"Aye Write!"

Once again I have to begin this blog post by apologizing for not posting last week. However, I must admit that last week's post would have been terribly unexciting. Recently, Glasgow life has been consumed by essays, presentations and the nursing of colds. In fact, there was an extended period of time in which it seemed as though I only left the flat to restock our supply of vitamin C or caffeine.

Fortunately, I was able to escape the confines of this flat for a few hours last week to see the play Betrayal. Citizens Theatre (which I will argue is the best theatre in Glasgow) is currently hosting a season of classic plays. The first in this spring line-up was Pinter's Betrayal. The play was very well done. Fortunately by inhaling around 30 cough drops throughout the production I was able to avoid public shame and humilation sure to be brought on by my unpleasant cough. Richard and I have become quite play aficionados this year. In fact, we were told by a particular gentleman that we inspired him to attend opera. I was thrilled by this, Richard not so much. With our play aficionado status we are able to have wonderful discussions regarding the dramatic arts. More simply, we get in massive arguments over the plays we have seen. After seeing a play it can be assumed that we will take vastly different views of that play. To be fair, our views on the play are generally somewhat similiar but that doesn't lead to massive arguments, different sides have to be taken. We really have quite a system of play discussion. After the curtain falls, we collect our coats and bags and start down the stairs to exit the theatre. One of us will say "So, what did you think?" Then it begins, it usually starts out fairly calm but heats up by the time we ride the subway, intensifies on the walk to the flat and by the time we have reached our destination one of us will have converted to the dark side. Or, Richard will finally admit I agreed with you the entire time it's just really funny to see you get so worked up..... I am ashamed to say I still fall for this trick. But, the discussion of Betrayal was to be different. The 30 or so cough drops certainly helped surpress my cough but did not magically restore my voice. Never one to easily surrender I still pushed my side of the argument. After a long, painful, raspy and broken monologue which was certain to convince anyone of my argument I received this response "I really can't understand a word you are saying." So much for perseverance.

After my voice was finally restored and essay finished (I will be perfectly happy to never hear the words Whistler, Aesthetic, Manifesto, Grosvenor Gallery, or Nocturne in Black and Gold again) I was able to escape back into Glasgow. The weather here is beginning to change and each day seems a bit more pleasant and longer than the last. As per usual March is excessively busy. Glasgow is currently hosting a literary festival "Aye Write." Of course this event needed to be attended.  The schedule for the festival was a bit daunting. The Mitchell Library and the various literature organizations of Glasgow have done an impressive job in putting together a full schedule of author interviews, discussions, literary quizzes, poetry competitions, etc. Because of this it was slightly difficult to pick which events to attend. After comparing schedules and interests it was finally decided that we would attend discussions with Tim Jeal and Alexander McCall Smith.

Tim Jeal discussed his book Explorers of the Nile: The Triumph and Tragedy of a Great Victorian Adventure. Shockingly, Richard and I were the youngest people at the talk by at least 15 years. Despite this, we found Jeal to be very entertaining, interesting and were both excited to have the opportunity to meet with him after his lecture. The author was thrilled Richard was from South Africa and spent a great deal of time discussing the country with him. Having really enjoyed this first event in our "Aye Write" line-up we eagerly awaited the Alexander McCall Smith event. This particular event was held in a large theatre and we waited in quite a long line to take our seats. We somehow have a talent for attracting conversations with strangers and had quite a long chat with the women behind us in queue. The event ended up being quite a success. Smith was interviewed before reading a selection of his latest "Scotland Street" novel. Following this reading there was time for questions from the audience. I found the author to be very funny, insightful and optimistic. All of these traits made the discussion very entertaining and I will admit I fell hard under the marketing trap and bought a significant number of his novels. And, despite what some people argue.. I will read them all. Edinburgh has a similiar festival in August (it's even larger than Glasgow's!) and I am certainly looking forward to attending. As a side note, it appears that if you hope to be a successful author you should name your daughters Lucy and Emily, both Smith and Jeal named their daughters this.

I have really enjoyed the vast cultural opportunities this year has provided. It has been a wonderful experience to create such a diverse group of friends from places all over the World. As mid-March approaches a number of scheduled trips are finally to be taken. This weekend will be spent celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Dublin and will be followed by an entire week in the Benelux countries. This group of international friends has been invaluable in preparation for these trips. Over the course of this week we are scheduled to have dinner and drinks with a friend from The Netherlands and another from Beligium. These wonderful friends have kindly offered to grant us all the insider's information and secrets for our travels. I have been asked frequently for my greatest travel tip. But, I don't have one.. instead I have two tips that I believe make any trip the perfect trip. First, find someone that you love to travel with. Secondly, find someone who knows the place you are travelling, their advice will prove wildly helpful.