Categories: uncategorized
Date: 01 January 2004 18:21:09
I had a fantastic New Year visiting old friends and hopefully making some new ones in beautiful romantic and windswept St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland. The highlight for me was cuddling up in my sleeping bag in front of a log fire in my friends lounge with some of my other friends watching the shadows of the flames dancing on the ceiling, hearing the fire crackling and drawing in air, and feeling the warm tingle of the flames on my face poking out the top of my sleeping bag! Sometimes it's the simplest, sensual pleasures which speak to the parts of us that words can't ever get near. Driving home to Glasgow I played the album 'It's a wonderful life' by Sparklehorse (a really beautiful album) while the setting sun drew pink and yellow patterns across the sky and mountains. Even the steel and concrete of the Kincardine Bridge looked amazing in the twilight. Moving to Glasgow was a big and risky thing for me to do and its taking me a while to feel at home here. I guess I've had a few doubts about whether I've made the right decision. Now I can put my hand on my heart and say that there's nowhere else in the world I would rather be, and nobody else in the world I'd rather be. It's all going to work out.
Resolutions? Well, 1. To join or start a book group. I already have a partner in crime (Elise) and we'll be advertising as soon as we get someplace big enough to swing a cat, student housing seemingly not being designed with the needs of a book group / socialising as a high priority. 2. To make lots of new friends. 3. To get out into the hills at least once a fortnight ("Only thoughts reached by walking have value." - Nietzsche). 4. To work at my photography and maybe sell some or have an exhibition in a cafe / bar / bookshop / library / someplace (but maybe I should pace myself and make this a firm resolution for next year? We'll see. 5. To get my website up and running. 6. Never to lose my sense of wonder / to look at the stars more often. 7. To not neglect my blog! And, 8. Oh yeah, finish the 1st year of my PhD....kinda' important!
Special new year thanks must go to Iona, Sally, Lyndsey, and thingy (American girl, oops, sorry forgotten your name!) for being on my team for Cranium (the board game). We won!!!! (I was as shocked as anybody! Especially for correctly guessing my impression of Marilyn Monroe. Those of you who know me will probably be in awe of their Cranium skills. They are truly gifted people!!!
Take care,
DK.