11/02/2010 by stupidgirl_no1.

As I posted on Twitter and Facebook about 3am this morning when I found out:

• Genuinely gutted. Just heard that Nizlopi have split up. Sad, sad day but at least I had one awesome night with them on 20th April 2008

For those that don’t know what or who this is, they are were a band.  Luke and John, two lovely guys - and yes I did meet them.  I was their “street team” at the gig in April 2008 and helped spread the word about the concert; for which they thanked me personally, bless them.  And they came and offered me a blanket when I was standing outside in just one of their t-shirts getting folk’s email addresses for their mailing list and telling them to buy t-shirts when they got inside - of course I declined the blanket as otherwise folk wouldn’t see the t-shirt! 

Nizlopi did folk music, with a twist, but became best known for The JCB Song which was an internet hit and thrilled people like me who like all the fab stuff they mention in it - like JCBs, Dads, Transformers and BA Baracus! 

The guys are awesome musicians and I wish them all the best in their solo futures.  But in the meantime I will be sad.

This is a photo I took at their concert in Aberdeen, I was sat on the front of the stage at one point but was enjoying myself too much to take many photos, and I seem to remember I had the camera on weird settings and couldn’t clear them.  I do have a very special video clip where Luke sings straight into my camera during the set - but I ain’t sharing it!

Funnily enough we had started discussing names for the baby we intended to try for at the time.  Bryan had said we should have twins of each sex and call them Luke and Leia, like in Star Wars.  Possibly a joke to start with but we actually liked the names so they were both on the table.  After meeting Nizlopi Luke I realised this was an even better name as, not only did it have a geeky connection to the much loved Star Wars, but it had a connection to the world of music as do ours.  (Bryan after Bryan Ferry and Maria after West Side Story).  So that was a decision made in my book, Luke Robertson it would be if we were blessed with a boy.  Until 9 months later when Nicole and Ray had Lucas Robertson.  The boys will hopefully grow up as best buddies so couldn’t have such similar names.  Ah well, c’est la vie - looking back I’m quite happy we ended up with Owen, I love the name - and wee guy!

In the email to their mailing list Luke included a lovely poem which I shall share here in the hope of increasing his adoring fans.

• Oh what a time what a world in crisis
  Being made out of volcanic speed
  A time of greed and need
  Of deep fissures between us all
  And these flowers of hope amid the rubbish heap
  The deep strange story in our troubled chests that seems to shine a light on a possible future
  I know we can make it to the world we envisage
  And to not do so is weak and leaves us all desolate
  So lets go there together forever singing
  That laughter is in us all for the giving
  We’ve gotta keep going to where we know we’re bound
  Straight on brothers straight on sisters!

Posted in Music | 1 Comment »

25/09/2009 by stupidgirl_no1.

Having read my friend Jennie’s blog on this subject, and her friend’s post that started her off, I have been told its “my turn” so here goes!

When I was at school I had no idea what I wanted to be, I remember alternating from racing driver to vet to farmer’s wife.  But realising: I was female so not a good driver, I didn’t like seeing animals in pain, I can’t cook so couldn’t use up all the eggs….!  As my parents are self employed and run a restaurant with rooms the one thing I was sure of was that I didn’t want to work as long hours as they did/do.

One day I was on study leave for my Standard Grades and was lying on the floor outside a bathroom whilst Mum cleaned it (I remember this all quite vividly!) when she made the suggestion “what about a librarian?”.  Suddenly there was a large click and I saw my destiny, or something!!  I love working with and helping people, using computers and reading so it seemed to mix them all together into a perfect pot.

I was already friendly with the Librarian at my high school as I spent a fair amount of time in her presence, so I asked her about routes to take.  One of our family friends also advised me as she was a librarian too. 

The university entry system at the time I used it meant that you picked 5 courses to apply for.  They then gave you conditional or unconditional offers and you could pick one, or two, offers to have until your results came in.  There was a degree in Librarianship on offer at Strathclyde or Robert Gordon in Aberdeen.  I thought this might be a way to go but did not want to be in Glasgow so applied for RGU.  The other option I liked was to do a degree in English first so my other choices were various English degrees around Scotland.  I got offered a few spaces and I chose a conditional offer at Edinburgh to do English as my first choice and an unconditional offer at RGU doing Librarianship as my second choice.

