Tenerife

October 28th: Tenerife

So, back from the mid-October pre-winter sun. What a difference having the sun on your back makes. Sets you up for some sideways rain in "Bonnie" Scotland so it does.

The break was good though. Time to reflect and all that. I'm 42, drink too much beer, need to lose a couple of stone and have a Pat Nevin hairdo! How did I get to this stage? Methinks I've been resting in a comfort zone for far too long.

Well, the career development forum certainly has helped shape the new Wattie mindset for the next while cause I've jumped ship. Taken a package and fox trotted off into the sunset to see if I can gee myself up again (work wise that is as everything else is fine and good).

Now, I'm nae complaining. A lot of good people get stale at work and leave with nothing or are forced out. I had a happy accident which gave me a chance so I've taken it. It's scary but exciting at the same time. Can I cut the mustard anymore? Time will tell (and my blog will record it).

Right now though I'm nae half missing that Tenerife sunset from my balcony!

Chrissie Duncan - Angel

October 16th:
Chrissie Duncan

I can clear massive hurdles
Since you delivered me into the light
Silent darkness gone forever
Pure love shining bright

I gladly placed my trust in you
Banished bad thoughts behind
I know that you'll always look out for me
Your perfect picture fills my mind

There's no point in feeling lost or lonely
No room for emptiness in my heart
Your simplistic beauty makes me act stronger
We are together, we will never be apart

I everlastingly hold you close my angel
If I could only once whisper in your ear
Tell you that you've never left me
When I close my eyes I know you're near

And when the moment comes that I need you
I'll call your name when the time is right
Help me cross the final hurdle
So our stars will eternally burn bright

Can You Feel It?

October 14th: Can You Feel it?

Well can you? I can. I can almost taste the joy of getting through this group. I felt really worried yesterday before the game. I didn't feel the same as I did before the France game. Probably because there was expectation surrounding everything yesterday. That's the Scottish mental barriers to progress needing chapped doon again or maybe it's me that needs reprogrammed and reconditioned to believe and have confidence.

The team were tremendous. The Ukrainian guys were excellent football players. So what was the difference? Desire? It certainly wisnae just ability that won it for us(although if McFadden had one extra yards pace he'd be playing for Barcelona or Real Madrid).

Naw it was guts and a bit of belief. I want to subscribe to some of that.

Magic and passion, soul and vision. These boys have it.

Dark Nichts

October 8th:
Dark Nichts

The nights are fairly drawing in eh! What a common statement that is up here in the North East corner. But it's true. Later on this month we turn the clocks back to eek out that extra hours light, but I love this time of year. The leaves are tumbling from the trees, the game on a Saturday (usually) starts in sunshine but ends under the floodlights with the Dons humping all before them - aye right!

It's heartwarming. Bright lights tinkling in the dark offering hope of better days to come once we get through the winter before us. Xmas trips tae the capital city to remember our history at the castle and the fun of it makes me feel kind of optimistic that the future is there for us. We just have to make it happen.

Nessie's Nae Deid

October 1st: Nessie's nae deid

Wonder if this will make the P&J or the Scotsman even! I took the photo myself just by Urquhart Castle - the papers at the weekend reckoned she's deid cause there have only been two reported sightings in the last year. Well rack up a third.

She was a huge green thing, with a richt hump oan her back and I swear she had a tartan scarf and tammy. It is cauld in October tae be fair. Maybe I was having flashbacks tae Paris, I'm nae richt sure. But I dae believe ye ken.

Ah shat ma pants so I did.