Scottish Deep Thoughts

Another week done...5 to go.

Going to Tomintoul for the weekend to do some hillwalking. I'm going with two other teachers from school and meeting a group of other people who I've never met. I have a feeling that we're gonna get soaked (from both the rain and from drinking copious amounts of alcohol).

Eye
I took my first visit to the hospital in 5 years today. I avoid hospitals whenever possible; they make me uneasy. I was forced to go to save my eyesight - well, maybe not that drastic. All weekend my left eye has been feeling like it has been rubbed with sandpaper. I just walked in , checked in with reception, and saw a doctor right away. I am not sure if this is because of a "small town" hospital or if it is the poorly organized state of the Scottish health system. Regardless, I walked in and out only having to give my name, address and date of birth. Gotta love universal health care.

The "pop-in"
I hate the unexpected arrival, also known as the "pop-in". No one ever comes to my door (yes, I am pathetic and friendless) so I am quite surprised, and unprepared, when someone shows up. Mike, a friend from school, decided to "pop-in" to discuss a computer problem we had been trying to figure out earlier in the day. He came by about 9pm, which is not a problem. However, when I am in my pyjamas, comfortably under a blanket, sitting in front of the TV with a half-eaten plate of lasagna resting on my belly is a problem. My front door looks right into the living room so I was busted - I had no choice but to open the door as I and my place was. We figured out the computer problem and I reluctantly offered to give Mike a tour of my new place. I took him to the kitchen, where a few days dishes sat and laughed at my embarrassment. The next room wasn't as bad, except for the pile of dirty laundry that was to be done this past weekend, but my ancient washing machine decided to retire. I cut the grand tour short by only mentioning what was upstairs. The positive side is that it motivated me to actually get the dishes done and clean my clothes up off of the floor. I am not a slob; I would have cleaned tonight anyway. It just irritates me when someone stops by when things are at their worst.

Escaping...
I booked my flight today for the 6 week summer break! God bless Ryanair - 20 Pounds to Germany. I'll be heading south by train from Dusseldorf hitting Poland, Czech Repub, Slovakia and Croatia.

Went to a rugby match in Edinburgh today. We took 15 kids from school down in the mini-bus. It was the Heineken Cup final...France v. France (two club teams). I have a basic knowledge of the game, so I enjoy watching it. However, a big part of the day is the atmosphere of 50-60 thousand fans cheering for their club. Oh, and there were two streakers...that was funny. A couple of blinding-white, buck-naked Brits running onto the field and tackling eachother. Then they were hauled off the field by the police.

I've uploaded some new pics. I have put new albums from my weekends on Isle of Skye and the Hebrides.

Click here to check them out.

I have found my doppelganger! After James found (and now stalks) his namesake, I tried seeing if I had a man pretending to be me. I have found some striking similarities to the 2 namesakes I discovered...

Mike Muir # 1 - A university professor who lectures in the faculty of SECONDARY EDUCATION!

Mike Muir # 2 - A guitar player who, frighteningly, looks a bit like me (especially when I had a moustache)! I recently bought a guitar, which makes the picture of this man even more premonitory.

(Thanks Rich for making the comparison pic.)

I shudder to think that I might BE like these guys in 10 years.

Text language....the bane of every teacher's existence. It is slowly infesting and spoiling standardized English. Every day I read essays that have been infiltrated with this abbreviated poison created by mobile phones and people's need to avoid all voice contact with anyone. "U" and "2" have overthrown "you" and "two" in an attempt to save valuable milliseconds when writing their literary gems.

Laziness and student's (and adult's) ignorance of proper spelling and grammar has started the degradation of the English language. Soon, while dragging our knuckles, we will "b" using grunts and gutteral sounds "2" communicate.

I have returned from a weekend with the Three Tourists. I enjoyed myself and saw some damn cool sights. Isle of Skye is amazing (pictures to come). It was "interesting" travelling with these three. It gave a me a chance to get some perspective on a few things (most notably, how tourist traps stay in business).

Although I had a great weekend, I quickly grew tired of stopping every 5 minutes to allow ANOTHER picture of a sheep. OK, I realize that sheep are a Scottish icon but you only need 1 or 2 photos!! No one needs to look at every sheep to see "how cute they are" or pretend what a lamb might be "saying" to it's mother. I really cannot stand anthropomorphizing animals and giving them "voices" as if they think like humans. Sheep are all the same: fluffy and not too bright.

A large bomb was dropped on me today. My position is going to be advertised. In other words, I must now be interviewed for the job that I already have! It is fuckin' bullshit. I am rather pissed off. Not only do I have the insecurity of not having THIS job next year, I may not have ANY job next year! I have to scramble to see what options there are outside of this school. Apparently, it has nothing to do with me or the school. Rather, this process is due to "external pressures". Mike is gettin' upset.

One of my senior students has decided that the English language deserves another word...

jamp: to have jumped. "I jamp over the log" or "I was so excited I jamp for joy".

He writes his final exam tomorrow. Please pray for him.

My house has been invaded by 3 women armed with cameras and the ability to spot a tourist trap at 50 miles away, commonly known worldwide as "the tourist"... Yes, my mom, gran and aunt have made the trip to Scotland. Playing tour guide has not been that bad thus far. Although we have a planned a weekend trip to the Isle of Skye...fun, fun, fun. Must remember to pack the whisky.

Just got back from a few pints and "teacher talk" at the pub, which is always a good way to start the weekend. There is nothing like griping over certain pupils and how things would be MUCH different if we were in charge of the school. However, I need to wake up early to finish moving all my stuff into the flat next door(long story). This is not going to be fun. When are they going to invent those transporters that they had on Star Trek?

Went to the Hebrides (western islands in Scotland) last weekend. I experienced a very scummy local pub in Stornoway (the Whaler's Rest). I saw some random giant rocks in a field and then went to some amazing white sand beaches. Not much to tell really; just a relaxing long weekend.

Saw the best name for a Scottish diner on the way back: the Jac-o-Bite (this will be funny if you know your British history).