Status - Making a note here: Huge Success
It's hard to overstate my satisfaction
(you have no idea how badly I've been wanting to do that ^_^)
Thank you so much for following along with me on my fun and games and pain in London.
It truly has been a crazy time in so many ways, good and bad. So many things that I wanted to do that weren't done, but SO MANY THINGS that I did and loved doing. I kept most of the tickets from the shows I went to, places I took planes and trains (and automobiles. I'm shameless) to and so on. I have a ton of wonderful stories and great experiences.
I hope you've enjoyed yourselves as I have.
Now it's time to do another crazy 8 hour flight back to Detroit. I love this time difference. I leave at 8:50am and arrive at 12:15pm. Fly 8 hours, jump back 5 - nuts.
So, take it easy. I'll see you all very soon
And, for the very last time...
Pip pip, cherrio and all that bloody rot!!!
CHEERS, MATES!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Mouthing the words
Status: Almost without a voice
It's probably not such a good idea to participate in karaoke when you have a sore throat and you're already losing your voice.
So, maybe I sang a rousing rendition of "I Love Rock N' Roll" to an entire pub full of drunk people and managed to completely ruin whatever healing my throat had been doing.
Let it never be said that I am not a rebel.
I was counting up the change I have in my wallet and came to find a 50 piece of some sort. It certainly wasn't American and it wasn't British. So, I typed the inscription on the coin into Google: Magyar Koztarsasag
'Tis Hungarian. I don't who or when, but someone gave me a 50 forint piece back instead of 50 pence. So, I've sort of been swindled considering it doesn't carry much of a value here (16 pence in Britain and 26 cents in America), but on the other hand, I'm in possession of Hungarian currency, which is pretty cool in my estimation.
Group dinner/lunch at 1pm and then filming the rest of Natalie's stuff for her film. Later, Sara wants me to play the piano for her film - God knows why - so, there's that. Then, I don't know...packing and all that jazz, I guess.
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot
It's probably not such a good idea to participate in karaoke when you have a sore throat and you're already losing your voice.
So, maybe I sang a rousing rendition of "I Love Rock N' Roll" to an entire pub full of drunk people and managed to completely ruin whatever healing my throat had been doing.
Let it never be said that I am not a rebel.
I was counting up the change I have in my wallet and came to find a 50 piece of some sort. It certainly wasn't American and it wasn't British. So, I typed the inscription on the coin into Google: Magyar Koztarsasag
'Tis Hungarian. I don't who or when, but someone gave me a 50 forint piece back instead of 50 pence. So, I've sort of been swindled considering it doesn't carry much of a value here (16 pence in Britain and 26 cents in America), but on the other hand, I'm in possession of Hungarian currency, which is pretty cool in my estimation.
Group dinner/lunch at 1pm and then filming the rest of Natalie's stuff for her film. Later, Sara wants me to play the piano for her film - God knows why - so, there's that. Then, I don't know...packing and all that jazz, I guess.
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I love thee, Tom Stoppard
Status: Hot and sweaty, but in the least sexy way possible
Of course on the most humid day in London, I have to be crazy busy and doing a lot of tube-hopping. We had to film Roof's and Penn's scripts (only a few lines differ in the two of them) that Roof was filming. Got to hang out by the Thames with Cara and Roof, acting and gossiping about all kinds of things. I have decided that I adore this woman to death. Such a shame that she's going to Rice next year, but I can't blame her. I'd leave too if I had to deal with MSU staff politics, especially when it comes to film.
Then I literally ran up and down the Millenium Bridge (which, by the way, fun side story. You've seen Harry Potter, yes? [I can hear the groaning. Stop] Remember how cloudy it was when the loverly Death Eaters tore it apart? Yeah. Pretty much the same weather. I realized that halfway down and I had to stop, look around, smile, and then keep running) so that I could get to Arcadia on time. I almost missed it, but I made it just in time. Out of breath and sweating like an Eskimo in the middle of the desert, but I made it.
Arcadia was quite magical. Tom Stoppard is quite magical.
When I get back to the states, I'm buying the script. I don't think ROIAL Players could quite pull it off, but for personal reasons, I want to own this play. Like I mentioned before, the play takes place in the same house, but in two different times in history. The way that the lines blur between the two times was so beautiful on every level of theater. Plus, your typical snappy, back-and-forth dialogue that Stoppard writes so well was ridiculously funny. It was also touching, too.
