Failte - a pipe band concert

So Saturday night was the night of the Failte concert - a concert with Bucksburn and District and St. Laurence O' Toole Pipe bands. To give a little insight, to those of you that don't know, Bucksburn and District are one of the local Aberdeenshire bands, whilst St. Laurence O' Toole (SLOT as we call them) are a top grade pipe band from Dublin, who won the RSPBA World Championships in 2010.
It was something many people were looking forward to, and I must admit, it was nice to have everyone else coming to Aberdeen for a change, rather than always going somewhere else.
In any case, my family and I had a little drink at my flat, then we went out for dinner at Wagamamas, before heading up to the pub across the road from the concert hall. The whole place was very busy, since the AUSA Torcher parade was also on at the same time.
We went in and sat down at half past seven, in this beautiful music hall. Then Bucksburn struck up and the concert started. In each half, Bucksburn, then SLOT played.
Unfortunately, I don't think the room is at all geared up for pipe bands. There was a hideous echo where we were sitting, though I don't think my ringing, sore ears was all due to the building. It took until the second half before I realised that it actually sounded good when Bucksburn were on stage. Sure it was loud, and echo-ey (though from what my dad said the echo was much better at the back where the sound man was -pumping up the volume *sigh*), but the ensemble was there. It sounded good.
But when SLOT was on - man my ears were sore. The huge crack of side drummers absolutely battering away at sharp side drums, unendingly slightly ahead of the rest of the music, the echo filling the room with undefinable sound, so loud that I heard more than a few people complaining that they couldn't even hear the pipes, since the drumming was so off-putting. Why the need to batter it so hard? Surely it's harder to play the complex stuff anyway if your hands are moving so far off the drum with each hit? The drum kit was as bad, as it was actually mic-ed up. When the poor fiddle player was playing, you couldn't hear a thing. By the time it was half-way through their part in the second half, I had my hands covering my ears and was exceptionally close to walking out in the middle of the set. Not what you expect from a group of recent world champions.
And the continuous tuning. It always seemed to me rather unprofessional to tune on stage. But to be honest, the piping was, when we could hear it over the drums, pretty good.
I feel kind of sorry for Bucksburn and for the pipers of SLOT. For most of the people who were unimpressed, (I even heard one person say he would never go to another band concert) it was because of the drumming, and the awful ensemble that went with it. Perhaps on stage it sounded different, as most of the band seemed chuffed when we saw them later, but that's not where it matters - what matters is what the audience hear.
*sigh*

At least the one thing it did do was let me see the building. I can see us having a similar sound issue with the drum kit come the November concert. Hopefully I can convince the guy in charge, and the sound men that too loud is really not good. I hope they don't mic up our side drums. Even more relaxed drummers playing quieter won't help then.

Thank the goddess I'm not an official reviewer. Lets hope their reviewer was sitting in a better seat than me, and heard a better performance, or it would be an unfortunate downer for the bands I think.

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Location:Aberdeen music hall

A few photos from the last two weeks

The sun finally arrives in Aberdeen:


The crocuses appeared over the spring holidays - now the daffodils are taking over:



The first leaves are finally bursting open:


Spring has been a long time coming. I'm looking forwards to being able to leave the heavy coat at home.
All these pictures were taken using my iPad, and have not undergone any photoshopping, or instagramming, or editing of any type.

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The end of the "holidays"

