Digital Superstition

My sister just emailed me one of those superstition emails that I thought had gone out of vogue about 10 years ago. This one promised that if I didn't read the incredibly awful poem at the end, then email it to 10 friends in the next three hours, something awful would happen to someone I love. Since I only barely love my mother (hey, she makes it really hard) I'll skip the forwards and hope the awful karma smacks her.

This kind of digital superstition only appeals to me when it features a video that looks like it came from a David Lynch acid trip and Naomi Watts. But only in the first form. The sequal was crap.

Reversal of Fortune

I posted a blog entry over at So Cosmopolitan of Me about my experiences with reverse culture shock so far.

It hasn't been easy being back. Living with my folks hasn't made things any better. I desperately need to find a new flat soon, but prices have skyrocketed to metropolitan prices here for some reason. I seriously saw a studio in the paper for $600/month. This isn't Seattle, this is podunk Pocatello. I'm also trying to figure out what to do, since a previous offer for a roommate was more-or-less revoked recently. I hate when people talk about stuff like that, and then act like it was never discussed a short time later.

I'm only back a short time, and I'm already tired of being here.

Thievery

I had some stuff stolen from my Jeep this weekend. It was parked in a fairly safe neighborhood, and I thought I had the doors all locked, but apparently I missed one.

I'm guessing it was younger kids, judging from what was taken. They made off with my small courrier bag from England (which chafes me like wet leather trousers) that had some new comics in it. I don't care so much about the comics, but the bag was a fond memory of Plymouth. They also took off with two CDs that were handy. For some reason though, I'm having a hard time seeing thiefs in Pocatello appreciating DFA Remixes Volume 1 or Bloc Party to their full extent. The CD player and other major things were all left alone.

I'm trying to not let this get to me. I learned a lesson, and there weren't any major losses. I just hope some punk kid's getting their media horizons expanded right now, and enjoying my loss.

Wankers.

Scotland: A Synopsis

Let me just start by saying that Scotland was amazing. The people, geography, and atmosphere combine to make one of the most incredible places I’ve ever been. I could honestly see myself living in some part of Scotland in the future, and being very happy indeed.

Since there was so much to the trip, I’ll just stick to listing highlights in a brief manner.

Edinburgh: Amazing city offering the best of modern delights (like Starbucks) next to ancient ones (like the castles.) It was also the first time in 9 months that someone heard my American accent and was glad I was a Yank. Hooray!
Isles of Staffa and Iona: The Scottish end of the Giant’s Causeway and the former religious centre of the Celtic peoples. It almost felt like you were removed from time. We were just disappointed we didn’t see the promised puffins on Staffa.
Corrour Youth Hostel: The one we feared was the best one. It’s in the middle of nowhere, next to a lake, and the most environmentally friendly hostel in the UK. I highly recommend it. It’s only a short train trip to Fort William and Ben Nevis from here.
Train from Fort William towards Skye: We rode over the Harry Potter Bridge on the train. I just had to fight old people for prime picture taking window space.
Isle of Skye: We opted to miss the Talisker distillery, but instead spent time in Portree. While there, we bought hand-milled soaps, ate amazing seafood, and encountered midges. I still had welts two weeks later. The Museum of the Isles in Armadale is well worth the money, and highly informative.
Inverness: Another fantastic city. I still think it’s incredible that that the City Council is housed in the castle, and I finally learned how to say Joao’s name correctly in Portuguese.
Drumnadrochit/Loch Ness: Yes, we rocked it in Drumnadrochit. Where else can you have your picture taken with an awful looking Nessie monster made of concrete and shop for a new kilt? We were supposed to go to dinner with Nessie, but she opted to get pissed on McEwans before we got there. I was highly disappointed with her antics.
Stirling: The castle, Holyrude cathedral, and William Wallace tribute made this one of my favorite places in Scotland. Even the drunks were very friendly.
Glasgow: The City Centre is amazing, and felt more urban than Edinburgh. Anywhere outside of the City Centre had me nearly pissing myself in fear. Oh yeah, you really can find deep fried pizza here.

All in all, it was one of the most amazing trips I’ve ever had. If I ever get around to it, I’ll throw some pictures from the trip online.

A Quick Note

And I really mean quick...

I'm back in the US, but don't have internet right now. I'm sitting in a coffee shop for a few minutes before I have to go and typing this entry out.

I'll be back to my old job on Monday morning, and back to the wonderful world of internet connections. In the meantime, I'll try to type up a few posts about Scotland, wrapping up things in Plymouth, my trip home, and life back here in the US, so that I can get them posted next week.

Cheers!