Fiona Clason

By Cara Sulieman

 

FRIENDS have paid touching tributes to a young woman who died after being hit by a car at the weekend.

Fiona Clason died at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh on Monday, the day after she was struck by a car on the capital’s waterfront.

The family of the 24-year-old were too upset to speak yesterday (Thurs) but friends of Ms Clason left touching messages on her social networking profile.

The University of Dundee graduate described herself as a fan of Hibs, Formula 1 racing and American Wrestling on her Facebook page.

“Love you”

Friends left messages praising Ms Clason, saying that she had been taken “too soon” and that “the world has become a darker place without you”.

Claire Sharkie wrote: “Love you Fi. So many amazing times and memories. Truly a great friend. Miss you so much.”

And another friend, Philip McKinstrey, added: “You always knew what to do and say to cheer up the whole room. I’ll miss you always.”

Police said Ms Clason was hit by a silver Volkswagen Golf on Waterfront Avenue at around 8pm on Sunday night.

Witness appeal

A 20-year-old was arrested and charged in connection with the incident, but has since been released pending further inquiries.

Lothian and Borders Police said that “further lines of inquiry” were being pursued and appealed for witnesses.

In particular, they are asking for passengers who were travelling on a Lothian number 38 bus which was in Waterfront Avenue at the time of the accident.

See more of our pictures at our Flickr site and videos at our dedicated channel,  Deadline TV.

Image via CWTV

Lois is rushed to the hospital after experiencing an overload of flashes from the future. While Lois is in the hospital, Tess kidnaps her in order to find out what happened to her when she disappeared for weeks.

**POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD**

Off in a Luthor Corp. facility Tess notices Zod’s power tower in Lois’s memories, so with the help of Stuart – she decides to tap into Lois’s memory in order to find out if Zod’s tower would in fact change the world as stated by Zod. Here are the rest of the episode highlights:

