All These Things That I've Done

Hi blog,

I've had quite a week since I last wrote! Thankfully I wasn't made to dress up as Superman at the weekend so that was a bonus. Aside from that, I managed a fair amount of things!

First was a dinner party, to which I was invited on Friday night with Malcolm and Gwen, friends of the Society and great people. The food was great and el vino did flow - Saturday morning came with a bang. I spoke at length with Malcolm about university life 0 he told me his love for maths and statistics, which he teaches and researches as a Professor, came from his working at the bookies in Glasgow as a kid. Gwen had been actively involved in streamlining my job from a vague consort to a specific role, for which I was very grateful!

Second, I was whisked out to the Scottish Home picnic early on Saturday morning by Gus to see what was going on there. It looked great, the Society had provided jumble sales, crazy golf, bouncy castles and I'm told there was even talk of a caber-tosser too! I met some more Board members and some of the more vocal members of the retirement home! Everybody there is lovely, and it's great to see such activity in the garden for a really worthwhile cause.

Third on the list was a day at the races! I received a call from Jim on Thursday afternoon asking if I wanted to head to Arlington to see the horses, where the Bank of Scotland had bought a box for the afternoon. For my first time at the races I really had no clue what was going on. I spoke with Jose at the bar, who duly took me through the steps and the guidebook for betting. By the end of the day, I was a fully-fledged scholar in betting and people were asking me for tips on their day at Arlington. (Actually, that's a lie - although somebody did ask me where the bathroom was). I lost a few bucks here and there but it's true what they say - it does matter more when there's money on it. Thank you SkyBet. It was a really great day - I met some really interesting people and cannot thank Alan at the Bank for his kindness in inviting me to come along.

Fourth up was yesterday evening, when I met up with Amy from St Andrews and here friend Emma to go along to a  Latino classical music concert. It seemed a strange combination, and I'm told it was - but I definitely experienced the most inventive use of the maracas I'd ever seen! I was telling Amy and Emma about how the maracas tend to be treated in Scottish schools - they're given to the least-talented, least-coordinated member of the class, who was invariably myself. I couldn't keep a beat on the drum, and my "playing" of the recorder has bats in the basement hanging themselves. So I was given the maraca to shake on every eight beat, more to make me feel included than to add to the ambiance. This guy, however, was incredible, using the maracas in ways that would have put my shake-and-count style to shame, culminating in a 5-minute solo performance. It really was a great show. A guy a few seats away picked up my accent and quizzed me about Craig Ferguson - small world!

After this, I decided to get lost in Chicago. One wrong turn after leaving the girls at the station and I was heading west instead of east. If anybody know Chicago, this is probably the worst direction to go on a Saturday night. For the first time since I arrived, I really had no idea where I was. I finally stopped in my tracks at the Sears Tower and got my bearings. I stood there for five minutes - I can only imagine what it must have looked like. Standing on the spot and swiveling at right angles every 60 seconds or so, trying to find out my compass bearings in relation to the streets and the buildings. Thanks to my tourist-like "stepping-into-the map" moment, a local eventually realised my plight and pointed me in the right direction. Twenty minutes later, I was back home and stapling a map to my forehead for future  moments of idiocy.

And that takes me to now - I'm off this morning for a full-day event to see Kanye West, Gnarls Barkley, Nine Inch Nails, Iron&Wine, John Butler Trio and others at Lollapalooza. I think I'm meeting with a couple of girls I met yesterday at the races, but either way I'll happily float about! Hot and humid today too so I'll be downing the water before I head out! It's been a great weekend, and this can only cap it off!

That sums up the social side. On the work side I have been meeting some great people this week, including Billy Connolly's best mate Tam Spence, who took me to the local Irish pub, and has lost none of his Gorbals accent since he left Scotland in the early 60s. Ohers I have met with and spoken to on the phone include bagpipers, hotel managers, real estate investors, Scottish Enterprise folk (I know - I can't escape them!), entrepreneurs of various description and highland dance teachers. Quite a potent mix!

So that's me 3 weeks through and 5 to go - I really am loving it and just wish there were more than 24 hours in the day!

I'll keep you updated as to how things go this week and how the concert goes today - if I survive this heat!

Adios

Comments

[Mum]

Hi Andrew, great reading the latest ... your circle of friends and contacts is obviously growing by the second!

I laughed when I heard you got lost in Chicago ... you must take these genes from me!! Chicago, remember,is the town where I found myself in the back of a police car ... having hailed it down and then stepped into it thinking it was a cab! Fortuately the cops had a good sense of humour and guided us to our hotel!

This just sounds like "your kind of town". Good music and good people - a perfect blend!

Dad and I are now in Sothampton on our way back from Spain ... the heat was amazing - in Salamanca we experienced 90 degree heat at 9pm!

Billy Connolly's best mate, eh? If he was in the Gorbals in the 60's, he will no doubt remember my Papa's pub at the corner - "McKellar's" and also Dad's Grandfather's hardware store - known as Macs Store. What a very small world!

Look forward to speaking to you soon. Please send me a number we can call when we get home (we arrive home Fri evening)

Till then, take care , missing you ... Mum xx

[Angela Logue]

Hi Andrew,

Just been reading your blog and it sounds as though you're having a ball! Everyone sounds very friendly and I'm sure they'll be delighted to have a lovely Scottish lad like you around!
You're certainly meeting some interesting people and it's always nice when you meet up from someone from home....albeit someone who left over 40 years ago! I loved your story about the Professor who's love of maths came from working in the bookies! Social life and work seem to go hand in hand! Continue to enjoy this fantastic experience! As for me I'm doing fine and looking forward to my holiday in Canada on the 22nd August.

Look after yourself.

Angela x

[Jamie]

Hi Andrew, I just read about your exploits in the ISAS Tartan Times. I just moved to Chicago from Scotland in November last year. If you are at a loose end at somepoint and fancy and chinwag about home, football etc, drop me an email and we can grab a pint! I've left my email address on the comment pad.

Hope the rest of your trip goes well.

Cheers,

Jamie