as promised

last night when i got home from work at around 11:30pm, i decided to call my sister katie and catch up. by the time we hung up it was in the one-o-clock hour and i was feeling, after my very busy 5 hour work shift, totally exhausted physically, though not so much mentally. i made it in bed around 1:30 and though i had to get up again for work at 5:45 in the morning, i thought, well at least i will get a good four hours. then someone in the adjacent flat starting opening and shutting doors really loudly. for like ten minutes straight. and i kept listening to it, really hard, mainly out of incredulity. and then i never fell asleep. at least i don't remember doing it, though i also don't at all remember four hours of time passing, more like one and a half. this is all quite mysterious to me, because i was feeling quite blank and far from anxious or thoughtful. the body is such a strange creature.

needless to say i was pretty beat today, but had made plans to myself (something i do a lot) to after work finally make my way around town with my camera and to see all of the christmas activity in the heart of the city, including a german market and ice rink and rides and every kind of consumer outlet you can think of. so after a lunch date with josh (i am finally catching up with friends) and a stop to the library, i began my acquaintance with christmas-time edinburgh, camera alittle awkwardly in hand (but at least around here i am never the only one). i have updated my photo website with the fruits of my journey, so please peruse it and have a look at some of my world.

the german market smelled only and thoroughly of meat, beer and chocolate. and i suppose that's not a horrible way to live in the end. it contained obviously those things and a plethora of other things that i completely don't need, like puppets. and sausages.
i also walked through the edinburgh christmas market, housing stands from all over the world. some examples of the offerings: pastries, more sausages, pashminas, jewelry, soap, wool sweaters, haribou gummies (yes an entire stand), olives (YES an entire stand), pates, jams, so many kind of foods, not the least notable of which was an extensive cheese stand that reeked so much i almost laughed out loud. but some guy started singing to me in french from the crepe stand next door so i just gave him a smile and kept walking.

tonight i am going to wear myself out with some laundry and reading so i can fall asleep! sheesh. off i go to putter along. hope december is putting everyone in that irresistable and heart-y wintry mood.