Monday, August 8th, 2005 - Glasgow
Convention Items Attended
| Time | Description | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 | The End of the Space Age? | This panel was talking about the cut-backs in space exploration (particularly by NASA) and the future of private companies (such as SpaceShipOne). I think it was agreed that it was NOT the end of the space age, but rather, perhaps, the beginning of a new age in space exploration. |
| 12:00 | Spintronics | An interesting discussion by an IBM researcher into the use of the spin of an atom for use in mass storage devices for computers. Of course, I was lost in the first five minutes but it was interesting nonetheless. Ain't technology wonderful? |
I had booked tickets for a few of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival shows the other week when I first arrived in Scotland so today I was able to get to see them. I checked out of the hotel and took a taxi to the train station – then took the train to Edinburgh (leaving my luggage at “Left Luggage” – I was not about to lug it around Edinburgh, particularly with the books I had picked up at the convention). The train only takes about 45 minutes from Jillian's house but was still a bit late by the time I got to Edinburgh (considering the first show was at 4 pm and I needed to be early).
The first port of call was to go to the Assembly Rooms on George Street (that is one of the biggest Fringe venues) to pick up the tickets I had ordered on the Internet from Jillian's mother's house last week. The ticket booth is basically a large trailer parked in an alley beside the venue so that they can deal with the numbers of people ordering tickets. No problems picking up my tickets and at the same time I got a ticket for “Jump” at night which has had very good reviews.
After the tickets I headed out looking for something to eat and eventually had something I have been seeing at “chippies” throughout Scotland but never tried – Deep fried haggis (yes, makes me shudder too). Haggis, as you may already be aware, is oatmeal mixed with spices as well as the innards of a sheep then cooked in a casing made up of the sheep's stomach (well, this is the REAL haggis). In the fast-food version the casing is not used but rather it is encased in a batter then deep fried. The portion was HUGE (along with the chips) and I had trouble making my way through it as I sat in the park and watched the tourists go by. Many tourists around again with the good weather.
Fringe Festival Events Attended
| Time | Description | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 16:00 | Monty Python's Flying Circus (Assembly at 54 George Street, Ballroom) | Now, you might be forgiven thinking that this does not sound TOO unusual until I tell you that it was done in French…with English surtitles. I found it actually good but not fantastic with a fair amount of (male) nudity and crassness that I did not really see in the television series. Certain moments were definitely very funny but otherwise a bit forced… |
| 19:30 | Jump (Assembly at Assembly Hall) | Described as something like a “Korean martial arts comedy”. Ah-huh. Well, it has great reviews and I could see why – A manic team of martial arts performers who are portrayed as a family with a lot of slap-stick comedy. The old grand-father, of course, is the most agile and the task-master always driving them to “practice, practice, practice!”. Things get interesting when two inept burglars pick the wrong house to rob! The stunts are incredible the acting is over the top (as it should be). No wonder it is one of the best shows in the festival. |
I had dinner between the two shows at a small Italian restaurant on the mound very close to the “Assembly Hall” venue. Not too bad though a bit overpriced and the service was not the best.
The evening was relatively early when I returned to Glasgow to stay at Jillian's place. She has been very nice to me during my time here (and very patient).
⇒ Continue to Tuesday, August 9th, 2005 - Glasgow