Easter 1

Just back from my Easter holiday, so here comes a teaser with more to follow:

More Glen Affric Pics

While I'm away shooting more pics in Glencoe, here are some more pictures of Glen Affric from a few weeks ago.

One of the wilder burns we had to cross

The boys walking ahead

Caledonian Pine

 

 

Pentlands on a Sunday

So I made plans to go for a coffee with a friend and then the forecast looked good and he said we should do a walk and I thought ok, let's stroll across the Meadows or check out Arthur's Seat, but he was thinking bigger and said he'd pick me up and we're going to the Pentlands.

So nice to have friends with cars. And what a car!

Looking at Edinburgh and Arthur's Seat in the centre

 

I like a good fence in a photo

More fence

All my favourite Pentlands hills at sunset

My friend's car

Well, I don't approve of sports cars and I was a bit worried someone would see me in it, but I must admit it was pretty cool to get driven around in the countryside in a Porsche.

Neighbours

Today, I had a look at my list of things to do once I reduce hours or take a career break, kind of a bucket list. One thing on it was to meet the neighbours. (The other things are more glamourous, I promise! Like visiting the Montreal Jazz Festival, the big American National Parks, doing all the walks in Scotland, etc.)

I've lived in my flat for almost three years and I would recognise the people from only one of the 6 (or is it 8?) flats in my house if I met them on the street. And this is only because they have a big white hairy dog. And even with them I've never exchanged more than a "Hi" or a nod.

Apparently, there is one obese mystery guy living in the top flat, which he never leaves. And there's also a family with a girl of school age. Across the hall lives an old guy who is not very mobile and leaves his laundry to dry in the cupboard in the hall. Smells good. Downstairs lives another woman with a dog. In the other flat downstairs resides the local drug dealer. Judging by the clientele, I would guess coke but then what do I know.

So considering that I don't have very sociable neighbours, and that I haven't been very sociable with my neighbours either, it was quite a surprise when a neighbour rang at my door today to apologise for the noise they were making in the flat upstairs. He invited me up. I was a bit stunned - a neighbour is speaking to me! And I made excuses. But he was also very friendly, so I said I might come up later.

Just by listening from my flat I was able to follow the course of the party over most of the evening. There was football and then rugby and then just drinking. There was mostly blokes and they were getting drunk. After a long period of indecisiveness because I was feeling a bit shy, I decided at last to follow through and go up and say hi and introduce myself, which I had failed to do when he came down. It was on my bucket list after all!

People were quite drunk but still trying to make friendly conversation. German skills were tested. I got a good look around the flat and a drink, and I met the other half of the couple who had been living here since December. Nice guys, very polite, going to do the West Highland Way in June, so we have that in common. One thing to check off the bucket list.

Subversive Act #fail

My attempt at subverting the organisation was put a damper on. I was caught breaching security protocols and now have to lie low until I've passed my probation.


But my paper crusade is gaining traction - the issue was discussed at the senior leaders' meeting and  a consultation on preferred paper use is getting launched "in due course" (which is civil service speak for "whenever").

Test, test... ahem

I tested my fancy new ethical down sleeping bag (*click*) and my new mat (*click*) last weekend on a short trip to Glen Affric. I have walked there before (*click*), but I was hoping to see it in the sunshine this time around. This wasn't to be, but my walking company brightened up the walk alright.

We stayed in Camban bothy and got properly smoked by the coal fire, but I was toasty in my bed.

Subversive Act #2

I introduced unbleached paper at my work. Many areas have used it for a long time, and that's not just my old work place, the Natural Resources division, who you would expect to use environmentally friendly resources, but also the transport and education areas. But when I suggested to make the move I was met with resistance by the admin team who predicted an outcry. So I replaced the paper in one of the trays in one of the office printers with the unbleached 'Classic White' and gave people instructions on how to access this tray when printing. I can feel my power growing. The sky is the limit.

Bragster

"Excellent oral hygiene" said the attractive dentist to me. He continued to hum along to the Foo Fighters on the radio. "The best today". It was his last appointment of the day, so I had actually had competition. I can't believe how proud this made me.

Subversive Act #1

I introduced a regular huddle in my unit - an informal 15 min catch-up, where everyone gets a say, no matter their seniority. I mainly suggested it because I was new and didn't know what everyone else was working on.

