we go!
edinburgers), then I'll be all set up to do email from my room, & to upload my digital photos. [NOTE: this entry edited on 10/22/03, photos added, text modified.] I took some really fine photos this weekend. The photo to the left is from Saturday. Cousin Kate came up for a visit, & we met up with her friend Abby & a bunch of Abby's friends. We took a ferry to Inchcolm, a small island in the Firth of Forth. On the island is Inchcolm Abbey, founded in 1192 by King Alexander I of Scotland, as well as some anti-aircraft emplacements dating from World War II. There was a wedding party on board the ferry with us, & it was mighty traditional - all the men were wearing kilts, sporrans, etc., & there was a bagpiper in full regalia. The poor bride & bridesmaids were wearing sleeveless gowns that looked entirely inadequate considering how cold it was out on the water. I have to say, sailing across the Forth to a 12th century ruin while hearing "Scotland the Brave" being played ... well, it definitely sounded a chord in my soul. On the other hand, I think that there is something about the experience of living on this island as a monk that cannot be recaptured today. How much more isolated would the isle have felt if only windpower or rowers were available to get to the mainland? And there would be very little river traffic, as opposed to today, when at all times at least three or four vessels were visible. Just a random thought.To the right is a photo of two children who were part of the wedding party.
Even I, noted disliker of children, thought these two were pretty cute. The elder brother had to do a quick bit of persuasion to convince the younger to pose for me to take this piciture. Awww, cute widdle kilts ...The final photo was taken onboard the ferry boat. You have to read the sign to understand what happened. You see, it's a photo of Abbey & Shirley right before Kate & I sold them into slavery to finance another couple rounds at the pub.
So today, Abby, Kate & I drove into Fife, where Abby's parents live. Abby is heavily involved in social work with refugees, & her mom's church had organised a collection to benefit the Karen people of Burma. So we attended services at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Kirkcaldy so Abby could speak about the Karen, & to collect the money. Halfway there, Abby suddenly remembers that it's Harvest Day, a British church holiday that focuses on getting tinned food donations for the poor. So we stop into a petrol station & buy three tins of the only tinned food available - Spaghetti Hoops. We each stuff one tin in our coat pockets & head on into church. Only to learn there that the tinned food donation was suspended this year - in favor of a money collection for the Karen! This story ends with me eating Spaghetti Hoops for dinner tonight (I don't recommend them; the sauce is pretty bad).
Anyhoo ... first day of real classes tomorrow. We're starting at 10:00 AM with "Software Engineering and Geographical Algorithms". Heeeerrre we go!
today's the day!
Sep. 22nd, 2003 08:52 amI'm flying out tonight. But before I leave, I have to:
finish packing
finalize the sale of my car
close my bank account
change my address with the USPS
6 billion other tiny details
::head explodes::
I'm also trying to write a letter for Stacy, but I keep fux0ring it up. Frustration!
finish packing
finalize the sale of my car
close my bank account
change my address with the USPS
6 billion other tiny details
::head explodes::
I'm also trying to write a letter for Stacy, but I keep fux0ring it up. Frustration!
OK, I really, really, really have to pack today. Or maybe tomorrow. But the damn plane will take off tomorrow at 9:10 PM regardless or whether or not I'm abaord, so I better get going here ...
Two 70-pound checked bags & one 40-pound carryon. That's US Air's international luggage limit BTW.
Two 70-pound checked bags & one 40-pound carryon. That's US Air's international luggage limit BTW.
deadline approaching!!
Sep. 4th, 2003 05:02 pmOK, last round of pre-arrival paperwork went in the mail to the University of Edinburgh today. I now have my dorm room secured, my classes chosen, my tuition payment plan selected (eeeep!), receptions registered for, new swim team contacted, church found, etc. Once I get there, I still have to open a bank account, get my student ID card, & scope out local features such as groceries, laundromats, & pubs.