• Lois’s first memory she relives is waking up in the future. There’s a red sun and as she wanders she encounters one of Zod’s men (who flies over to her) and confronts her. Major Zod is now General Zod, and the Blur is gone as his signature black T-shirt is torn and hung from a pole as some sort of trophy.
• Back to the present, Clark heads to watchtower and confronts Chloe as he thinks Chloe is hiding Lois. Chloe informs him that his accusations are outrageous and that he should work on an apology later. Chloe requested Lois’s medical records and finds that Lois is suffering from post-dramatic stress disorder and every time she relives a memory from the future, her body relives the trauma and her heart can only take so much. Clark and Chloe figure out that Tess is the one who kidnapped Lois due to her obsession in finding out the truth behind Lois’s disappearance.
• Lois is taken to the Kent farm which has turned into a prison (in the future). She wanders around and runs into the ninja assassin, Alia (Monique Ganderton), who is guarding the prison. Lois requests food, but Alia asks what can she trade [in exchange for food] when Clark steps in and offers his father’s watch. Alia accepts and walks away. Lois and Clark hug and Lois asks him why she gave away his father’s watch, and Clark responds that he did it for her. (Aww…) Lois believes she is in a dream, but Clark informs her that she wasn’t dreaming and that he hasn’t seen her since she disappeared 1 year ago. Lois tells Clark that the last memory she had was fighting Tess and putting on a ring. Clark realizes she is talking about the Legion ring and that she time traveled [to the future] and asks her if she still had the ring. She says she does just when Alia comes back and tells Lois that Zod has requested to see her. Before Lois departs, Clark tells her to guard the Legion ring!
• Lois is taken to the Luthor mansion. She eyes a table full of food and treats and runs and grabs something to eat. General Zod appears and advises her to try the truffle as it is his favorite. Lois picks up a truffle and is about to take a bite when Zod takes it from her hand and takes a bite in front of her. He finds the Legion ring in her pocket and takes it. He then asks her about Clark when Tess enters in soldier attire. Tess tells Zod that Lois use to work for her. Lois is extremely upset because Tess chose to side with Zod and his people. Tess admits that she helped Zod gain power because she believes that Zod and his people will save humanity. Zod then makes a reference back to Clark stating that Clark is only alive because he has always hoped that Clark would join him in the hopes of bridging the gap between the humans and his people. Tess adds that she has tried her best to convince Clark to join them, but it seems their efforts are fruitless. Zod has given up on Clark and decides to execute Lois and Clark. (Oh no!)
• Before the execution, Zod presents Tess with dog tags as way to initiate her into his army. Clark is brought to the Luthor mansion and he pleads with Zod to spare Lois’s life and take his life. Zod’s people force Clark to kneel before him as Zod grabs a sword. Zod is about to chop Clark’s head off when a gang of rebels dressed in black drop in and start shooting kryptonite arrows. Zod and some of his people (including Fiona) manage to escape afterward Oliver approaches Lois. Lois and Oliver hug and Chloe comes over and hugs Lois too. Clark joins them and thanks Chloe and Oliver for saving their lives. There is some tension between Clark and Chloe. During the save attempt, Tess was shot with one of the arrows. Oliver approaches her, and Tess admits that she took a risk siding with Zod. Tess dies in Oliver’s arms. Chloe approaches Oliver and tells him that she had the shot and she took it.
• Oliver buries Tess as Lois looks on just when present day Tess wakes up and hyperventilates a bit after seeing her fate. She tells Stuart that Chloe kills her (in the future) and Stuart jests that he doesn’t know what she saw but she was very much alive in the present. Tess believes that Lois’s memories are too dangerous for anyone else to discover and demands Stuart to erase Lois’s memories of the future. Stuart tells her that if he attempts to erase Lois’s memories and makes a mistake, Lois could become catatonic. Tess demands Stuart to obey her request but Stuart refuses and Tess shoots him. Tess heads to the computer in order to erase Lois’s memories when Clark superspeeds in but is weakened by the kryptonite powered equipment. Tess plays the innocent victim and tries to blame everything on Stuart but Clark shoves her aside and Tess is knocked out cold.
• Clark takes out one of Lois’s brain taps out but he accidentally sticks himself with it and falls to the ground (because kryptonite is now shooting into his body). Clark is now tapped into Lois’s mind and he experiences her next memory.
• Lois explains to Chloe and Oliver that she traveled to their time with the Legion ring and now Zod had the ring. Clark realizes they need to send Lois back to her time in order to warn their past selves how to prevent this future from becoming a reality. Chloe devises a plan to use watchtower to take down Zod’s tower because it is what is causing the red sun which in turn has given the Kandorians their powers. Clark chimes in that if Chloe is able to take down Zod’s tower and bring back the yellow sun, he is their best chance against Zod. Lois is confused how bringing back the yellow sun would make Clark their “#1 draft pick”, but no one elaborates. Clark responds and says that he and Zod have a history.
• Later at Clark’s place, he splashes some water on his face when Lois enters. Clark asks if she was alright and Lois recounts the day of time traveling to a not so bright future, witnessing flying aliens taking over the earth, and almost getting her head chopped off. She then admits that the one fact she cannot believe is that Chloe and Clark were not friends anymore (in the future). Clark admits that once Lois disappeared, he couldn’t be around Chloe and Oliver anymore because it reminded him of her and that hurt too much. Lois approaches Clark and asks about the history he and Zod shared, but he dodges the question and says that he has made some mistakes in the past. Lois and Clark kiss and they make love to each other. Watch this scene here.