Then came the long summer of waiting for results and wondering where I would end up and doing what.  Part way through I realised I really didn’t want to do an English degree and then a Librarianship postgrad, I wanted to get straight into my chosen vocation.  There wasn’t anything I could do other than pray I didn’t do well enough in one of my subjects to meet the conditions for Edinburgh. 

I think this was maybe the first time I encountered the thing I now believe quite strongly in.  If you want something hard enough it will be yours.  As long as its not an impossible want, like my lottery win dream of having a house with a pool in the basement!!  If there’s something more achievable and you really, really want it and believe in it, it can be yours.  Nicole calls me “jammy” but I just think I’m stubborn and determined!  Prime example was when the MTV European Music Awards came to Edinburgh in 2003 and I really, really wanted to be there.

When I failed to get tickets to begin with I started trying anything else.  I entered competitions, emailed MTV and asked to clean toilets, bid silly amounts for tickets on ebay, told everyone how much I wanted to go in the hope someone would know a way, wondered about just hanging around outside and hoping for ticket touts, etc.  I think I did get offered a ticket if I slept with a man, but I drew the line there!  Eventually though it happened, someone came back to me with a “way in” and I ended up landing the dream job of seat filler.  Not only was I there, and in the VIP seats with an awesome view, but I got a free t-shirt and a brown bag dinner in the deal!!  A seat fillers’ job is just as it sounds, when the famous people go to the bar or the loo you sit in their seat so that when the camera scans round there aren’t loads of empty seats.  I spent the first part of the night in the Black Eyed Peas seat and then moved to Jackass boys’ seats.  I was really close to people like Mark Owen, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and most excitingly for me - Shirley Manson!!  (She’s the lead singer of Garbage and did the song Stupid Girl).  In fact I even managed to “acquire” her seat marker at the end of the night which has been one of my most prized possessions ever since! 

Anyway that was just an example of how I wanted something lots and got it eventually wasn’t it?!  Sorry for going off on a tangent!  So I was hoping not to get the grades I needed for the conditional offer for English degree at Edinburgh (to go back to Librarian roots/routes story!).  I decided that Chemistry was my worst subject and that I might only have got a C and then I wouldn’t have met the conditions.  I was so happy when my results came and it was just as I wanted!  So Edinburgh rejected me and off I went to RGU to do BA (Hons) in Library and Information Studies.

Four years later I thrilled myself by achieving a 2:1 and the Honours and then it was time to get a job.  My first “conquest” was as Children’s Librarian for Clackmannanshire, based at Alloa Library.  It was a fab job that included arranging puppet shows, being Santa’s elf, reading Teletubbies to nursery kids, arranging project support materials for schools and general management position duties.  Unfortunately it was a maternity cover contract and the lady whose job it was wanted it back 10 months later.

Next followed a short intermission, luckily I was able to fill this with hotel work for my parents, same as I filled all my school and uni holidays!  Then I got offered 2 jobs in the same week! 

Option 1 - Teenage fiction Librarian at George Watson’s (private school).
Option 2 - Reader Services Library Assistant at Advocates Library (private law library).

Option 1 had a much bigger salary and looked like I would get to read my beloved Terry Pratchett all day but option 2 won through as I could see the chances for progression further down the line - and the thought of working for grown ups was quite appealing.

And so I got into Law Librarianship, and have been there ever since in one way or another!  I left the Advocates Library to work for McGrigor Donald Solicitors in their shiny new offices at Tollcross but then went back to be in charge of Reader Services at Faculty. 

Reader Services Librarian was my dream job, although stressful and demanding!  It was varied and interesting with no two days the same.  It also had an unusual benefit in the world of librarians - a really nice salary!  Money has never been as important to me as being happy though, although when its on offer you certainly don’t knock it!  I worked with and for some fabulous people and in a gorgeous environment.  (I took most of the photos on the library’s pages of the website, especially love the ladder one on this page.)  Anyway must not get gushy and emotional!

Hubby and I decided that we wanted to move to Aberdeen in 2006 and within 6 months we both had new jobs there and had bought a nice house and got moved in.  So now I’m Executive Secretary and Librarian for the Society of Advocates.  Although I don’t fully utilise my degree in this job we do have a lovely law library.  I get to use a variety of other skills as well, including event organisation which is always something I’ve enjoyed and my hotel background helps with dealing with caterers.

