merry christmas!

And so it is Christmas.

At the moment I'm listening to Canada's CBC Radio Two online (a little homesick, perhaps), and someone (I wasn't paying attention to the name) is currently sending in an audio postcard of what he wants to hear online. Instead of picking the "normal" Christmas songs, he decided to pick Sigur Ros' "staralfur."

What a great choice! He mentioned how the song had featured prominently in the movie, the life aquatic, t the moment when the team encounters the jaguar shark. What he didn't mention, but I'm assuming had thought of - is how much that moment relates to Christmas. This shark was a mythical being that no one really thought existed, almost an encounter with the divine: something beyond tangible truth.

Ignoring the commercialism of Christmas, that is what we are left with - a moment with the divine. Not necessarily religious divinity, though, it could emerge in different situations for different people. Time spent with loved ones, the feeling of new snow, "Christmas spirit"...

"Staralfur" has always been one of my favourite Sigur Ros songs. Listen to it - you can definitely feel the winter season.

santas!

And so today I witnessed the:


It was quite amazing. Thousands of people dressed up like Santa parading around the Princes Street gardens. It made me laugh so hard. So, for your viewing pleasure, of course, are many many Santas. The photos don't do them justice, though. The sheer magnitude of the Santas cannot be portrayed on film.


Santas warming up. It was classic - thousands of Santas, all dancing to "YMCA"...






On another note of sheer magnitude, the choir performed at the University carol service today. Imagine this: in a beautiful hall, about 2000 people singing along to Christmas carols. So great.

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas...

But first, I have a special announcement to make: the sasquatch has followed me to Scotland.

I was pleased to open my mail today and find this - probably the most interesting depiction of the sasquatch I've seen to date.



A good friend of mine has continued my search for the sasquatch in my absence, and discovered this highly colourful sasquatch. The back of the document provided me with new information concerning the sasquatch: that they are believed to have a cry sounding like a loon. Very interesting, indeed. Hmm...

Well, back to Christmas!

They have planted a GIANT Christmas tree outside our flat here in Edinburgh. Technically, it's referred to as the "Edinburgh Christmas Tree." Unfortunately, though, said tree's lights go off on a daily basis, making for a less-than-spectacular-looking Christmas tree. Oh well, enjoy the night view from our kitchen window, note the lack of lights. This was actually a good moment, usually there's even more lights not working:

(Once without flash to appreciate the tree)



(And once with the flash to appreciate my snowflake creations)





Damn you Sean Connery...