Metaphor for Life

Maybe it's because I'm from the South (which, when I say that in Scotland, they usually say, "Oh, you're from Newcastle?!"), but to me a rainy day outside always equates itself with a lazy day indoors. Of course, I will have to get over this natural feeling to have a movie marathon every time it rains, because in Scotland that could mean I never go outside. Ever.

However, today it was fitting to sleep in and be lazy. And to keep my mind off the rain and other things, I watched a fantastically funny stand up comedian named Adam Hills. Adam is from Australia, and besides having natural charisma and ease (and being pretty good-looking, as well), I love his work because he always has a message within his routine. Having a disability himself (he is missing his right leg), Hills tries to make other people with disabilities feel welcome at his shows. He is known for having a regular sign language interpreter on stage with him so that deaf people can attend as well.

During his hilarious show "Characterful and Joymonger" (which is out on DVD and on Youtube), the running theme was what kind of world Adam wants his baby godson to grow up in. He ended his show with one of the best inspiring and funny stories I've ever heard, which I will post below. But you really miss the full effect if you don't see him performing (and dancing) himself, so I will post the link as well and highly encourage you to give up four minutes to watch (and another hour to watch the rest of the show, if you can!). Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17AdCAy1s4A&feature=related

Enjoy these words of wisdom:

“A friend of mine used to work in Cairo. He told me, in Cairo the traffic is so bad that it only takes one car to break down and you don’t move. You do not move for the next couple of hours. It’s not like, oh it crawls for maybe 20 minutes. You are stuck there. So the people of Cairo are so frustrated, so annoyed, and so hot, they get out of their cars, and in a fit of anger, turn on the stereo, climb on the roof, and start dancing. What a fantastic metaphor for life that is! It’s not a dance of joy; it’s a dance of frustration. ‘Everything’s turned to shit so I’m going to dance it away!’ And if there’s a point to this show it’s that, when things are going well, drum your tummy. But when they turn to shit, dance on the roof of your car!”

Swift Synopsis

Scary Red Squirrel in the Highlands

Well, it was inevitable, wasn't it? Here I was, doing so well. "Look at me! Look at me! Once a week and still going strong!" Well, I've broken that. But, the difference between my last blog and this one is that I came, back, now didn't I?

So, to catch us back up, I will provide a swift summary:

• Nuns
• Nudes
• Seagulls
• "SuBo"
• Buses
• Birthday Cake
• Gangfights
• Pope
• Popemobile
• Pink Ribbons
• Zumba
• Neds
• Naan Bread

Yep, that about covers everything. I'm glad we're all caught up now. And here are some pictures to prove it:

2010-2011 Vincentian Volunteers

Birthday Surprise

Greenan Castle, Ayrshire

Robert Burns Monument, Alloway

Bunch of naked men on Crosby Beach (look closely, way out to shore)

One for the kids. Only in Liverpool...

Susan Boyle sang before and after the Papal Mass at Bellahouston

Pope Benedict in his Popemobile!

Pope saying Mass

And to close... Who's the "Best Parish in Scotland"???

St. Philip's, Ruchazie!

Couldn't be more proud :)

" 'Avin a Buzz " in Manchester

No matter where in Britain you visit, Manchester has a reputation for being rough and tough and often incomprehensible. On Friday I arrived in this big city to meet my fellow Vincentian Volunteers. We are staying in a house on the West End of Greater Manchester, and I can't complain much, although the city does live up to its reputation. While Glasgow has been voted "Britain's Friendliest City", Manchester is slightly less accommodating.

As we boarded the bus to go into city center, I very politely asked, “How much for a return ticket?”

The grisly driver scowled at me and asked, “Return to where?” Well, the bus ends in Piccadilly – it doesn’t go any further than that. And we were in Eccles. It seemed like a simple question, really. But, being in a good mood, I simply smiled and added the necessary details. “£4.10” was his only reply.

“Why, thank you sir, you are very kind.” And I handed over the exact change and skipped away merrily to my seat.

“Grab your ticket! Oi! GRAB YOUR TICKET!” the driver yelled back at me. I mean, really, whatever happened to common courtesy? (It’s not like I am biased towards Glasgow or anything of course…)

Manchester city center was not as impressive as I’d hoped, especially after the long bus ride surrounded by suspicious-looking passengers and my loving friend of a driver. The other volunteers and I made our way through Chinatown, which was really only 2 blocks of “International Buffets.” Piccadilly Gardens was charming, but again very small. It was more like a plaza with a fountain you can run through. I can do that in Mike’s back garden if I really wanted to.

My favorite part of city center was the western side, by the canal. There is a nice area next to the ruins of an old Roman fort where a very modern-looking suspension bridge stretches across the waterfalls of the canal. Narrow canal boats dot the water, and in the warm sun many owners were lying on the small boat decks (or roofs), taking in the sun.

By 5:00, though, I was beat and ready to crash at the house. Luckily, so were all the other volunteers. We returned and made dinner (for the record, that is twice I’ve cooked a real dinner from scratch here! Look out world!).

On Saturday night one of the volunteers, Dana, who is also from Georgia, introduced us all to the game Mafia. With the language barriers (many of the volunteers are from Indonesia) and cultural differences, this game was intense and absolutely hysterical. The killers could never keep a straight face, and I think we giggled throughout the entire game. But we have been having a fantastic time, and we have all really bonded. This year’s Vincentian Volunteers are top notch, and I am very excited to grow more as the year progresses.

Tomorrow we leave for Liverpool to begin our official induction and training. As you can see, I still don’t have my battery charger for my camera, so there are no pictures in this post. However, I will leave you this pic of a funny poster I found online of a kitten being chased by angry-looking brownies. No copyright infringement intended. Now, if you will excuse me, Patrick has brought out his guitar and spontaneous karaoke has erupted downstairs. Dana and I have promised to give our rendition of “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid, and I’d hate to let anyone down.