Edinburgh, Scotland

Before I showcase my holiday in Edinburgh (My birthday actually), I should tell you that I had to get the pictures from my sister and brother-in-law's camera. As I had forgotten mine here, I used theirs while away. Now they were away this weekend, in Dublin, so I was looking after their cats. So while I was...maintaining? the cats, I got the pics off of their computer. Lo and behold, they have many pics on there, in addition to our trip. Now do not worry, there were no dirty ones (Well, you may have to be the judge of that), and they said for me to go on there, so it was not invasive in any way. The point is, I found a number of pics that I had not seen before, or did not previously have access to. They are a range from places that we have already been so it may feel a bit disjointed if I simply post them. Some pics include me, which some people have complained that there is a lack of. So, if I can get one person to respond I will post them next time. The only potentially controversial pic is one my brother sent Stace and me...of his...bare backside. Maybe that one should be left out (Unkess specifically asked for).

I just thought I would also offer some remarks on a film I saw last night. Now I know there is at least one minor (And one grandmother) who reads my blog so I will attempt to keep everything clean, though it may prove difficult with the subject matter. Yes I saw Brokeback Mountain (Finally). All in all a good film, Ledger was amazing, Williams was not and should not have been nominated for an Oscar. Filmed in Alberta...those queer Westerners, makes you picture the Conservative party in a whole new light...But my main point is this: We have all seen the hoopla going on in the states over this (really) non-offensive film. The...disputed scene is dark, you do not actually see any...cash or prizes (I stole that one from Dane Cook), and over in less than a minute. Now for the rest of the film, apart from a snog, there was nada else. There was however opportunity for Williams and Hathaway to get out their...businesses (I am not complaining). Now I am not sure what all these people (...Conservatives?) are getting in an uproar about, I mean this film is about spousal abuse more than anything else. Seriously. Anyways, see it, do not see it, I leave it up to you. Also on film notes, I was going to put a Gillis Guarantee on the upcoming Jack Black that everyone would get a laugh out of it, but I realise there are some spiteful people out there who will say they hated it as they are upset over the unholy power of my guarantees, so I will just say that it looks pretty hilarious (Not School of Rock funny, but still good). http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/nacholibre/

So, any other news, no...then on with the show, Here is part of the Royal Mile, the main street of Edinburgh, chok full of expensive shops, but not a real tourist trap, like Praha was. There is Stace, Andrew and Stewart. Stewart and Michelle are friends of Staces (And now me, because I am so wonderful). Michelle would not get in the shot, I have no idea why, but you can go see them and their blog (Much nicer than mine, and a real fan base). They are both Canadians, 'stuck' in Glasgow :) http://bogstandard.blogspot.com/ This is the Heart of Midlothian, found a little ways along the royal mile. No, it has nothing to do with Hearts FC in Scotland. But it is a tradition for Scots (I am one quarter, so it is alright) to spit on it for good luck, but NEVER step on it. But of course they did not take into account people like my sister, who in trying to spit on it, stepped on it...sigh. Here it is, the main event, Edinburgh Castle. It was really quite nice inside, lots of history and whatnot (Interesting, no one ever asks what the whatnot is...). I had nicer views and at night, but they all failed to come out. Here is a little history tidbit for you, the castle is still garrisoned, making it the oldest in Britian still in use.Here is Arthur's Seat, seen from the Castle. We did not walk up there, as it was pouring sporadically throughout the day, and quel surprise, none of us packed wet weather gear. Edinburgh is sort of nestled in between three large hills, and Arthur's seat is actually an extinct volcano. Here is the third hill, I think called Sailsbury Crag (Hey I was on holiday). Now I know the thicker ones out there are going to be racking their heads "Well, where is the third hill?". Well, I am not going to answer that, you will just have to figure it out, a free drink (When I see you) to whoever responds first with the correct answer. STACEY AND ANDREW EXCLUDED, you were there.Now this was intended simply as a example of my crass sister, humping a cannon. But I think it provides an excellent visual demonstration of the size of some of the cannon, as the next shot will show.This is Mons Meg, a rather famous Scots cannon, a bombard cannon to the intellectual stimulated. A cannon is still fired (Not Meg)...at 1:00 I think...everyday. I tried to get her to hump this one as well...but I think we can see that was not going to happen. So I settled with Andrew getting into a compromising position.Ohhh, that had to hurt coming out. One has to wonder whether he really has that look when he is in the loo. But I should not really make fun, I mean my mother managed to give birth to me and my huge head :)Right beside the castle is the Whiskey Museum, or something like that. For all the unenlightened in Canada, what you call scotch is actually called whiskey over here. So a little tip, do not go into a bar in Scotland and ask for a scotch, you may get beat up, as that is a derogatory English term for Scottish. From this pic you can see just some of the whiskey we had. I, for instance, learned that I prefer lowlands, or even speyside if I had to. But highlands and the islands, I just cannot stomach. See, I am an expert. AAAHHH WHERE IS BILLIE PIPER!!!...See, so few of you are going to get the Doctor Who reference...but that is ok (See that is funny, I am forgiving people who I am not even talking too...yikes). This is a police call box, moslty removed from England, but appartenly still common in Scotland, though not in use. Oh, and in Doctor Who, they time travel in a Tardis...which looks like one of these call boxes...alright. I have a number of more pics, but I think I should end (As this is a bloody long post) with one of Scotland's great cultural artifacts. Really, the paramount of all human civilisation has been achieved. Thousands of years of history have led to its creation. What we are still running around for, I do not know. For yes, I speak of non other than the DEEP FRIED MARS BAR!...and no, it is not a penis, as some have suggested...:)

Clicking off,

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