Greeting and salutations from bonnie Scotland! I arrived to rain yesterday...what else is new? If it didn't rain in Scotland, I'd think I was somewhere else.

Flight from LA to Philly was packed and barely got any sleep, though, did get to read my book and listen to some music. Flight from Philly to Glasgow provided more sleeping room, though, I think I tweaked my back on one napping occasion so now my lower back is in a slight bit of pain. Nothing that can't be worked out.

My friends, Fraser and Linda, greeted me at the airport -- so great to see them again. Ya know, as long as Fraser and I have known each other, talking over the years via phone and internet, there's nothing like actually being and hanging out with one of your close friends after much time has passed.

I took my first bus ride here. Oh sure, uneventful to you, but an experience to be had for me. Definitely, a LOT more characters on buses. Went out to dinner with my friends, had a pint of beer after months of not drinking (yes, actually got slightly buzzed after only one brew) and hung out with Linda the rest of the night while Fraser (the proclaimed geek of the three of us) went to see Star Wars for the second time that day. Linda and I informed Fraser that we were going home to have sex with each other, leaving out all details from him and allowing him to enjoy that agonizing thought. While in truth, Linda and I came home to watch Travis videos (don't laugh, I love Travis!!) and called it an early night.

Now, I'm sitting at my friends' flat alone at the moment and getting ready to venture out in search of the train station. Gonna head into Glasgow, wander about the city centre and see what sort of trouble I can get into. My friends are both at work, but Fraser is sneaking out early to meet me at a pub (yay for pints!). And, Darrin is meeting me around 2pm at Fraser's work -- can't wait to see him! I've brought him Jolly Ranchers...shhh, don't tell him.

Tonight, am hoping to see the Dirtbombs at King Tut's, then packing my bag for my weekend hiking tour. Don't let me forget to buy a camera battery, ok?

I miss my doggies, but am not missing home. Wish you could be here.

Love,
Tania

Welcome back to this side of the pond, Tania! Hope you have a great vaca.

Colin, F&L brought ya up in conversation yesterday, remembering the great afternoon we spent watching football at the pub. Scotland won that day if you recall. Surrounded by my friends, who wouldn't have had fun?

That was a great day despite standing next to obnoxious girls (as hot as they were). Watching the EuroVision kid championships. Plastikman. Being somebody's angel. What a full day we had.

I've a smile on my face remembering it. 'Are you an angel?' -- fuckin' priceless.

The weather's been gorgeous for the last month and then you appear from LA and bring the rain with you.

Sounds awesome, T! I glad you're off the wagon, so to speak, what was the first pint?

Have a great time out there! Sounds like you're well on your way. Safe hiking!

i better not find out you had a layover longer than 2 hours. Chase and I could've seen you off. Have a wonderful time, T.

sounds like you're havin a blast tania!

oh, and good call on the Travis videos . give kisses to Fran if you see him out and about.

There's nothing better than getting blown in Scotland.

I'm glad to hear you made it safely, Tania. Have a great time!

Ooh, have fun Tania!!

She was well on the way when I left her...

I hate everyone who gets to travel abroad whilst I sit at my desk.

Uhm, how about ALMOST two hours? I was there for about an hour and a half. I stop there again on the way home for an equal amount of time, I believe. I would've mentioned it earlier, but didn't think you'd wanna bother venturing out to the airport.

And, Darrin, I had the same amount of pints you had today, so shush!! Great seeing ya today and look forward to hanging out with you in Edinburgh next week. How's the babysitting coming along?

Gotta pack my bags for tomorrow. I catch an early train into Edinburgh -- will post next week and let ya know how much fun it was. Supposed to rain, frankly, I don't care.

Oooh update!

Keep having a fabulous time, Tanny!

Should you ever come to Scotland, please do yourself a favour and visit the Highlands and the Isle of Skye. We had the most perfect weather EVER! Absolutely gorgeous! I took a ton of photos but will have to post 'em when I get home (need to develop 'em). Did LOTSA hiking about craggy hills, visited the land of the faeries, trekked across an isolated area of northern Skye to visit a tiny piece of beach whose sand is pink.

We stayed in a tiny town called Plockton which had a superb pub and offered one of the most breathtaking sunsets. Life is much too grand here...I mean there, shit, can I move here?

Back in Glasgow, need to decompress a bit, still need to figure out what I'm doing tomorrow.

Hope you're having fun!

Not as much fun as you, unfortunately... keep the updates coming!

Glad you're having a good time T, you deserve it. Don't forget to bring me back a cute Scottish boy. Thanks.

The wife's been to the Isle of Skye, and said exactly what you said, just beautiful.

Sounds fun!

Melt Banana were cool, thanks again

I even had a Courtney Love sighting, looking fit and well and reasonably content, bless her heart.

Hey T! glad you are having a blast. You'll have to fill me in on all the dirt when you get back.

Tania has a PM and she better read it (he said sternly).

I've read my PM and have answered accordingly, Sir Konstantin. (Demanding boy, aren't ya?)

Today was a fairly chill day -- went to Glasgow Green, the oldest park in Glasgow I learned. It sits right alongside the river Clyde. Back in the olden days, the women would take their laundry to the park and hang them up on the lines to dry and give 'em a chance to catch up on the day's gossip. The laundry poles are still standing, unfortunately, the clothes lines have long since been gone. We took Fraser's dog for a walk about the park (she's a great Border Collie named 'Bonnie'), visited with his mum (one of the sweetest ladies), had dinner, played air hockey and pool. Watched a fantastic sunset! We're now sitting at home, drinking wine and watching comedy vids. Yes...vacation time is totally about chilling.

Tomorrow, I'm venturing back to Edinburgh with Darrin. We're going to the National Art Museum, then returning to Glasgow and watching some championship football game at a local pub where we'll have dinner and lotsa pints...well, at least I plan on drinking lots.

Weather is still holding out. Ohh yeah, there's a chance I may have photos to post later. Fraser works for a photo shoppe and is developing all my photos before I leave. (Yay! It's great having friends like that!)

Shelley, I'm so glad you had a great time at Melt Banana! And a Courtney sighting at that? Cool! I wonder what Kyle (Postmersh) thought of Mike Doughty -- I saw it was a sold out show and am assuming it was good.

I saw this episode of "Passport to Europe" today on the Travel Channel and she was in Edinburgh and I thought of you Tania.

I thought the underground city thing they showed was mighty cool. I want to go there now. To Scotland that is.