I can’t say that Librarianship was in my blood but I have no doubt it is the place for me.  I do take my alphabet skills home with my DVD collection being indexed and marked down whenever someone borrows anything!  My CD collection used to be in alphabetical order before I lived with Bryan and I have started putting it into categories and some semblance of order since starting maternity leave. 

Librarianship may not be a trendy or well recognised profession, and there are various moves to do away with the “old fashioned” title and turn us into Information Architects or whatever, but I love it.  I don’t fit into the stereotype of twinset and pearls and I rarely Shhh anyone (most memorable shhh from me was when given a karaoke microphone one evening - that’s a whole different story) but I think its something I’m rather suited to none the less.

Posted in Music, General waffle | 13 Comments »

09/08/2009 by stupidgirl_no1.

Just found an awesome video online - well my dear High School Librarian sent me it on facebook anyway!

Jonathan Rundman has a song called Librarian too which is quite cool.

Posted in Music, General waffle | 1 Comment »

17/06/2009 by stupidgirl_no1.

Hugh called me, from the gig, to say thanks for being pregnant and that they’re having a fab time.  Am so glad he’s making the most of my tickets.

I’m now listening to the new Kasabian album and enjoying the domestic bliss of washing up.  Bet it doesn’t take me as long to get home after the joy of the music!

Posted in Music | 1 Comment »

31/05/2009 by stupidgirl_no1.

Well sorry to be boring but we have had another nice weekend and another exciting development in the world of bumpiness!

First the weekend - Bryan spent it with his cousin Ray and their mate Gary.  I believe drink, pizza, xbox/PS3 and Star Trek movie were the main ingredients of the weekend.  Meanwhile I took the excuse to nip down and visit my parents’ for a wee trip.  My photos from the trip are available on Flickr, just click here.  My favourite picture is probably this one of a red squirrel:

I spent the weekend watching him/her and the family eating nuts, running across the garden and playing together.  A couple of times I tried to creep up for a photo but gravel and heavy pregnant footsteps aren’t a good cover!

I must admit to watching Britain’s Got Talent this past week, and made Dad have it on in the kitchen whilst he tried to do Saturday night’s guests as I wanted to see the final.  I was supporting Julian Smith so was a bit disappointed he only got third but hopefully we’ll see more of him anyway.  I did think the winners were absolutely amazing as well.  Mum was supporting the Scottish lady so was disappointed she only got second but I didn’t see that refusing to smile was much of a talent….each to their own!!

I got two lovely surprises when I got to my parent’s place - neither of them could wait to give me…presents!!  Mum had found a lovely baby sleeping bag with “Rufus the Bear” on it, rather fitting as our first Gordon Setter was called Rufus!  And then they had seen in a shop a lovely baby swing, which was something I’d mentioned wanting a baby seat or swing.  Mum said it was too early to buy stuff for bump but Dad insisted that it might not be there nearer the time so they had to get it right then!  He was so proud of it and had it set up swinging and singing with a teddy in the seat to demonstrate when I walked in!!!  Think they might be excited about their first (and let’s face it, I’m an only child and not likely to do this again) and probably only grandchild!

And lastly, what was the exciting development?  Well I could say that my parents now have wi-fi in the hotel so I was able to Twitter from the garden, the kitchen and my room quite merrily!

But actually, the truth is, that this morning the baby moved, and I was able to watch it!!  Yes my bump was wiggling!  It was quite a bizarre experience but I guess I’ll need to get used to it now its started!!  All references to Aliens will be happily ignored so dinna start!!

Tonight I went into town and met my friends Jenny and Rob for dinner and a catch up at Pizza Express.  Bryan was invited but had eaten enough pizza, and not had enough sleep, over the weekend so took a rain check!

Hope you’re enjoying the sun too, and not being as silly as me - walk on Aberdeen beach on Friday and got sunburnt bit under chin, drive to Trossachs and back and got one sun burnt arm.  Oops!

Posted in Baby!, Animals, Music, Trips out | 1 Comment »

18/04/2009 by stupidgirl_no1.

I signed up for the Scottish Ballet street team, basically this means I help with selling merchandise, or anything else they ask me to do, when they are in town.  I helped with Sleeping Beauty in January and was there for 3 of the performances.  In between selling merchandise in the intervals I was allowed in to watch the ballet, which was fab as I got to see it from 3 different seats - so giving very different view points and ensuring the chance to see every bit of action going on.  With ballet its often difficult to take it all in at the same time so I really loved this chance to see it “in stereo” so to speak.

