Roller derby (or darby, as they pronounce it here) practice was fun last night. I re-learned how to skate, and learned how to fall safely. Next week I may be brave and try joining in on the hitting people drills.

I got on a jet plane.

Leeds has a Roller Derby Team. I'm going to try out.

On the way to Scotland, we stopped at Hadrian's Wall.

I can now cross one thing off my list of "Things to Do Before I'm Dead" (visit Iceland). In about 14 days I'll be able to cross a second off (living in a foreign country for at least a year). (Hell, it's been almost a year? Another entry for another day).

( Icelandic Squee )

The part I know most people care about: The Pictures

*It is 3.27am here. I am awake, dressed, and packed. Iceland here I come!

*I might participate in NaNoWriMo this year, after two years off. No idea what I will write about, although I am thinking of doing something along the lines of the "Anti Chick Lit" novel. The heroine doesn't have a glamorous media job, doesn't like shopping, and doesn't get a man in the end, but is still happy.

*Pictures from Scotland here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladyscience/sets/72157622443255183/

My uncle died this past Saturday. The funeral was yesterday. My Mom told me through an e-mail. She said there was a long story about it that she would tell me on the phone.

There's been some tension between my mom and my uncle (her brother) for a while. I think the last time I saw him was at my great aunt's funeral 7 years ago.

I'm not that upset about my uncle's death. I'm worried about people here thinking there's something wrong with me for not being that upset about it. I am also afraid of people's pity, when I don't need it.

Looking back on some of my more recent posts, I see that wow, have I been rather emo and whiny lately. That needs to stop now. I'm starting to disgust myself.

It's fall! And it's lovely here right now. I got to sleep in a barn last weekend.

And Friday I go to Scotland for the weekend! I come back for one day, then leave for Iceland!

I got a package in the mail yesterday with lovely gifts from Kelly, Chad and Toph. The best part? There was a Rick Astley cassette tape in the box. I got Rick Roll'ed by a package.

Someone has their TV turned waaaay up. They're watching CSI Miami. I can hear David Caruso emoting with his sunglasses.

Drunk again!

There's nothing wrong with you, so stop thinking there is.

Man (in a sad voice): Don't tell me that, Caroline, because you always do. You always do.

Woman (sobbing): I want to go home.

From outside my window, again, drunks at 3AM. From what I understood, the woman verbally attacked the man for flirting with another woman. He sounds so sad and resigned telling her no, he wasn't flirting, like this had happened many times before.

This ad for a music file sharing service thingybob makes about as much sense as regular weather report to me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_0cuamHHe8

I bought a book about Reykjavik today.

Cashier: I've always wanted to go to Reykjavik!
Me: I'm going next month.
Cashier: Really? With anyone?
Me: Nope. I got tired of waiting on other people, so I decided to go on my own.
Cashier: Wow.

I'm wicked excited about my trip to Iceland. And I'll probably become really obnoxious talking about it.

I also bought a book about photography. I was going to take a class, but the class I wanted to take is on Wednesday nights, and Wednesday nights are hiking nights. There's an alternative on Thursday nights, but Thursday nights are knitting at the wool shop. Who knew that I would have enough of a social life to have a conflict?

Laura: Science is taking over my life.
Me: I just said to someone the other day that I should just marry the damn science already.
Laura: Who needs boyfriends when you have science?
Me: We should have a commitment ceremony.
Laura: A commitment ceremony!
Me: If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it.

Iceland trip booked!

OMGISITOCTOBER YET?!?!

I will be on the Skype for once this weekend. E-mail me if you need my handle.

One of these days, I'll work up the courage to tell the doctor/ nurse that I am perfectly happy at my current weight, thankyouverymuch. And then I will enjoy watching their head explode.

I did tell her this morning that I walked about 20 miles a week, between walking to work, running around at work, running errands, and walking group (never mind the fact that I never sit still, and am always knitting, sewing, etc while watching television). She looked stunned.

I am happy and healthy. I am thankful everyday for this fact, since many people don't have that luxury. I'm tired of being told I shouldn't be.

Like I promised:

First, there is one angry duck hanging outside my apartment right now. I don't think he/ she is a fan of Abba.

Second, got woken up at 1 o'clock this morning by a girl shouting in the parking lot downstairs that some other girl was a slag. As part of her tirade, I found out that shouty girl slept with the boyfriend of slaggy girl. As I understand it, shouty girl, that makes YOU the slag, not the other girl. But what do I know, I'm not English, and maybe there's some English thing going on about sleeping with other girls' boyfriends that's okay. :-P

Third... I don't have a third. But I like things in threes, even though a tripod is the most unstable of structures.