2015.

I have no idea why it is so hard for me (and has been for the past two months or so) to write this effing blog post. Now that it is almost 2015, I might as well make this part of my new years resolution. These past years I have tried to stay away from those, but tumblr and Pinterest make that hard for you with all these pretty and inspiring pictures. Ugh (it's like I'm the bird that can't stay away from these shiny things).
Anyway, so turning this blog around is definitely on it. As well as crazy important things such as my dissertation and figuring out this post-graduation life thing.
For the next few days though- hanging out with my friends, denying that dissertation, eating too much and staying in pyjamas. Something like that.


So see ya next year, with full steam ahead!

Independence is good, right?

photo credit: Ben Cooper via photopin

Today is the day.
Scotland votes if it wants to be an independent country or not.

Almost 95% of all people are registered to vote for this referendum. This is crazy and only one indicator of how big this thing is gonna be. Personally I am happy I am not voting (I could, but I feel it's not my decision and shouldn't be), by this stage there are just way too many emotions attached to all of this. Months and months of trying to convince people, advertising, non stop flyering and brochures all over the place. Discussions, fights and so much bickering. What if and trallala. And now the day is here.

The atmosphere is crazy. People wearing yes/no buttons, flat windows covered in according stickers and banners, camera men on every corner- you cannot escape from it.

Voting on independence man, that is massive. And you can taste it in the air, I am tellin you. Pubs are going to stay open longer tonight, until the results are in. Which might be around like 6am. But what is gonna happen if they vote yes- or what if it's gonna be a no? So far the race is so damn close, which makes it even more crazy to think about. Is this gonna end in a huge party or a huge riot? So many people are so passionate about this country and that makes this big deal infinitely huge and special. I love Scotland deeply and really hope for the best-- but more than anything, I AM SO SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS REFERENDUM. This is not a casual thing, this is gonna be something you tell your kids about in 30 years. And I am so nervous and so giddy about tomorrow's party.
Because whatever will happen, I am gonna celebrate with the winners.
How exciting is this democracy thing people?!

SEE YOU TOMORROW, when maybe everything will be different. Or not.

Fringe diary #2

There are certain moments where you are so caught up in the Fringe madness, you forget what the real life feels like.

I took a half hour bus ride to finally get a hair cut and here in the south of Edinburgh, it's like the Fringe doesn't even exist.
But then you come back and have a wine and cheese night on a stage where Jason Byrne is just hanging out next to you. This has become my weird August reality. Your team becomes your family and it feels weird when someone has a day off.
You walk home in absolute daylight, wondering how the night went by so quickly. For me the some days only start at midnight, when I'm finished with work.

Edinburgh is transformed during August, there are always people everywhere, all the shops are open late, it is so different than other months.
At the same time, as much as I love Edinburgh and the Fringe, it also make me aware of how much I prefer films and that whole scene. I'm not a theatre person, I hate acting, I can actually fee how different I am from these drama students, performers and theatre obsessed people. I enjoy good comedians, a well written play and an entertaining show, but I think it ends there. Film is much more my scene, I would prefer watching weird films over watching weird Fringe shows any day. Why do I still do it, working at the Fringe? Because festival goers are fascinating and mostly lovely people and helping them pick great shows in this sea of possibilities is rewarding, especially when they come back and tell you got much they loved a certain show. And a month long festival is a one of a kind thing to be part of. That's why.

And again, the shows I watched recently:

1. Rhythmic Circus- Feet don't fail me now


2. Jason Byrne


3. Brazouka


4.The After Party with Alex Rossi and the Rhythmic Circus Band

5. Best of the Fest

Fringe Diary #1

Dear Fringe,
the weather gods certainly don't mean well this year. Loads of rain and silly dark clouds. Not fun.
Work is relaxed and good fun because my team is great (hooray). So far no customers have yelled at us (yet), no one puked in to our venue, no one had to be escorted out. Thumbs up!
My best food award so far definitely goes to the BBQ pork hot dog thing at the food truck in the Assembly George Square Garden. My go to drink is the cheapest beer with lime juice because I don't like spending over 4 quid on a tiny vodka+cranberry. No thank you.
I still haven't managed to get organized and bring lunch to work, which is why I enjoy sandwiches/soups from Cafe Musa and Cafe Espresso (I have to admit, they know me personally by now). Oh the perks of paid work, you can actually spend some money.

