Con Te Partiro

You'd of thought I'd studied in Italy or something...

The time has come. Time for me to come home. Home to 30 degrees warmer (average), home to burritos and horchata, home to freeways that I now understand to be insanely efficient, home to the Pacific, home to my hometown, home to my friends and family, and finally, HOME to where my heart is. Though I would certainly say that a part of my heart (and all that other 'mushy-talk' stuff) has been here in Scotland (and will forever be), I know exactly now, more so than ever before, where it is that I belong.

I'm thankful that I've had such an incredible opportunity to travel half way around the world and live in a different country, do new and exciting things, and meet some absolutely amazing people. It's also been nice to sort of pause in life, and escape the sort of 'grind' I had found myself in back home. I'm sure that I will come back home with a new found appreciation for all of the wonderful things that surround me, and really have surrounded me for my entire life. This has been an exciting, developmental, and edifying chapter of my life, and is one that I will never forget.

To all of the absolutely wonderful people I've met here in the U.K. - Thank you for all that you have taught me. Thank you for loving me and looking out for me. Thank you for keeping me accountable and for witnessing the Gospel of Love to me simultaneously. Thank you for our many laughs and hilarious situations. Thank you most of all for accepting 'me for me', while still influencing me to continue grow as both an individual and a member of our amazing world community. I won't name names, but I love you all, and am so thankful to have walked along side of you in life.

To all of my friends and family back home - I don't quite know how to quantify or even qualify the ways in which I might have developed or changed, but I'm sure (and I hope) that in our future interactions you will know me to still be the Will(iam) Shine (son, nephew, cousin, and friend) that you've always known, but I would hope that you will also see growth and positive development in my character, spirituality, and love for all of you. I need say nothing more than, I'M SO INCREDIBLY EXCITED TO BE COMING BACK!

There are a million and one songs that come to mind for moments like these but Lord knows quoting cheesy song lyrics (similar to how I did in the title of this post) only frustrates people.

I will however, leave you with a link to the song that, for me, captures my sentiments (in this moment) best - (listen to 'Home In This Direction') http://www.myspace.com/derrenraser

Cheers,

- Will

Water,

and lots of it. Seems that all the 'good weather' that I'd supposedly brought from SD has seen the end of it's days. Rain seems to be more common than 'not rain' (clever phrasing, I know), and stormy weather in general is a bit of a regular. The prevalence of rainy weather however, has just so happened to coincide with some really significant and memorable experiences that I've had here in Scotland and, in the present, is (at 1 Am.) reminding me to write about these experiences/give a general update.

First things first, I want to apologize for my excessive use of back slashes (/). It's a habit I've developed in both my writing and speaking, and for some inexplicable reason, I find them to be appropriate and conducive to both of these communicative facets.

Secondly, I've noticed a tendency to address the weather in most of my postings, which I believe is both because I'm not use the the 'weather' concept at all and that British Culture itself is influencing me to make 'the weather' a regular part of my conversational discourse (as it is a 'go-to' topic of conversation here in the U.K.)

Now, onto my memorable experiences/general update (continued @ 10:45 AM, and still incredibly stormy):

Couple of weekends ago, I had an opportunity to visit the town and (county) of Perth(shire). It was an interesting opportunity largely because I was able to stay with the Williamson family (immediate family of George Williamson Jr., Director of Worship Ministries @ PLNU/my boss and one of my mentors). It was really awesome to feel very welcome and very at home in a very foreign place. I'm grateful for their hospitality and appreciative of Anne (one of George's sisters) taking me around the countryside... even if within the first hour of me being there, I had changed her 'brand new', though flat, car tire (or tyre if you are from here) in the middle of the poring rain, in just about absolute darkness, and at perhaps the sketchiest side-0f-the-road pull off I've ever seen (equivalent to that of some slasher movie). If anything, the latter is just a funny, sort of 'this had to happen eventually', kind of occasion that will help to stamp the point in my personal history in which I found myself blessed to be in Perth. Right now, I'll re-transcribe some of the stuff I wrote down in a little journal I've been keeping. I recorded these thoughts during my second night at the Williamsons' home:

