Let It Snow

Went out last night to catch The Feeling at King Tuts, a band who is doing a great job rehabilitating the credibility of soft rock. We caught a taxi home, and noticed that it had begun to flurry which was slightly unexpected. However, I certainly wasn't expecting to see this out the window when I awoke:



Apparently about two hours after we got home, the accumulation was such that the transportation network across most of the country was shut down, and up to 3000 people were stranded in city centre Glasgow and had to be sheltered in hotels and the bus station. Clearly not a nation prepared for significant snowfall!

Without plows, most of the roads are still in no condition for vehicles. But who needs a vehicle? This is a day for a walk and a wee visit to the coffeeshop!

Around the neighbourhood


Queen's Park


Sledging!

I'm taking off my watch / I'm trying not to think about time

Right, and where did the last two months go? I was going to start this with Happy New Year, but I'm pretty sure it's past the stage where that is acceptable (despite being no formal cut-off point that I know of).

Looks like I'm not the only one not keeping up with their blogging?

So yeah, time flies and all that. As expected, the trip home was great. Wonderful to see everyone, though like last time there were several folk I didn't get to see (which means it has been nearly 4 years in some cases...). And yes, I can now say I've finally been to one of these:



Fi and I decided to make much more of an effort to get onto mainland Europe this year (as lovely as this island is). As a result, first up is my longtime delayed trip to Prague. And then a bit of brainstorming to see what the summer will bring. I certainly think it's time for a return trip to France.

I've also got a few ideas for long-distance walks floating around in my head. I still fancy the idea of continuing my cross-Scotland walk (have now covered Glasgow to Inverness) but I recently was introduced to the Speyside Way (straight through some of Scotland's best whisky country) which would be a right treat. Shall see, but will definitely do something in May.

It's been a very eventful concert season thus far. A few highlights:

• NME Tour: Arctic Monkeys were by far the buzz band, and yes they were good. But Maximo Park showed them all how it was done.
• Hayseed Dixie: Classic rock covers done by a bluegrass band - brilliant.
• The Cribs: Pure indie-pop magic. If you haven't, you need to get their two albums.
  
• Broken Social Scene: Much like Arcade Fire, I needed to see the live show before I really appreciated the album. Simply fantastic - great crowd vibes.
• Editors: Great tunes. Shame about the Chris Martin-esque posturing.

Managed to score T in the Park tickets this year - a lot of people didn't since Glastonbury is not on this year. Promising line-up.

Interested to see how Scotland's smoking ban will work out when it takes effect on the 26th of March. Unlike how it happened elsewhere, this isn't being phased in gradually. Hefty personal fines and the threat of alcohol licences not being renewed should ensure that it is taken seriously by pubs and punters alike. Well, it worked in Ireland! I've heard the arguments on both sides, but what it comes down to is that I can soon go into a pub and not have to worry about smelling like an ashtray when I leave which is good enough for me.

I recently noticed that the last of the Dark Tower series is finally out (after what, thirty years in the making?). I remember reading the first 4 (of 7) books many years ago. I've started re-reading the series from the beginning and much to my surprise am finding it is still a good read (in a switch off your brain before bed kind of way).

Got nabbed by a speed-cam. 60 quid fine - bugger.

It was Fi's 26th the other day, and had a fun little party chez nous. And a bit of this to polish off the night after far too many drinks. Geek-tastic.

Home Sweet Home

Sushi in the Annex. Pints of Keiths. Insomnia. Green Room. Stars at Lee's. Sleeping on couches. Mel's. So good to be back!

The combination of a scanner and a wave of nostalgia got me inspired. Mike got the ball rolling nearly a year ago, so here is my contribution of some old high school pics. Pardon the dodgy quality on some - should have taken better care of these!

Going Coastal

The middle part of the Italian trip took place in the Amalfi Coast, a gorgeous stretch of coastline on the Mediterranean. Steve and Rachel took us in their rented convertible which Steve bravely drove along some of the narrowest and windiest roads I've ever seen in my life. But the views were absolutely stunning.

