Well, Bear asked for a blog post, and a blog post I shall write... about an hour after taking off from Manila so... plane blog... there wouldn’t be a blog at all but the creepy old man in the departure lounge, and the idea that the flight’ll probably be as weird as it was last time, seemed like as good a topic as any. So, I’ll keep a time log, and talk about anything exciting/bizarre/annoying/whatever, what comes along as I fly. I apologise in advance and won’t be bothered to see tl;dr from anyone if it comes to that... Heh. Wodin help me.
10TH FEBRUARY, 10:30AM +8GMT, THE PHILIPPINES
So, my mum’s flying over in May for a birthday, and I get the stroke of luck of having my ticket booked along with hers and getting to fly home business class this year. Which is awesome, since on the way to Manila, I had the bad luck of a) redirecting a flight, b) missing a flight, c) having 4 stopover points and d) getting food poisoning. Oh, and I had to fill out a Chinese visa, which no one told me until I was, um, lost in Beijing. Of course, by this point the food poisoning had also sunk it. So... KLM, don’t let me down (please) this year. Same for any deities, the likes of which I know to be fickle, but as of late largely helpful.
Sitting in the longue, and there’s an elderly Dutch man opposite me. Bad burns on his legs, and within five minutes, he’s whistling... incessantly. Thankfully he stopped – in time to start singing. I lent him my men, thinking he’s just a baffled old man, and he needed one to borrow, and he asks where I’m from, I say Scotland. So he starts singing about Scotland and giving me creepy looks. Returns my pen, then every five minutes shouts a question or a statement at me across the room, so I sink into my chair, pretend I’m writing – eventually I did end up writing – and answer... reluctantly. The trouble set in, mostly, when he started informing me LOUDLY of what his medication was, and announces rather proudly that he’s just taken 2 Viagra. I left the longue early and sat by the gate with my coffee instead.
There’s also about 30 or 40 pounds to pay to get in and out of the airport... Immigration tax being the most expensive. Now, thought I had all the money I needed for that, turns out, not so much. Of course I was only 30 pesos short, which by my estimation is about 40p. I thrust a couple of pound coins at the woman in desperation to make up the extra and she apparently decided to take pity on me. Then my belt set off the machine... Damn it, mother, I didn’t want to wear a belt while I was flying for EXACTLY this reason. Also, forgot my rings. Those of you who know me for never taking the damn things off, I apologise for all the panicking I will do for the first few weeks in Scotland while I keep forgetting I left them in Manila. Bear, I went through roughly the same panic over my skraeling pendant...
10TH FEBRUARY, 1:01PM +8GMT, OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
Right, chronologically, this is when I started up the writing of the blog entry. For anyone who cares. I have half a page of ‘Hide the ale! It’ll slow them down! Run for the hills, run for your life!’ written down in a notebook, which is what I took out the laptop for... then remembered I promised a blog post. I’ll start writing that soon. For now, I too am rather fond of KLM’s entertainment system. If I watch any films/listen to any cds I’ll let you know. For now, I have ‘Blaze of Glory’ by Bon Jovi playing and I’ve set myself up a sort of stilted playlist mostly made up of 80s music and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
I just finished my book, too, so I’m glad I packed a second... ‘The Crystal Shard’ by R.A. Salvatore and whenever I get it out of the overhead hanger, I have the 5th book in the Legend of Drizzt Do’Urden books too. Which, since at least 3 people gave me incredulous looks for buying the first of the books and not knowing what they were about, I’m rather enjoying, thank you very much. My suitcase – which is somehow within the weight limit despite having 3 dvds, 5 jumpers, 2 pairs of jeans and 20+ books in it – has the first 8 in the series in there.
10TH FEBRUARY, 1:08PM +8GMT, OVER CHINA
Before I stop writing for now, the song is now ‘Lay All Your Love On Me’ by ABBA. What can I say, for all that my ipod usually plays Turisas or Tyr now – damn you Bear – or those random songs that remind me of random people – Uil, for example, has a song by Jon Mclauglin, that reminds me of him, or ‘Nancy the Tavern Wench’ reminds me of the Bridge of Allan Brewery. Where I intend to be on Friday once I get there from Aberdeen... My ticket was booked for the 11th, I just need to go and pick it up and hope I did it right, staying with a family friend overnight in Aberdeen. Right, back to fiction.