In my glass: water
From my iPod: High Hopes, by Pink Floyd
From my bookshelf: anatomy
Outside: sunny
My mood: alright
Today's hairstyle: a nautilus on wet (just washed) hair with my emergent glassworks octopus stick
So, we're into the first week back at uni, and its already Wednesday before I've managed to get around to posting on here. Wow things have been busy.
As you will know from my last post, I was just heading off to spring camp with the OTC last time you heard from me. It was cold. And I mean really cold. There was snow on the ground for the whole exercise, and stag duty at 2.30am was really not fun in -5 degrees. My ankle was painful and I couldn't do a lot of the exercise, since even though I was popping painkillers, paracetamol and ibuprofen don't seem to help much, and my ankle was getting more swollen by the day. I believe there were a couple of injuries, and a couple of people came off sick, one possibly with the very beginnings of hypothermia. I think it was the cold that made most people miserable to be honest. To say it was challenging would be an understatement.
On the upside, I passed my MOD2 exam, so a pay rise is on the horizon. YAY, more money! I need it desperately.
It seems that Basel is off for us this year, sadly. We're hoping to get to go to Edinburgh tattoo, but we don't know yet. I just hope we get to go to something this summer, since I've held off on a summer job in the hope that we are going, and its soon going to be too late for me to get one if we lose the job.
In other news, university is back, as stressful as ever. We had our mid-term physiology exam on Tuesday (our second day back) and I have no idea whether it went well or absolutely awful. I guess we will just have to wait and see. I'm tempted to say it went ok, but anatomy has so far proved to me that I'm not the best judge of my own grades in tests.
Tomorrow we have our final lab for Energy For Life,, then we have a week to write up our report. So far just about every lab has been a disaster - I think the enzymes have degenerated too much. So this report could be FUN....
Oh, and there's the tai chi trip just before my exams. Hopefully it will help me relax a bit and be less stressed out, and I'm sure I can still find time to revise, since everyone will have exams on then too.
In the meantime, I have sailing theory to read up on, and a youth band practice in Glasgow at the weekend (involving getting a train at 5.30am, with band kit, and knowing there's a possibility of having to fix the harness back to fit me, since no doubt someone will have changed it again, with me having been away so long). Plus, I don't know how many people re left that I will even know. I must be one of the longer serving members now, and the band had a whole overhaul in members over the winter. Hopefully this increase in pay at the OTC will free me up a little more for youth and stuff in the future. Mind you, perhaps if I book the October trains now I will get a decent price. Hmm.
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Kinda sad

In my glass: nothing
From my iPod: Valley of Strathmore, by Silly Wizzard (there's other music on the bus radio, but cheery music is not what I want at the moment)
From my bookshelf: about 5 chapters into A Game of Thrones, but haven't had time to read it
Outside: cold. Had feet of snow piled up at home when I was there. Nothing in Aberdeen, but on way to Edinburgh, so no idea what it'll be like
My mood: sad, and worried
Todays hairstyle: standard braided bun with spin pins and hair net for OTC

