I am a sucker for giveaways. Especially when they are giving away things with something I already like to buy.
Take McDonalds, for instance. I'm already a sucker for their Monopoly Game, which is pretty much the only time all year I eat there more than once in any six weeks period. So when they came out with these babies, in six different colours, I was hooked.
Paige was the first to discover them, and introduced Liz and I to them. So a couple more times, I went to McDs to get some. Sadly, in the UK, McD's has not yet figured out how to really get people into the store on these promotions. They only offered them for two weeks. In the States, it would be one colour only each week for six weeks. That way people come back. More often. Not so here. Two weeks and they were gone. And you could get lucky and get different colours in the same week. Or, if you were Paige, if you asked nicely because you already had that colour.
Oh well. I got three: green, purple and brown. I think they are cool. But then, I'm a sucker. =D
Back to catching up on my adventures last year...
I may have mentioned that 2009 was the year of Homecoming for Scotland. It was the 250th anniversary of Robbie Burns' birth, and seemed like a good time to promote some tourism. I was just glad that it meant I got to do lots of Scottish things for once.
In early August, we had Tartan Day in Aberdeen. People wore their tartans (if they had them), and there were pipe bands and performances (not always Scottish, as the International Youth Festival was going on, as well, with loads of performances as a part of it) and street fair stalls and big-deal-events. I had completely forgotten about it, because Aberdeen does such a great job of advertising (yeah, right), and just happened upon it as I was wandering home from church (and yes, it was very lucky that I had actually decided to go to church that day).
I first heard a pipe band on Belmont Street...
As I was already on Belmont Street, I decided to wander through all the stalls of Scottish crafts and foods and goodies. At one of them, they were having a whisky tasting to set a Guinness World Record for the most people in a single one-day tasting. Of course, I selflessly decided I must help them reach their goal... and I forgot to take a photo! It was a fairly local whisky, but I can't remember which now. No, I didn't drink that much. I'm just forgetful. But the street was all decked out, as well, and I did take photos of all that.
From there I wandered down into Union Terrace Gardens, where there were other things going on, like showing off medieval fighting skills and stuff. But nothing much was happening while I was there.
I could see big crowds up at the top, in front of the theatre and the library and the big wallace statue... and where there are big crowds, there must be something going on. So up I went. And couldn't really see anything. There was a pipe band I could hear, but it sure didn't seem like a big enough deal for all these people to be crowded around.
And then, they crowds parted enough for me to get a peek through and work my way to the front... and I couldn't hear a bloomin' thing. The sound system wasn't working. I think they were doing a re-enactment of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath, but I'm not certain. There were flags and people dressed up in period costumes and a huge crowd of dignitaries sitting in chairs to watch it all.
Since I couldn't hear anything, I started scanning the crowd. Just looking around. And then... I saw a profile. I knew that profile. But it couldn't be... could it?
Leaning forward... there in black... no way. I couldn't believe my eyes. I kept taking zoomed in photos, to try and convince myself if it was or wasn't, and then...
Oh my word. That bald head could only belong to one person... which means... it was him! And there were two of them! Seriously, it's bad when the highlight of my day is seeing two of the actors from my Scottish soap in my city. But even better than that? I was bold. Daring. Exceedingly polite...
and I got my photo taken with River City baddie 'Lenny Murdoch'. He was really nice! It was a little disconcerting. ;) I was in heaven. It was brilliant. I couldn't believe my luck!! And also...
my picture with River City working man 'Jimmy Mullen'. Also very friendly. I couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the day. And I texted Kenny immediately to brag. He was quite jealous. As he ought to be, of course. =D
Then I got McDonalds and went to eat on a bench in Castlegate. One of the International Youth performing groups was doing flag work, so I sat and watched.
Next up was a dance troupe, and I mostly had to smile at their shoes. The didn't quite go with their flowy outfits... but then again, they were dancing on uneven cobbles. I didn't blame them one bit.
And then I went home. Still smiling. And everytime I look at the picture of me with 'Lenny', I smile all over again. That was a blast.
Mrs.4444 over at Half-Past Kissing Time hosts Friday Fragments every week, a chance to get out of your system all those little bits and pieces that don't really fit anywhere else. Here's mine this week.
~ I like the snow. I know most of the people I know would not agree, but I sure do hope it sticks around for a while. Like, all winter. It sure beats the rain and wind we usually get for winter here.
~ I had to laugh on the train down to Stirling last night. As I was sitting there, listening to random songs on my iPod, watching the snowy landscape outside (when I could see it, that is-- it was dark), who suddenly sounded in my ears but the Beach Boys. Quite the juxtaposition.
~ Listening to the Beach Boys made me miss Opryland. I miss Opryland a lot, even though I don't live in Nashville anymore. It was a big part of my childhood and teenage years, and it's a loss that I may never recover from. It was 'Little Deuce Coupe' that triggered that one.
~ I somehow managed to get bumped to First Class on the train last night. I had no idea til I sat down in my assigned seat and noticed I had twice the space as usual. And that the doors into the compartment closed, to keep out more of the freezing air every time the outer doors opened at a stop. Bonus! On the down side, I was seated across the aisle from three middle aged men who went through 8 Stellas and nearly a case of Tennants in the two hours I was on the train. Yikes.
~ Why does postage have to be so dang expensive?! I just finally got my Christmas gifts sent home to people. It cost me more than half a month's rent. That is just ridiculous. Especially when it's not just one person I have to send things to internationally-- it's the majority. And I don't just send stuff at Christmas-- I send it thorughout the year, at least to my nephew and niece and sister. So I'm hoping for some reciprocation here, or I'm never posting parcels again.
~ I am aching in every muscle and joint I have, and even some I didn't know I had. All from dragging my suitcase full of books and food goodies (because I mentioned how much I spent on shipping, right?) on the slippery slidey pavements to the train station in Aberdeen. Getting from Stirling train station out to Alva wasn't so bad, but the damage was already done. It's nearly impossible to get a case back up on the pavement from the street over the curb when it's heavy and everything is slippy. The case stayed in place. I was walking, but not getting anywhere. Finally, one big heave-ho and it jumped the curb. Whew. Only had to do that about a dozen times. Not to mention the frozen cobbles and bricks in Castlegate... ouch.
~ I have nearly fallen three times now. And have managed to stay on my feet all three times. Touch wood, that trend keeps up.
~ I am sad this week. No particular reason, I guess. I just am.
~ If I manage to graduate this summer, who is going to come over and see it?
Well, well. I read more than a book a week-- there are 54 of those babies on that list! That makes me really happy. =)
I started at some point last year picking a book for fun (as in, not a study book at all) and a devotionally related book to read a chapter or so of every night. I think that paid off. If you have read any of these and would like to discuss 'em, let me know! I'd be glad to do mini-reviews here for the ones you're interested in, dear readers, or just converse with you about them in some other place. I'd also love suggestions of things you've read and liked.
I've started a new blog. To hold me accountable to one of my resolutions: taking a photo a day of my life, no matter how ridiculously lazy I may be on any given day. Because I know I'll miss things about where I am in life right now (both physically and metaphysically), and I want to try to capture some of that. So pop on over if you want... but no pressure. =)
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! I have been too busy to update much, and this is no exception. Just thought I'd share a few photos to give you a taste of what my festive season has been like. More later... but for now, I hope everything is happy and bright, wherever you are!