10th FEBRUARY, 1:30PM +8GMT, OVER CHINA
Discovering ‘The Big Bang Theory’ while I eat lunch. Apparently KLM business class gets you a ridiculous amount of courses but at least this time it seems mostly edible, if... complicated. Anyway, show. Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock is now fantastic. I love it. I’m going to have to learn it. And that’s about as far I can comment... humour is on and off but I like it... and since my Dad gave me a jumper from the show without knowing it was from a show for Christmas... well yes. Adorable, mind you. Especially Sheldon. Also the air hostesses have decided, already, that I’m mad. Hoorah for funny looks! I arrived wearing a fedora, with my laptop in a pillow case, and then took off my shoes and promptly lost the left one.
10th FEBRUARY, 1:37PM +8GMT, OVER CHINA
Just occurred to me you’re going to have 14+ hours of me rambling on this entry... I’m guessing 6 into them, I’ll be cursing the size of the plane even in business class, and ranting about being trapped in a flying tin can... Also while it’s on my mind... There’s a Filipino singer called Freddie Aguiler, got famous worldwide in the ‘70s. Went to his bar two days ago, to see some live singers, which were fantastic. Second set, his son Jeriko and his band come on. Got talking to Jeriko between sets, and he’s actually an awesome chap. Turns out the band usually play rock and metal but they didn’t want to scare the non-regulars off, so when I told him that was up my street, they played it in the second set. I’d recommend – dunno if he’s on youtube but – looking up ‘Jeriko Aguiler and the Anak Band’... I think they’re called.
The rest of the bar was an interesting experience. I managed to accidentally start if off quite a bit after dinner by downing a double shot of Malibu. Don’t ask how. Followed by a Wodin’s Wroth – which was amusing in that the barman didn’t quite catch the ‘in a glass’ part and poured my Jaeger INTO the bottle of beer. Got it into a glass second time by standing in front of the bar and pointing at things in something of a fluster. Then managed to nod off between sets, convince my mother I was sober, then down a coffee.
10th FEBRUARY, 2:03PM +8GMT, NOT-TURNING-OFF-MY-SHOW-TO-CHECK-SO-OVER ASIA
Well, watching ‘How I Met Your Mother’ now... An episode I’ve seen before, I do like this show. Got a copy of the Bro Code at home, haha. On the other hand... Certain aspects of this episode ring true to two things in my life. One speaks for itself if I say ‘release the berserker’ was a quote from the episode, while the other one is far, farrrrrrrr too similar to how I feel about my parents. And to stop the gloomy chain of thought I’m going to say Neil Patrick Harris is *g*. “I am so happy that he is angry that I will cover the cost of that window crank!” Also, finally have my table to myself. No tray, or salt tubs to knock over and barely miss my laptop. Discovered before watching How I Met Your Mother – which just finished – that I also tear up at the song ‘Remember When’ by Alan Jackson and I’ll leave those who know why it makes me upset to keep it to themselves.
10th FEBRUARY, 2:35PM +8GMT, BOTHERING-TO-CHECK-THIS-TIME-SO-BETWEEN DUYUN AND KALLI?
Yes, yes. Blame Bear, he’s the one who asked me to write a blog post. I have far too many hours to go, and a plug for my battery, so I won’t be going anywhere in a hurry. The screen says 11 hours... Ye gods, I actually thought I’d been up here longer... Incidentally I don’t have an encyclopaedia to hand so not quite sure what country either of those towns are in but I’d hasten a guess it’s near or in Thailand. Finished one of my stories – a short one. Get muses when I’m travelling, apparently. Which I suppose makes up for the necessity. Meph, if you see this, I’ll write that story I owe you with mini Cooper and Ben in it in a bit. Listening to ‘Phantom of the Opera’ while I type... Not the most fantastic muse for writing about an imaginary friend so bear with me until the next song plays. ;)
Slightly disappointed revelation as I look at the flight path on the monitor that I don’t fly over much in the way of Norse lands, as it were, but it looks wobbly enough that I might come over Miklagård – Istanbul. I might cut the corner of the Rus, too. And it should worry me more that most of my geographical and political knowledge is ten centuries behind. Someone asked me who the prime minister was in Scotland, and the most I could come up with was ‘well it’s not the traitor I voted for’. I had to google it, for Wodin’s sake. On that subject if anyone but me ever manages to see this blog entry, I owe the hanged god ale and an apology for grumbling about his sense of humour. Hello paranoia.