My poor (few, though very much appreciated) readers. I'm afraid I've been a bit quiet on here recently. Almost neglecting you all. Truth be told I've not really been my best this last while.
I'd already written you a long post but it got lost in the system somewhere, so here goes again. Only now my flow has gone. :(
I've been a bit down again and reminiscing about my uncle, and my boyfriend. It seems stupid since its been so long, but I can't stop thinking about it. Anyone who has ever lost anyone will know how it is. You never really get over it - you just learn to deal. And dealing this last while has been difficult. Don't know why, only that it has been weighing on my mind more than normal. But I don't feel like I can truly talk about it. It's so difficult to put into words what has been going through my head, and try as I do here, it's impossible to get everything down and still sound reasonably coherent.
The thing is, it's not just my losses that weigh so heavily on my mind, but its difficult to say all these things. It's the family history and the expectations that comes with being a part of that family. Feeling like I could never measure up to that. Being known for being so-and-so's daughter/niece/sister/granddaughter all over the world, and not just as me. (Thank the goddess and the god that the majority of the people at uni have no idea about my family.) It's not being able to do what I want because I get frustrated at my inability to be as good as other people in my family, as stupid as it is.
It's wanting to go get a tattoo remembering them both, but being afraid of not being able to show anyone without them putting two and two together. I don't even feel like I could put it on the LHC since a part of it is so iconic of my uncle (and many of the people, and family close to him) in the worldwide band circle, and I don't want my identity being discovered and becoming so-and-so's daughter/niece/sister/granddaughter to yet another person in the world.
It's having my credibility as a musician questioned, or in some cases, ignored, because I chose to play the drum I do, regardless of my experience or ability to play other instruments. It's feeling like the most downtrodden and worthless member of the band, because I CHOSE to play an instrument I loved, rather than one of the apparently more complicated one. Is it SO WRONG to do something I love? I don't know. Sometimes I feel like it is.
It's the feeling of not being able to start a clean slate. Not being able to get rid of a reputation that I don't want, and that isn't me. It feels like a game of he said, she said, where I don't get the option to say anything. The thing is, with my boyfriends death sitting so heavily on my mind, I don't want to be that person they all expect me to be. Partly because of the guilt, because as long ago as all that happened, I still have such awful guilt from every single one of the guys since. Probably because I don't think a single one of them actually cared about me, and at the time, I needed that, but not now. I need someone, ANYONE, to care.
But it's not just all that either. There's so much shite going about in my head that I don't know where to start and where, if anywhere, it ends (apologies for the swearing, but I can't hold my frustration and sadness in any longer).
I can't even tell anyone. I need to, but I have had trust issues, (amped love issues, but that's a different story) since both losses, probably since compounded by all the OTC gossiping. Besides, how do you tell someone about death? How do you find someone you can trust to tell. And even when you do (I think there is one person in Aberdeen I can tell) I have no idea when would be the right time. So many times, I've almost sent a "hey, do you have time to talk?" message on Facebook, and then deleted it because I couldn't fathom how to put any of it into words. After all how can I? How do you talk about these things? My brain whirs ninety nine to the dozen half the time, in such convoluted ways, that so many threads run alongside one another, and I can't even speak fast enough to get it all out. My head just goes and goes and goes, and I just wish it would all stop.

To make all that even worse, I'm worried about spring camp. I don't want to ruin my ankle like I did last year, and I know it's not as strong - the Physio told me as much when they discharged me, so I'm meant to "go careful on it". Thing is, spring camp exercise is not a careful exercise. It's a running about crazy, not having the time to watch your feet. If I twist my ankle, I'm out - and I don't want to. Everyone thinks me lucky, but they have no idea how painful ripped ligaments are, and that they're so damaged now, it's mostly muscle holding my ankle in place. And muscle tires. This is going to be horrible. :(

Urgh. I'm done guys. I can't do more tonight. No idea when this'll go up, since my ipad doesn't have Internet, and I've never tried mobile hotspot on my iPhone before. Might be end of camp before it goes up. See you all sometime.
Hopefully feeling better...



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The Early Bird

(A poem by me for the other early risers out there)

Never miss the first soft glimpse
Of the rising morning sun.
Birds are singing, flying, dancing
A picture of mirth and fun.
Even in those dreary days
When the sun is on the run,
Life is there knocking on the door
With the first of the morning sun

Ramblings: Are we scots really all that bad?