We found a good deal on a hotel in the town of Amalfi, but we weren't expecting much. But turns out we got a balcony, with the following view:



Nice.

It has to be said that this is not normally my thing. I'll never be a beach holiday guy. I just don't understand the appeal. Roasting myself in the sun and swimming in the sea and drinking, then repeat, for days on end sounds dreadfully boring.

However, I've discovered that to do this for a day is pretty sweet.

The town of Amalfi, while small, was very picturesque:


We also took a few mini-trips, including a drive up a mountain road to the town of Ravello (fantastic meal!) and a daytrip to Positano (best swim of the trip).

All Roads Lead To Rome

Since the weather has all of a sudden become rather cold in these parts, my thoughts have strayed back to my last holiday where the temperature was distinctly warmer.

Yes, after spending a surprisingly small amount of time off this island that is Great Britian, I finally got over to mainland Europe again for my first visit to Italy. Fi and I met up with Steve and Rachel in Rome where we spent four days in total.

I've always loved classical history ("I Claudius" marathons in high school anybody?), so seeing many of the sites that I've studied was a genuine thrill. We did our best to cover as much as possible, but honestly there is just so much to see you cannot do it full justice. We also had some fantastic evenings, eating wonderful food and knocking back the red wine while catching up with old friends.

Rome is a wonderful city to wander about in. I loved how the classical architecture blends seemlessly with the modern, how Romans madly drive around in their scooters, how the coffee lived up to its reputation. But visit outside of August if you can - it's bloody hot.

The Roman Forum


Trevi Fountain


Colosseum


Pantheon

Good Weekend

A brilliant last few days. A great mix of friends and music, the latter consisting of some old-school ska in the form of The Skatalites on Friday and the always amazing Buck 65 in Edinburgh on Saturday. And on Sunday I was introduced to the world of water canyoning, which consists of abseiling into water and floating down mountain rivers and over waterfalls. Seriously. Check it out:

My first ever abseil


Jumping into a freezing mountain river - why not?


I don't know if I could have done this if I knew how high it was...


Still in one piece!


Abseil down a waterfall

Um...

I guess blogging is like any other activity - sometimes you love it and sometimes you need a break from it. Lately I've found it to be a bit of a chore, not to mention that it is turning into a bit of Matt's "what concert have I been to lately" blog. And I think I was supposed to talk about Italy somewhere?

I've felt a bit lethargic lately. Maybe it's the weather? It took me unawares this year - blink and summer is gone and next thing you know it's dark all the time. And at the risk of sounding like every other Scot...but the bloody rain has been incessant. Maybe it's the early morning rise, it's a bit of a bummer. But I'm determined to give myself a good kick in the arse (or ass, depending on your preferred spelling and/or pronounciation). It is autumn after all. Rain or no, the leaves are colourful, it's a lovely crisp cool, and it smells wonderful. A few hours outside and you've earned your coffee and paper.

So what's new? I'm actually just killing time before I head off to the airport to pick up my cousin Bryan. His first time to the UK so he's in for a treat (I hope!). Wishing I had some holiday time left as I only have tomorrow and after-work time to see him. Weather is forecast to be extra rubbish, but last time I checked it doesn't rain in the pubs.

A few good gigs (yeah, I know) . The Magic Numbers in front of a white-hot Barrowlands audience. Their album is a bit twee, but they were great live. Sunny vibes. Also Tom Vek, a dude very hard to describe. Perhaps the best description I've heard is "dirty" which doesn't sound flattering but it really is. Try and track his stuff down, though the live experience was better than the recorded.

Really impressed by Arctic Monkeys, Maximo Park and Hard-Fi lately. Also digging the pop vibes of Tahiti 80 and Phoenix.

I've booked my flights back to Canada for another holiday visit. Really looking forward to catching up with everybody.