10th FEBRUARY, 3:10PM +8GMT, OVER CHINA AGAIN
First of all the map... I’m an idiot... was probably over China last time but don’t quote me on that. Listening to Biffy Clyro simply because they’re Scottish. Quite fond of ‘Know Your Quarry’ though, since I’ve never heard them before I didn’t really know their music by name. And yes I was going to wait a bit before posting to the blog again but ssh, it’s keeping me occupied. Taking my mind off stuff. What I was actually opening this up to say was one of the air hostesses has just run off with my hat, and I suspect it’s the same chappy from before. Three years ago I travelled in a fedora – different fedora – and the guy borrowed my hat at the start of the flight and then came back wearing it 2 hours later. I’ll ask if he’s the same guy, or if KLM employees just have some sort of fetish for hats, or a kleptomaniac streak... When he returns. Possibly 2 hours later. I am amused.
Also I hadn’t never realised how big China was until I paid this much attention to a flight tracker.
And I’m not correcting the grammar above because it’s amusingly awful, and I don’t know how I managed to abandon grammar enough to get there. Possibly I need to sleep. ....I possibly need to sleep? Sleep. I need it. Oh, and finished the imaginary friend story. I have one thing to say... Frakking toasters! And I don’t mean you, Kitty, but then again I was a frakking-but-utterly-inept-at-being-evil-or-winning-the-war-but-not-bad-at-accidentally-saving-the-human-race-so-sort-of-traitorous-to-the-cylons-instead toaster, not a poptart. *cough* Just happens to be a toaster in the story, and ‘Battlestar Galactica’ on my wallpaper. KLM should have more sci-fi on it’s entertainment system if you ask me. But someone is murdering ‘One Song Glory’ from Rent there instead. Or maybe I’m more used to the movie version of the song... but damned if I know what to write next...
Aha! Dawkins, I owe you a story too, don’t I. I’ll write that, while I’m trapped here.
10TH FEBRUARY, 3:22PM +8GMT, OVER THE HIMALAYAS
I think. I didn’t look at the map but we just hit turbulence... which we were supposed to hit around the Himalayas, if the pilot knows what he’s talking about, and somehow I rather hope that he does... Possibly we’re not that far yet, again, geography, damn you.
10th FEBRUARY, 3:33PM +8GMT, PROBABLY-STILL-OVER THE HIMALAYAS
The turbulence is now important enough to be deemed worthy of the fasten seatbelt sign and the worried air hostess walk. That, or the air hostesses are fond of Monty Python and we’re about to be informed that the emergency photo stamps are located on the seat in front of us and the wings are not on fire. Listening to Burlesque; to save David choking on another cup of tea, that would be a movie soundtrack, and I’m rather fond of Cher and ‘You Haven’t Seen The Last Of Me Yet’. Heh. Oh, and onto another story, this one featuring a world war 2 RAF Captain and a half German ifrit Major I’ve not written in a while. Yes, you read that right.
I’m not sure if this blog entry isn’t turning into a combination of a diary, a rant, writing report, and various pseudo-reviews/recs...
10th FEBRUARY, 3:45PM +8GMT, APPARANTLY-OVER CHINA-STILL-BUT-THERE-ARE-HILLS-DOWN-THERE
9 hours and 40 minutes left to go. 39, now. Sudden childish temptation to post how many minutes to go from here until I get bored but I shall resist. Fasten seatbelt sign is off so that’s the turb—okay, that I jinked. We’re aimed towards Beijing on the map.
9 hours 38 minutes... ;)
10TH FEBRUARY, 4:O4PM +8GMT, OVER SOME SORT OF DESERT
I can’t say I know how timezones work – Hel, I need to keep clocks on my desktop to know the time in Scotland, Canada and Manila and I should be better at keeping up with all three. Anybody know why the world map has a symbol of a sun a little to the right of India? It’s not dead centre, or certain with the part of the map shaded to say it’s daytime either. Another question; I’ve finally caved and put on Turisas. Anyone know where Holmguard is? I keep forgetting to look it up and I’ll doubtless forget by the time I get to Scotland. Plus, the song is called ‘Miklagård Overture’ but they call the city by Constantinople... *head tilt* Were the two names simultaneous, I always assumed one predated the other. And of course now it’s Istanbul.