This may very well result in a little backlash, but I did say I wouldn't be hiding things anymore.
At one lunch time last week, I found myself reading through the Gaudie (the student newspaper for Aberdeen). Usually I find the newspaper a nice relief from the regular old boring paper, being a nice mix of funny and sarcastic, and serious news and articles.
The newspaper in question this time had a article meant to be taken seriously, written by an international student on the subject of whether Aberdeen was welcoming to the large number of international students that attend the universities.
Being truthful, I have no problem with the start of the article - the university is open to international students, and there is an array of activities meant to ease the transition into university life in an unfamiliar country. It's the light that other people are shown in within the article I have a problem with.
It is made known in the paper that most international students tend to hang out with other international students. Ok fine, if that's what you see from your side, I won't question that. And that Scottish people spend most of their time with other Scottish people. Perhaps, though personally I find the international students in my course to be great to be around. Just like in my out-of-uni activities, there is a plethora of international students that I get on with very well. The article points out that there is no discrimination felt, when the author asked other international students how welcome they felt in Aberdeen.
However, regardless of this result, there were a few other sentences which I definitely did take issue with. One was from a psychology student - "When I told my Scottish classmates I was going on holiday in Bali, they gave me this strange look like; 'you're from the Czech Republic, where did you get the money from for that.'" Now perhaps I'm the only one out there, but I would be wondering where, as a student, you got the money from. Country doesn't even come into the equation. I would love to be able to afford a holiday, but I just can't, and I'm about as Scottish as you get. Why put the emphasis on country? No matter where you come from (be it the Czech Republic, the USA, Scotland, England, Malaysia, France - whatever), if you're able to afford to live away from home, get all the way through uni, and then afford a holiday in your fourth year, I would be pretty shocked. It's not about people from another country not having money, it's about the awe that someone else can afford to go on holiday when we could only ever dream about affording it.
The piece makes some very valid points, but I dislike the portrayal of the cause of the barriers between Scottish and international students. Sure cultural differences has a massive part, but I think the biggest problem is actually attitude, on both sides. Sure we don't have a new language to learn, but that doesn't mean we have it super easy either. The culture in Aberdeen is massively different to that at home, which is in turn, massively different to that in either Edinburgh or Glasgow. There's a reason I tend to get on better with the OTC-ers in Glasgow or Tayforth than I do in the majority of the Aberdeen OTC, as you may well tell from my previous posts. Different cultures, different personalities, different ways of communicating. Yes, we DO need to discover new cultures, it is difficult for us to meet new people and establish a rapport with them.
Then again, perhaps as someone with a reasonable number of international students surrounding various aspects of my life my experiences are different, but I don't think so.
It isn't necessarily to do with experiences and understanding, but rather attitude and a fair quantity of ignorance on both parts. Aberdeen can occasionally not be the friendliest place. People tend to keep themselves to themselves, which can sometimes be misconstrued as being "up themselves" or egotistical, which is not necessarily true, but can make it seem difficult for those not used to the culture. I don't find Glasgow to be so much like that (perhaps with the exception to the Celtic/Rangers debate/dilemma/fighting that goes on - I never will understand, but then, I'm not a football-type person..) which could be why I find it easier to make friends in Glasgow. That said, usually Aberdeen is fine - all it takes is for you to take the lead and speak to them. If I listened to my introverted self all the time, I doubt I would get on so well with the people I do. It takes work from both sides, though. The other side just sometimes needs a bit of a push.
Has this gone off track?
...Oh, never mind...

Location:Kings College, Aberdeen University, Aberdeen

Blogging from my iPad.

Well having been very good about not overspending, and my savings were still at pre-second year levels, I decided to give myself a treat. So I bought an iPad mini. Being honest, I've been thinking about an iPad ever since the start of the year. I just couldn't justify it. I still can't justify it, since I have a laptop, but I don't think it could ever really replace my laptop anyway-certainly not with all the typing I do for lectures- but it's nice to know I won't have to lug my laptop around if I want to just take something light for a weekend that won't take up too much room. I'm disappointed apple didn't sell full cases for them, though. Just the smart-covers. I went to PC World and bought a proper case, which I much prefer, even if it doesn't have the magnetic-turn-off function. It does the job for me. I must admit, I do rather like the blogpress app setup on here.
And yes, I know you haven't heard much from me this last while. I didn't do much at NaNo, and my spare drafts I have sitting to be finished for you are dwindling.
Anyway, I'm off to make up some slides for an oral presentation we have in a couple of weeks - we have our practice next Wednesday.
See you all soon, my lovelies!


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Seaton park

Was wondering is Seaton park was meant to have a pond.


Apparently not, judging by the bench and bin half hidden under water.


Still cool though. I think a pond in the park on a sunny day is lovely.