Here are the shows I have watched so far, in no real order.

1. Voca People//

I was freaked out by their costumes but they are endlessly talented and their song medleys will give you goosebumps. The part where they pick audience members to go on stage will give you goosebumps too, but the ones I don't like. Ugh.

2. The Pin//

So glad we picked this show, these guys are so sweet and funny and have a great idea for the show which is inspiringly innovative and hilarious.

3. Glenn Cosby//

He was part of the last season of the British Bake Off and in his shows, he actually makes cake for the audience. That's all I'm gonna say, because it should be enough to make anyone want to go.

3. Margaret Thatcher Queen of SoHo// 

 This might be my favorite the more I think about it.

"It’s a camp comic cabaret Christmas Extravaganza about Thatcher and the creation of Section 28. It’s got music, dancing, jokes, and a cameo from Ian McKellen in it. It also tells the story of Thatcher getting lost in Soho one night, mistaken for a man in drag, being on the receiving end of homophobia and accidentally becoming a cabaret sensation." I feel that this is easily one of the most typical Fringe shows: so fun, creative, smart and entertaining.

4. Foul Play. The f*cking nasty show// This was a show that starts quite late, so the performers are drunk and turn in to racists, justify it by pointing to the title of the show. Thank god each one is only one for about 8 minutes. I enjoyed one of the eight performers, the rest was just a big too much. If you are into nasty comedians, then this is your show!

5. 50 Shades! The Musical// I really enjoyed this, more so because I actually read the books- their parody is spot on and worth watching. 

WHAT UP, Edinburgh

It is SO SO WARM! It's crazy, let me tell you. So crazy that I had to purposely take a cold shower today. That usually never happens. We were even able to have dinner in the garden (that we just keep using, not even sure if we are "allowed"). Having the window open all day long.

Oh my, Edinburgh.

What is happening.

I really really hope that the weather will stay like this aaaall the way through August, all the way through the Fringe. Next week I will already be starting my new job and will work full time during the festival, just like last year.  Hopefully my team will be amazing, the shows will be fun and it will be all good times. I feel very lucky to be able to experience the festival for the whole time, given that a lot of the visitors are just there for like a weekend or maybe a whole week. Being there for 25 days is very cool and gives you a very different view of this madness that changes a whole city.

What I am (almost) even more so looking forward to is my summer holiday afterwards. Me and my looovely (and dearly missed) flatmates are heading out to Turkey for two weeks to get a proper tan (and swim and eat and have SO much fun). HOORAY!!!!

x

EIFF Closing Gala Impressions

The Closing Gala for the 86th Edinburgh International Film Festival took place yesterday and was a full success. A beautiful venue in the Edinburgh College of Art with various rooms with beautiful decor and all a little French themed, hand in hand with the closing film, We'll Never Have Paris. (Go watch it if you have the chance!)
I absolutely loved the film, it is hilarious and well written by Simon Helberg himself (or probably better known as Howard Wolowitz). He and his wife attended the party as well and he even joined the jazz band in an impromptu session on the piano. I have the most respect for this guy, let me tell ya.

So here just a few pictures of the evening.

(see me in the coral dress?)

Oh Scotland, I forgot how much I love you.

To be honest, ever since I got of the plane here in Edinburgh I have been a bit taken aback at first. I had Scotland put down as this place with very nice and helpful people. When I got here, I was reminded what it actually is. The people here are polite. But real friendliness, in my opinion, is something very different. Something that I experienced in Texas to an extent that blew my mind. So coming back here was different than I expected, but after over a week I have fallen back in love with Scotland.

Ceilidh.

It's traditional Scottish dancing to the best folk music, at best played live obviously.

I will definitely have one at my wedding, no matter what.

Like last year, the Edinburgh film festival put one on and it was a blast. Such a good crowd, you literally felt it in the air how much fun everyone was having.

(btw the right video actually shows me dancing, haha. pink dress and ponytail.)