"I'm sitting in Perth, or somewhere outside of the 'town' (not city) of Perth, in the Williamson Household. It's crazy to think about the how my connection back home has brought me to this place and it's been really lovely visiting with this family. I actually passed up a big hall party (puke!), a Celidh, and/or Ladysmyth Black Mombaso live in Edinburgh @ Usher Hall :'( for this weekend getaway. In all honesty though, I feel like I made the best decision. I basically have experienced here what it is I was just talking about with my Scottish friend Dave Kirk the other day over dinner: It's really the PEOPLE that make the place! Don't get me wrong, Perthshire is absolutely, visually beautiful on it's own, but I don't think that it would have the same charm had I not been here visiting warm and welcoming people. Again and again I see 'Life' much more fully reflected in community v.s. geography. Also, it's been really nice to see family life in a different context and further more, from the perspective of an adult! To see children and reminisce v.s. relate. Crazy! I really admire/envy/hope for the kind of family connectedness (as exemplified by the Williamsons) in my own family at some point down the road. I'm definitely not ready in life to 'start a family' and none of the stage has even been set for that. At some point though, I hope to strive to do what I can to keep my family together and close-knit! I'm thankful for my time here and am grateful of what I've learned, became aware of, and been reminded of. God is good!"

Moving along, the very next weekend I found myself getting on a bus (with one of my flat-mates, Ben Singleton), traveling for roughly 10 hours, and finally arriving in the town of Portree, on the Isle of Skye (in the Western Highlands). Words, and even my photographic attempts cannot capture the sense of wonder that I felt as I briefly explored this 'magical' place. Being from California, I've had my fair share of breathtaking views, overwhelming landscapes, monumental landforms, etc., but nothing really even comes close to (or at least is similar to) what I saw on the Isle of Skye. I've included a picture below of one of the many amazing things I saw, but again, it doesn't really capture what it was like to REALLY be there and experience what I did first hand: for more attempts at capturing the beauty of this place see my facebook [http://www.facebook.com/wshine427?ref=name] for photos and videos. I would recommend that if you are ever presented with the opportunity to come to Scotland, and specifically the Isle of Skye, don't pass it up! As I found in Perth however, coming to such a beautiful place would not have been as enjoyable or memorable had there not been someone else to share the experience with; I can confidently say that traveling with my friend Ben here, helped to give this place a sense of life and implanted in my mind a better memory for it, and all of it's visual wonders. Again community/relationship ultimately trumps geography.

In closing, I'll say three more brief things (all of which I find to be profound):

A wise friend of mine once said, "It's only in the context of relationship and those that we find around us; those influencing us, that we really begin to find and understand our own self."

Not to sound New-Age(y) here or over-the-top Neo-philosophical/spiritualistic, but to tie all of the things mentioned in this posting up nicely I've come up with the following - Our lives should be like Flowing Water:

*Each person dependent on those around them (as the very nature of water is dependent on a tight-knit atomic bond to maintain it's identity).

*Always going somewhere (literally or figuratively speaking).

*Both something that can be used to shape, and be shaped by all that is around in God's amazing creation.

and because I'm not trying to be presumptuous with the thought above I will include the following passage from Scripture, which in my own life, continuously humbles me and reminds me of where I sit in the universe (*note - I'd recommend reading Chapters 38 forward to help provide the context for the small passage I'm presenting)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2038%20-%2041&version=NASB

Job 42: 1-6 - "Then Job answered the Lord and said, "I know that You can do all things, and no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." 'Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.' "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes."

I hope and pray that all of you continue, or begin to see and experience all of the wonderful things that God has equipped and enabled you to partake in.

Blessings,

- Will

Whirlwind

Speaking of whirlwinds, it has actually been quite windy here as of late; not to mention a bit more rainy, colder, and more and more everyday, darker. So anyway, I've sort of slacked with staying up on the blog, and naturally, I now have a plethora of different things that I could mention and discuss (well, discuss in a unidirectional/monological sort of way ).

I made a list of topics to talk about in a little notebook of mine the other day (yes, this is a little bit more formulaic and monotonous than the way I would usually go about things, but for our purposes today, bare with me):

1. VOTE FOR THE WILL SHINE BAND - this is pretty self explanatory: follow this link to both successfully vote and gain more information about what you are voting for

http://www.garagebandplayoff.com/main/

2. As some of you may have heard/read, I was recently pretty sick with some form of nasty cold (I doubt it was any type of flu because of lack of certain symptoms--sorts I don't think it is necessary to outline). I still have some (very slight) remanent congestion, but I'm definitely feeling much better. Thanks for all of your prayers and kind messages.