People seem to like it. It might even flatten the perceived hierarchy. And it's spreading: The division head is now holding a biweekly huddle as well. What will be next? Will I take over? Can I be stopped?

A Sample of the North

I spent a lovely weekend dancing in a mansion in Durhamshire. Accommodation options were limited and it had taken me a couple of afternoons to find a B&B in the next village, just under 2 km away on back roads. To me, this was actually a win-win situation, getting a dancing holiday and a walking holiday in one weekend.

The area was lovely too, and the people as friendly as their reputation. When I tried to explain to the bus driver in Newcastle where we needed to get off he didn't understand me, but another passenger did and got off the bus one stop early just to make sure we got to our B&B ok.

At the B&B we met the nicest hosts ever, and when I told them that it would be just me and my friend instead of the three people I had booked for, they reduced the price for us considerably. They also offered to give us a lift to the mansion if needed.

But I was happy to walk, and my friend couldn't find good arguments for a taxi. It wasn't raining. But we didn't make it far on the back roads to the mansion when a Mini Cooper stopped next to us and a couple of fellow dancers offered us a lift. This happened a few more times that weekend, and only once did I get to walk back, one starry night at 4 am in the morning.

Moths

After a long discussion with my flatmate about minimalism, reducing the number of belongings, and spring cleaning I had this sudden urge to order many things from Icebreaker, maybe also because it was on sale and I just love merino wool clothes. But then today we had guests with moth problems at home. Moths love merino wool too!

These guests are now banned from the flat of course, but I am worried. What's a good moth deterrent?

Boss Trouble

My boss keeps breaking bones! After almost having recovered from a cracked rib (*click*) he now broke his ankle. I'm again on my own, continuing my power trip, building my empire, and infiltrating the government.

The Piece of Art That is My Sock Drawer

Socks, yes, and a few knickers...

"The life changing magic of tidying" by Marie Kondo is the book that inspired me to arrange my socks in this particular manner, among other things.

The title of the book pretty much summarises a number of outrageous claims she makes about the effects of tidying. However, these effects do not follow from any kind of tidying, but tidying the Marie Kondo way. Going through the process of tidying the Marie Kondo way leads to a new-found awareness of, and an increased appreciation for your belongings.

Another benefit is that - if done correctly - you tidy once and as if by magic you never have to tidy ever again. This is because now, every single item, from your guest duvet to your collection of multi-colour paperclips, has now a designated home in your house. Therefore, you'll never again have to wonder where to put an item.

A side-effect of following the step-by-step instructions in the book is that you'll also get rid of loads of stuff in the process. Stuff, you don't love anymore. And this is the only criterion by which you decide whether to keep an item or discard it: Holding it in your hands, and only if it brings you joy you keep it.

For example, the super hip boots I bought in Berlin on a lovely long weekend with a past boyfriend, while still bringing back happy memories, don't bring me joy anymore. This is because I have hardly ever worn them since my cobbler refused to fix the hole in the sole. He refused out of work-ethic - they were irreparable - and maybe because they smelled. So away with them! I said goodbye, and it was sad, but I don't miss them.

Other things are more difficult. Some postcards and letters for example. However, once you've been through clothes and books, you'll have learned more about your relationship to your belongings, and it gets easier to make the decisions.

And there is a whole lot of direction on how to store things - vertically if possible.

But other people have written about this much better than I could, and like mine, this article features a picture of a drawer with vertically stored clothes! *click*

Sunday at the Skip

That's where the party's at.

So lively! Such a contrast to the quiet, slightly dodgy industrial estate surrounding it. Meet a cross section of society! Or at least of that part of society that recycle and have a car - I was the only pedestrian there. A great place - a bin for each and any kind of rubbish, making my organised self very happy.

Printer Guy

All the boys and the dating, if nothing else, provide me with a neverending supply of stories to entertain my flatmate, friends and readers. And random people on the street - I tend to overshare.

But occasionally, I have a serious conversation about finding a partner, and at one of these my flatmate asked whether there weren't any people at my work I might like, since the whole online dating business is getting ridiculous. I dismissed the idea as too risky - if things didn't work out it might get awkward in the office. But my mind must have gone through the list of people at work I believe to be single and attractive and then a few days later it happened.

I was working away, focusing on my spreadsheets, when I suddenly realised that I had developed a crush on my colleague. And I wasn't even talking to him at that moment. This is a nice chap who sits near the printer and whenever anyone prints something he starts a chat.