• Dr. Hamilton and Chloe find Clark in the Luthor Corp. Lab as Dr. Hamilton examines Clark who is unresponsive. Chloe has called an ambulance and reports that Stuart lost a lot of blood but he will make a full recovery. Tess is expected to recover too. Dr. Hamilton begins to attempt to disconnect Clark from Lois’s mind, but Chloe dissuades him because Lois’s memories may help Clark prevent the world’s destruction.
• Lois experiences another memory and it’s of her, Chloe, and Oliver heading to watchtower. Chloe boots up the computers and proceeds to upload a virus into Zod’s network in order to take down the tower. Oliver suits up in his Green Arrow outfit as Chloe finishes up. Oliver and Lois prepare to leave when Lois turns to Chloe. Chloe assures her that she’ll be right behind them and tells them to go on ahead. Before they leave, Oliver hands Lois a kryptonite knife (with a lead cover) so that she can protect herself. Lois heads outside and ducks behind a car. Chloe comes out and starts running toward Lois but before she can reach her, she is cut off by Alia. Alia takes out her sword and stabs Chloe. Oliver drives Alia away by pointing his bow towards her and she superspeeds away. Lois runs to Chloe but Chloe dies in her arms. Oliver tells Lois that they need to get the Legion ring back so that Lois can go back and help prevent a future like this to ever happen. Lois runs off ahead while Oliver stands watch. Oliver prepares himself as the sky is filled with Kandorians flying above and all of them are coming toward Oliver.
• Meanwhile, Zod is dragging Clark across the ground and asks why don’t the humans just give in and concede to his rule. Clark tells Zod that humans are resilient and they will not concede so easily. Lois catches up to Zod and Clark and she throws Clark the kryptonite knife toward him as she tries to remain unseen. Zod steps on Clark’s hand which is grasping the knife. Zod lowers his head and looks at Clark and says: “goodbye son of Jor-El” and he delivers a kicks that sends Clark soaring. Lois starts to run towards Clark but Zod grabs her. All of the sudden, Zod’s tower powers down and the yellow sun appears. Lois gets away as Zod is still in a state of shock that his tower is offline as Clark approaches him. Clark then tells Zod that his reign of terror is over. Zod is furious and tells Clark that he (Clark that is) forced his hand, which in turn caused him to unleash his power. Zod then stabs Clark with the kryptonite knife. Clark takes the Legion ring from Zod and gives him a good shove which sends Zod sailing and landing with a big thud to the ground.
• Clark pulls out the kryptonite knife as Lois runs to him. Clark instructs Lois to put the Legion ring on so that she can head back to her time. Lois is afraid that she’ll never see Clark ever again. Clark assures her that she will and they kiss. They both stand and Clark places the ring on Lois’s hand when Alia spots them and runs toward Lois and she is able to touch the ring and hitch a ride with Lois back to her time.
• Flashes occur of Lois’s arrival back to the present when Alia attacked Lois on the train (which is how the Season 9 premiere opened) just when Clark wakes up. Clark asks if Lois is ok and Chloe assures him that she is ok and that Dr. Hamilton was able to erase her memories from the future as well as the medical problems that was plaguing her due to the post-dramatic stress episodes she experienced [from having these future flashbacks].
• At the Planet, Clark hands Lois a maple doughnut which she happily eats. Lois notes concern on Clark’s face and repeats her doctor’s prognosis was that she’s hypoglycemic and as long as she eats every 3 hours – she’ll be fine. Clark tells her that he almost lost her once and he wasn’t going to let it happen again. Lois starts to push papers when Clark asks her what exactly is going on between the two of them. Lois is a little flabbergasted and tells Clark to slow down. She elaborates and says that she has had bad relationships before and she didn’t want to mess things up again. Clark says that they should make “dating” work for them and they should take their time. Lois agrees and says that they should start by going out for coffee followed by numerous lunch dates and she insists that Clark take her to a monster truck rally one day. The elevator arrives and they both get in and before the elevator door closes, Lois holds Clark’s hand.
• Later, Clark enters watchtower smiling. Oliver jokes that Clark seems awfully chipper for someone that took at large dose of kryptonite. Clark responds and says that the sun is shining, Lois is going to recover, and all is well. Chloe enters the room and makes it a point to mention that no one seemed to be worried that they’re all going to suffer horrible deaths in the not so distant future. Clark points out that they can do something now in order to prevent the future he saw ever happen. Oliver suggests that they take Zod out now, but Clark says no because the future he saw had him treat Zod as the enemy which caused Zod to fight back with a vengeance. Clark makes a decision that he will befriend Zod so that Zod can see how great life on Earth could be. Chloe advises against that notion but Clark’s mind is set. Clark then repeats his father’s last words to “save Zod” which he has now interpreted as saving Zod from himself.
• Zod is addressing his solders and tells them that his tower must be built. He assigns one person to find out what building regulations they need to abide by to insure that they can begin building the tower, he assigns another person to find out the energy requirements needed for the tower, he’s about to assign a job to Alia when Clark drops in wearing his Blur attire. He addresses Zod and says that he has heard that he (Zod) has been looking for him. Zod turns to Clark and looks happy (in a sinister way) that Clark has finally come to see them. Zod commands his troops to kneel before Kal-El and they all do (minus Zod) and the gesture catches Clark by surprise.