3. While I was sick, I took advantage of the absolute down time to do something that I don't really do to often: I read a book! (ha) Yes, I seldom partake in this intellectually stimulating activity, one of the sad facts of my life. The book I read is called 'The Shack', and it had been recommended to me by multiple sources. Well, I read it, and I have to say... THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!! READ IT AS SOON AS YOU CAN, IF NOT SOONER!!! Ok, that's a lot of hype, but seriously, it's incredible in every sense. It's a fiction that is not only thought-provoking, but un-like so many fictional works, this book has the potential to really rock your life, and could change your outlook on several issues; probably the most profound of those being your understanding of who God is and (in a very non-heretical and scripturally sound way) what God does/does not do in our world/lives. I suppose I would simply recommend that you just go read it for yourself to make that 'life changing capacity' call for yourself. I will definitely testify to the fact that it has revolutionized many of the ways I think about my faith.

4. With learning new things in mind, I recently sort of hit an educational jackpot. As most of you know, I'm not in Edinburgh just for fun, I'm actually studying abroad here. One of the classes that I'm taking (this one is my independent study one) is Music History 1, which basically covers the development of Western Music leading up the the Baroque Period (end of the 16th century). In my search for a specific research topic I stumbled upon "The Rosslyn Motet" (which was composed based on findings at the infamous Rosslyn Chapel, which just so happens to be in Edinburgh). I contacted the gentlemen who were behind the findings at Rosslyn Chapel, not thinking that they would really ever get back to some insignificant music student from California. Well, I was wrong! The day after I e-mailed Thomas Mitchell, one of the composers/specialists of the Rosslyn Motet, I received an e-mail back from his son and partner, who agreed that an interview and personal tour/walk through of their findings would be beneficial for my research. I couldn't have agreed more! For more info. regarding "The Rosslyn Motet" and the Mitchell's findings at Rosslyn Chapel, follow this link:

http://www.tjmitchell.com/stuart/rosslyn_news.html

5. Being in a small country with several friends in various places has opened the door to much traveling potential. In my remaining time here, I plan on visiting the following places:

*Perth

*Greystones/Dublin/perhaps a lot of Ireland

*Carlisle

*Inverness

*London

*Manchester

* and here's the wild-card - if things work out: BUDAPEST, HUNGARY

but anyways, I'll keep yall updated on my travels if in fact everything comes together as planned.

6. Speaking of Friends, my friend Rachel Pomeroy (now alumnus of PLNU) is currently working for the Nazarene Church(s) in Carlisle (which is in the north of England). This means that she only lives roughly 1:30 minutes away from me by train. She swung into town the other day and stayed for a few, which naturally, led to the creation of several silly videos, many photos, lot's of sight-seeing, lots and lots and lots of walking, and in general a very nice visit with a familiar face on the other side of the world. It was this occurrence that reminded me how truly valuable friendship is and how much I'm really grateful that I have so many wonderful friends! It's been awesome getting to know new people here in Scotland and I regularly think about all of my friends back home and either reminisce about past experiences we've had, or eagerly anticipate what sorts of shenanigans we'll get caught up in in the future. Don't get me wrong, I'm loving living in the moment (and what a moment in life this is!), but I do appreciate my friendships in a way that every moment of everyday is influenced and inspired by them.

7. Lucky number seven, and I think my final numbered contribution to this list: I've had the privilege of playing music here in town a few times now in various places and have also been doing a lot of music 'discovering' and listening. As far was what I've been doing goes, here's another link to a youtube clip of me playing at 'Ye Olde Golf Tavern', singing the song I hope you all are passionately voting for (just dismiss all of the spoken banter before and after the song (ha):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfHgikY_CNg

There are some other videos from that performance that are available as well, so check them out if you have the time.

As far as 'discovering' and listening go, I'll break it down into the following recommendations and reviews:

-Derren Raser: Check this guy out! PLNU alum and originally based in SD, his new album "Home In This Direction" will strike a chord with anyone who has ears. He as already one the Hollywood Music award for best male vocal this year as a result of this album. The music is well written, well arranged, and features a collection of skilled musicians (in addition to Derren). The album is produced by none other than Chris Hobson, who was the Recording Engineer for the Will Shine Band EP!

