Whitby Gothic Weekend + Scotland, 2002

Wednesday October 30th

Approaching London Heathrow, Thursday October 31st

10:45 AM Edinburgh

10 PM, Whitby

Friday November 1st, Whitby.

Saturday November 2

Decided to pop by the bizarre, the Psiclone woman was there, so got measured to order the rubber top. Forced her to take a 20 pound deposit despite her not wanting to seem like she did not trust me. I ran into Dag, he was going to the Elsinore. I took some pictures off the cliff, and walked along the pier to the Elsinore. We ended up sitting down across the street from it with Jennie and Erythromycin. We talked a lot about cars bikes and science. I waited for Dag to finish his pint, and he and I went off to eat. Hardly anyone was serving food, or they were too busy. We ended up at the Dolphin, I had a potato based veggie burger and chips. We talked about animation and modeling. It started to rain a little bit then, it had just been misty before. We went back to the Elsinore, and I had a half pint of cider and black on purpose time. I talked about music with Dag and Morph. The pub was getting smoky by then, so I went back to my room in harder rain. I passed Etienne who was carrying his fines from the bizarre, sex pistol and sisters records. Walking from the pavilion to the Elsinore, one woman commented that it would have taken a sight of work to get green yarn braided hair done. Another commented to her husband "did you see those fishnet stockings?" He harrumphed. My room wasn't made up, apparently if I miss the first round of housekeeping that's it. It looks like tickets for the Sunday night event are all gone.

I took a nice long bath and dressed in the lace top, skirt and PVC corset. I put on my coat hat and scarf for a wet walk to the spa. I got a Sunday ticket for Laughton's. I talked with Pat and Hirez for a bit. I tried to get a cranberry and amaretto to drink, then an orange juice and amaretto, but ended up with another cider and black. I sat for a bit, I got there at around 7pm, the first band went on at 8pm, and I wasn't that fussed about it, so I went out and found people to talk to. Swarf went on at 8:30 and did a good set, with lots of people there to hear them. I talked with Holly for a bit, then went back to the main room to see Narcissus Pool, but didn't enjoy them, they were very guitar heavy. There was a cute punk with cheetah spots on her head beside the mohawk. The lead singer reminded me of an 80's idol. Last Rites (I got a t-shirt for Ben straight off so I wouldn't forget nor miss out) were too guitar-y for me as well, I tried to get some pictures, but they came out really blurry. I talked to Dok for a bit during the set, and had Astrid tighten my corset for me. It took a while for me to settle into it, it must have been down close to 24 inches. Went up to the lobby, it was very crowded, and very few were in fancy dress. I perched and talked with the usual suspects. Siobhan and Axel went back to their place. I found Jordan and Channing and brought them with me when I went over. Their friend Axis startled me and hurt my arm. They got me carbonated water as an apology. We went to the Avalon hotel go get their Absinthe and then went to the cottage. Saw Astrid and Casper sitting outside, and eventually made our way in. I got an introduction to Scary Lady Sarah (who apparently always rented this cottage at Whitby, and the Toronto crew was cost sharing with her), and Jordan and Channing met people they already knew. The place looked big until people started arriving. I sat in the kitchen for a bit and then went out on the patio, bundled up. The stars were clear, but Lee Chaos was setting off fire works, but Liz and the Swarfs arrived and she sat out to look at the stars for a while none the less. Etienne and Liz were still up drinking when I left at 6:45. I sat on the couch in the living room for a while with Jennie, Erith, and Dag, and talked with Sheridan and a woman who were on the window seat. JV and Nicky (Dag's gf) were on chairs in the living room, and EdVamp was there as well. I drifted off for a bit while they were talking about war, with electrified machetes being the weapon of choice. Byron the skull headed walking stick was used to perturb systems. Aidan and Narnia came in near dawn and Donald slept across our feet. Stayed up to write my journal once I got back, dead tired at 7:15, wish I could put up a "Do not disturb" sign, but need housekeeping to drop in.