This was the last episode for the year. The next all-new episode for Smallville will air on January 22, 2010.

Visit the “Smallville” category section on this blog for more news, clips, and recaps related to the show, or just click here.

I cannot even describe how slow this day went–I even caught myself asleep with my eyes open in my Lagliva and Liberatore classes (those teachers are the anti-thesis of boring, okay?). As I stared at Liberatore droning on about the love of God and Lagliva about the etymology of religion, I kept glancing at my phone only realize that only five minutes has passed and dismissal was still ages away! Oh dull day.

And for the nth time, I wasn’t in the mood to go to work so it took me ages to finish my C2 apple (I know, ew right? But Bea told me that Dominic told her about the perils of too much Gatorade and I didn’t want to get the little lemon C2 bottle), pick myself up, and gather enough energy to hail a cab. After some time, I managed to draw some strength from what I can only attribute to Divine Providence (and my bosses were looking for me already so…).

So there I was, researching and typing about breast exams and sandwich-making while waiting for the clock to strike four. Interesting, I think I wasted practically my whole day glued to the clock. I really need to start wearing watches again . By the way, I got lost in the office for the third time. I found myself, not in FHM this time, but face to face with my Candy bosses! They all told me that I was so thin already . Oh well! On the bright side, clothes hang better when you lack body fat. :|

Before I forget, I did a good deed today (Santa are you reading this?)! I gave an extra P50 to the cab driver for not getting me lost and for having a broken meter! I also gave an extra P20 to the trike driver because I didn’t know I was holding 40 bucks. Anyway, so there I was–after being stuck in traffic for an hour, I had to help mother with the grocery shopping. To make a long story short, I had to balance like 10 bags of groceries, my bag, a stroller, my laptop, and Fiona in one trike, oh agony! Because I was too busy doing that, I didn’t notice that someone kept texting and calling my phone asking me if I was home. Go figure and when I asked, that mysterious person refused to tell me.

HOWEVER, when the trike drove past my house, oddly enough, there was a familiar Innova parked in front. Hmmm. And because I hear my Media Law readings calling me, I have to cut the story short (again). Jason gave me this suuuper cute travel pillow because I was sooo tired and he said I could use it when I sleep! So yay. Hahahaha Thank you! Wasn’t that nice of him? That made the whole day better!

Bow! And that’s the story of  how November 18 ended with a bang. Hahaha

P.S

I saw Bea in Rustan’s today and she got to meet Fiona the fug pug! Heehee. She was so bothered by Fiona’s stuck-out tongue which she (Bea) kept pushing back inside her mouth.

The law is reason free from passion! Go media law!

教課時間與地點:

Mont et Flow 瑜珈會所

台北市南京東路3段303巷22號1F（兄弟飯店後面 慶城公園旁 ）

TEL:(02)2718-0585

MG

Sexy black and white silk dress, comes complete with stockings and pumps:

*Intimate You*

Sexy black and white silk dress, comes complete with stockings and pumps:

*Intimate You*

As I looked at the stats from last week’s Yea or Nay: Loretta post, I wondered – how have the featured names performed?  Did any receive a resounding yea?  Do the comments match up with the votes?

Here’s a quick look back, boys first:

• The first name profiled – Kohl, spotted on Wife Swap – received a clear thumbs down, with 74% voting Nay.  It wasn’t the name as much as the spelling.  Several readers commented that they liked Cole just fine;
• Huxley fared slightly better, at 46% Nay, 30% Yay, with the lovely Photoquilty voting Yea, only for a pet.  I don’t normally vote, but if I did, I’d be giving Huxley two thumbs up;
• Boys’ name Koah fared worst of all, with 82% Nay.  I spotted this one in a magazine – the family appeared to all share the first initial K.