- Toto: though a not so recent recording (2007) and DVD to boot, the "Falling In Between Live" album/DVD is perhaps the most spectacular sonic display of well crafted Rock'n'Roll that I've heard in a very long time. The band not only plays some of their timeless classics, but as substitute bass player Leland Sklar puts it, "continues to re-invent themselves and creates new and exciting music". For all you closet Toto fans, and for those of you who only know the song "Africa" because you heard it in a commercial or something, I'd highly recommend picking up a copy of this album and/or the DVD. It's a shame the band isn't together anymore; I would definitely have loved to see them perform.

Well, I think I've successfully written more than I've ever managed before (in this blogging context at least). Hopefully I haven't wasted your time or 'stolen 5 minutes of your life that you'll never get back', if you did in fact happen to read all of this rambling. I hope and pray that you are all doing well that you never cease to see the multi-faceted wonder in the world around you, even if it isn't half way around the planet!

Cheers!

- Will

'Discovery'

After sitting for a couple of minutes, strenuously searching the trenches of my mind for a clever title for this posting, I came to the conclusion that sometimes it's best to just go. So, I will begin writing without a "clever" (attempted cleverness that is) title steering my words down some sort of path to profound revelation and/or personal epiphany.

Since about my sophomore year in college (university), something I've become fond of doing is taking walks, and for some of you less fortunate victims back home, many of these walks have been shared, and therefore labeled, 'walk n' talks'. Maybe I'm inclined to this activity because a part of me so badly wants to seem/feel sophisticated and deep, and/or genuinely wants to have time to 'figure out the universe' and appreciate what it is I see, hear, smell and touch (very irregularly taste...). Whatever my motivations, secret agendas, etc., I do believe that there is something very intriguing about 'discovery'. Whether it's discovering a new place (which I suppose can be better labeled as 'becoming aware of a given location that has previously been discovered by someone long ago'), discovering something interesting about someone else (again could be relabeled as becoming aware of...) in the context of the 'walk and talk', and/or finally discovering a new idea or having a profound, sometimes multiple thought(s)... (do I really need to do the 'becoming aware' parentheses?). I've found that in the last three years or so, all of the above types of 'discoveries' have been made on these walks that I've gone on; often times, leaving lasting impressions on my mindset and total being (whatever 'total being' means... ha).

Being in Scotland and removed from my normal grouping of 'walk 'n talk' victi... I mean participants, I've done a considerable amount of individual walking about. This, more quiet atmosphere has enabled me to really 'discover' lots of new places and natural things that I was previously unaware of (*note: being in a foreign country significantly improves one's chances of 'discovering' new things... especially in the geographical and topographical sense). With this in mind I recently had the opportunity to climb up Arthur's Seat, a famous landform I've mentioned in previous postings that I can see from my bedroom window. To say the least, the climb wasn't easy, but not too grueling, the temperature and wind factor wasn't perfect but definitely not terrible, and the view was, well, beyond belief and perhaps one of the most amazing vantage points I've ever been privileged to see from. If you have not yet seen the pictures that I took from my journey to and atop Arthur's Seat, I would highly recommend that you browse through them - facebook.com/wshine427, finding them in the Scotland 3 photo album. These pictures will probably best provide the testimony to the sorts of physical and conceptual 'discoveries' that I made; I feel verbally describing the event would only do it injustice. I can say that God has, in so many places and ways, given our 'discovery' driven minds countless places and points of access to/into things much bigger (literally and figuratively) and much more fantastic than ourselves. For this I'm thankful.

When I come back home, I'm not gonna pretend to know more, be wiser, or more well rounded as a result of having the opportunity to 'discover' a new place(s) and 'learn/discover new things about myself' (-insert vomiting sound here-). I will however, come back home, having had an excellent opportunity to pause in life, and simply, discover a genuine appreciation for the gift of 'Discovery'.

hmm a title is born...

p.s. - thank you to all of you who have survived it through going on 'walk 'n talks' with me, I truly have appreciated every single one, and look forward to future 'discovery' sessions with you.

Bon Voyage Mes Decouvreus,

- Will

I think the Byrds said it best..