Go read it. All of you.
In about 37 hours, I'll be shipping my butt home. Sorry if you're getting tired of the countdown, but my calender is right next to me, blowing in the fan's glorious breeze, so it draws attention to itself and reminds me every half second.
Souvenir shopping is over, thank God. Now I may bask in the wonderful pounds I still have left until Friday morning. w00t
Not really sure how it's all going to fit in my suitcase...but, we'll deal with that when it comes.
I'm gonna go pass out now so I can save my energy for karaoke tonight. yay
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot!
Of course on the most humid day in London, I have to be crazy busy and doing a lot of tube-hopping. We had to film Roof's and Penn's scripts (only a few lines differ in the two of them) that Roof was filming. Got to hang out by the Thames with Cara and Roof, acting and gossiping about all kinds of things. I have decided that I adore this woman to death. Such a shame that she's going to Rice next year, but I can't blame her. I'd leave too if I had to deal with MSU staff politics, especially when it comes to film.
Then I literally ran up and down the Millenium Bridge (which, by the way, fun side story. You've seen Harry Potter, yes? [I can hear the groaning. Stop] Remember how cloudy it was when the loverly Death Eaters tore it apart? Yeah. Pretty much the same weather. I realized that halfway down and I had to stop, look around, smile, and then keep running) so that I could get to Arcadia on time. I almost missed it, but I made it just in time. Out of breath and sweating like an Eskimo in the middle of the desert, but I made it.
Arcadia was quite magical. Tom Stoppard is quite magical.
When I get back to the states, I'm buying the script. I don't think ROIAL Players could quite pull it off, but for personal reasons, I want to own this play. Like I mentioned before, the play takes place in the same house, but in two different times in history. The way that the lines blur between the two times was so beautiful on every level of theater. Plus, your typical snappy, back-and-forth dialogue that Stoppard writes so well was ridiculously funny. It was also touching, too.
Go read it. All of you.
In about 37 hours, I'll be shipping my butt home. Sorry if you're getting tired of the countdown, but my calender is right next to me, blowing in the fan's glorious breeze, so it draws attention to itself and reminds me every half second.
Souvenir shopping is over, thank God. Now I may bask in the wonderful pounds I still have left until Friday morning. w00t
Not really sure how it's all going to fit in my suitcase...but, we'll deal with that when it comes.
I'm gonna go pass out now so I can save my energy for karaoke tonight. yay
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
*sniff sniff* Achooo!
Status: *groan*
I am sick puppy.
This tends to happen after big projects are done, like research papers and play performances. I think my immune system kicks into overdrive because it knows I can't afford to get sick during crucial times. Then afterward...down hill.
It's just a cold, but still not a lot of fun. I'm trying to silence it with with a crap ton of orange juice and a harsh word. Should work.
We saw Swan Lake last night in the Royal Opera House. Gorgeous theatre and our seats weren't too bad. Yes, I would have loved to be by the pit with the strings and their FANTASTIC oboe, but I also enjoyed seeing every part of the stage from above.
Of course, it was a beautiful ballet. But, as in all ballets I see, I wasn't really into the Prince/Lover Boy/Lead Male. And it's not the number of solos - he didn't stand out at all. To me, I feel that the Swan Princess (Odette, I think her name was) and the jester were the leads. I mean, that jester was frickin' flying up in the air with those jumps. To quote Center Stage, he had AMAZING extension. And Odette was a very graceful Swan-type-person.
The music was absolutely beautiful and the dancers were even more so.
And it reaffirmed something I've always held to be true: Don't trust men in masks...or bird costumes that have wings. Both very bad.
Tom Stoppard's Arcadia is tomorrow, as well as filming for the Roof/Penn film (yay), group dinner on Thursday afternoon/night. Then some HEAVY packing and...home. Hmm
In other news, our films will not be a part of our final grade...
*ded from releeeeefz*
It's not that I don't feel like my film could rank well amongst the other films, but for me, this entire filming process was much more of an experiment in how far my abilities could stretch. I write fantastic script. I can critique films from a theory point of view, but taking a video camera and filming something is an entirely different beast. I'm proud of it, but I cannot deny that I am so very happy we're not getting graded on it.
