Winter-Märchenland

Yesterday (Thanksgiving for you Americans), Edinburgh turned on its Christmas lights. Downtown, next to the train station, a Winter Wonderland is set up. There is an outdoor ice rink, ferris wheel, carousel, and German market (with real Germans!). It was such a crisp (ie freezing), clear night and the lights were beautiful.

Blackjack

Thank you to everyone who made my 21st birthday great. Whether it was a birthday card I wasn't expecting, a great big box to open up, a conspiracy to meet up for dinner, a note on facebook, a one-of-a-kind gift, a colorful oven-mitt (with cupcake print!), a paperback trilogy, or a Scottish keepsake, I enjoyed them all. <3

Romanesco Brocolli

Vegetarians and mathematicians alike will be excited to read about my new discovery: Romanesco Brocolli. I saw this beauty at a market in Dublin. The pattern is a fractal, and has the property of self similarity. That means that when you zoom in on a bit, it looks the same as it used to. Cool, huh? I bet it tastes good and is nutrious, too. Super vegetable? I think so.

Dublin was deadly.

10-Nov-07 to 12-Nov-07

Last weekend was spent in Dublin, Ireland, just a 40 pound, 45 minute flight from Edinburgh . There was no loss of life or limb; 'deadly' is Irish slang for really good or cool. Sights were saw, roads were walked down, Guinness was drank.


That's the second stamp on my third passport. Woo hoo!


Standing guard in front of the Dublin castle.


Mmm, baked goods. Drool.


Being my bad self in front of the Bad Ass cafe. Rock on, dudes.


Dancing in front of The Clarence, 'Bono's hotel.'
Uno, dos, tres, catorce! (wtf, U2)

Science!

07-Nov-07
We Are Scientists, American indie rock band, performed at Potterow, one of the student unions.

Bonfire Night

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Bonfire Night fireworks, as seen from Calton Hill.

Pipes and Drums

These Prince's Street performers are my absolute favorite. I stop and watch them every chance I get. Completely amazing, and worth the couple of pounds I chipped in when they were finished.

Chipper at the Chippy

Nothing is more British than fish and chips. Ok, so I don't like fish. But I had a burger and chips and topped it off with an IRN-BRU, Scotland's best selling soft drink (more than Pepsi and Coke!!).

Did you know that Scotland is the second fattest country (the USA is first)? Allow me to hypothesize why:

Battered and fried fish, burgers, onion rings, sausages, and everything else. Hello, heart disease!

Ceilidh (I bet you mispronounced that word)

02-Nov-07

Iain's 21st birthday party ceilidh (pronounced "kay-lee"), celebrated like the Scotsman he is, was a lot of fun. For those of you who aren't familiar with this traditional British (Irish and Scottish, mainly) dance party, here is a sample of the goings on.

Gammy Eye (and other ailments)

That week when nothing was fun.