about a square peg in a round hole

Woke up in the morning and bashed my head on the bed – it was a bunk bed. I’d forgotten.

Showered, and left to the City Centre again, walking past a bakery that made me stop and do a double take. Crept in to buy a delicious Spinash and Mozarella Puff and a Pain au Chocolat, as well as a double shot Cappucino. The pastries were brilliant, but coffee was beyond shit.

Had a very nice walk all the way up to the Castle grounds, but then realised that I really couldn’t be arsed to spend 9 quid to look at a fucking rock construction, mighty and majestic as it may be. The castle novelty wears off quite quickly when you’re fucking surrounded by ‘em all the time.

So I went into a Tartan Mill exhibit instead. Which was quite nice but also rather tiresome.

5 minutes later, I’d found Cafe Hub, which Hans recommended – lovely building (an ex-church, surely). I ordered Pork Medallions with Celeriac Mash (that’s Mash with Celery for the uninitiated) and Cranberry chutney, as well as an Dried Apricot Bread & Butter Pudding. The food wasn’t bad, but not all that great for 9 squids. Still, I found it more valuable than a castle visit.

Made my way slowly towards the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, about 20 minutes walk away and stopped for a Busking Piper for a good ten minutes. Ah, the good old pipe tunes – Scotland the Brave, Highland Cathedral etc… I think I do really miss the band. Bought a crap Practice chanter a while later.

The production I watched was Cirque Eloize’s Rain. It was abso-fucking-lutely fantasmic. So good I actually ventured to speak to the touring director to tour Asia – something which I hope will come in handy for VTC. I cannot begin to describe how excited I am at the prospect that they could be coming down to KL, especially if its produced by VTC (and associates).

Fast forward to quarter to eight and I’m standing outside The Stand, a comedy club which had Will Smith headlining for the night. I know what you’re thinking… WILL SMITH? No, its not the Fresh Prince, but a British White comedian who’s reputedly very good… Problem was that tickets were sold out, but if I waited I may be able to get standby or uncollected ones. So I wait. And wait. And wait…

Finally, the usher came out and hollered “12 tickets left!” And whaddaya know… I’m lucky number 15. Fuck that.

Shoved myself into a cab and flew to UGC to watch movies again. Alone. Sad fucking Sod. But it was kinda good – watched Finding Neverland which was excellent, and I Heart Huckabees which was good but somehow failed to get onto my good graces. I think I was too tired to fully appreciate the understated existentialism that was presented in the comedy. Or maybe I’m just not smart enough.

Much later, back in the Hostel, I performed a cappella the evergreen hit Stand By Me with my kinda quirky roomies Owen and Rhys (love that name, for some weird reason), as the self-elected bassist, which was well received (by ourselves) and prompted an encore of Build Me Up Buttercup.

And the crowning event of the day was Nicholas, the other roommate, who came into the room abruptly with a carton of Cronenbourg and quipped “I’ve got to go Come.” Lovely overshare. He also contributed this memorable quote:

“Hey guys… How was your Gay?”

Ahh… the strange events that took place at Bruntsfield Youth Hostel, Bruntsfield Crescent, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.