Sunday November 3

I went back to my room, watched TV for a while, had a bath and dressed up: tux pants, delihaus t-shirt, and my wool army sweater. I went out and past the Elsinore and got tea, then in to see what was up at the cottage. JV was getting ready, Sarah came down, and I went up to Sio, she was feeling better after being ill for most of the day. Sarah and I went over to Laughton's to see Axel and Casper, they announced that tickets were gone as we arrived. They were a bit peeved, no tickets for them. They went back to the cottage to hatch a secondary plan, and I eventually went back to Laughton's with my pre-purchased ticket. I only knew EdVamp and Dag at first, and the music was crap 80's rap. I didn't stay for long, only dancing to one and a half songs on the over crowded floor. Went back over to the Elsinore, ran into Pat and Hirez outside, and they recommended stuff to see in Scotland: McIntire stuff, and Banshee recommended the National Gallery and modern art. I gave Pat and HR goodbye and went into the pub. Joined Erith, Weeble, and Jennie. Weeble does origami and he made an elephant and a pig while we were at the table. We talked a bit about space technology, we found and lost seats, Fury came by and she'd found my swiss army knife, I dropped back into her place to get it later on and then went back to the Elsinore. Etienne, Sarah, Axel, Siobhan were there by then, I had some water and they closed down some lights and gave last call at 11pm. The Toronto crew and I went over to Laughton's with found passes, one from me, plus they gave my ticket back when I left, so we got in. We sat upstairs overlooking the dance floor, and Dag found us again, as well as Aidan. Stayed to the end and milled about in the street afterward. Sio went off to bed, still not fully recovered. I went with the bonfire brigade to the beach, where the stars were very clear. Orlando Axis was there and Simon and EdVamp and Dag. The fire wasn't starting easily, so I drifted away and went to the abbey stairs. I climbed them with Nat, I think, and was given responsibility for a very drunk tranny with blonde hair - Bronwyn? We hooked arms and got her up to the short wall. Nat boosted me over and we made our way toward the abbey, not really nervous of guards. It was very dark, but we spotted some glowsticks glimmering dimly. We moved into the corner of the abbey out of the wind. I stepped out for a bit to see the Zoo's boomer fireworks, and more and more people arrived. Dag, Thomas from Brute Force Leather (PA), a woman from DC, also an army Chicagoan, Alan from Dublin who has an uncle who lives in Ottawa. Adian and Narnia showed up eventually too. Someone had a coleman lantern, and glowsticks, sparklers, torches, and lighters were used to good effect. I sat on my coat and was pretty warm until smoke went down my lungs and sparked a coughing fit. At one point a star was centered in the peak of an arch, and it was achingly beautiful. I could see constellations through open windows. It was a pretty respectful crowd, everyone watching to make sure that nothing was disturbed, and people sharing warmth and light and drinks. Alan walked me back to my hotel, and we saw the bridge rotating back into place as we approached it. Met Simon there and he walked along with us. They got regaled with the wonders of stripper bingo, and I got Alan's card in case I made any trips to Ireland (he works the door at a club in Dublin). Got back to my room around 3am. Need to call Casper in the morning to sort out breakfast.

Monday November 4

I ended up going to the Internet cafe, but one-woman was still online and I couldn't get a computer so I went over to the Safeway for water and matches to go with the two cans cider that I picked up at the off license. I went back to the Internet cafe and ordered tea and the woman was off the computer then. I browsed a few sites and grabbed the numbers for six or so bed and breakfasts in Scotland, JV came in to say, hi, he was not going to Leeds and would be around tonight. I answered some e-mail and then went back to the hotel to call for room in Scotland. I called through all but one on my list and finally got a room. Then I took a bath with my new bubbler and candle.

