Weekend full of blessings.

The party on Friday night went pretty well. The guys who organised it were really on top of things, got the music going, and, with the help of some fruity drinks, the students and faculty were dancing and bonding in no time. The springs in the floor were getting a work out as the hyper and hopping crowds danced the night away to the Cougar-Mellancamps and Garth Brooks classics of a music generation that is not their own. (Even in another country, some things don’t change!) So, the evening was going well until the TUBS of drink that were carefully prepared (to avoid over intoxication) ran dry about 10:45pm. After a few more dances, thank yous to the organizers as well as Tim and Mary, the announcement was made to head to Sams. Well, at this point, of course Tim and I were going to go have a beer to end our night! With slightly dressier than normal attire, most of the house packed into Sams and finished off their evening. Tim and I were fortunate to be a part of the discreet lock in that occurs of very rare occasions to shoot the breeze with the owner and staff working. They are a lovely bunch of people; we had a good chuckle about the students, the locals and everything else that people drinking at 1am talk about.

Saturday brought with it the fog of Friday night’s choices. After an early run and some light office work, Tim and I and Rosemary headed to Edinburgh for the day. We split up for a bit to do our own thing, but regrouped at the Blue Moon for dinner and drinks and then to our ultimate destination: The LGBT Switchboard party. The Switchboard is a hotline for gay and lesbian (curious) people who are seeking advice or a counselling outlet. The party is a fundraiser and this year’s theme was a Hoedown. What is terribly ironic about all of this, as that, trying to error on the side of caution—hearing it was usually quite a formal affair, we all show up in black and grey formal-ish outfits, and 80% of the room is wearing shit kickers and cowboy hats! What the hell is up with that? White trash country-music listening-to hick like myself shows up at a Hoedown and is the odd man out… it was like a cruel joke. The evening was full of hundreds of queers, singles and couples and straight allies dancing to a fantastic mix of line dancing and Ceilidh dancing. What a workout!! Sandy and Victoria, some friends, joined us. And let me tell, Sandy can dance and he LOVES to lead, which of course was a blessing because I needed a refreshing on the Ceilidh dancing. It must have been a sight to see this 50ish short stout man tossing around a tall dumb American around the floor like a doll—but we had a good time!! We met some nice folks through out the evening and were tempted by their calls to go to CC Bloom’s for late night dancing, but the 12:30am hour and our senses kicked in, and we departed ways and found an hour long taxi queue. (The Irish-Scotland match was played that day, so the city was fill with 20,000 Irishmen and hence the long queues!)

The Host Family Reception on Sunday filled out the weekend. Punch and appetizers filled people’s hands as conversation filled the room. Almost 60 of our students will be visiting, dining, travelling and staying with host families in the Dalkeith area over the next semester. It is such a great experience for them.

It was especially nice to finish the weekend with a glass of wine, cheese and biscuits and a few tarts (the edible ones!) over a wee birthday celebration for one or our faculty. It is very enjoyable to connect with this group on a social setting outside of the office. We are blessed with good people.

I am blessed to be a part of these great events!!