Summary: Consume and Conform. I'm Lovin' It.

• The UK singles market is fun as unlike Canada they have everything in single format here. Some may think it's a rip-off but for me it's a great way to legally introduce myself to new music. Here's what I bought
  • The Rapture - House of Jealous Lovers (CD One)
  • The Rapture - House of Jealous Lovers (CD Two)
  • The Hidden Cameras - A Miracle
  • The Tindersticks - Sometimes it Hurts
  • Junior Senior - Rhythm Bandits
  • The White Stripes - I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
  Which in total came to £14.50. Said UK singles in Canada would be at least £5 ($12CAD) so it's a steal! Especially considering most have at least two b-sides and CD-ROM content like music videos. I think I know what I'll be sending friends and family home as x-mas gifts!
• I rock at work now. In just over a week I've gone from slightly overwhelmed to total burger pro. You should see me work the bun toaster flipping and dressing. Like one fluid sexual motion, a stallion mounting his mate over and... you get the picture.

  I've quickly developed a rapour with my co-workers as "The guy who knows the answer to everything" just 'cause I tend to be quite the font of trivia and other stuff most people find utterly boring.

• I keep forgetting I'm in a foreign country. Honestly, other than the whole mirror-image roadways thing I could just as well be in Nova Scotia or rural Québec or something.
• Inverness has definitely come into money since I was here in 1999. They've built a huge shopping centre, moved the railway station about 500m north, made the High St (Main St) and surrounding areas pedestrian only throughways and generally spruced the place up real nice. It seems the whole world is turning into a café soceity at times... and frankly I'm all for it.
• I haven't got laid proper since July. I goofed around with a friend and that's exactly all I've done.
• I finally saw The Matrix: Reloaded... I liked it. The whole time I watch it I think "shit this movie musta been a lot of work". Moreso than when I watch other movies.
• It's nuts how elevated my mood is when I'm not moping around alone and being a vegetable in front of the computer for 12hrs straight a day.
• I've put on 20lbs in the last two months. This is because I secretly quit smoking again and also traveled to Scotland to work in fast food. The combined effect is obviously potent but I'm aware of it and already working dilligently (walking work, not eating food from work) to solve the problem

That's all I got. G'night!

tә-mä´tō/tә-mā´tō

One key technique to speaking Scottish is to frequently use the incorrect vowel sound. Also elongate the enunciation of that sound, almost logarithmically , to increase your emphasis. There is no ceiling as to how elongated your incorrect vowel sounds can be although it is wise not to abuse this property as you will find yourself spending hours saying but a feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew veeeeeeeeeeery importaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaant words.

I think there's a reason dyslexia is such a big problem here. The dialect, however romanticized and idealized abroad probably makes it really hard to comprehend basic grammar skills. Honestly, there are commercials For Schools That Will Help You Learn during the evening news and I believe I heard a figure like 35% of the adult population suffers or something.

Today I got to spend 45mins outside of the kitchen in the lobby covering for somebody on their break. As I have problems understanding British strangers I'm usually just cooking, cleaning and lifting. I understand that I am appreciated because most of my co-workers have an aversion to hardwork. Whereas once I get going I really enjoy doing the "hard jobs" as they pass the time quickly. Tangent aside this meant a little bit of people watching, which as an bonnified on-again-off-again social outsider I tend to enjoy. Of interest was an older woman who could have been my granny (or anybody's) who'd go from table to table where there were kids and talk with them. You could tell in her eyes that she was very lonely and her demeanor was entirely grandmotherly. It was pleasing to see the people she visited tolerate her friendliness. Of course the first question I asked myself is "would it be tolerated the same way back home?". I can't say for sure but I would guess probably not. The attitudes towards elderly people here are far more humane. That much is for certain. Most seniors just want somebody to talk to.

I find the generational segregation and exhaultation of the ephebe in Globalized Consumer Culture awfully alarming sometimes.