Despite being sick, it's been a pretty good last few days.
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot!
I am sick puppy.
This tends to happen after big projects are done, like research papers and play performances. I think my immune system kicks into overdrive because it knows I can't afford to get sick during crucial times. Then afterward...down hill.
It's just a cold, but still not a lot of fun. I'm trying to silence it with with a crap ton of orange juice and a harsh word. Should work.
We saw Swan Lake last night in the Royal Opera House. Gorgeous theatre and our seats weren't too bad. Yes, I would have loved to be by the pit with the strings and their FANTASTIC oboe, but I also enjoyed seeing every part of the stage from above.
Of course, it was a beautiful ballet. But, as in all ballets I see, I wasn't really into the Prince/Lover Boy/Lead Male. And it's not the number of solos - he didn't stand out at all. To me, I feel that the Swan Princess (Odette, I think her name was) and the jester were the leads. I mean, that jester was frickin' flying up in the air with those jumps. To quote Center Stage, he had AMAZING extension. And Odette was a very graceful Swan-type-person.
The music was absolutely beautiful and the dancers were even more so.
And it reaffirmed something I've always held to be true: Don't trust men in masks...or bird costumes that have wings. Both very bad.
Tom Stoppard's Arcadia is tomorrow, as well as filming for the Roof/Penn film (yay), group dinner on Thursday afternoon/night. Then some HEAVY packing and...home. Hmm
In other news, our films will not be a part of our final grade...
*ded from releeeeefz*
It's not that I don't feel like my film could rank well amongst the other films, but for me, this entire filming process was much more of an experiment in how far my abilities could stretch. I write fantastic script. I can critique films from a theory point of view, but taking a video camera and filming something is an entirely different beast. I'm proud of it, but I cannot deny that I am so very happy we're not getting graded on it.
Despite being sick, it's been a pretty good last few days.
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot!
Sunday, August 9, 2009
A sigh of relief
Status: Worn out, but so glad it's over
I finished my film today.
I left the bouquet of flowers (real ones, not straw) there on the grave at which we filmed. I felt it proper to honour Kay Kendall Harrison since we kind of used her.
In other news, a bunch of us went souvenir shopping today. Have no fear, parents. We went to probably the cheapest market I have ever seen. It looked a lot like the street markets in New York on the weekends. My prayer is that the shirts I bought won't fade. None of them have a peel-able print, so that should be okay. We'll see. I won't wash or wear them until I get home and ask my mom. She knows the answer to all clothes related questions.
Last night, Sara, Betsy and I went to see Home which is a French film. It's about a family who lives in a house just off of an abandoned highway. They have the entire road and surrounding grass areas and they use them, biking and sitting outside to watch movies and playing street hockey. Then, construction workers start coming around and the highway is repaved and cars start traveling on it again. The result of the noise and the business of the highway is altogether terrifying, heartbreaking, and totally interesting from a psychological point of view. I truly enjoyed it.
Tomorrow night, we see Penn's last gift to us, Swan Lake. It was so long ago that he gave us the tickets, but since it's coming up, I'm quite excited.
So, y'all have been with me for almost 7 weeks now and I've told you EVERYTHING I've been doing in London. Is there anything that I've left out that you think I need to do? Mind you, I can't really travel out of London at this juncture, but if there's something that you feel I needed to do to have the "London Experience" that I haven't yet done, lemme know.
Okay. Time to chill out and enjoy the FREE afternoon with the sheer knowledge that my film is done done done. Yay
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot
I finished my film today.
I left the bouquet of flowers (real ones, not straw) there on the grave at which we filmed. I felt it proper to honour Kay Kendall Harrison since we kind of used her.
In other news, a bunch of us went souvenir shopping today. Have no fear, parents. We went to probably the cheapest market I have ever seen. It looked a lot like the street markets in New York on the weekends. My prayer is that the shirts I bought won't fade. None of them have a peel-able print, so that should be okay. We'll see. I won't wash or wear them until I get home and ask my mom. She knows the answer to all clothes related questions.