Moving on to the girls:

• Starbaby Sosie was 50% Nay, 34% Yea.  But among those Yeas were a few enthusiastic supporters – one reader plans to name a future daughter Sosie Fiona Pearl.  Others thought Sosie would make a great nickname for Susanna, but didn’t quite stand on her own;
• With 63% Yea, Lilac is one of the few names to pass muster, with many citing an affection for flower names in general;
• I assumed Annalena would fare better, but at 37% Yea and 38% Nay, not so much.  Most seemed to prefer another Anna combo – or just Anna on her own;
• Which brings us back to Loretta – at 36% Yea and 39% Nay, she’s not fared much better than Annalena – but who knows?  SJP is a trend-setter.  As we get used to it, this one might start to feel more familiar – and heard more often!

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17b-19 NIV)

Have you ever wondered if God’s love is really all you need? Is it really enough to get you through those very tough times in your life? Is God’s love a constant? Is there anywhere that God’s love cannot reach?

There are times when I struggle. I struggle to make sense of what is happening to me, or around me. Struggle knowing what is the right thing to do in the circumstances. Wondering if there is anyone who really understands or knows how I am feeling.

But knowing the love of God, is what makes it possible for me to go on. Knowing that God will be there with me to face whatever today, or tomorrow brings and knowing that God’s love cannot be lost by any mistakes that I make, makes me able to get up and face a new day, each and every day.

As humans we show love to one another, but we also do things to other people that aggravate, hurt or upset them. Because we are human, we will keep on doing that. Our relationships with other people are always flawed, even though in our own way, we may love them.

God loves us no matter what we do, we cannot be outside of God’s love. His love is all-encompassing and we cannot escape from it.

I love Renee Bondi’s book, The Last Dance but Not the Last Song, where she says about the above verses:

“God’s love is complete.

It is wide – covering all our experiences and reaching out to the whole world.
It is long – continuing the length of our lives.
It is high – rising to the heights of our joy and celebration.
It is deep – reaching to the depths of our despair and hopelessness.

When you feel cut off or alone, remember that you can never be outside of God’s love.”

God’s love is truly complete.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life as she lives with chronic pain. She enjoys finding time for writing, travel and photography.

Trascorre metà pomeriggio a considerare se il progresso tecnologico abbia un ruolo nel confinamento del lemma “indimenticabile” alle vetrine delle agenzie di viaggio.

With all studying, working, and traveling around the city that Manhattan college students do, some might consider all the running around to count as daily exercise. While and an article featured in The NY Times last July, said Manhattan residents are the thinnest New Yorkers, the importance of proper exercise goes beyond staying thin. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/nyregion/23slim.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=where%20thin%20people%20roam&st=cse)

As twenty-three year old, Holistic Health Counselor, Kayleigh Pleas, argues, this is particualry true for college students as there’s no way students can stay as mentally sharp as they need to be in this frenetic city if they’re not truly up to par physically as well.

“You don’t have total wellness without a mind and body connection. They’re integrally connected together,” says Pleas. “Stress, strain, self criticism fade away as you connect to energy and physical prowess. You come to appreciate your body for its utility.”

Some students might argue they don’t have the time to exercise, New School students in particular because the university doesn’t offer an on campus gym or provide students with access to another workout facility. However, Pleas knows first hand about the busy schedules college students have as she moved to New York just two years ago after graduating with a psychology degree from Boston College to pursue her career in mind/body exercise. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she simultaneously worked as a Pilates and Yoga instructor.

“It’s especially important for college students to exercise because when you move mindfully you come to recognize a deeper strength, a potential strength. A strength you carry out of the studio [Excersice] and into daily life in the city,” said Pleas.

With all the flashing lights, advertisements, taxi-cabs, and noise that cloud the city, the benefit of taking at least thirty minutes a day to exercise exceeds keeping a healthy body, it means clearing ones mind of the busy city too.

“Exercise is really a gift you give to yourself here,” said Pleas. “You get to be present to yourself, change your body, and get in touch. That’s so vital.” In this city, who couldn’t use that.

