This is our online journal of documenting our great escape to Scotland.

December 31.

Here it is - New Year's Eve or Hogmany. In Scotland! Snowy and cold! Jano and I couldn't be happier. We've just had the most wonderful time here. It's hard to believe we've been here for 6 months, but for me it's harder to believe we'll be leaving in a month. I'm so sad about it. Jano and I spent the evening last night making lumpia (à la Clay and Don in S.F.) and they came out really yummy (too bad for my waistline)! I'm not sure what we will be doing tonight to celebrate - just so long as we are together is all that really matters to me. We will probably head out into the cold around 11:30 p.m. to find a nice spot to watch the fireworks and hear the bells. Most of our friends have left the city for the evening so we won't be having a party. So, we'll be seeing everyone in the new year (the REAL millennium) and sending lots of love to everyone too. I have to admit this trip has made us really stop to think about those people who have given us so much this year, the new friends we've made, the old friends we will always have, our families who love us no matter what, and, of course, the joy and love we are able to share with each other. I couldn't have done it without Jano and I like to think he wouldn't have done it without me.

So, here's love to all of you, and wishes for joy and success in the new year.

December 27.

Jano and I have had a really wonderful Christmas here. It was a bit lonely without our friends and family, but we made do. Jano gave me a great stripey jumper (sweater for you Americans!) and I gave him a cheese toasty maker and a video editing tool. He's pretty jazzed (don't tell him but I kinda bought the cheese toasty maker for myself - I'm pretty sure he doesn't read these updates from me - so I think we are safe!). We gave each other other little things that were just special to us. Jamie gave me a Hippity Hop (or a Space Hopper for you British) and I've been hopping all over the house to the dismay of the neighbors I'm sure. I got Jamie's mum a cookbook put out by the Jr. League in San Francisco and she got me a lovely red scarf. Oh - if anyone knows how much a stick of butter is (in oz. or ml. or cups), I'd sure appreciate it! I've come down with a bit of a scratchy throat so I'm not kicking around like crazy lately, but I'm sure it'll go away soon. We plan on going to see The Donkey Show tomorrow night and then having lots and lots of food à la Clay and Don in S.F. for Hogmany (New Years Eve). I'm looking forward to that tall dark stranger to show up at my door with a piece of coal and a bottle of whiskey for first footing. Jamie's friend Cassandra is in town for the festivities and he's been looking forward to it for a while now. I'm sure she'll just have the best time!

On the job front, I've got an interview January 5 with a company here in Edinburgh. Oh I'm really hoping that I'll get it! That would just be the best news to start the new year with!

December 13.

Last night we went to see Bad Manners at the Liquid Room. I have to say that the band still rocks after all this time. They played all the faves (a couple of mine being "Skinhead Girl," "Sally Brown" and "This is Ska"). They were so energized! Buster still does a great show and he didn't look too tired. We hung out and about at the front of the stage with Jacko (from the Blues) and his wife. I'm not sure the name of the opening band, but then Bombskare played and they did a wonderful job as well. We are hoping to work on their website before we head home.

December 11.

Okay, it's been a very busy busy week. Were should I begin? Tuesday we ended up at Motherfunk, a groovy acid jazzy place that Jano has been trying to get me too since we moved here. Loved it. The music was great although the crowd was a bit young.

Can I just say - it's very cold here.

Sorry, Thursday we took Jeremy (remember him - the homesick boy from Lancaster) out to Montpelier for LIT (Long Island Ice Teas). I personally was on a mission to meet a Heart player, which didn't happen this time. Jeremy on the other hand, just wanted the LIT's. Afterwards, I just came home, snuggled in with a video and rested while the boys wandered all over Edinburgh. I know Jano ended up back at home around 3:30 a.m. or so. They did wander all about too. Friday we went to see Mr. Scruff spin for a few hours. The music, once again, was really nice. I ended up yelling at some guy for drinking his own beer (I thought it was Jano's) and then ended up toasting him and apologizing/blushing like crazy. I wasn't feeling my best rosy self, so I ended up heading home on my own around 1:30ish or so. It was a nice walk home, the air was crisp and clean.

Saturday, we did a bit of shopping even with all the crowds. Actually Jano and I just needed a bit of walking around with each other - enjoying each other's company - and it was very nice. That night though, once again, we found our in the company of the Edinburgh Blues Scooter Club for a party. It was completely wonderful. I loved being able to show up and having a chat with everyone, no attitude being thrown. I think I spoke with almost every single person at the party. Let's see, I talked to Willie about the website we are helping them with (coming soon), to Dave and Lynn about their recent trip to Florida, to many different members about which team is better - Hearts or Hibs and thankfully most of the guys are forgiving of my need to support a nice team that's not hard. Everytime we were finished with a drink, we found another one being put into our hands. We've learned to drink very very slowly around here. :) Towards 1:30 (again), I got tired, had a couple cheddar cheese sandwiches with Jano (who'da thought they'd be so very yummy) and I headed home. A bunch took Jano to this club called the Egg put on by the School of Art at the student union. I didn't really wanna go because it gets so crazy crowded and the crowd is infuriating to me - girls pushing me around - really drunk boys. Arghg. And I'm a bit too fiesty to do that sometimes. I guess Jano had quite the eventful evening, but I'll just have to let him tell you all about it (if he ever does).

Finally, Sunday we went to see JTQ play at the Venue. The place was completely packed and I was originally all set to watching the band from a sea of elbows and arm pits but Jano came to the rescue and found a perfect perch for me to see everything from. The band was professional and tight, but I hate to say it, maybe I'm jaded but I found myself missing the Nick Rossi Set. Yeah JTQ was cool, but they seemed to lack energy and excitement. Sorry gang.

So when all is said and done - is there any wonder at all why I'm taking today off for a long hot bath and some comfort food?

December 3.

Well, Jano and I just got back from a quick trip down to London. My big boss Alison was attending meetings and I wanted to see her so we ended up down there for lunch with her. It was great. Actually, the trip had a bit to do with job hunting and it went rather well. So far, no serious leads but connections were made and that's the important part.

During our trip, Jano and I went out to see a show called "The Donkey Show." It's "A Midsummer's Night Dream" in a disco. It was very wild and very entertaining. Jano and I showed up and the theater had been turned into a disco complete with handsome young men dancing about with the crowd and one on roller skates. I danced with a share of cutie pies that night (one major one being that guy who sleeps with me at night - yeah - Mr. Jano!). After the show was over, the dancing continued for about another hour or so. We left and wandered down to Picadilly Circus as Jano had heard there was some ska thing going on. Before we could get to that though, we met up with a couple of those darling dancing boys! MEOW! We chatted with them for a bit (they actually approached us first) and it turns out they are coming up here for Hogmany. Yeah! So we exchanged numbers and it looks like Jano and I will have a couple guests for dinner the very least.

Then on to the ska club. It was all trad and pretty cool. I had fun and we talked with a few people but all ska all the time does begin to wear. We headed out and ended up at some odd place near our B & B. It was like stepping into 2001.

The next day, feeling none too worse for the wear, we had our lunch with Alison. It was very nice to see her again after some time and she's so very ego boosting. She always makes me feel just a bit more confident in my skills and I guess when it comes down to it - that's what a good leader is supposed to do.

The flight to and from London was dreadfully terrifying and I'm surprised we not only lived to tell this tale, but we didn't vomit on anyone's shoes. Enough said.