The end of an era

Have you ever thought about a job you really hate. I mean really hate. Take, for instance, a job where you stand doing next to nothing all day, whilst being forced to be silent by other other people in the same place. Not being allowed to talk to anyone, to look like you're doing nothing, even when you have nothing to do. Then have you ever left that job, and realized suddenly that there are certain things you miss about it?

I feel like that about my job. I hate it. I do, however, have one thing that does make me think I'll miss working there when I leave a week today. Elizabeth is one of those things. She's just fabulous, and I really will miss her. I've only worked with good ol' Betty for a short while, a mere few months, but in that time I have developed a real bond with her, and have enjoyed her company such a lot. Today was my last day with her, and it's struck me how sad that is.

There are so many little things that you don't consider to be that important, but then suddenly these are things that are in the past. They'll never be brought up again in the same context, nor will the ever be as funny. This entry is the first in a while, but the end of the professional side of my relationship with Betty inspired me to log some of the funnier things which have happened with her.

You'll remember the good old "That's a haggis sir" joke, which has been one of the original and best. Poor foreign customer asked me, while I was in a rush, "What is this?" indicating the haggis in his hand. Well... what else could I say?! "That's a haggis sir, you should try it, it's very nice" seemed to be the only appropriate thing to say in my moment of hurry. I can understand how hilarious it must have been at the time. I only wish I was able to see it from a third person perspective.

"...because she's looking after AAAR AAAAUSE!" Was another classic. Lovely lady's house was being looked after by a friend, and she simply had to get her a little thank you gift. The sudden change of tone was hilarious, and brought lots and lots of happiness to our days on the floor.

Sexual jokes have also been a big hit with us, eh Betty? To be honest, I tend to veer towards the gutter jokes and comments all the time anyway, but you seem to bring out the best/worst in me!

Anyway, my love, you're always saying how we need to cut back on the 'shop talk'. Well there isn't much better a way than for me to leave! There'll be no shop talk at all, other than you filling me in on all the shenanigans currently happening on the floor!

I understand that this has turned into a bit of a letter to dear Betty. It also sounds like she's dead, but she's not. In fact I'm sure I'll see her fairly soon! Also, this isn't to say that Betty is the only one to bring happiness to the floor, but like I said this was my last day with her, and a sad moment it was!

"About time too..."

I can't even begin to imagine what life has been like for the past few weeks for all of you. I know you have all been going insane with worry, and after finally accepting the loss of this blog, spent hours and hours (in vein, might I add) finding something that comes close to being as gripping, exciting and interesting as my once-regular updates. I'm certain you all missed how I manage to talk for hours on end about life, the universe and not-very-much-in-particular.

Well... I have some exceptionally good news for you all. I'm back. I'm moved (by about a mile north) but I'm back, and have regained my position in front of the keyboard, and have a backlog of thrilling topics to write about. First, though, let me tell you all about my move.

It's actually quite sad when you go to bed for that last night in the room that was your first away from home. Having flown the next I was, like most, apprehensive about the people I might meet in University accommodation, but in fact I was lucky. Lucky because everyone I lived with (both those in 7/1 and 7/9 I refer to) were simply adorable. I had many a good night. I've laughed and cried with everyone and shared some rather wonderful stories, some probably not quite suitable for the caliber of this weblog. Naturally, leaving was always going to be an emotional experience, seeing as my life in and around that room was changed whilst living there. I have to admit that until the night before I left, I didn't think I would be affected in any way leaving Robertson's Close, but I was. Seeing all of those boxes packed up and ready to go is hard. Seeing those bare walls acts almost as a reminder to keep your friends close. As life can be so entirely bare without them.

So now I'm in my wonderful new flat with some dear friends who just 9 months ago were mere strangers. It's wonderful how such an intense atmosphere can bring people together, and form relationships of the quality and strength that are seen more regularly with friends of years. Nonetheless, my new flat at 30A Montgomery Street couldn't be any more perfect*. Already friendships have strengthened and in some cases been created from scratch, much like those of nine months ago (of course I refer here to the new addition to out flat). Despite all of the fun and games, last night we (or rather Lottie) had one slightly frightening experience. Her window was broken.