The Seasons - Four, three month periods entitled Spring, Summer, Fall(Autumn) and Winter. Typically noted as containing different sorts of climate conditions and weather patterns than the prior/following season(s), and have direct effects on plant and animal activity/life cycle; actually do exist; are fairly well represented in my current geographical location.

Not to get stuck on the whole time concept, but it's amazing the obvious and more specifically perhaps not so obvious things that I notice because I actually have time to stop, look around, take a breath, and simply exist. This is more than me being aware of something as simple as the "four seasons" (which there are really only [possibly] two of in San Diego--a light fall/spring combo and a seemingly endless summer), and to the people here is something that goes by fairly unnoticed/de-facto. This feeling transcends seeing leaves on a tree change colors, or feeling the temperature begin to change and realize that I might actually have to wear more than just a t-shirt and light jacket, or even seeing a part of the world that is so foreign yet strangely familiar and welcoming at the same time. This is something for everyone, everywhere, any time--it's about taking time, that which has been given to us as a blessing, to every so often, pause and reflect on something that is outside of ourselves, outside of our immediate priorities, and outside of our desires: Time to be thankful for life, for the world and all that is in it, and for a God that truly loves us more than anything else in creation, and has made us the masters/stewards of the Earth, so that we might cherish it and it's contents, especially one another.

This idea segue-ways nicely into a thought I'd actually started developing a little while ago, but wanted to hold off on publishing it. After having written the last section in just these past moments, and realizing what a great context that sentiment provides for what now follows, I am glad that I decided to wait. I'm all about the flow you know? (haha)

Granted, it's not been very long since I left home, but it's amazing how much I'm beginning to learn here in Scotland (about all sorts of stuff). In particular, I feel as though I'm learning a good deal about commitment. Ironically enough, I'm doing so while not really being committed to anything. I think sometimes it's in the "space" and nothingness, that we (as people/humans/whatever) truly begin to understand/learn about the concepts and ideas that we struggle with the most in actual practice. In a practical and analogous situation, I find that often my musicianship improves the most when I actually stop playing/practicing non-stop, and simply take a break, wait, and listen. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I "may or may not" have the tendency to over commit myself at times, I can't seem to ever get into a romantic relationship that goes any distance, and I never seem to have enough hours in a day to get everything that I've wanted to get accomplished done. All this being said, I've definitely not discovered the miracle cure, or solution to any commitment (over or under) issues that I've had in the past, but I will say that my mind is beginning to clear in this "commitment-free" atmosphere, and perhaps, I will come home with a new found sense of what commitment really looks like (at least in my own life). On this more philosophical note, I can't help but interject with a funny and more light-hearted take on what it is I'm really experiencing: please go visit the following website and read entry #120. It will make you laugh and possibly undermine most of what I said above, but it's funny enough that I'm OK with that. http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/

also check out what I think the Byrds' said best: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWg3b15ITS8&feature=related

Until my next philosophical break-through (or lack there of)

Cheers,

- Will

Sorry to keep you Waiting..

As I said in the beginning, I knew that my posts would become a bit more sparse/difficult to keep up with at all (ha) as time went on.  I apologize for not getting to this sooner, but at least you can be certain I've been out and about experiencing amazing things, adding to my arsenal of stuff to write about.

I'm attempting to up-load a video that will explain itself when you watch it.

So, on to the news:  Time has taken on a new meaning for me here.  It seems there is a strange abundance of it, and in every minute of it, I find my self doing something enjoyable and I suppose most importantly, refreshing.  This past weekend I visited friends I had made earlier this summer (while on tour with Pointless) in Glasgow.  I attended a "Ceilidh" (look that up for a better definition) which celebrated the departure of Michael and Debbie Kane to Nazarene Seminary in Manchester.  The couple had grown up in Parkhead (a community on the East-side of Glasgow), and been involved with the church their whole lives.  This is a big step for them, and a creates a space at the Church/surrounding community in Parkhead that will definitely not go unnoticed by all of their friends and family members.  The celebration on Saturday night was great and an interesting cultural experience for me to say the least (videos will be posted on Facebook in the near future).