With all the studying, working, and traveling around the city that New York City college students do, some might consider the running around to count as daily exercise. An article featured in The New York Times last July said Manhattan residents are the thinnest New Yorkers, it’s not necessarily because they’re getting the proper exercise they need. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/23/nyregion/23slim.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=where%20thin%20people%20roam&st=cse)

As twenty-three year old, Holistic Health Counselor, Kayleigh Pleas, argues, there’s no way college kids can stay as mentally sharp as they need to be in this frenetic city if they’re not truly up to par physically as well. That’s because the mind and body go hand in hand.

“You don’t have total wellness without a mind and body connection. They’re integrally connected together,” says Pleas. “Stress, strain, self criticism fade away as you connect to energy and physical prowess. You come to appreciate your body for its utility.”

Some students might argue they don’t have the time to exercise, New School students in particular because the university doesn’t offer an on campus gym or provide students with access to another workout facility.

However, Pleas knows first hand about the busy schedules college students have as she moved to New York just two years ago after graduating with a psychology degree from Boston College to pursue her career in mind/body exercise. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she also worked as a Pilates and Yoga instructor.

“It’s especially important for college students to exercise because when you move mindfully you come to recognize a deeper strength, a potential strength. A strength you carry out of the studio [Excersice] and into daily life in the city,” said Pleas.

With all the flashing lights, advertisements, taxi-cabs, and noise that cloud the city, the benefit of taking at least thirty minutes a day to exercise exceeds keeping a healthy body, it means clearing ones mind of the busy city too.

“Exercise is really a gift you give to yourself here,” said Pleas. “You get to be present to yourself, change your body, and get in touch. That’s so vital.” And in this city, who wouldn’t want that?

Melanie Fiona has finally made it and what a year it has been. Her voice is monumentally great and wherever she lays it, she lays it good. This is not one of the best songs on The Bridge, but the album’s packed with hits. We are waiting for “Monday Morning,” which, if handled properly, will make her a megastar. Click below for the interview.

Cette sirène à la voix somptueuse s’assoit avec HomeBase NYC pour discuter de musique

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength.” (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV)

People often comment about my smile. I seem to smile a lot and that’s often what people notice most about me. A lady I met when travelling some years ago, said she thought I smiled so much, I must even smile in my sleep!

Smiling seems to come naturally to me, but I know too, that I sometimes smile because I am nervous, insecure, or even if I can’t remember someone’s name. So sometimes its like a mask.

When people find out that I live with chronic pain, they sometimes say about how they never guessed because they see me smiling. Some people even ask how I can smile when I am putting up with such pain. They say I don’t look like I’m in pain.

Whilst I might continue to smile, there are many days when I don’t feel I have much to smile about. Things I can’t do anymore, things that just seem so difficult. There may be lots of things going on in my life that would make me feel I don’t want to smile – but I still have an overwhelming reason to smile.

God gives me a reason to smile – a reason to feel joyful, even in the face of pain – He is the one in control of my life. He has promised to never ask me to go though more than I can bear and promised to always be there beside me, no matter what I am going through.

My face can be the first thing people notice about me. I want my life and my face, to greet them with something that reflects the hope I have, even in the midst of my pain.

Prayer: Father God, may we find a reason to smile today, even in the midst of sickness or pain, because of the hope we have in You. Amen

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life as she lives with chronic pain. She enjoys finding time for writing, travel and photography.

JJ Brown Album Release Party @SOB’s in New York on November 10, 2009

JJ Brown @SOB's on November 10, 2009

JJ Brown Album Launch Party

Featuring Special Guests -

Craig G
Louis Logic
Block McCloud
Reef the Lost Cauze

And Miz Metro, the lady of the evening, will host this special event

Doors Open @7 p.m.
Show Starts @8 p.m.