I just warmly in two layers of socks, pants and tops, and was all set for a night on the beach. I popped my head into the Elsinore to check if Drew was there then went down to the beach. Drew had dug a pit and was chopping wood. I scavenged from last night's pile. Jennie and Weeble were there already, and Donald arrived later. A small fire was used as a seed for the big one. Goilla set off a box of fire works, some tipped over and went off horizontally along the beach, I ran behind a stone wall so as not to be set on fire. A skip across the way was raided for 2x4s and broken boards. A woman got a split lip when something slipped. Odie helped Goilla - G would hold rockets in his hand, or else set small ones in the ground and stalk away. I drank a can of Strongbow, popped over to the Duke to use their washroom, and had a glass of mulled wine while I was there, for warmth. I eventually followed Odie to the little angel for a beer before his place. Had a pint of water and then talked with Jennie, Drew, Donald, and Weeble. Then went with them to Bits 'n' Pizzas, they only had burgers for sale, I stole a few of Donald's fries when he wasn't looking. Jennie called for a cab back to their cottage (it was a ways out of town) and I hugged them all goodbye and said I'd see them in Glasgow when I made my way there. Then I went off to my BNB expecting to sleep, but then I found that I'd grabbed the wrong key upon leaving, I had my room key rather than the outer door key. I tried the buzzer once (it was midnight, I didn't really want to wake anyone up, plus there were signs saying that they'd not open after 11pm or so), but there was no answer. I scooted back to where I'd left the Glaswegians, but they'd gone, the Angel was dark, so I went out to the beach to see if anyone was left there, luckily getting warm from the walk. Dave the Hat offered me crash space, and I stayed hanging out with the new fire crew until 1:30 or so. Fuzzy Dave burned his bathrobe (everything was going into the fire at this point) and later found out, after a pop in the fire and wondering how a cell phone battery would burn, where his phone was. Later the board was fished out of the fire, to much giggling. He'd borrowed a cell to call a friend and ask them to call his, the number you have reached has been burned up. Dave the Hat hurt his knee breaking a piece of wood from the skip (a dangerous source of wood), and the melamite (sp?) covered cabinet door dripped disgustingly as it melted. Deathboy (I think that was him) disappeared for a bit then threw his pants on the fire (before the cell incident), and a woman burned her socks, which were gently taken off by a braided and metal implanted man (Creature? he had bars up his arms). A woman in the Elsinore had a bar on her chest, near her throat, and scarrification on her breasts (shown off by a deep v top). I ended up giving Fuzzy Dave my other can of cider, as I wasn't in the mood to drink another cold can. Luckily Dave the Hat left fairly early (in Whitby terms), as I had to be up at 8 to pack and check out, so we walked over the bridge an d past the train station and up the hill to his bnb. He's also from Glasgow. His room was way up at the top of a house, and had two firm twin beds, and not much else - there was a wash stand, sleeping bags and pillows on the bed, and the other rooms were open and empty. I went back down a floor to the bathroom to brush my teeth, divested myself of my outer layer of clothes and slept in a turtle neck and leggings. I think I half woke and talked in my sleep as I had anxiety dreams about keys, but Dave never woke. This is what it means to be a net.goth, never being left out in the cold.

Tuesday November 5

Wednesday November 6 - Edinburgh

Found a way to the castle fairly easily, picking up some Sucrets along the way for my throat, and the rain held off. Popped into the weaving museum first, saw tons of looms with plaids set up on them, ready to be finished. Bolts and bolts of fabric were piled up, and they had a display of tartans and kilts. Gorgeous view from the top of the hill, but it did eventually start to rain, so I popped into the cafe for a scone, clotted cream and straub jam (expensive but oh so good). Came back out onto the battlements just before the 1pm gun: I held my ears and didn't jump too much when they fired it off. The ball dropped a couple of seconds after at the Lord Nelson (?) monument. I walked down the Royal Mile, turned right on Saithbridge and found Flip clothing. Down in the basement I found Converter cds (bought one of the three, Blast Furnace), they had other stuff but nothing else on my to-buy list. The rubber spiky collars were all too big. I went back to the Royal Mile and grabbed a (mild) Mexican pastry and walked and ate. Went down past the new parliament building to Holyrood Palace. They were only offering guided tours, so I signed up for one: saw the Queen's portrait, Mary Queen of Scot's bedroom, her hair, and where her secretary was murdered and his bloodstain not cleaned off. She fled, 6 months pregnant, back to Edinburgh Castle and gave birth to James in a small closet there. We were left on our own to take pictures outside and around in the Abbey ruins. A huge hill and Arthur's Seat just behind it all.