10TH FEBRUARY, 4:22PM +8GMT, STILL OVER CHINA
Still waiting for my hat. Tried to stand up to get something from my bag and got my legs tangled up in the 10 buttons it takes to adjust the seat position. Also brought down the 5th Drizzt book, which is apparently called ‘Streams of Silver’. I can only assume Bruenor managed to drag the drow on that quest he wanted but I won’t know until I open the books. To quote the back of the book... “If you only ever read one fantasy saga in your life, read this one”. Good advice, although I’d say this one, plus ‘Lord of the Rings’.
10TH FEBRUARY, 5:58PM +8GMT, OVER YE-GODS-HOW-BIG-IS-CHINA
Just watched ‘Megamind’. Film number 1. You might want to skip this part if you’ve not seen the film yet. Almost reminded me of ‘Dr Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog’ at the start, but the film had me at ‘here is your minion and here is your binkie’. Megamind is BEYOND fantastic, mind you. Always been a sucker for a witty villain blue or... otherwise. Metroman, the Master, Dr Facilier... Anyway. He is... so cute when he gets his window. Got all watery-eyed at the big argument with Minion, too. I’m turning into a sucker. And when the girl upset him. The look on his face *whimper* bitch. Slightly bemused by his last cape, on another matter, which looks like what the Time Lords used to wear in the council in the old episodes of Doctor Who. But, you know, evil and studded and spiked and inside a giant robotic suit. And then it blew up and looked more like a spider.
“The hero strikes the first blow but evil returns with a backhand!” is the line where I lost the resolve to stop laughing out loud. And hey, Peacock, I see someone fence, I think of you. On a similar note, looking forward to seeing everyone, but back to the story. More points up for the film? EXPLOSIONS! And Megamind’s insane fanboy moments. Like stroking Metroman’s face. And the twist to the story near the end with beard-y Metroman. Cons? Well, for one Titan mostly got on my mind until the “under new management” line. And there’s more but I’m not really in the thinking state... little slow in the middle? Still... there’s a good moral to be had from Megamind... amazingly. I’m with him on some things... some very poignant things. Enjoyed the film. I end on this note: “Oh Minion. You fantastic fish, you.” Oh. And the soundtrack. Fantastic rock n’ roll soundtrack. ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ fit fantastic. Guns n’ Roses, for anyone – please say there’s no one – who doesn’t know it.
And I will say I’m amused that, while trying to escape, the girl thought it would be a good idea to climb into a fountain and hide. Wait what?
Oh and I have my hat back, the lights just dimmed, and I’m tempted to try and kip now ‘cause I’ve been up since 5.30am. Kip, or read for a bit. I hate flying. 1, I’ve hit the ‘aargh flying tin can’ stage, and 2, I do. Not. Idle. -_______-; 7 hours to go. 17 minutes if I’m being pedantic. 5969km at 9147m. One hell of an altitude to blog from. And Bear you better be grateful for how long this is... Time for ‘Rhapsody’ then. Of all the artists to help me sleep... That, or ‘Mordred’s Lullaby’, which has personal meaning again. Speaking of personal meanings, I discovered last night that one of the wingding fonts on my computer is called ‘Elder Futhark’... how did I miss this?!
10TH FEBRUARY, 6:12PM +8GMT, OVER KAZAKSTAN (WHICH I THINK IS SPELT WRONG)
Never realised until now that the ‘Tron: Legacy’ soundtrack has a speech track on it. Kevin Flynn’s voice in my ipod gave me a heart attack. Although for anyone out there who was spared the couple of weeks where I was obsessed with Tron, I recommend watching either of the films, new or old, if you haven’t yet. Genius, and in the 2010 version (admittedly not the first) fantastic CGI. All glow-y and ooooooh. One of the things that makes me into a magpie, glow-y. Also boom-y, Normannis or shiny. Sudden craving for that fight I’ve been promised on Friday as well as the pint... Not particularly sleepy after all so trying to decide what film to watch and finishing the WW2 story. Possibly see if my battery lets me play Dragon Age for a bit ‘cause I’ve not played it in weeks. Yep. Let’s go with slaughtering things with a Grey Warden casteless dwarf that for some bizarre reason is already at the highest level. I blame my brother for that one time he was tinkering with my computer but meh, I’m too sentimental to start over, I already managed to lose all my save data for the character except the latest one. Long story. Right, game.
