Journal Entries
Edinburgh
Posted Sep 27, 2005
Hello to whoever is still bothering to read this (given how often I write in it!)
I am now in Edinburgh, Scotland. I'm living in a hostel called Brodie's, which is a friendly spot right n the middle of town, on the Royal Mile. At the moment I'm working for 2 different hospitality temping agencies, while I look for, if not a GIS job, then at least a monday to friday, 9 to 5ish job... I think I'll stay in this (or maybe a different) hostel until I have enough money to pay a deposit to move into a flat. So that's basically why I havent posted in ages, cos nothings really settled, and writing about it just makes it more obvious!!
So I'm a little adrift at the moment, but the temping work is actually quite fun, and plentiful - I've worked every day since wednesday, and have shifts lined up for every day until monday. I'm working in lots of interesting places - tonight was at the Scottish Parliament (serving wine to a FBI training course), Saturday was at Tynecastle Football Ground, where Hearts were hosting Rangers, Sunday was at a Castle hotel/spa in the coountryside (housekeeping - yeah can you believe it? me keeping house? 
Anyway, life is toddling along OK, Edinburgh is a lovely place (altho the weather seems to change every 5 seconds!) and I'm keeping busy. ALso I found a 50 metre pool, which makes me very happy, and i can improve on my current distance of 2km. Or maybe just try going a bit faster...
Oh, and my diet has diversified a bit more - I cooked chilli con carne for myself (twice!) altho it wasn't that hot, as it just came fom a packet (no actualy chilli in sight - I havent gone completely mad). And yesterday and today I'm eating pasta salad with pesto for flavour! Yes, that's right, not only am I catually seeking out green food, I'm deliberately contaminating it with Flavour!
And that's about all that's happening in my life at the moment, so that's all folks - leave me a comment and let me know how you're going 
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Latest reply: Sep 27, 2005
London Still (for now...)
Posted Aug 31, 2005
Hi all
Not much happening, just thought I should put another entry in here, and note that it is a year since I came to London looking for a job. It's been a good year overall. I've enjoyed my time in London, it's an amazing place, and one that is well worth spending time in
But I also think it's time to move on, and thus I'm planning on heading up to Edinburgh in the next week or 2. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but the extra month here has me convinced - it's time for a change of scene.
I'm getting an immediate change of scene tho - I'm off to Barcelona for a few days with a friend, and heading north up the coast, so I should get some more nice weather and some beautiful new places
Right now I'm sitting in the bar where I work, using free WiFi Internet and listening to some great Aussie music, being played to the whole bar via my MP3 player. I've been introducing my unwitting customers to some Stella One Eleven, Powderfinger, Whitlams, Weddings Parties Anything, and loads of other top Oz tunes Currently my aussie colleague has gone with some SuperJesus, Waikiki and Waifs - it's all good!
Ian, you'll be happy to know there's some Super Furry's in the mix too Rod - your cds have been a great source, and are some of my favourite tracks - Bob Evans 'For Today' is still my theme song
That's it for now - more when I've actually done something!
Take care all
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Latest reply: Aug 31, 2005
London Again
Posted Aug 4, 2005
Hi all
Yes, I'm back in London, and today started a new job - at a bar in north central london. I'm also going to do some shifts at my old housemates bar, while one of his colleagues is on holiday. I'm living in a hostel in Marylebone, where I used to work, which is very convenient to both my jobs, and for catching up with my friends in london.
Since my last post, I've been in Paris for a few days with Helen and Cade, which was great. Saw the Sacred Heart Basilica, Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elyssees, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, wandered around Montmartre and walked past the Moulin Rouge - all good. Came back to London by bus (long and boring, but OK) then went down to the south coast for the weekend, which was nice.
I decided to stay in London for a bit longer, as I'm planning on going to Barcelona in early september, and then my friend Craig will be around, so it will be easier to catch up in London.
After that I'm still planning on heading up to Edinburgh. Id like to suss out work and accomodation prospects as well, before i go up there, so we'll see what happens.
That's all from me for now, love to all, take care
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Latest reply: Aug 4, 2005
Amsterdam
Posted Jul 23, 2005
Very short note as net access is running out. All is good here, am having fun wandering about with Helen Went to the Heineken brewery this arvo, which was cool. The weather has been shit so we havent seen amsterdam at its best, but it still seems like a nice place. Not really making the most of what amsterdam's famous for - that being sex shops and marijuana, but have been enjoying the beer.
Am heading to Paris on Monday, then back to London Wednesday. Hope to avoid being blown up. Am mildly reassured by the apparently amateurish nature of the second round. Also by the lack of dedication shown by the bombers, as none appear to have been suicide attempts.
Nonetheless, Im glad that my plans involve seeeking work in Edinburgh rather than staying in London.
Love to all, more soon
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Latest reply: Jul 23, 2005
A wedding, baptisms, and family history
Posted Jul 12, 2005
Hi All
Just a quick line to say I got up to Newcastle with no problems and had a great time at Heth's wedding I stayed a few days with her mum and sister, hanging out with Heth, Andy, Chris and Jo, which was great Also, I did some research into the local family history.
My great grandfather (my father's paternal grandfather) was born in a village called Howick in Northumberland, near Newcastle. In the county records office, located in Morpeth, I was able to find his baptism record (17th May 1889) and also that of his younger brother Alan (17th May 1892), parents: William and Caroline Mary, abode: Howick School House. Also found a 1891 census entry for this address listing another brother John V. (age 4). The highlight tho was a school logbook, with 11 and half years of entries written by William, which also referred to sons George Edward, Walter Herbert (possibly aka Bertie) and Edwin. William and Caroline started work at the school on October 31st 1887 and finished on February 23rd 1899. It wasn't the most exciting reading - catloguing absences, illness, religious instruction from the local reverend, school inspections, the state of the girls sewing skills etc. but it was kind of cool reading something written by my great great grandfather 120 odd years ago!!
It reminded me a bit of reading the follow on books from Anne of Green Gables when she's a teacher at Avonlea - if that means anything to anybody!!
William and Caroline were both born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, (probably in 1861 and 1862 respectively) which is where I am tonight, in the hope of finding baptism and marriage records for them, and possibly more information about their families
After that Im heading back to London, and from Friday, hanging out with Kristin and Ryan and Pete - Yay!!
Love to all
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Latest reply: Jul 12, 2005
CJ-Maranup
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