It was exciting as I also got back stage, moving the merchandise trunk around.  I saw some of the costumes (and touched some in passing!) and saw the dancers as they prepared for the show.

All most awesome and amazing, and yes I will be helping with the Carmen tour!

However the joy doesn’t stop there, as a thank you for being so helpful I have also been sent a wonderful gorgeous present!

They are signed by the wonderful and talented Claire Robertson - who certainly must have worn them out!!

Posted in Music, General waffle | 1 Comment »

02/04/2009 by stupidgirl_no1.

Kasabian - Vlad the Impaler from Kasabian on Vimeo.

Posted in Music | No Comments »

30/11/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

Been quite a busy week.  Monday went to see McFly with Donna, they were absolutely awesome!  Avenue and Reemer were the support bands and I was keen to see them considering the first time I saw McFly, 5 years ago, they were “just the support” for the wonderful and amazing Busted!  Avenue were quite good and had us on our feet singing along but I actually went to the toilet during Reemer - yes I left the room when live music was on!  Shock!  Horror!  McFly put on a great show and were just lovely.  I know its wrong for a woman of my age to scream her head off at young boys but at least now they are nearer 21 than being non legal!!!!

Tuesday night I was working late as we had AGM and then an author event with Charlie Allan which was quite entertaining.  During the AGM I was thanked lots for various things which was nice but quite strange as I was taking the Minutes and it seemed wrong to keep mentioning thanks to myself!  Nice to get credit for doing my job though.

Wednesday night I met Gill for dinner and then we went to see a very, very scary play!  Was nice to have a night out with Gill, makes a change from sitting on her sofa with a bottle of wine - and the play was really good.

The next night I actually was at home - all evening.  Most bizarre!  Was quite a relief actually, especially as Benson is still quite unwell and needed love and attention.  He was at the vet on Friday and has more drugs to try and sort him out.  Poor fella.

The weekend has been mostly lovely and relaxing.  I met Jenny after work on Friday night and we went for a lovely Chinese dinner and a good natter.  Saturday night I actually went out with my husband (more Shock! Horror!).  We went for dinner and then to the cinema to see Zack and Miri Make a Porno, which was very funny.  Today Bryan’s Dad came round to watch the football and Bryan made us all roast chicken with chipolatas (I’m not getting turkey at Christmas and may have made the occassional little complaint about this).  So here’s to Christmas, maybe I’ll start my shopping soon….

Posted in Theatre reviews, Music, Trips out, General waffle | 1 Comment »

23/11/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

No, I’ve not posted for a while.  Yes, I’m a bad little blogger.  No, I’m not going to make excuses for my evilness (although did I mention that Benson has been ill so we’ve been in and out of the vets?).  Yes, I will try and make it up to you now.

First off, I just watched the final of Dirty Dancing, the time of your life.  Not usually one for that kind of show but I watched it one Sunday evening and have been hooked ever since!  I do of course love the movie and love watching good dancers so it does suit me rather well.  Am pleased to say that the guy I liked most the first week won, along with the Scottish lassie so hurrah for that!  Now just wondering how to persuade hubby that he wants to go on holiday here.

Since I last blogged Bryan and I had a week off work to do some decorating.  We hadn’t done any since we moved in and so it was “about time”.  If you want to see the “before” situation.  It was the hallway and the 3rd bedroom we decided to focus on and we did get them both done in the week.  Putting the cats in the cattery for the week was definately the way to go as that was one less thing to worry about and meant they didn’t have to put up with the paint smells, or get stuck to the walls!  We have both agreed that we are not fabulous painters, but at least its freshened up and we managed to sort a few issues at the same time so its certainly an improvement! 

I did take a night off to go to the theatre to review a play called Offshore, another night we went out for dinner and then to the cinema for Burn After Reading.  On the Friday night Bryan went to meet Ray and they had dinner and saw the new Bond movie, whilst I stayed home and cleaned the house ready for my friends Angela and Louise coming to visit the next day.  I took them to Haddo House for a Christmas Craft Fair, we had lunch in Ellon and then a walk on the beach at Newburgh before heading back to town for dinner and the Bond movie! 

 
The next day we did lunch and a few shops before they caught the train home.