10TH FEBRUARY, 6:23PM +8GMT, OVER KAZAKSTAN
Or not. I got as far as learning I was in the Diamond Quarter of Orzamar and then it crashed. I’ll try it on the ground. Hey, do I get points for blogging from at least 3 countries’ air space so far? One of which is almost the Rus/is the Rus. Not sure.
10TH FEBRUARY, 6:33PM +8GMT, OVER KAZAKSTAN
“Feels Like Home”, Brother Bear 2.
10TH FEBRUARY, 7:34PM +8GMT, OVER KAZAKSTAN
Watched: The Simpsons, Two and a Half Men, and now NCIS. Nothing interesting to report because the lights are still down and things are getting boring. Or, rather, have reached that stage. Who knew all I had to do to get to sleep on a plane was bore myself to death with the entertainment system and fly on my own. Which makes me sound ungrateful, don’t get me wrong, it’s a great machine. Just so... something relatively interesting comes up, chappy beside me has been making a photo album on his Mac since we took off what must be 7 hours ago.
10th FEBRUARY, 7:54PM +8GMT, OVER THE KAZAKSTAN/RUSSIA BORDER?
5 ½ hours to go. It’s noon in the UK, 5am in Canada, and 8pm in the Philippines. I’m nearly over Russia, and I’m going to bed.
10th FEBRUARY, 10:23PM +8GMT, OVER THE RUS
Well I’d like to say I slept but it was more that I sort of... lay down to get some sleep, and realised that if food was served while I was sleep anybody in my vicinity would have a metal knife in their hand, and my back could get in the way. Hello paranoia. So, I had something approaching sleep, while silently assuming that everyone else on the plane had it in for me, which isn’t really sleep at all. Woke up, and saw my neighbour watching a film, and this next bit might – no, will – come as a surprise to anybody who has ever heard me talk about it. I came to the decision that for all my complaints of the film – and ironically the ‘info:’ section under the movie on the entertainment system actually addressed my main complaint – it is a film about a 12th century archer who knows how to use a sword and does just that. Yes, finally watching Russell Crowe’s version of ‘Robin Hood’. I’ll just force myself to accept that creative licensing has been considerably taken, enjoy the scenery and the battles, and settle down to grumble for a few hours. I suspect I might not hate it as much as I’ve sworn blind I would, but if it lives up to my expectations I’ll console myself with the Disney version being on the entertainment system too, since I usually watch it when I’m flying. *salutes*
Spoilers again.
Well okay, he film starts off interestingly, I will give it that. And at the very least appears to understand it’s history, even if it has a... bizarre idea of Robin Hood’s usual given surname. First time I’ve read it that he served directly under the Lionheart in the Crusades too but still, interesting. I apologise in advance for what I now will turn into a bi-polar ramble. And hmm... My mother – who will not hear a good word said about the Crusades – would probably enjoy this film’s portrayal of King Richard.
10th FEBRUARY, 10:23PM +8GMT, OVER THE RUS
Wow. Flaming arrow fire!! And a fantastic longbow. I’m going to have to forget I’ve seen how that trick works before my alter ego gets ideas... ok fine, film is alright so far. I still have less than high hopes about the plot. “Richard the Lionheart is 40 years old. Or more. And no babies.” Blunt way to put John’s so-called claim to the throne. Disney says it well – incredible as he is inept, whenever the history books are kept, they’ll call him the phoney King of England! A pox on the phoney King of England! And... are there two chappies called Locksley in the Crusade or does Robin just sound Welsh in one scene and English in the next? Now that he’s done decking the King? And... looks like it is. How did Robin’s father end up on the Crusades, or is it a brother? *confused*
On an unrelated note there is a gorgeous sunset outside.
10th FEBRUARY, 10:47PM +8GMT, OVER THE RUS
Glad the French speak French amongst each other and not English with a French accent. No, wait, I speak too soon. When the French start talking to the English they lose their accent... I agree with what I’ve been told. Accents in this film are more than inconsistent. NOT SURE HOW I FEEL ABOUT ROBIN BECOMING AN OUTLAW FOR BEING A DESERTER, which is how it looks to be turning. That’s not the Robin Hood who was my childhood hero, fictional or no... And wait wait wait... Robin of Locksley is... not Robin Hood now? And he’s not from Nottingham? Second chap called Locksley, I assumed he was a relative earlier on... *head tilt* Okay, okay, I’ll stop ranting about irregularities. The film’s interesting me, I’ve not turned it off yet...
