First faltering steps

Okay, so here I am, I've spent the last three hours setting up my Blog, choosing the layout etc.; but now I've actually got to think of something to write. Well as this is my first post I think I'd better say something about myself; set the scene so to speak.

I have been living in the Aberystwyth area on & off for over ten years now. I first came here as a postgraduate student in ’95, left to work in London for a few years and came back in 2001.

I was going to reel off a load more facts, but I decided that this would be incredibly tedious a) to write & b) to read. As this Blog develops I hope many of these facts will become apparent anyway. If not they are probably unimportant.

Instead here are a few things about ME.

I am either:
a) an arrogant, selfish, thoughtless, know it all (how other people probably see me)
or
b) a caring, sensitive, thoughtful, introvert (how I like to see myself)

I suspect the truth lies somewhere in-between.

As an aside, one of my definitions of a friend is someone who is willing to tell you to your face when you are being an arrogant, selfish, thoughtless, know it all. A true friend is someone you are still willing to talk to afterwards.

So what’s it like living in deepest darkest West Wales?

Actually it is great; Aberystwyth is a wonderful place to live, especially after London. If only they would build a multiplex cinema & a Marks & Spencer and replace Morrison’s with a Tesco; it would be pretty much perfect for me.

Winter in Aberystwyth is a great time; here’s why:
1. Very few tourists.
2. A maritime climate means it is a lot warmer than the East coast.
3. The sunsets seen from the prom are amazing.
4. The snow on the hills is beautiful.

OK you say, but there must be drawbacks too:
1. Lots of students.
2. A maritime climate means it is a lot wetter than the East coast.
3. The wind blows in off the sea over the prom and straight through you.
4. Road & rail connections are lousy.

So what about the summer, the good points are:
1. Very few students.
2. A maritime climate means it is a bit cooler than the East coast.
3. The sunsets seen from the prom are amazing.
4. The sun on the hills is beautiful.

And the bad points:
1. Lots of tourists.
2. A maritime climate means it is a lot wetter than the East coast.
3. There is very little sand on Aberystwyth’s beaches
4. Road & rail connections are still lousy.

It still beats living in London, because:
1. I can afford a house.
2. My journey to work is 10-15 minutes each way by car, instead of 1-1.30 hours each way by bus & tube.
3. Since moving here nobody has offered to sell me sex or drugs and nobody has threatened to hurt/kill me.

There are really only three things I miss about London:
1. The wide selection of cinemas, including the BFI.
2. The museums & galleries.
3. The Proms (I used to work near the Albert Hall)

Well that’s enough rambling gibberish for now.