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Thursday, October 31, 2002

Made it to Glasgow last night to see Tenacious D. This was the third time I'd seen them, and they just seem to get better.

I was literally five feet away from Jack the entire time. After one of the songs, I yelled out "Saxaboom!" This seemed to take him by surprise as it was the first show they'd done here, so he probably didn't expect anyone to know about the Saxaboom. Anyway, he asked me, "You want to see the Saxaboom?" I yelled back, "Hell yeah!"

Jack replied, "I don't think they're ready for it, man!"

Playing it for as many laughs as possible, he finally conceeded and had the "Saxaboom Technician" bring it out. Amazing.

I also managed to catch a guitar pick later on. Overall, it was a great show that will definitely be one to remember.

Monday, October 28, 2002

My first time in Manchester, what can I say? It was great! Made new friends (Hiya John!) and saw new places. I got in about 21:00 Friday night and headed to the hostel. Around 22:30, I made my to St. Peter's Square to find a nice nightspot. Mission accomplished. ;)

Saturday, I went to see WWE Rebellion at the MEN Arena. It was all right, but I had such a great time on Friday, the rest of evening was kind of a bust. So I headed back to the hostel early to get a good night's rest.

Sunday, I was supposed to leave around 16:00, but as there was a major storm during the evening, heading back to Stirling just wasn't going to happen. John was nice enough to let me crash at his place, so I stayed in Manchester for one more night and had one hell of time. I even got to watch "My Little Eye."

Today, I woke up late and made my way to the station around 12:00. Everyone else was trying to get back as well, so it was pretty crowded. But I managed to find out what train I needed to get on, and around 13:30, I said goodbye to John and to Manchester. But mark my words, I'll be back... ;)

Wednesday, October 23, 2002

Essay accomplished. Need sleep...

Monday, October 21, 2002

Last night was amazing. I went to see Kosheen play at the QMU in Glasgow. I didn't know what to expect as I'd never seen a drum & bass group perform live. To put it simply, I was blown away. They actually had live instrumentation, and it sounded spectacular. Knowing that I would probably have never got the opportunity to see them perform in the States makes it even sweeter... heh

Well, I have an essay to be working on, so I best be off to try and get some work done...

Thursday, October 17, 2002

Not much going on over the last few days. Just been taking it easy. However, I really do need to start getting my act together as I have my first essay due next Wednesday. It'll be all right though. I'm going to do some research after class this afternoon, and then I'm going to interview Marius about webcams later this evening. Should be great!

Speaking of great, I got this autographed photo of Gary Lineker in the mail today. So all in all, it's already been a good day... :)

Saturday, October 12, 2002

Tired. Went to St. Andrews and Falkland Palace today. As it's Scotland, it rained the entire time. I'm soaked. Time to go change...

Thursday, October 10, 2002

Not much going on. Still trying to get in the whole school frame of mind. So far, it's not working...

Sunday, October 06, 2002

Well, I broke down and got a scanner for 30 quid, so today is picture day, I suppose... Here goes...

Campus 1

This was my first view of campus. You can see the Wallace Monument in the background if you look close enough. The body of water is Loch Airthrey.

Campus 2

Another view of the loch. You can even see the Link Bridge in the back. That's the bridge I cross to get to the Union.

8 Pendreich Way

This is where I live. Good ol' chalet #8.

Loch Earn 1

This Loch Earn, the first loch we visited.

Loch Earn 2

Me mugging for the camera in front of Loch Earn.

Loch Katrine

A shot of Loch Katrine, the most beautiful place I've visited so far.

Famous Grouse

Mugging for the camera in front of The Famous Grouse. It's just a giant statue at the whiskey distillery we visited the first weekend.

Ben Folds

Ben, Anna and myself out in front of the Barrowland Ballroom.

Saturday, October 05, 2002

Tired. That's about the only word that I can think of right now. I woke up early to buy a ticket to the Tenacious D show that was just announced for Glasgow. I figured that since I never get the chance to see them on their own, this would be as good of time as any.

Buying that ticket reminded me of how much I've been spending on concerts recently. So far I have a ticket to Kosheen on Oct. 20, Tenacioud D on Oct. 30 and Underworld on Nov. 13. I wouldn't mind seeing Oxide & Neutrino on Nov. 4, but I just don't know if I should spend the money. I guess it all depends on how I want to look at it. Yes, I am spending quite a bit on tickets, but then again, most of them shows are ones that I wouldn't be able to catch in the States, so why not indulge while I have actually have the opportunity...

Feeling a little down today, now that I realized how much I've been spending. I'm trying to decide whether I should get a job or whether I should try and be more careful with my money. I guess it depends on the type of job I could get. I do know that I would like to join the Sports Union. It entails a £60 membership fee, but the gym is supposed to be excellent. Who knows, maybe if I start working out, I'll end up spending less money on other things...

Wednesday, October 02, 2002

Today was a pretty slow day. Went to the medical centre and got a meningitis vaccine, then went in to town and got a hair cut. Like I said, pretty slow day...

Yesterday was amazing. I made the trek to Glasgow around 16:00 made the walk from the station to the Barrowlands. Well, I didn't start to the Barrowlands right off. I was hungry, so I kept my eyes open for a place to eat. Lo and behold, I found a Pizza Hut. It was a little expensive, but it was so worth it.

Afterwards, I kept walking and found myself at an HMV. Simply heaven...

I got to the Barrowlands around 18:00, which was way to early. One of the security people suggested I go to the pub next door, but to "be careful." With that ominous warning, I didn't know what to expect. As it turns out, the place was just Celtic territory, covered wall-to-wall with green. I ordered a pint of Tennants and relaxed for thirty minutes, before heading back to the Barrowlands.

A little after 18:30, I got in line. Doors weren't to open until 19:30, but actually opened a little after 19:00. When I got inside, I was floored. The place was gigantic. I headed up to the front of the stage to stake my spot.

I stood through a guy named Chris T-T, who wasn't horrible, but then Ben came on and had the audience wrapped around his finger. Neil from Divine Comedy came out towards the end and the two of them did a piano and guitar version of "Mess" that was amazing.

Afterwards, Divine Comedy came on and tore the place down. I have new found respect for them. Towards the end of their set, Ben came back down and played drums for one of their songs. Totally cool.

After DC finished, it was time for the encore. What better way to end the evening than to bring the piano back out and have Ben and Neil trade back and forth on each other's songs. The best was "Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head." But, hearing "Brick" live with a full-band was amazing as well.

After the show, I was nearly late getting back. I bumped into Anna and Darren. They were both going to wait for Ben as well. Our train was leaving at 23:48, but Ben didn't come out until 23:40. I feel like a jerk because I kind of ran up to him and asked for his autograph on my ticket, but I explained that even though I'm a big fan, I'm not enough of one to warrant sleeping on a park bench if had to miss the last train. He was cool about it, but I still feel like and ass. I'll make it up to him next time. :)

Got home around 1:00 and went to a chip shop for something quick to eat. Didn't get to bed until around 4:00, but it didn't matter, I had a great time.

Tuesday, October 01, 2002

Still trying to get over my cold. But I'm feeling good... Last night I saw "24 Hour Party People" and tonight I'm heading to Glasgow to see Ben Folds.