Now, for the life of me, I just can't think of any more documents that need printing!

Singles

Boys feature in this year's list of new year resolutions, and I'm also becoming more of a proper statistician every day. So statistically, what are my chances of actually meeting an eligible young man here in Scotland?

The last time everyone in Scotland was counted was in 2011. The Scottish census provides a lot of interesting data (*click*). In 2011, there were a bit more than 5 million people living in Scotland. Of these, only 48.5% were men - so, fewer men than women - it's already not looking great for me!

But then, what about the age group I'm interested in, let's say 30-39 year olds? Well, there are 324,876 males in this age group who would go for, say, the 512,546 25-39 year old ladies in Scotland. I'm assuming that guys don't mind having much younger partners... But let's not worry too much about the competition and keep the eyes on the prize.

Of those 324,876 young men some will be taken. Getting rid of all the ones who are married, in a civil partnership, or living together as a couple leaves me with 114,408 candidates across Scotland. But I'm not a friend of long-distance relationships, so how many of these live in Edinburgh?

The answer is 13,851. And now it gets a bit less certain. Let's get rid of gay men, they won't fancy me! There is little data available on sexual orientation. The Integrated Household Survey 2014 estimates that 1.5% of men in the UK are gay, but that's across all ages, and older people are less likely to identify as gay. The Scottish Household Survey in 2014 reported 1% of Scottish men to be gay but also sees this figure as underestimating the true percentage. So I'll go with 1.5% which reduces my man pool to 13,600.

My experience shows that it is rather unlikely for me to end up with someone without some sort of university degree. Now, 53% of men in Edinburgh between the ages 25 and 49 have at least a first degree. Assuming that this percentage is roughly representative of my preferred age group (30-39) and that Edinburgh's educated men are equally likely to be single or married etc., this leaves me with an optimistic estimate of 7,200 available young men in Edinburgh.

Surely, one of them will also be smart, kind, funny and good-looking?

Sing sing sing

Can I add an item to my new year resolutions list retroactively? 2016 will be the year of singing! I expect some synergy with my resolution to laugh more.

I've always wanted to sing in a band, and having started off last year with a singing quartet (*click*) which didn't live for long, I was then asked a few weeks ago to join another group to perform at a one-off cabaret evening / talent show event. The first rehearsal was fun and had me at some point curling up on the sofa laughing tears.

But now, friends told me how they meet up to make music together, playing the piano and the saxophone, doing jazz standards, and I invited myself to join them and sing. And we did and mostly mocked around but I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Resolutions - update

Right, it's decided. Here are my official new year's resolutions for 2016:

1. Laugh more - keeping it vague and thus not committing to a measurable outcome is a commonly used civil service strategy...
2. More boys - 2015 has been quite busy with boys and while I have been unsuccessful in finding a suitable match online so far I'll keep going. But also:
3. Speed dating! And yes, I'll take notes and will report back.
4. Get fit - this is mostly yoga exercises for my poor back, but I'm also determined to join the gym at work for the swimming pool.

Resolutions anyone?

It's that time of year again to eat healthier, start exercising, take up running, stop drinking, quit smoking, give up coffee, sweets, sugar, dairy, bread, start meditating and yoga, spend less time in front of screens, socialise more, lose that accent, be happy, become a nicer person, a tidy person, a successful person, etc.

I am a bit late in the game but I was hoping someone else would suggest a good new year's resolution for me. What are yours? I need inspiration!

Assynt Log #6

Today it's cloudy!

After a quiet morning we make our way to Ben Stac but not before Rocket Ron gets hold of us and shows us some pics of his adventures and old flames.

We drive to the hill and encounter some funnily dressed folks, the hunting gentry... Walking up the track, we decide against climbing Ben Stac today, as it is covered in clouds. We walk back instead and find some mushrooms for dinner.

What good is an amazing view if you're just out and about all day? Spending an afternoon looking out the window is actually better than the telly. This is our last night in Ron's paradise, and tomorrow we'll have to return it to him. He offered to make us breakfast but we decline - I felt so rude! But Kat is not a morning person, and me, I'm maybe not a Ron person.

The next morning we go over anyway and spend another hour chatting before we leave. He tells us stories about his friend who died in a motorbike accident and makes me cry. He shows us love letters. And there is a story about this native American woman who liked him and peed in front of him in the street. I'd say that man has lived.