Oh, hello Will Scarlet. Do you have the right name, Stutely? And... Friar Tuck? (: Marion is badass, and so far reminds me more of Robin than Robin does.
10th FEBRUARY, 3:08PM GMT, OVER DENMARK
Gods she wasted no time in crowning John, did she? And damn it, lost my place in the film.
10th FEBRUARY, 3:15PM GMT, OVER DENMARK
Found it again. And yes, Marion is more Robin than Robin by my estimation so far... but um... how did she end up married to the real Robin... I thought Marion was supposed to be of noble blood. Hmm. Still, I like the actor playing the Sherriff of Nottingham. And the not-quite-Merry-Men... Especially Little John. Pri- King John so far is a coward, a thief and a bastard. But that I wasn’t denying in any way to begin with. Friar Tuck’s bee-keeping habits are sort of endearing, though. “Where can a man get a... mildly insensible drink around here?”
Mead. Damn it, they’re drinking mead. I want mead... actually come to think of it I’m probably dehydrated, and I could do with some food. Less than 3 hours to go, at least. Did Robin steal the King’s horse? Congratulations, I suppose that’s rather a step above poaching the King’s deer.
Argh, hot cloth, burning. On a less painful note at least the film has humour. And Marion’s panic over removing Robin’s maille is hilarious.
10th FEBRUARY, 3:15PM GMT, OVER OCEAN
Hmm. I say again, this is not the Robin of my memory. But he is an intriguing character and I shall now adopt Cameron’s address of ‘robbing dude’. For lack of a better name. I am however amused that while Marion is threatening Robin, the dog is licking his hand. Air hostess just came over, wants to know if I’m ‘ready and working’. I nodded. Then said ‘blogging’. She seemed baffled and wandered off.
10th FEBRUARY, 3:46PM GMT, OVER OCEAN
AHA! ROBIN IS FINALLY BEING ROBIN! Although I have a terrible feeling I’ll miss the end of the film... There’s my noble highwayman... probably! x3
10TH FEBRUARY, 4:26PM GMT, OVER SOMEWHERE IN EUROPE*
A few things while I catch up on everything. Marion’s gloves are fantastic, reminds me I’ve not bought any for Normannis yet. Got so used to nicking a certain pair and forgot to find somewhere like B&Q in Manila. Is Robin trying to get John to sign the Magna Carta? Maybe it’s not such a bad film after all, just not Robin Hood. Swordsmanship and archery is making me grin either way. My alter ego had a moment of panic when I thought they’d torched Nottingham earlier but we’re okay now. Earned brownie points for rightly calling it England. And oh hoh, I’m actually kind of happy with how they’re dealing with the outlaws of Sherwood Forest versus Robin’s outlaw band. Clever people. Fine, I admit it.
I, however, am bloody starving, agreed to fill in a feedback form for the air hostess, and accidentally let the hostess take away the most of my lunch while I wasn’t paying attention. *grumbles*
I stand corrected maybe they are trying to torch Nottingham. Rattles bones. Also gives me an idea for something, so apologies Rob. Bear, you’ll maybe be pleased.
Battle?! SKAAL!
*Watching film, not losing my place with 20 minutes to go...!
10TH FEBRUARY, 4:26PM GMT, OVER SOMEWHERE IN EUROPE
Hell I’m less of a bitter, cynical woman this February. Maybe I don’t mind a bit of romance after all so long as it doesn’t overwhelm the plot.
Mind you, the subtitles for the French read ‘the fires’ while the speaker most definitely said ‘el capitan’. Hmm...
10TH FEBRUARY, 4:44PM GMT, OVER SOMEWHERE IN EUROPE
Fenrir’s Fangs the crazy Viagra man just turned up again. I thought I’d lost him in Manila... Not so lucky.
Also wondering how easy it would be to scale the cliffs of Dover. And if Robin is actually at this point an outlaw yet.
Just got a little Dutch house for free. If anyone wants it you’re welcome to it because we have a shelf full of the things in Manila and damned if I can be bothered remembering which ones we don’t have, I just chose one that looked pretty. There’s bourbon inside it, I believe, I might try and get the seal of the top for that at least. No alcohol in the house and I’m reminded, no food. Damn. Since I’m supposed to be in the Brewery some time tomorrow and the field, I better get something on the train. Which I’ve spent most of the plane journey fussing over if I got the booking right for but I reckon I must have. We’ll see when I load up the wifi in Amsterdam.