Last night, Sara, Betsy and I went to see Home which is a French film. It's about a family who lives in a house just off of an abandoned highway. They have the entire road and surrounding grass areas and they use them, biking and sitting outside to watch movies and playing street hockey. Then, construction workers start coming around and the highway is repaved and cars start traveling on it again. The result of the noise and the business of the highway is altogether terrifying, heartbreaking, and totally interesting from a psychological point of view. I truly enjoyed it.
Tomorrow night, we see Penn's last gift to us, Swan Lake. It was so long ago that he gave us the tickets, but since it's coming up, I'm quite excited.
So, y'all have been with me for almost 7 weeks now and I've told you EVERYTHING I've been doing in London. Is there anything that I've left out that you think I need to do? Mind you, I can't really travel out of London at this juncture, but if there's something that you feel I needed to do to have the "London Experience" that I haven't yet done, lemme know.
Okay. Time to chill out and enjoy the FREE afternoon with the sheer knowledge that my film is done done done. Yay
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Tea is good
Status: Enjoying England's crazy weather
This will have nothing to do with tea. I was just looking at my tins of Whittard and I thought, "Tea is good."
The Cherry Orchard last night was quite good. I would like to read the original version sooner or later to see what Stoppard changed, but I really enjoyed it. Ethan Hawke did not ruin it for me. He was presentable. Thank you, Ethan Hawke.
Turns out the director was Sam Mendes. I thought that was worth mentioning.
There were some bone-chilling sounds and parts to this play. I woke up this morning to the construction going on across the street and there was this high-pitched drilling going on that sounded JUST like a sound from the play and I got the chills. And the way they produced the ending was gruesome. The lighting was also quite clever and sometimes chilling, as well.
I want to go on another London Walk tonight. Blood Curdling London, it's called. Sounds good and it'll take my mind off of this film stuff.
I'm going to see Arcadia on Wednesday and I am SO excited about it.
The play takes places in 1809 and 1989 and the COOLEST part about this is that all the props from 1809 are left on stage for 1989, so the past and present blur together. That's just a little part of it, so go read about it. I'm pumped!
Sorry my posts haven't been as long and picture heavy like usual. All the filming stuff and trying to get my screenplay just the way I want it is taking up a lot of my time. I'm glad that I got to do a lot of touristy stuff with my parents and have had the time to explore a little deeper into what England has to offer, but now it's time to get down to business and do what I came here to do. Filming
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot
This will have nothing to do with tea. I was just looking at my tins of Whittard and I thought, "Tea is good."
The Cherry Orchard last night was quite good. I would like to read the original version sooner or later to see what Stoppard changed, but I really enjoyed it. Ethan Hawke did not ruin it for me. He was presentable. Thank you, Ethan Hawke.
Turns out the director was Sam Mendes. I thought that was worth mentioning.
There were some bone-chilling sounds and parts to this play. I woke up this morning to the construction going on across the street and there was this high-pitched drilling going on that sounded JUST like a sound from the play and I got the chills. And the way they produced the ending was gruesome. The lighting was also quite clever and sometimes chilling, as well.
I want to go on another London Walk tonight. Blood Curdling London, it's called. Sounds good and it'll take my mind off of this film stuff.
I'm going to see Arcadia on Wednesday and I am SO excited about it.
The play takes places in 1809 and 1989 and the COOLEST part about this is that all the props from 1809 are left on stage for 1989, so the past and present blur together. That's just a little part of it, so go read about it. I'm pumped!
Sorry my posts haven't been as long and picture heavy like usual. All the filming stuff and trying to get my screenplay just the way I want it is taking up a lot of my time. I'm glad that I got to do a lot of touristy stuff with my parents and have had the time to explore a little deeper into what England has to offer, but now it's time to get down to business and do what I came here to do. Filming
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot
Friday, August 7, 2009
A Stoppard Cherry Orchard
Status: Angry at the damn fire alarm that goes off at 9am. Almost as bad as Sny/Phi.
I saw Coco avant Chanel yesterday. It was very good, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I understand it was a movie about Coco before Chanel (you know, thus the title), but I would have liked to have seen a little more of the Chanel build-up. But, that's okay, it was still a really enjoyable movie. Audrey Tautou is a peach and the guy that played Boy was...beyond words attractive. And I couldn't place where I'd seen him before
Jurassic Park III
Odd.