Tickets – Advance: $10*; Day of Show: $12**

SOB’s – Home of Universal Music
204 Varick St., Basement
New York, NY 10014
1.212.243.4940
SOB’s

For More Information on the – JJ Brown Album Release Party @SOB’s in New York on November 10, 2009

*Day of Show Tickets Unavailable via Ticketweb
**Tickets will be sold at the Door for $12.00

Hi,

I have just returned from our Tuesday night meeting at The Tolbooth   . We meet on level 5 between 5.30 and 7.30 pm and there is a wide and varied mix of projects constantly on the go. Tonight we had a finished object. I  was wondering if we should fill in a little bit of blurb to go with our pictures just to pass on information to each other and visitors to our blog?  I pinched this idea from another blogger and not only does it help me when I go back into my archives but also any problems which have occured can be mentioned for those about to start the same project. Some of the images might not appear to be the same as  in the ‘flesh’ but since we don’t have the luxury of daylight when we meet, images with flash will just have to do until the lighter nights.

Anyway, Fiona has finished her corkscrew scarf. It is absolutely wonderful and the finished corkscrew effect is extremely eyecatching.  Fiona, if you can e mail me some details I can add them underneath your pictures. Thanks

My first day of college was daunting; I did not know a soul. Luckily, day one of college involved what can only be termed an “integration exercise” to facilitate students’ getting to know one another. My “integration group” consisted of ten people. Everyone took part in tasks such as learning one another’s name using association games. Hours later we were blind folded and touching one another (often inappropriately), trying to guess the identity of the misfortunate subject. At the start of the day I knew no one. Hours later, I knew the name of my entire group. I even knew some random information about them.

At the end of our get-to-know-each-other-day we hit the pub. By three in the afternoon I was sitting the Hill 16 on Gardiner Street with my group, making banter over a pint of Bud. This was my first day of college. I hoped everyday thereafter would be the same as that day. As the hours creeped in, the numbers dwindled. Eventually, I was left with two red heads – Aoife and Fiona. This was the day I met Fiona, the girl I am good friends with to this very day.

Fiona has been a great friend over the years. We have never lived in one another’s pockets, but always made time for one another throughout college and our working lives. If one of us was blue, the other listened. We have had seriously funny moments in the past and will continue to do so long into the future. Fiona moved to Australia last year. I spoke to her by phone for the first time in a year on Sunday night. Although the line was bad, it was nice to hear from her. I have been thinking of her a lot since then.

She and I often make reference to the time I came out to her. This was around the end of my first academic year. I had worked through countless issues with my sexuality and was gradually revealing myself to one and all. Fiona was someone I wished to tell. The moment came late one night when Fiona and I were on the Mystery Tour*. We had been drinking almost ten hours at this stage. Booze always made the task lof coming out seem less daunting.

Fiona sat at a table with some students from my class. I shimmied in next to her. We attempted conversation over the loud music that blared through Rockin’ Robins, Carrick on Shannon. I stooped as close to her as I could without disturbing her friends.

“Fiona, I have something important to tell you?” I shouted into her ear.

“What, Steve?” Fiona clearly struggled to hear me over the music. She leaned forward, almost falling off her stool.

“I have something to tell you!”

“What?”

“I need to tell you something you probably already know. It’s important for our friendship that I tell you for the sake of it”

Fiona leaned away from me. She looked down and placed her hands on her lap as if contemplating something. “I think I know what you are going to say, Steve.”

“You do?” I asked. I was elated she would make this easier on me.

“I’ve known for a while. I have been meaning to talk to you. I know how you feel and I can honestly say I just don’t feel the same.” She looked at me sympathetically.

Shock coursed through me. “Eh, I’m gay.”

“You’re gay?” she asked in surprise.

“Yes, gay.”

Alcohol deleted my remembrance of her reaction to this news. Since I know Fiona well, I imagine she laughed uncontrollably in the incredibly contagious way she does. She probably even banged the table in front of her.

This was been a defining time in our friendship. I even laugh away to myself as I recall it. When we are alone, and I suggest we do something, Fiona will often respond by saying “sorry Steve, but I just don’t feel the same”. It never fails to induce laughter.

I miss you babe. Look after yourself.

*The Mystery Tour involved setting out around 11AM with the intention of visiting three mystery nightclubs over about fourteen hours. The freakiest moment was dancing in a nightclub in Enfield at 3PM in the afternoon. Some windows had been blacked out with bin liners. We finished up in Rockin’ Robins in Carrick on Shannon. I remember getting home at 6AM the next day. It probably took me a week to recover.