I took a different way back, via back of Waverly Station. I picked up some OJ and water for the room, and went up to finish reading my book and rest a bit. Went down to the lobby and used the free internet terminal to post to LJ, email Joy, Jennie and Drew. Put off booking a BNB in Glasgow until get email from Jennie or Drew, can do it tomorrow. Finally pulled myself off the computer and set out for dinner. Ended up at a Venezuelan restaurant up the street who's door caught my eye. It was really good, I had mussels in a wine and tomato sauce with fresh bread, grilled tuna with salsa, rice and a tomato and avocado salad. I indulged in a piece of chocolate fudge cake with vanilla ice cream and couldn't finish it. Two women at a table next to me talked about relationships throughout dinner. I walked for a bit the other way past my BNB, tried listening to my new cd but wasn't in the mood. Ended up going to sleep just after 10pm.

Thursday November 7

Went back up to my room to shower after tea (the chrome pot reflected me, windows and an autumn blue sky), rhubarb yoghurt, toast, OJ, scrambled eggs and fruit salad. May try the veggie haggis tomorrow. Off to museums and galleries and will try to find the Lush store as well. 10am.

Got caught up on the computer, spending far too long on it, to almost noon, trying to book a BNB in Glasgow so I'll know where I'm going, found the Corus Hotel, but lost connections as trying to confirm the reservation. Finally used the computer in the office to finish it up.

I managed to stick to my plan, starting at the farthest point, first going to the Royal Museum of Scotland and taking in the Game On exhibit. The Millenium Clock in the atrium was disturbingly bleak, amid the wide open space of the entry. I played Breakout, two guys were on the Pong station so I skipped it. SimCity, GTAIII, Amato drawings for Final Fantasy, Wolfenstein 3D, Pacman, Dance Dance Revolution, hentai books (??) were all on display in a pretty large exhibit hall that I wound through, looking for old favourites to replay. There was a small arms and armour section, mostly with Iranian pieces, but the Japan exhibit was nice. I reclaimed my coat from the check, grabbed a brie and tomato roll and munched on it as I walked to the National Gallery. Titian was well represented, one Tintoretto that I saw, Seargent's were as lovely as always, and Raeburn was good as well - the Scottish floor was breathtaking. It was after three at this point, so wandered past the Walter Scott monument (a blackened and spikey tower) and up toward Carleton hill (with a short stop in a graveyard). The sun was setting over the city, I saw the ball on top of the Nelson monument, pillars at the crown of the hill , and a good view of Arthur's Seat. Back down and walked along Princes St and went into the Lush store, but didn't buy anything (saving it for just before the flight home). Got a light book and kleenex and cough syrup and a wash cloth at Boots (they carried Urban Decay and Rock Candy cosmetics, but I resisted). It was chilly by this point. I stopped into Sitara Spice and got a good chicken tikka masalla and naan. I brought it back to my room, and ate while reading. Made a pot of tea afterward, as well. The internet terminal was busy, so took a walk, but my fever came back and cut it short. Needed to pack, but stayed up too late surfing and sleepless.