Hate to admit it but King Philip was wise to turn around when he did.
10th FEBRUARY, 4:56PM GMT, OVER SOMEWHERE NEAR AMSTERDAM
Finally. The Greenwood as it should be and a shirt of Lincoln green. I’ll hold back final judgement on the film to when I’m more awake but I suppose I owe Ridley Scott an apology. I reckon I’m shutting down the computer for now, since we’ll be landing soon-ish, but maybe I’ll talk to some of you when I’m stuck in Amsterdam a couple hours. ;) More when I get back.
10th FEBRUARY, 6:18PM GMT, AMSTERDAM AIRPORT
I don’t much like the KLM lounge. They expect certain things of you such as... standards. And not walking in, asking for the wi-fi code, pouring yourself a JD and coke and THEN sitting down. Still, could be worse, could have been something stronger, or less coke, but I suspect I be approaching something almost tipsy now on the account of not having eaten much food. I should remedy that but I need to be at the gate in an hour and I can’t be bothered getting up for the foreseeable future. I am lucky to have Hannah who pointed out I was an hour out of line with my timezones...
10TH FEBRUARY, 6:47PM GMT, AMSTERDAM AIRPORT
Broke into a rendition of 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall with a person I know by name but have never actually met, and over Facebook. Why not?! Also thought I’d lost my passport, found it in the back of my rucksack, thank god. Now, I venture out into the dangerous, unknown-yet-I’ve-been-here-too-many-times world of KLM airport, in hopes of finding the departure gate.
10TH FEBRUARY, 7:34PM GMT, AMSTERDAM AIRPORT
Sitting on the plane. Nearly missed a last minute gate change. Foot acting up again but now here I am, on the home run! ...while still on the ground but I’ll be in Aberdeen by 10pm! Skaal!
10TH FEBRUARY, 8:03PM GMT, OVER HOLLAND
I’ve apparently reached the point where I’ve been in the air and been awake too long to feel entirely well. Thus, I’m bloody grumpy. Although the dancing, incredibly camp air hostess was a bit of fun. I don’t know if he was being dared or paid to dance as he did the safety regulations, or is genuinely as camp as ‘The High Life’ or like everybody else on this plane – if the multi-lingual muttering and the snoring is anything to judge by – is just sick of being in a plane. I want to sleep but aargh, not feeling any good at all.
Shall plug myself into the ipod, see if I can actually listen to the whole of the Doctor Who ‘Zagreus’ audio-story for once, and blog if anything of interest appears/happens on the flight. Mind you, very good audio-story of what I’ve managed to stay awake for so far. Zagreus yelling at the TARDIS and calling it ‘ship!’ cracks me up more than is strictly necessary and the Zagreus poem is insanely chilling. Supposed to be a bedtime story. Honestly, with Zagreus, the Toclafane and the Great Vampires as their legends and children’s stories, no wonder the Doctor and half the Gallifreyans in Doctor Who turned out nuts!
10th FEBRUARY, 8:12PM GMT, OVER HOLLAND
Have just watched a bread roll, uh, roll down the aisle. And stop at my feet. Tray table also considerably more aggressive than I expected it to be when I opened it, and I’ve had the worrying pilot announcement of snow in Aberdeen. Gods, must find some socks...
10TH FEBRUARY, 8:36PM GMT, OVER THE NORTH SEA
Am I allowed to be paranoid when out of the blue the air hostess addresses me by name? Well. Sort of. In the absence of any ring on my finger or anything to suggest the accusation I’ve just been referred to as ‘Mrs MacDonald’. Weirder part is we had a family friend a week or so ago he insisted he should be invited to my imminent wedding, and my gran trying to match-make me... When I started dating the guy I’m with my mother told so many people that when I walked into the coffee shop in December I was first acknowledged as ‘oh, are you Mrs MacDonald’s daughter?’ then asked ‘how’s the boyfriend’. *facepalm* I can’t decide if my mother’s strange and premiere enthusiasm in my existence is supposed to be a good thing or not.
Playing solitaire. Boredom has reached an all-time low.
12th FEBRUARY, 4:54AM GMT, STIRLING UNIVERSITY
Home, and finally posting.
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