Well, it doesn't look like I'll be filming much of anything today. It's going to be rainy all day long and I need a little bit of sun. Oh well. Saturday is always a good time to go for it
Tonight, I get to see The Cherry Orchard. Upon further research, which I should have done before I bought the ticket, I came to see that this is not the original Chekhov version...it's a new and "improved" version by Tom Stoppard. Hmm. Odd, again. Now, I really wanted to see Stoppard's Arcadia, but there was no way I was paying 60 pounds for a show. That's an entire week of food for me, or all the money I need to spend on souvenirs. So, I didn't think I'd see anything by Stoppard, sadly. Well, now I am...kind of
It also has Ethan Hawke in it. *sigh* Years and years of film-watching has taught me to hate Ethan Hawke. There is little one can do to make me like him. I had to watch Gattaca yesterday and I was sure that that would be my one dose (dose as in cough syrup or Ipecac ) of Ethan Hawke. Wrong
Man, this better be good. Tom Stoppard, don't do me wrong! And Ethan Hawke...try to look presentable to an audience. I would appreciate it greatly.
In other, more positive, news, we had a rainstorm yesterday and it was very lovely. The windows of my room swing out instead of lift up, so I can leave them open and nothing gets wet.
I truly love rainstorms in this city. There is rarely lightning or thunder, just rain, and after the humid, hot mess of yesterday, it's nice for the city to get a cool-down.
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot
I saw Coco avant Chanel yesterday. It was very good, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. I understand it was a movie about Coco before Chanel (you know, thus the title), but I would have liked to have seen a little more of the Chanel build-up. But, that's okay, it was still a really enjoyable movie. Audrey Tautou is a peach and the guy that played Boy was...beyond words attractive. And I couldn't place where I'd seen him before
Jurassic Park III
Odd.
Well, it doesn't look like I'll be filming much of anything today. It's going to be rainy all day long and I need a little bit of sun. Oh well. Saturday is always a good time to go for it
Tonight, I get to see The Cherry Orchard. Upon further research, which I should have done before I bought the ticket, I came to see that this is not the original Chekhov version...it's a new and "improved" version by Tom Stoppard. Hmm. Odd, again. Now, I really wanted to see Stoppard's Arcadia, but there was no way I was paying 60 pounds for a show. That's an entire week of food for me, or all the money I need to spend on souvenirs. So, I didn't think I'd see anything by Stoppard, sadly. Well, now I am...kind of
It also has Ethan Hawke in it. *sigh* Years and years of film-watching has taught me to hate Ethan Hawke. There is little one can do to make me like him. I had to watch Gattaca yesterday and I was sure that that would be my one dose (dose as in cough syrup or Ipecac ) of Ethan Hawke. Wrong
Man, this better be good. Tom Stoppard, don't do me wrong! And Ethan Hawke...try to look presentable to an audience. I would appreciate it greatly.
In other, more positive, news, we had a rainstorm yesterday and it was very lovely. The windows of my room swing out instead of lift up, so I can leave them open and nothing gets wet.
I truly love rainstorms in this city. There is rarely lightning or thunder, just rain, and after the humid, hot mess of yesterday, it's nice for the city to get a cool-down.
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Mmm. Bread
Status: Realizing that we only have about 8 more days in this fine country. *tear*
I am currently living on the following foods: baguettes, ham, butter, cream cheese, hummus, orange juice and the occasional grape.
Believe it or not, I'm quite satisfied. I'm sure I'd get tired of eating it every day, but I don't have much longer, so it should be all right.
I got some actual filming done today with an actual person. I got scolded by the guy at the Russel Square Tube station. Apparently, I'm not supposed to film there. He told me to delete my footage. Now, I understand being asked not to film and to delete the footage, but damn, this guy was super rude. I had no idea that I couldn't film OUTSIDE a tube station. I'm sorry. Give me a break.
But, that was done. I have probably one or two more days ahead of me in terms of filming, so it should get done in the 8 days I have left. Yay
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot!
I am currently living on the following foods: baguettes, ham, butter, cream cheese, hummus, orange juice and the occasional grape.
Believe it or not, I'm quite satisfied. I'm sure I'd get tired of eating it every day, but I don't have much longer, so it should be all right.
