Life of Lu

This week has been a roller coaster of a week.Two of my favourite people in the entire world came to visit Aberdeen.  Not only that, we got to see Foy Vance (eeek!) We hit Edinburgh for a couple of days, met up with more pals (including an unexpected surprise) and I even got a twirl from my favourite twirling partner in my favourite twirling establishment. True story. I will write a blog about our shenanigans over the next few days, today's blog is about all the other stuff. I read a short story during the week about three old men called Love, Wealth and Success.  It was one of those stories that advises you to choose love over everything and then you will invite the rest into to your home. Invite one of the other ones and you get only that.  Well, after yet another disastrous attempt at dating (seriously, considering asking for feedback going forward... just hand over an evaluation sheet and a stamped addressed envelope at the end of a date... ) the story struck a chord with me. …

I realised something the other day. That is not nearly specific enough or dramatic enough for this story. Let me start again...
I had a startling realisation the other day. I think Scotland and I are starting to go our separate ways (and I am not talking about Brexit) I was in Glasgow a few weeks ago, and I went on a tourist bus tour. I actually went on it twice, and I loved it. I got to see all the attractions I have wanted to see over the years: The Cathedral, the Necropolis, The Transport Museum, The People's Palace. It was very similar to something I did just before I left Edinburgh, my own little way of saying goodbye. When I got on the train home, I realised that in my own wee way, I was saying goodbye to Glasgow. Other than a course there on the 11th of May, I have no idea when I am going to be there next. I have no gigs booked, my upcoming flights to Ireland are all from Edinburgh.  I feel rather sad that my attachment to Glasgow has severed. In my head it was where I would…

It is finally here. 33.
One more year until I am 34, the year I decided I would have no choice but to consider myself a fully fledged adult, after all, at 34 I will be older than Jesus.
Those of you who have kindly read my blog over the years will be aware that every year I have a wee look back as well as a look forward.
Every year, for the last few, I have been full of change. All I have wanted is change.
This year is different.
I always said that 32 was my year.
I had a feeling in my bones that I would have a good year being 32.
I got a new job, which pushed me to my limits but which satisfies my thirst for learning and growth.
I moved into a wee flat on my own which if we are honest can only be described as cosy but it fits my books, a kettle and my enormous box of Lyons teabags so I really have nothing to complain about.
I have friendships that have blossomed into truly beautiful friendships in this past year.
Steve and Jocelyn have become such a huge part of my life this year, an…

A person I know came to me the other day with a problem.
Something that they were struggling with and something they really needed to talk about.
I did what anybody in my shoes would have done.
I listened.
The issue involved mental health. It wasn't their mental health it was that of a loved one.
Those of you who know me are aware of how important it is to me that the stigma surrounded mental health is dispelled.
So after she had finished speaking to me, I shared my story with her to show her that their was no judgement on my part.
She appreciated it.
I could see she felt better and we then carried on with our day.
The following day she came to see me again and she thanked me for my time.
I didn't need thanks
As I said above, I did what anybody in my shoes would have done.
I listened.
She felt I went above and beyond her expectations of the conversation.
I felt a bit embarrassed.
I didn't feel I had done anything special.
I came home and I started the think.
I will never t…

I can't believe I have made it to mid-February without a blog.
I can't believe that my pal Claire hasn't sent me a few reminders that I haven't written in a while. Usually I get a message followed by life events she feels I should or could write about! Ha!

So, we are into 2017. I can't believe we are so far into 2017. It seems that the older I get the faster time passes. I was in Ireland last week. I went to a gig and of course to see the man himself for his birthday. Naturally I stopped off to visit my granny too. I make it a point to see her every time I am back in Ireland. I brought two friends of mine with me. One of my cousins was too shy to come and say hi because the guys were with me so I went out to her house to see her. I was astounded by how grown up she has become. I said as much to my granny and my aunts when I went back into Granny's house, and they started telling me how old my 'baby' cousins now are. I was so shocked! In my head they are …

When we look back on 2016 in future years, without a doubt we will wonder what kind of mockery of time 2016 really was. So many of our idols left us, Trump became president, Brexit happened. It was a trying and emotional year for many. So many people want to forget 2016 ever happened. Not me. 2016 was one of the best years of my life. It was one of the toughest years so far but without doubt it was one of the best.

I want to start 2017 satisfied that I did myself proud in 2016 which is the purpose of this blog. Nostalgia and self indulgence at it's finest! Ha!

I made myself a wee list of things that were great about 2016 and it is honestly going to be a struggle to choose a favourite. There are many things that are potential favourites, one of which was the reunion of Lu and Tif after 9 nine years. Not only did I get to see Tif, I got to meet Joe and their families, I met Schonie and her hubby Preston, and of course, I got to catch up with Beau. I spent a week with Tif and in that …