Friday November 8, Edinburgh to Glasgow

The train ride was uneventful, I scooted my suitcase into the window seat leg well, it was never crowded enough that I had to movie it. I ran into a guy in military dress who directed me to Argyle (he'd lived in Mississauga for years, and insisted on knowing where I'd lived in Toronto). Found Argyle okay, it was perpendicular to the street the train station was on, but I'd turned the wrong way at first. I bumped my rolling suitcase up and down the corner edges at intersections, and made my way to the correct number, found the hotel and checked in at about 1pm. Everything's lime and burgundy in my hotel room. I scooped a handful of water from the bathtub and splashed it onto my face: half of it is cool and half warm from the two streams coming from the taps.

I went back out, to the Gallery of Modern Art (link between Scotland and Ireland, book very cool). Missed McIntire tower, found the Lush store here, popped into an inviting bookstore and picked up "The Rider" by Tim Krabbe, then found the Willow Tea Room - Mackintosh's design was reproduced, it was reached by walking through a very shiny shop, had an open balcony, tall chairs, but sad plastic strips for the grid on the walls. The almond honey tea tasted so good, I wanted to kiss someone to share the taste. Also had a scone with whipped cream (the clotted cream at Edinburgh castle was better). I read the book I'd picked up and sipped contentedly at my tea, then headed back to the hotel, and it turned out that the tea room was right up the street from it. I called Jennie at 5pm and we planned to meet up at 7pm. I read for a while longer, had a bath with a Lush bath bomb, and met them on time, though Weeble was a bit late joining us. We went to Ichiban sushi - sushi was the appetiser, no edamame, salmon teriyaki was very good. The udon dish was good, though I declined the fish cakes. We went out to a basement club - Delerium? It's held once a month, I lucked out in being in Glasgow when it was on. Upstairs is a vegan restaurant, I grabbed some tea from them and water from the bar below. Drew started me on my lemsip addiction - there must be crack in blackcurrant lemsip, can't stop drinking it, it makes my cold symptoms go away. Bliss. It was pretty loud, and the cardboard covered dance floor stayed empty most of the time. Made plans with Donald for him to tour me around more bookshops tomorrow. Weeble left, then Drew walked me out to Argyle and he caught his bus. In bed close to midnight, the lemsip helped me sleep.

Saturday November 9

Then I went up to the Necropolis and took tons of pictures - it was on a very high hill, lots of ivy and changing trees. I went down the hill again, stopped and got a fruit an d nut bar and used the change to call Donald from the front of Queen Street Station. Got onto the underground and took it two stops to St. George's Cross (the cars are very tubular, doors extend to ceiling). He was waiting, buckle boots made for walking. We went past their place to the first sci fi book shop, and I managed to stop after getting 7 books for the price of 5 - the books were piled up waist high and shoulder high, forming an L shaped aisle through the small store. We walked some more, got pakoras (spinach and brie, ate standing at a counter in the shop, surrounded by the smell of hot grease), walked more, and into another store tucked into an alley. They had a whole shelf of Ian Banks, but didn't take credit cards, so I had to stop after I used up my pounds. Walked back to his and Jennie's place and had tea and talked, they've got a nice big place with high ceilings and lots of light. I left at around 4:30, took the tube to St. Enoch and back to the hotel. Read one of my new books for a bit, then ventured out to find dinner, no luck on W. Regent, ended up at an Italian place - Leonardo's, just up from the hotel. Two cute wait staff, one short and blonde and reminiscent of a Kid in the Hall, the other tall and brunette. Had penne and raspberry creme ice cream. Very good. Bottled water from Italy as well, which was a nice reminder of my trip to Venice, though it was expensive. Back home at just prior to 9pm, asked the front desk about the semi broken shower head in the room, made some tea and wrote in my journal. Played a bit with my camera and got some pictures of the lamps above the bed. Was surprised to see that I'd taken over 200 pictures on this trip. Not sure if up to going out to the fetish night a taxi ride away, 9:30pm then, but think that I'll skip it, and not chance a reoccurance of my cold.

Sunday November 10

Monday November 11