A long week

Photo: Daniel C. 

Hi all,

Unfortunately I have not had enough minutes in the day to update you on my thoughts and findings, but know that at this moment I am in decent health and pleasantly relaxed. In from a run tonight, I'm just catching up on a little news, enjoy some Dylan on the speakers and a crisp glass of the white Burgundy supermarket gem I picked up earlier. I needed a glass of wine tonight. I have not had a night to myself in quite some time, as I've had so many friends crashing on the couch.

A new friend Paul from Ireland crashed here all week, which was a great experience. He was in town for an engineering conference, and at 25 years old, was shortlisted for the best presentation and research paper out of 200 presented over the week. An incredibly smart and inspiring guy, and I look forward to seeing him back in town again soon. He is the only person I've met, other than Uncle John and Jeff, whose travel experiences make me jealous.

CouchSurfing 101

Photo: 'Glasgow Surfing' - Daniel C.

Hi All,

This weekend I was reminded of adventure, and living life in the moment. I was reminded that I am young, and meant to stay out until the sun comes up. This weekend I was reminded of the spirit of CouchSurfing, and experiencing life through the eyes and still frames of new friends and old; those people that you meet along the way, off the beaten path or in the streets.

I was reminded of making the most of your days and nights in the company of friends. It's what a circle of my Parisian friends call 'le live' - life should always be 'live' they say; a la minute, the camera is rolling, life is happening now. It's about taking whatever corner feels right, climbing new hills, enjoying yourself anyway you can, wherever you may be, at any given moment. 101 insane stories of adventure from this past weekend, as my old friends Alexis and Ben made it a memorable one.

Thursday

Photo: Daniel C.

Another day in the life coming to a close tonight. A blinding headache stops me from writing to you all a little more, but here are a few of my favourite stories from another rainy and dull day. Goodnight.

i - "Endurance cooking as performance art." The story of 48 hours of endless cooking. Vancouver style. I've done a few 18-19 hour shifts in the front of house, but couldn't imagine cooking for 48 hours. The best thing about Chef Todd, besides his unreal two-day run of three course tasting menus for 20 people every two hours, is the fact he runs an illegal restaurant out his apartment called '12b'. Unreal.

ii - It's halfway to Christmas right? Or maybe I can buy myself a few early birthday gifts. Top gadgets for the frugal traveler, or the broke junior reporter.

iii - You're a communist bully. No, you're a childish school girl. Ah, diplomatic rhetoric between the nuclear powers. Fun and games, right?

iv- Rats take Edinburgh; Toronto not the only place with rubbish woes this summer. Yes, despite the rain and mild temperatures, it is still 'summer' here.

v - complicated and brilliant. Rufus Wainwright, and a new opera.

Articles to share

Photo: 'Highland Cow'... Daniel. C

Happy Wednesday. A few things I found over lunch today are linked below.

Still waiting for summer to arrive in Glasgow. Funny, July is almost over, and there has been almost no sun to speak of. Only seven more busy days at work. I've become a regualar columnist now which is cool. Busy, busy, raining. The rain patters down against my window tonight as I tuck myself in for bed. Endless rain like this morning, like last night, like the night before, and the 10 days before that. Rain like Forest Gump describes rain. All kinds of rain. However, all kinds of rain-soaked adventures to come.