The first flowers of spring

Location:Cruikshank Botanic Gardens,Aberdeen,United Kingdom

Singles Awareness Day and a brilliant idea that would never happen

In my glass: Pomegranate and Raspberry juice
From my iPod: Good Feeling, by Flo Rida
From my Bookshelf: Anatomy (surprise, surprise)
Outside: Dull, grey, wet
My Mood: Meh.
Todays Hairstyle: Knot bun with my 5" Glass Octopus hairstick, by Emergent Glassworks

Supposedly, Singles Awareness Day is the day after Valentines day.  I've never really been a fan of valentines day. I've never recieved a card, or flowers, or gone out for a nice dinner with someone. In fact almost every year I've been single on Valentines day. And I know I'm not the only one out there.
For some people, Valentines day is a day of happiness, and romanticism, but for plenty others of us, its a reminder that, in amongst the sickeningly sweet pink, and hearts that adorn all the shop windows we pass, and even cover that treat of a cake you have with your coffee, we are still alone.
We have our friends, but of course, that isn't what Valentine's day is seen as - its seen as a day for couples - something in which unnattached people often don't feel they can participate in.
I don't know about the rest of you single people out there, but today AND tomorrow, I plan to just have a normal day, go to the NaNo group tonight, and have a chat and a can of coke in the mess tomorrow night (we're going away for the weekend again), on the assumption that I'm not on guard duty or something.

Meh. I don't buy into all this commercialised stuff. I am a pagan. I don't celebrate Christmas (though my family does), nor easter, nor the vast majority or the commercialised holidays. Even Hallowe'en (I celebrate Samhain - the end of summer, and of the harvest, the start of the dark half of the year, the dying of the sun-god, the thinning of the veil between the worlds, and so on) is way over-commercialised for my liking. Trick-or-treat seems odd to me - we had guising instead, where the kids would dress up,, taking lanterns (traditionally turnips, but more often pumpkins because there were less cut fingers when carving them) and go from door to door, singing, or telling jokes in return for sweets or cakes. It originated from the celtic custom of "souling" on All Hallows Day (the term Hallowe'en comes from the old name of All Hallows Eve) where people would go from house to house singing and saying prayers for the dead.

About our brilliant idea - we've been doing a project n depression, and it has so far being going okay. The first draft has to be compiled and sent into our tutor by the end of the uni day tomorrow, and its hard keeping up with everything whilst still keeping anatomy ticking over (theres a test next week), but we're just about keeping on track. Anyway, the weather here has been horrible the last couple of days - the burst of sunshine didn't last longer than half a day, and we've had rain flooding down since in between spells of dullness. We had been talking about seasonal affective disorder and its effect on depression. Apparently, according to our tutor, as many as 49% of people in the northeast of Scotland (that is, right where we are) could get at least some symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, especially around now, in February - the No Money Month, and the one which usually has the worst of weather.
We got onto talking about those lights - you know the ones, the "happy lights" which are meant to help with sadness and depression in the winter months (this was just a random lunchtime discussion, y'all), and looking outside, someone said "Why don't we just have tunnels underground, so we can avoid the crappy weather in the winter?"
The reply to that was "Why don't we have the "Happy Lights" in the tunnels?" Yeah, yeah, nice idea - avoid being soaked to the skin or sliding on ice when walking between lectures - but never going to work. How on earth would you ever manage to build such a massive network of tunnels underground to link all the uni buildings without compromising the structure of the buildings above. Not to mention the cost of the whole project.
But it got us thinking, we wondered, why not paint all the rooms white (instead of that strange beige and odd blue colours a lot of the buildings have) to reflect more light, and put some "Happy Lights" in the light fixings? Now that could make a difference. It would still be an expensive project though, so it will likely never happen. Which is a shame, but we can all hope.
On another note, I should really try and find another bulb for my bedroom. Since it last went on me, I could only find energy-saving bulbs in the shops, and its so dull when I turn it on. When I get up in the morning, I need brightness, or I feel grouchy and moody all day. I managed to source a normal one for the hall, so I might go out and get another, because I would rather have a bulb that uses a little more electricity (like 20 watts more), and be my normal self in the mornings.