I got some actual filming done today with an actual person. I got scolded by the guy at the Russel Square Tube station. Apparently, I'm not supposed to film there. He told me to delete my footage. Now, I understand being asked not to film and to delete the footage, but damn, this guy was super rude. I had no idea that I couldn't film OUTSIDE a tube station. I'm sorry. Give me a break.
But, that was done. I have probably one or two more days ahead of me in terms of filming, so it should get done in the 8 days I have left. Yay
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Adventure in Aberdeen
Status: Currently enjoying Bach's cello and violin concertos
WARNING: Long post ahead. Must cover 4 Scottish days of fun
Friday
Flew into Aberdeen at 11am. A taxi ride from the airport to Heather's flat was enough to show me that this was going to be a love-at-first sight kind of thing. I loved the architecture and I loved the greenness of everything. And Aberdeen is such a charming city
Anywho, explored a bit of the city and ended up in Blackfriars Pub. Heather wouldn't let me order anything but haggis and neeps (neeps are turnips, it turns out). Now, I have no idea what haggis is made out of, I just remember thinking it was made of something odd and nasty. Well, if it is, it sure didn't taste like it. It was quite good, actually. And I got to have my first sticky toffee pudding experience. It was love at first lick. Now I'm addicted
Found a graveyard on the way back. What was so fun about this one was that there were people there, reading their papers and eating their lunches. It was like it was a park. Heather told me this was because the Scots like to be reminded of death and that life is painful and it might someday end. This made me laugh
We toured around the University of Aberdeen. Gorgeous campus and I felt as if I were touring a castle. I can't imagine ever getting used to that if I were taking classes there
The haggis and neeps filled me up and stuck to me, so dinner was not necessary.
Saturday
We took a train to Stonehaven, which is a cute little town near Aberdeen. Everyone there has a cute dog. There are no ugly dogs in this town. It's against the law.
Heather said the weather was fantastic for what we were going to do...but it was rainy and windy and cold.
But what better way to view the ruins of an ancient castle than in the true Scottish rain and wind and cold? We hiked up to Donnottar Castle.
Bit of history on Dunnottar, in case you're not familiar. It is most famous for holding out against Oliver Cromwell's army for 8 months in order to protect Scotland's honours, the Scottish Crown Jewels (which now reside in Edinburgh Castle). William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, the Marquis of Montrose and the future King Charles II all hung out there at different points in history.
It was quite a hike up there. My new Pumas were broken in for sure. Took about an hour to walk the mile and a half because we stopped every few feet so I could snap a ton of pictures that all looked exactly the same, but that's okay. The view was breathtaking.
And as we were coming down the stairs of the castle, we heard bagpipes. We looked up the hill and a bride was walking down the stairs toward the castle and the Scottish men were piping her down. She was one brave lady in her white dress and Crosstrainers because it was mighty muddy. But those pictures will be beautiful. Apparently it only costs 400 quid to have a wedding at the castle. Granted, they can't close the facilities down to the public, but you can invite as many people as you want and they'll provide tables and chairs. In the summer, it's popular to get married under the smithy arch. It's nice that they give you tables and chairs, but I'm wondering how the caterers get there. Do you fly them in? Because they certainly can't make that hike with their pots and pans and expensive foods.
This was one of the most amazing experiences. Heather told me that it's one of the prime places she takes people when they come to visit her. I think this was her sixth time. But how could you ever be bored with all of this:
It rained for most of the hike there and for some of the time we were in the castle, but that's okay. The sun came out as we hiked back, so I got to see the castle in all states of weather. It was epic no matter what the weather.
Sunday
We got ourselves up early again for the Tartan Day parade. Even Heather, who has lived in Aberdeen for about 2 years, was uncertain as to what Tartan Day was supposed to be celebrating. I think it's a celebration of Scotland - history, heritage, people, kilts, whiskey, death - itself. All I know is there were bagpipes and men in their tartans (kilts et al dictated by clan).
Later that night, we did some serious pub-hopping.
-Dinner at Slains Castle, which is a bar that is decked out like it's October 31st. Their drink menu consists of the Seven Deadly Sins (mixed drinks) and the Seven Heavenly Virtues (shooters). If you drink all seven of one of those, you get a T-shirt, but I wouldn't reccomend you try. Some are fruity drinks and some have cream in them...good luck holding it all down
-Sticky toffee pudding and drinks at Illicit Stills
-Pints and live, Scottish folk music at Prince of Wales. These little old men gather there every Sunday to play their accoridans, fiddles, guitars and pipe whistles just for the fun of it. It ranged from drinking songs to folk stories. I can't begin to tell you how much of an honor it was to see and hear.
