still laughing

Saturday night, 6pm and it's been incredibly dark for well over an hour now. Forgot how quickly the night creeps up on you over here... or, more accurately, up here. Just got back from a long walk outside Musselburgh and into Dalkieth forest. Life's been moving incredibly quickly as of late and I felt the need to stop and take stock.

Didn't come to any profound conclusions and life altering decisions, in fact I don't think anything came of my wanderings, but the walk itself was nice. It also served to stretch out a rather painful calf injury I incured while out running Wednesday. Actually the real painful bit occured after the run in the shower while I was stretching it - felt something shift. (this was about 3 hrs before I was to go out on a wee pub crawl involving a brief stop at the smallest pub in Edinburgh located conviently off the longest set of stairs in Edinburgh).

So... what's new? Lots. First, I am finally a Visiting Lecturer at Queen Margaret University. For the moment I'm more of a psychology support staff, running stats labs and providing some support for student dissertations (to come), but next semester I am actually teaching the evolutionary psychology module... which is uber sweet. The campus is brand spanking new and comes complete with all the hassle and confusion surrounding new buildings and the move from the previous location. That's why it took almost a month for me to finally get on board. But now I have my own desk, pc, phone, and shelving units to place all the books I'll never read. Going to the staff christmas party on Dec 5th. Lol. Everyone is super nice, and I'm looking forward to good conversations over coffee (which I still can't drink). All this and the campus is a 8 minute walk from George and Yvonnes.

Second. I'm staying in Edinburgh until the new year. For various reasons, financial and personal, it makes much more sense to stay put for the moment, and then move to Stirling when I come back from Canada in January. Met a mate, Brian, through Jack and plan to move in with him. Last Friday (wow, seems like ages ago) he and I met up in Glasgow for a concert; The National. It was a mint show. Afterwards I was toying with the idea of going with him to Stirling for a party, but decided to be responsible and get the last train home to Edinburgh. Best decision ever, and brings me to the third new thing.

Usually on the train I stick my headphones in and let the likes of Judas Priest, Mudvanye or Morphine entertain me. However, there was some good banter going on around the train. It was packed with drunk people (myself included) and laughter. Had some random conversations with two guys who just saw the Verve, a couple of older ladies who were passing around a bottle of wine and hugs, and two friends (Kirsty and Allen) that also saw the National. As it turns out, Kirsty is good friends with Chainsaw Dave who currently resides on Rum. It's a small world indeed. Anyhow, after that bit of info came out the three of us decided to go to another gig in Edinburgh and eventually I got home at 4:30 in the morning. Told you I was responsible ;)

Been out with Kirsty several times since, also till obscene hours (got in a half six this morning) and really seem to hit it off with her. Started last night with George and Chris for a chinese dinner, then Garreth joined us at a local pub for some pool (I reigned sumpreme and left undefeated to meet up with Kirsty and her friends in the city). Great time. At 4:30am we were playing amongst the leafs in an ancient graveyward somewhere along Princes St at the bottom of Edinburgh Castle. Not rushing things and there are no labels attached; it's just incredibly nice to meet someone that I get along with under such random and uncharacteristic circumstances. Watching a movie with her tonight.

Long and short? I've had a big, goofy, Canadian grin on my face and a spring in my step all week.