I've been living in this city for a fair while now, so it's high time I blogged about it. Also if I don't do something other than Civ for a bit, I'm going to end up trying to settle the field out the back of the flat...
Things I like:
Capoeira - Lots of different kinds of Capo out there... I do the less martial Capoeira Angola, a video of which can be located here: http://vimeo.com/15168716. The music and singing in that video isn't very good (better music in this one http://vimeo.com/12066390). About the music and singing aspect, I'll admit it's a bit hippyish to say the least. It's also a lot of fun and part of the art. The body movement is fucking hard, requiring a shit load of balance, flexibility and no small amount of strength. In a martial sense a lot of it is designed to confuse, wind or knock down your opponent. I was practising some take downs on Thursday night which are immense. All of this skirts around the question why I like it so much? Because it is mahoosive amounts of fun.
Aikido - I've learnt how good the club in Reading was since I've been up here. It was the happy medium between the 2 clubs of which I am now a member. One is just down the road practising Iwama Aikido, a very traditional form. It's hard training there, over half the class are black belts and their way of doing the techniques is often the one that hurts the most. In a martial sense it's very effective at controlling and subduing your opponent. The other one is affiliated with the club in Reading and run by a 76 year old bloke called Lawson. Much more relaxed, but less effective in a scrap. Lawson himself is top tho, it's like being pwned by your Grandad.
The Fringe - Comedy spectacular! :-D For the month of August Edinburgh goes mental and comedy reigns supreme. I'd have probably missed it if it weren't for Fish coming up for a comic weekend. Cheers Fish! Saw the fantastic Reginald D. Hunter amongst others. My top act was probably Josie Long who had the Kentish moron accent down to a fine art.
The Circus - They were hard to find, but the jugglers of Edinburgh are a lovely talented bunch. Contact juggling is big up here (easy to do indoors you see) and there is one kick ass poister who has suggested about a million things for me to try. I'm still getting better, albeit at a slower pace.
Living here with Jayne - We both really felt the distance towards the end there. Living together is fab and makes me a much better person. I cook all the time, Jayne bakes and together we consume feasts!
Having a tree lined foot path from my front door to Tesco - I don't know why that pleases me so much but it does. I guess it's just a more pleasant experience than heading down the Oxford Road.
Online gaming - I for one have really enjoyed the impromptu killing sessions of late. Cheers lads! We should do some more Killing Floor at some point.
Things that annoy me a touch:
Ken - For some reason half the natives here substitute the word 'know' for the word 'ken'. My that gets on my tits. Who the fuck is this ken and why is he up in everyone's shit all the damn time?!
Work - It's more frustration than anything else, but I am finding hard to actually get stuff done. My boss and only other team member are both based in Manchester which makes for an *interesting* learning experience. I'm getting there, I just hope I get there fast enough. I'm approaching the end of my 6 month probationary period. Although the management seem happy enough with me, I can't help but be nervous about how things will pan out.
In conclusion:
I love it here. I miss the people in Reading, but that really is it. I should have the flat in Reading rented out in the next week, so I'll even be able to afford to stay here then as well! In the new year I shall be attempting to keep up with all of the above and building on my 2:1 for my Politics module by doing as well or better in the Philosophy.