-Drinks, live music, and Scottish men at O'Donoghues. Glen, lovely Scottish guy, sung songs by pretty much anyone - Simon & Garfunkel, Snow Patrol, The Cranberries, Coldplay, Dave Matthews, Damien Rice, Jack Johnson. The list goes on. Glen was lovely and very cute. Yay for Glen
Rachel, Hanna and I were kind of cornered/bothered/honored to have met an old Scot named Peter (or I guess his father used to call him Big Bastard. I'm not sure if this is true, but that's what he said). He had long white hair and was dressed in about three different tartans. When Rachel told him he was representing three clans, he scuffed and began his complaining. After buying us all a dram, he complained about his idiot friends he was with (who we met later and I loved), how everyone nowadays is boring, how he hates Tartan Day (seemed disrespectful to him in some way or another), how his family has been cursed with idiot relatives since 1753, and how hard it is to express the beauty of a woman in english as he is only fluent in Gaelic. Odd man. And very very drunk.
After Peter went out to get more whiskey for himself (as the bartender would not let him buy any more in the bar), we hung around his friends. They were loud and drunk and way too much fun. Us three ladies all had nicknames by the end of the night: Miss America (me), Miss Atlantic (Rachel) and Miss Australia (Hanna).
It was a fun night
Monday
Was another early morning. Heather had to work at 11am and still had things left to show me. We started out with a long hike along the Balgownie River and over the Brig of Balgownie, one of the oldest, if not THE oldest, remaining bridges in Europe and the very same bridge that William Wallace once crossed
We looped around and hit the gardens around Aberdeen
And then onto the Cathedral Church of St. Machar, where I found yet another cemetery.
Beautiful ocean, beautiful river, beautiful flowers, beautiful graveyard. I
Rachel took me out to lunch because she's a gigantic sweetheart and then I hopped on a bus, hopped on a plane, hopped on a train, hopped on the Tube, and walked my butt home.
So, as you can see, I did nothing this last weekend. Boring as usual
And now I must work on my film review and make sure my script is ready to film in about two days. Yay
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot!
WARNING: Long post ahead. Must cover 4 Scottish days of fun
Friday
Flew into Aberdeen at 11am. A taxi ride from the airport to Heather's flat was enough to show me that this was going to be a love-at-first sight kind of thing. I loved the architecture and I loved the greenness of everything. And Aberdeen is such a charming city
Anywho, explored a bit of the city and ended up in Blackfriars Pub. Heather wouldn't let me order anything but haggis and neeps (neeps are turnips, it turns out). Now, I have no idea what haggis is made out of, I just remember thinking it was made of something odd and nasty. Well, if it is, it sure didn't taste like it. It was quite good, actually. And I got to have my first sticky toffee pudding experience. It was love at first lick. Now I'm addicted
Found a graveyard on the way back. What was so fun about this one was that there were people there, reading their papers and eating their lunches. It was like it was a park. Heather told me this was because the Scots like to be reminded of death and that life is painful and it might someday end. This made me laugh
We toured around the University of Aberdeen. Gorgeous campus and I felt as if I were touring a castle. I can't imagine ever getting used to that if I were taking classes there
The haggis and neeps filled me up and stuck to me, so dinner was not necessary.
Saturday
We took a train to Stonehaven, which is a cute little town near Aberdeen. Everyone there has a cute dog. There are no ugly dogs in this town. It's against the law.
Heather said the weather was fantastic for what we were going to do...but it was rainy and windy and cold.
But what better way to view the ruins of an ancient castle than in the true Scottish rain and wind and cold? We hiked up to Donnottar Castle.
Bit of history on Dunnottar, in case you're not familiar. It is most famous for holding out against Oliver Cromwell's army for 8 months in order to protect Scotland's honours, the Scottish Crown Jewels (which now reside in Edinburgh Castle). William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, the Marquis of Montrose and the future King Charles II all hung out there at different points in history.