The next day (Sunday 9/13/09) I attended church at Sharpe Memorial Church of the Nazarene in Parkhead.  This of course is the place where none other than George Williamson's (Jr.) cousin, Ian Wills, is the pastor (not to mention, it seems that George is, in some way, shape or form, related to half of the church--in fact, his aunt Allison lent me just about all of my kitchen supplies for my time here).  During the evening service that night Mick and Deb were hono(u)red again for their time and service in Glasgow, and the sentiment was expressed by Ian, on behalf of the whole congregation, that they would definitely be missed, which even for me (a definite outsider) was somewhat of an emotional/touching experience.  Within the service that night as well, was a time of Praise and Worship Music (which was great and very refreshing), a message given by one of the younger leaders of the church, and time for specific time for just prayer (what a novel concept).

In my time to and from Glasgow and specifically while in Church, I felt something I can't quite explain (yes, this was very generic sounding and something which doesn't do much for anybody, I realize), something I've sort of thought about before, but never really psychologically unpacked, and something that perhaps captured again, this very theme of time; I, now ask myself the questions: What is it that I do with my time, and/or what can be done in the time that I have?  Something mentioned in the service was waiting.  What does it mean to wait?  What am I waiting for?  As a very proactive person, and perhaps as an American consumer, this is something I might struggle with.  We sang the song "Everlasting God", which contains the line (repeated over and over), "Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, we will wait...".  I think that in addition to strength, wisdom, assurance, peace, etc., are all things that come from God, and are all things that God wishes to give to all peoples in God's so perfect TIME.  It seems now that I can't help but feel compelled to attempt this new practice, this peculiar discipline of 'waiting', and  so, at the moment, and though I'm not sure what exactly 'waiting' will entail (contextually, ideologically, metaphysically..?), I'm quite content in doing exactly what it is: waiting to find out.  Lord knows I have plenty of time to do just that.

So with time in mind, I don't have to run, but I'm going to go do something else within the bountiful amount of this time stuff that I have; perhaps I'll go wait under a tree in the park or something akin to that..

Blessings,

Will

So I'm really gonna need to start practicing the whole sleeping thing...

            I'm all for putting in as many hours in a day as is humanly possible, but my schedule (or lack there of) in Scotland is becoming sort of ridiculous.  You know your life is spiraling out of control when you wake up at 4:45 am one morning, fall asleep at just slightly before that time the next night/day, wake up at 5 pm later that day, get to bed at a reasonable 12:30am that night/next morning, and finally end up in my current situation of waking up at 3:40 am today (which yes, is one hour before I went to bed the day before).  So that may have been hard to follow, but read it again if need be, and I'm sure you will, if nothing else, begin to see that I'm struggling to find a good sleeping rhythm: both of which (rhythm and sleep) are things I pride myself in.

*note: if that paragraph did not make sense, it's simply further proof of it's subject matter.

On a more pleasant note, I will say that I've had nothing but good experiences on the greater scale of things and I'm meeting lots of people from all over the world.  I've connected really well with one of my flat-mates (Nils - age 26 from Germany) and we kick it quite a bit.  This Saturday, I think I will be traveling to Glasgow for a Ceilidh, which if you don't know what that is, look it up/wait for photos that I will post.  I'll be visiting friends I made when on tour earlier this summer with Pointless.  Also during that trip, I hope to acquire the necessary remaining kitchen and sleeping items I need to make life a bit more practical.  I can't say that I ever thought I'd need to call in a favor in Glasgow, but life's full of surprises right?

If you don't know of it already, I have a facebook account on/within which I've already, and will continue to upload photo's/condensed status updates from my experiences here across the pond.  The URL is:  http://www.facebook.com/wshine427                                                             For those of you that are not inclined to venture into the captivating/life-consuming/mostly frivolous realm of facebook, you will have to be content with the photo content I supply much less regularly, and in smaller quantity on this blog.  That being said, Here is a picture I took a couple of days ago from my window of the sunrise over Arthur's Seat.

It was pretty amazing to watch this go down, and I suppose I have my insane sleeping patterns to thank for the experience.  I guess I will get a similar experience this morning, which isn't such a bad thing to relive.  Below is a video that I'm not sure will play of the Firework show that had in honor of my arrival into Edinburgh...ok, so it was in celebration of the end of the Festival, but it was pretty cool to have Fireworks over the castle shortly after I'd arrived.

So, until next time, what ever time of day that is...

Cheers,

 - Will