I'm leaving for the U.K. on Monday, September 22nd, flying from Philadelphia to London. Here's hoping bomb-wielding terrorists decide to take that day off, hmmm? I'm staying in London for a few days to visit my best friend Brian & his wife Ingrid, as well visiting with my relatives who live near London. Then on Saturday, Sept. 27th, I'm taking the train from King's Cross Station in London to Edinburgh. Orientation classes start Monday Sept. 29th & the term actually begins on Monday October 6th.
I'm extremely excited about finally, finally, finally getting this adventure underway. I've been bending so much of my energy towards making this happen for nearly a year now (it was almost exactly a year ago that I began my application). And now it's almost HERE!!!
I'm leaving for the U.K. on Monday, September 22nd, flying from Philadelphia to London. Here's hoping bomb-wielding terrorists decide to take that day off, hmmm? I'm staying in London for a few days to visit my best friend Brian & his wife Ingrid, as well visiting with my relatives who live near London. Then on Saturday, Sept. 27th, I'm taking the train from King's Cross Station in London to Edinburgh. Orientation classes start Monday Sept. 29th & the term actually begins on Monday October 6th.
I'm extremely excited about finally, finally, finally getting this adventure underway. I've been bending so much of my energy towards making this happen for nearly a year now (it was almost exactly a year ago that I began my application). And now it's almost HERE!!!
background
Jun. 3rd, 2003 12:50 pmI just realized I haven't made a LJ entry with my summer plans/future plans/etc. So here's a quick summary of what I've got planned over the next few months.
On June 9th I'm moving out of my apartment here in Jenkintown & heading down to my parents' brand-new retirement home in South Carolina. There, I will be taking care of my mom, who is having hip replacement surgery on June 9th. Once she's medically cleared to drive (estimate: 6-8 weeks), I'll be returning to the Philadelphia area for a few weeks (living with Stacy in Delaware). Then, in mid-September, I'm leaving for Scotland to do a one-year master's program in Geographical Information Sciences at the University of Edinburgh.
On June 9th I'm moving out of my apartment here in Jenkintown & heading down to my parents' brand-new retirement home in South Carolina. There, I will be taking care of my mom, who is having hip replacement surgery on June 9th. Once she's medically cleared to drive (estimate: 6-8 weeks), I'll be returning to the Philadelphia area for a few weeks (living with Stacy in Delaware). Then, in mid-September, I'm leaving for Scotland to do a one-year master's program in Geographical Information Sciences at the University of Edinburgh.
Plan change! Plan change! Plan change!
May. 8th, 2003 12:21 pmI’m having a massive re-think on my whole summer schedule. Why do I have to go South Carolina & then directly to Scotland? Why not go down to South Carolina, take care of Mom until she’s better, then come back up here & live with Stacy until it’s time to start classes at Edinburgh? Yes, I’d love to go to the Edinburgh Arts Festival, but if I win the Andrew Mutch Scholarship, I will have to be in Philadelphia in late August to make my first presentation, which means I would miss most of Festival in any case. Besides, is Festival as important as spending more time with Stacy? No. If I did things this way, then … I would keep my car. Stay in South Carolina from late June until maybe mid-August. Then return to Philadelphia from mid-August to mid-September. Sell car, leave for Scotland from here.
This would let me spend more time with everyone here, let me go to the Provincetown Swim for Life in September, WAY cut down on the length of the LDR between me’n’Stacy, & is generally a superior plan in all aspects.
Yeah.
This would let me spend more time with everyone here, let me go to the Provincetown Swim for Life in September, WAY cut down on the length of the LDR between me’n’Stacy, & is generally a superior plan in all aspects.
Yeah.
In Word, there are a handful of footnotes. Not important. PLEASE provide comments on improving this; it's the centerpiece of my application for a $12,000 scholarship.
( 2003 Andrew Mutch Graduate Scholarship Application Autobiographical Essay by Angela Ledgerwood )
( 2003 Andrew Mutch Graduate Scholarship Application Autobiographical Essay by Angela Ledgerwood )