It was quite a hike up there. My new Pumas were broken in for sure. Took about an hour to walk the mile and a half because we stopped every few feet so I could snap a ton of pictures that all looked exactly the same, but that's okay. The view was breathtaking.
And as we were coming down the stairs of the castle, we heard bagpipes. We looked up the hill and a bride was walking down the stairs toward the castle and the Scottish men were piping her down. She was one brave lady in her white dress and Crosstrainers because it was mighty muddy. But those pictures will be beautiful. Apparently it only costs 400 quid to have a wedding at the castle. Granted, they can't close the facilities down to the public, but you can invite as many people as you want and they'll provide tables and chairs. In the summer, it's popular to get married under the smithy arch. It's nice that they give you tables and chairs, but I'm wondering how the caterers get there. Do you fly them in? Because they certainly can't make that hike with their pots and pans and expensive foods.
This was one of the most amazing experiences. Heather told me that it's one of the prime places she takes people when they come to visit her. I think this was her sixth time. But how could you ever be bored with all of this:
It rained for most of the hike there and for some of the time we were in the castle, but that's okay. The sun came out as we hiked back, so I got to see the castle in all states of weather. It was epic no matter what the weather.
Sunday
We got ourselves up early again for the Tartan Day parade. Even Heather, who has lived in Aberdeen for about 2 years, was uncertain as to what Tartan Day was supposed to be celebrating. I think it's a celebration of Scotland - history, heritage, people, kilts, whiskey, death - itself. All I know is there were bagpipes and men in their tartans (kilts et al dictated by clan).
Later that night, we did some serious pub-hopping.
-Dinner at Slains Castle, which is a bar that is decked out like it's October 31st. Their drink menu consists of the Seven Deadly Sins (mixed drinks) and the Seven Heavenly Virtues (shooters). If you drink all seven of one of those, you get a T-shirt, but I wouldn't reccomend you try. Some are fruity drinks and some have cream in them...good luck holding it all down
-Sticky toffee pudding and drinks at Illicit Stills
-Pints and live, Scottish folk music at Prince of Wales. These little old men gather there every Sunday to play their accoridans, fiddles, guitars and pipe whistles just for the fun of it. It ranged from drinking songs to folk stories. I can't begin to tell you how much of an honor it was to see and hear.
-Drinks, live music, and Scottish men at O'Donoghues. Glen, lovely Scottish guy, sung songs by pretty much anyone - Simon & Garfunkel, Snow Patrol, The Cranberries, Coldplay, Dave Matthews, Damien Rice, Jack Johnson. The list goes on. Glen was lovely and very cute. Yay for Glen
Rachel, Hanna and I were kind of cornered/bothered/honored to have met an old Scot named Peter (or I guess his father used to call him Big Bastard. I'm not sure if this is true, but that's what he said). He had long white hair and was dressed in about three different tartans. When Rachel told him he was representing three clans, he scuffed and began his complaining. After buying us all a dram, he complained about his idiot friends he was with (who we met later and I loved), how everyone nowadays is boring, how he hates Tartan Day (seemed disrespectful to him in some way or another), how his family has been cursed with idiot relatives since 1753, and how hard it is to express the beauty of a woman in english as he is only fluent in Gaelic. Odd man. And very very drunk.
After Peter went out to get more whiskey for himself (as the bartender would not let him buy any more in the bar), we hung around his friends. They were loud and drunk and way too much fun. Us three ladies all had nicknames by the end of the night: Miss America (me), Miss Atlantic (Rachel) and Miss Australia (Hanna).
It was a fun night
Monday
Was another early morning. Heather had to work at 11am and still had things left to show me. We started out with a long hike along the Balgownie River and over the Brig of Balgownie, one of the oldest, if not THE oldest, remaining bridges in Europe and the very same bridge that William Wallace once crossed
We looped around and hit the gardens around Aberdeen
And then onto the Cathedral Church of St. Machar, where I found yet another cemetery.
Beautiful ocean, beautiful river, beautiful flowers, beautiful graveyard. I
Rachel took me out to lunch because she's a gigantic sweetheart and then I hopped on a bus, hopped on a plane, hopped on a train, hopped on the Tube, and walked my butt home.
So, as you can see, I did nothing this last weekend. Boring as usual
And now I must work on my film review and make sure my script is ready to film in about two days. Yay
Pip pip, cherrio and all that rot!
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