Now, we are not entirely sure what happened here. Lottie claims that she cannot remember exactly what happened either, but thinks there is a chance that she might have accidentally smashed it in her sleep. The only other realistic explanation is that someone tried to break in, or was playing the fool and threw something at the window. The things that confuses me, is that surely to merely crack the window, that is for it not to fully break through, you would need to apply a fairly specific force. It seems unlikely that an object thrown from the street, or even Lottie's stray elbow as she moved in a slumber, would have such a specific force on the window to do this type of damage. Either way, we should find out tomorrow when the glaziers come to fix everything up. Needless to say, it's a slightly worrying turn of events.

* Not strictly true. When we first moved in we had a broken dishwasher, clogged up washing machine and very few working doorknobs. Thankfully most of these issues are now resolved.

A Tourist in Paradise

Open your eyes!

Have you ever found that when you go abroad, or even just to another part of the United Kingdom, you always find out what there is to do in the area, and do it. If you go to London you will possibly have visited Madame Tussauds, The London Eye or The National Science Museum. Visitors to York will often find themselves drawn the the traditional splendor of Bettys Tea Room, the Jorvik Viking Centre or The National Railway Museum. Chances are you will have visited these and many others in a short space of time, often a few days or a week.

Why is it that in our own city, we constantly complain about having nothing to do when in reality there is a wealth of interesting Museums, Castles, Art Galleries and other attractions that we likely walk past every day? Are we so blind that we can't see how diverse and exciting our hometown could be?

Today a friend and I were on a mission to enjoy Edinburgh without breaking the bank

The Culprit

, so I opened my eyes and discovered (unsurprisingly) a great selection of fun, low budget ways to spend those days off this Summer in Edinburgh. At the end of the day we ended up at Edinburgh Zoo. Although this doesn't sound too extraordinary, seeing most people have been to the zoo numerous times, I am one of the sad, lonely people who were seemingly deprived of both their childhood and a trip to the Zoo. It was such a fun day and although a certain someone found herself running for her life from a squirrel, we saw a lot of other fabulous animals who didn't look like they were going to eat us. We were also lucky to see some of the most stunning views in the whole of central Scotland, which I happily snapped away at with the old faithful digital camera. Although this day cost us some money (£7.50 plus busses when you consider the concession rates our student cards afford us) I discovered plenty of other places which were free.

If you don't mind submitting yourself to the controversy that this building has been surrounded by recently, then you can give yourself a guided tour of the new Scottish Parliament which wont cost you a penny. You should probably enjoy one of the few things the Government offers free of charge while you can. However if, like most people, you consider this structure a waste of money and an eyesore to the beautiful East End of the historic old town, you might want to stroll up the Royal Mile slightly and try the next option on the list.

The Museum of Childhood on the Canongate hosts an extensive range of gifts and toys offered to children in years gone by. There are a lot of arcade games which the youth of yesterday wereprivilegedd to enjoy (in a time when children were satisfied with such novelties), including beautifully crafted automatic fortune tellers and lovely automated puppet shows. The exciting part is that these machines are still operable today, the only change being that they wont ask for imperial currency, rather some new fifty pences. I'll warn you though, even at the tender age of eighteen I have found things I enjoyed as a child in here. If you don't want to feel like you belong in a museum there are plenty of other options.

Further up the road, tucked away in Castlehill is the mystic wonder of Camera Obscura. Although there is a small charge to enjoy this (£5.50 for the concession) I have heard rave reviews. I suppose it depends on what you value, but some of the attractions available at this unusual venue sound very interesting. I have heard from other people that it's a pointless place which shouldn't be given a second thought but after further investigation, a Camera Obscura enthusiast has explained that you either get it, or you don't. Either way, I think it's worth a try.

If you want to be a bit more traditional there is the Museum of Scotland and the Royal Museum both on Chambers Street, just at the south end of George IV bridge. You can't beat a good museum, especially a free one, and with a new feature Green Design: Creativity with a Conscience in the Special Exhibition Gallery of the Museum of Scotland, you might just pick up some top tips on saving the earth while you're there.

At the end of the day, there is a lot to do in any City, you just need to open your eyes. Today I have, and I've discovered days and days worth of free and downright interesting things to do. Sure as hell beats sitting doing nothing!