I'm now hearing better news about an old friend from Ottawa which is fantastic.

And see - I really did go! Me in St. Peter's Square:

Darts of Pleasure

Some shows I've seen over the last few weeks:

Malcolm Middleton - the guitarist from Arab Strap now doing his solo thing which is in much the same vein (self-loathing galore!) but with a bit more kick which makes it infinitely more enjoyable. Recommended sample: the excellent "Loneliness Shines".

The Pixies - no introduction really needed I suspect. Held in an outdoor track and field stadium in Edinburgh on a day featuring gale force winds and rain. What was lacking in atmosphere was more than made up for by the sheer awesomeness that is this band. For those interested, the setlist can be found here. Yes, they played "Stormy Weather"! Good support from My Latest Novel (minimalist but nice, probably would sound better in a pub), Idlewild (much better live than their albums would suggest) and Teenage Fanclub (always a crowd-pleaser).

Arcade Fire and Franz Ferdinand - held in the Princes Street Gardens, underneath the always impressive Edinburgh Castle. OK, I'll confess. With the ridiculous amount of hype and an album that wasn't totally doing it for me, I hadn't totally "got" the Arcade Fire. But now I've seen them live, and like a missing piece of the puzzle it all came together. Now I get it. Totally. I hate to say it, but Franz was upstaged on this night. But this is no dig against them - they're a hell of a live act themselves, and with a Scottish crowd you can't go wrong. Can't wait to pick up the new album.

Stars - some lovely Canadiana in dear ol' Glasgow town. I managed to rustle up ten people to come with me to see them, and I think we made converts of them all. The soft revolution continues! Had a chat with Torquil after the show, and turns out they'll be doing several nights in Toronto shortly after I get back to Canada for the holidays. Another one of their European shows was taped and posted online here if interested.

The Great Scottish Run 2005

My third annual! Same route as last year, and again I decided to run the 10K. It was an absolutely gorgeous day to be outdoors, but it was a bit tough for running. It was already 25 degrees by 9am, so it was pretty hot by the time I hit 5km. This is the excuse I'll use for running a longer time than last year. But still, 49:30 - still under the 50 minute mark. Fi did a great job again, coming in at just a bit over her time from last year.

As usual, a great atmosphere. And unlike last year, I'm not taking an unofficial hibernation period. Shall be back on the trails tomorrow!

Summertime?

Yes, in theory, but you’d be forgiven for thinking it was late October rather than August based on the recent weather. Mind you, I’m not complaining. I’ve always been more of the jacket and jeans sort anyway!

It always surprises me when I think about it, but sure enough I’ve been living in the UK for well over two years now. So where have you travelled being that you can get to mainland Europe so easily and cheaply, I’m asked. Um...

While I’ve managed to cover a lot of terrain within the UK itself (to the point where I’ve seen a lot more than many of my friends here), I’ve been embarrassingly short of mainland European travel adventures. Partially in response to that, and partially to placate Fiona who really did deserve a holiday in the sun, we recently spent a week over in Italy. Shall get the story and pics up soonish.

While on the topic of travel within the UK, last weekend a bunch of us headed up to Glencoe to get a few Munros under our collective belts. An always brilliant night at the Clachaig Inn on Friday, and with glorious sunshine greeting us on the Saturday morning we managed to bag two Munro tops (subsidiary summit to a Munro) and two Munros proper, including Bidean nam Bian. I didn’t bring my camera, so you’ll have to take my word for it.

We attempted Ben Nevis on Sunday, but after 5 hours climbing the alternate (and trickier) back route, the weather turned in a most nasty way. A strong and consistent rain, followed by fog and then a cold wind ensured we were soaked and freezing and couldn’t see the way forward. As frustrating as it was, the safe decision was made to turn back the way we had come. Always respect the mountain! Nevis will be conquered another day...

And a big congratulations to my cousin Jason who got married this past weekend.