What a week it's been, I know it's not yet over, but I feel at this stage; late on a Thursday night, a wee bit of retrospect is allowed. Most fears and rumours which spread around campus like wild fire proved to be very ill founded, the people I was working with were brilliant and couldn't have been more warm or welcoming. Indeed it has given me great hope in the leap that I have made - fingers crossed my optimism is warranted - only time will tell I guess.

In other news the Winter weather has finally arrived in Aberdeen, I know I've completely bored Lianne by announcing that every other day since I arrived back in late August. But I think even she will agree with me now saying IT'S ARRIVED. Always one to focus on the positive though (every cloud and all that...) it means I can now wear my hoodies - ooooh yeah!

A busy and not so busy weekend lies ahead, Friday evening will be taken up with some comedy in the form of 'Edinburgh & Beyond' which should be fun. Saturday night will also no doubt bring some laughs - probably more the type of laughs seen on earlier nights where Fries to Go were described as a 'feast' and a taxi not arriving being THE funniest thing in the world. I hope it rains all Friday night and all day Saturday. I really love the rain.

"

More to follow shortly as always stay tuned.

Sean

P.S. To all that have emailed – bear with me I haven’t been ignoring you – yep Im talking to the two Aussies . I’ll be in touch soon now that this week is over.

This weekend saw Phil's Birthday pop its head up for another year - not being one to waste time or for that matter NOT plan something - Joanna had suggested a few weeks earlier that myself and Lianne come down to see Phil as a surprise in Glasgow, where she was taking him for his big day ( I mean its not every day you hit 30 is it?). So the plan was set in motion - after much messing about over times/ dates where to meet etc - much of which was done covertly or in an underhand fashion (imagine the difficulty of deciphering coughs and grunts down a telephone in response to key questions like - 'what time do you and Phil get into Glasgow Joanna?' - although yours truly should note it wasn't entirely the most appropriate time to be asking said questions of Miss Forte....)

Anyway the big day finally came - (before which its important to note the wee Aberdonian much like Joanna basically made EVERY single preparation necessary from packing the bags to booking the trains for both of us - to quote Peter it was 'Sweeet Man'). So we jumped on the train down to Glasgow from Aberdeen at 9.30am on the Saturday morning - it was a brilliant train ride - the 3 hours flew in - although I think Lianne was slightly less enthusiastic about it - my guess is this was for one of two reasons - (a) she had done this trip by rail loads of times before and the novelty factor was gone or (b) I was incredibly annoying with my barrage of questions regarding EVERY SINGLE building, person and object we passed on the way to Glasgow - "OH! OH! OH! - whats that!? "I DONT KNOW SEAN".... yeah it was probably the latter reason come to think of it.....

Meeting the big lad and Joanna at the station was great - it was no surprise really that Lianne spotted them first - I am practically blind and she just loves a good 'nose' er or I meant shes 'very observant'. We ate, we shopped (Macbook Pro ......mmmmmmmmmm) and we dined out at a fine Italian restaurant by the name of AntiPasti with Phil, Joanna and by this stage Mark and Marion - who it should be noted arrived to the genuine surprise of Phil who was none the wiser of their plans to come down...the mole hadn't breached their tight knit cell....haha

A flying visit was had - and we left the next morning at 8.30am to get a taxi down to the train station....a brilliant weekend trip. It was really nice to catch up with Mark and Marion again and the company of Phil and Joanna is something that can be tolerated in small doses so it all worked well! After the meal we hit Ashton Lane & 'The Loft' which was a little bit packed for our liking - but they did play this - an oldie but a goodie - a song which got an instant thumbs up from everyone in our group the second it came on. Especially for Lianne who made so much effort our end in getting us both down there and back as efficiently as possible, (whilst I basically procrastinated) & for making the weekend a really special one (I really hope she knows how much I appreciate it):

Once again happy Birthday Big Man!

More to follow shortly. As Always stay tuned.

Sean

With advice like that - its only apt that yours truly and Scotland's Bonniest Down fan act accordingly - hence we have dispensed with the typical student fare - its not like you ever would have caught us eating tomato sauce with fries to go at 4am in the morning anyway. Just to drive home this point, emphasise our sophistication and utter suaveness (and probably cos shes just too nice) the wee bonnie Down fan decided some Marks and Spencer's food and drink was in order - what with it being a tough week and all that....

Chicken Caesar
New Potatoes
Carrot, Broccoli & runner beans

Fruit Collection & unsweetened natural yogurt

IGT Pinot Grigio

Without doubt the nicest meal I've had since setting foot in the 'deen' - top marks to M & S and more importantly top marks to the wee down fan for such a nice surprise. The one problem now though is we might have spoiled ourselves - going back to the standard stuff might be hard. But in reality its not like we're used to the best of everything anyway - we're poor students at the end of the day - you wouldn't catch us drinking the best sparkling white Asda stocks!

To more great meals!!! - screw the 'fries to go' & pot noodles - M & S all the way - oh and the company of the wee Down fan helps too....

More to follow shortly. As always stay tuned.

Sean

The first week of the course has passed by in a heartbeat - the entire week was crammed from start to finish with lectures and workshops - so much so that I didn't really have time to stop and take in the fact that I am now in Scotland. Initial impressions?

Likes: Good company, change of scenery, the fact the halls grounds are like a scene from 'The Animals of Farthing Wood'.

Liking less: Missing friends and family (In all honesty I felt I had to put this one in - in reality the only one I miss is Jack. No seriously)

hmmmm: Macaroni Pies, Irn Bru .....

As regular visitors will be aware I like to leave each update with numerous semi-cryptic nods to varying individuals which only they will pick up on. Maybe only one will know the meaning behind the title for this update...this month marks ten years of thegeneralonline.com, it's been lovely to stay connected with everyone and still have people who I haven't spoken to in years ask me about it. Thanks for staying tuned. So...a little something from me to all of you...

As always more to follow stay tuned.

Sean

we came, we saw, we definitely didn't conquer. After the shock at our complete annihilation in the quiz (well in fairness it wasn't much of a shock considering the drinks were flowing & an annihilation it was not - we came in around 4th place- but still no excuses - where are those heady glory days of week in - week out victories and the numerous mumblings of discontent that followed from the bar flies?)

I think the answer (if any) can perhaps be best found in the poem by Robert Frost - "Nothing Gold Can Stay'' :

'Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.'

In other news - now only 5 days to the off - its frightening how much paperwork I still need to organise! I think after a few late nights and some much appreciated reassurance from the 'Hamsters No.1 Fan' - Ive got it in some semblance of order!

So for said Hamster Fan here's a great wee tune! It sounds so much better if turned up really loud - although admittedly that might be difficult in the office! Ach who cares!? let it blast! hehe

Bell X1 - Flame:

More to follow shortly - as always stay tuned.

Sean