Our newly decorated guest room was a bit better organised by its next inhabitants - my parents - came to visit.  I had an Italian evening arranged for work that I’d managed to persuade them, and Bryan, to attend.  Mum and Dad arrived in time for it and then stayed with us for 2 nights.  I took the following day off work so I could spend it with them and we went and had lunch with my Great Aunt Dorothy, her daughter Moira, and a family friend called Noreen. 

That evening Bryan cooked us dinner, after working all day bless him, and I got the whole evening to enjoy having my nearest and dearest under one roof.

We had Friday night last week in the pub with Hugh and Linda, which was my first time in our local, and I think I might be found in there again!  The Saturday night Nicole and Ray came for dinner and I was allowed to feel Bump Robertson kicking - which was totally amazing!  Not long now till we get to meet Master or Miss Bump either!  This weekend Bryan had Friday off and has been playing a horrid zombie killing game since I dropped him at Asda on my way to work!  Friday night was my work’s Annual Dinner so that was very stressful for me as organiser but it all seemed to go well and everyone I spoke to seemed to be having a good time.  Photos are on the website, bottom of the events page.  Not sure how I ended up in the photos, I’m supposed to stay the other side of the camera!!  Yesterday I had to get the silver candlesticks back to work from the venue.  I also met up with my friend Jo, and her family.  Amazing how quick the wee ones grow!  We went to a softplay thing which was a first time experience for me, I was just glad I didn’t drink at the dinner as I think those places could be torture with a hangover!!

I’ve finally got back into my Wii Fit exercise routine as well.  Have been enjoying loosing weight, especially when I realised that my size 14 clothes are too big!  Although I can’t afford a whole new wardrobe so have only bought a few size 12 things, am just going for the “baggy” look the rest of the time.  Amazing how much some of my trousers drag on the floor though!!!  Have entered a few competitions to win vouchers for clothes shops and have been watching out for mystery shopping opportunities in my favourite shops so I can get some free clothes that way!

So that brings us up to date, I’m sure there have been some random things I meant to blog but will add them in if I think of them.  Will try and get round to taking photos of our redecorated rooms at some point too.  Oh and I believe I’m supposed to shop for Christmas at some point.  Hmmmm, not got that far yet, although did update my Amazon wish list recently!  Bryan went through the Empire Top 500 and worked out which ones were missing from our collection.  I’ve seen 221 of them so got some watching to do, not that I really fancy all of them obviously! 

Right, now for Sunday evening washing up before an early night me thinks!  Have a good week y’all!

Posted in Theatre reviews, Animals, Music, Trips out, General waffle | 1 Comment »

20/10/2008 by stupidgirl_no1.

Monday night - was at theatre to see An Ideal Husband and to meet the cast afterwards. Was gutted as Michael Praed didn’t stay very long and I’d been waiting for him to finish his beer before pouncing.  Chance missed!  Did however have a lovely chat with Tony Britton and also with Robert Duncan, who I love in Drop the Dead Donkey. 

Tuesday -phone call from Topman to say I’d won tickets for the Glasvegas concert on Saturday night.  Had quite fancied it but was supposed to be waitressing that night, and it sold out quick.  The waitressing got cancelled 2 hours before the phone call so it was obviously fate that I should go!!  Weird how the world works sometimes.

Wednesday - had lunch date with my friend Alison from Edinburgh, and lo and behold she brought with her the gorgeous grandson and his Mum.  So nice to see all three generations together!

Thursday - had a nice meal out with Raiya and Eilidh.

Friday - went to Gill’s for the evening and chatted endlessly, as we love to do!  Was really nice just to chill out and natter.

Saturday - Bryan’s brother Lee came to stay the night and have a few beers with Bryan whilst I was out the way.  Was good to see him before I headed out to the gig.  Gig was really rather good!  Had never heard of Friendly Fires before but am now quite a lover of such as they were ace!  Glasvegas were also fab although didn’t play as long as I’d have liked, but I guess a new band only have so much material.  And then Zane Lowe hit the decks!  Crickey, that man is a god, was awesome but we didn’t stay too long as it was getting late, and we aren’t young uns anymore.  Was fab night though, thanks MTV, Gonzo and Topman!  Photos and a video are on my bebo page, link to the right.

Posted in Theatre reviews, Music, Trips out, General waffle | 1 Comment »