The Results:

This week’s postcard winner was Daniel with this question: “What is the latest you have been out alone in the evening due to your fear of hooligans and hooliganism?”

What makes this a winner? It is funny and it hits at a fundamental truth about Self and Glasgow. This town is full of hooligans and I’m deathly afraid of teenage hooligans especially at night, when their numbers swell, their voices become louder, their actions bolder. In conditions like these I become like Thomas Hobbes calling out for a central government to maintain order on the streets. Needless to say, I don’t like leaving the house in a hooligan infested area without an escort, preferably one with depth charges and torpedoes. No really – the kids here like to stab people with broken bottles. I have a big target practically stamped on my bespeckled face. So I think around 9:30 or so is the latest I have been out by myself.

Daniel will be sent a postcard tomorrow and is now in the running for a special gift at the end of the year. I love making this stuff up. Lucy, Tommy, and Bertie Wooster (anon)’s questions made me laugh out loud.

This is NOT to say that I didn’t appreciate, giggle, or grin at all of the questions posed. It means a lot to have communication from all of you on this site – really – because its good to know there are folks back home who are reading. Clearly you all get what this site is about: making fun of oneself and the culture in which I have chosen to live. Don’t worry – there’ll be plenty of chances for more postcards for your refrigerators. I'll try my best to come up with more awkward moments - you come up with questions and comments.

This week’s question: who, in your estimation, is the most interesting Scot? Obscurity will be rewarded; however, there is a pressing need for you to write a one-sentence justification for your interesting Scot of merit. So give a name and a brief explanation as to why this Scot is superb. “Interesting” is one of those lame words that is almost completely subjective. Post here or e-mail to iaisherwood@gmail.com.

Today was the nicest day in the history of Glasgow. It was sunny with wisps of white clouds overhead and a blazing 65 degrees outside. Of course, this being the most beautiful day on record in the history of Scotland, it was the one day that I forgot my camera before taking my daily constitutional.

The other significant thing today was that I found a flat and make my deposit tomorrow to confirm it in my name. It is a basement apartment with a private garden around back complete with a small tree. There are bay windows overlooking the garden, ample room for furniture (that I don’t have), and it is located literally next to the University. It is slightly bohemian and will be a lovely place for man, woman, and beast to live. I will post pictures once I move-in next month.

I officially register at the Uni this week and meet with folks in my department. The picure today is of the department itself - my workspace is on the second floor. This week there'll be plenty of opportunities for awkwardness and many chances for Wodehousian adventures as I attempt to navigate the bureaucracy of a Scottish University, which is deep, treacherous, and downright dangerous to the soul of man. I will post my foibles as they are bound to happen.

Cheers,

Ian