Scotland Trip (26/04/2014- 03/05/2014).

26^th April 2014.

I can’t wait to write about the Scotland trip. So many things to look forward to.

“How was the trip future Ed?”

“Brilliant. You can read my diary entries when you eventually catch up to my point in existence.”

“Read some of it please?”

“Not yet my boy. I can only make sure that you are able to write your experiences. But I shall say that the future version of your diary is a fitting tribute to all of your experiences.”

Why can’t you read it to me? The Ed from one second ago has given me all of the diary entries that I had written from the 18^th February to now. He’s generous.”*

“Well if you like one second ago Ed so much then why don’t you marry him?”

“Only joking.”

“I know. I WAS YOU!”

27^th April 2014.

Just waiting for Kiran to drive his car over. He will probably be here by 11am. Just about fully packed, with plenty of reading material stashed.

Such a shining day.

Sat in a service station called ‘Tebay’, with a black tea in front of me and an empty plate of chilli con carnie and chips on it. The window to my left has a wonderful scene- a duck pond and beyond that a wide expanse of mountainous wilderness just like you picture when you think of the romanticised Scotland- Clans and kilts and rebellions against the Romans and English.

Kiran is drinking/ eating soup with a spoon. Kiran thinks he looks like a young offender, dressed all in grey. Don’t know what he is talking about- well I do but no one will think that he looks like that.

On the way here we decided to take turns at picking songs from our music devices and playing songs on the car stereo. Also we chatted a bit and faffed about. This is the third station we have stopped at- the first two times, in order to (edited out) – which lead to about two minutes  humour.

Just waiting for Kiran to finish his soup and take a picture of the scene outside (his soup is now cold).

28^th April 2014.

We got to the hostel by about 8pm (yesterday) and settled into the room.

There were four bunk beds with only one other person in our room using the lower half of the bunk beds, with only one other person in our room using the lower half of the bunk bed at the end of the room (just looked down the room and saw that it was actually the top half). We took the bunk bed nearest the door- Kiran on bottom and me on top.

After unpacking and making the bed, Kiran and I popped out to get some food from the local chippy. Haggis and chips for Kiran, cheese burger for me. Went to the local co- op. I bought a four pack of cider, Kiran bought three posh looking beers and that vodka with tiny golden shavings in it. I can only guessed what he was perceived as when the lady at the counter took his money with Kiran’s standard English accent and thick- rimmed glasses (“Oh aye, from Eton are ye?”).

We got back maybe half nine and went to the lounge area. We put down some scrabble, I clicked open my cider, Kiran put a shot of his gold vodka into his coke.

On the other table was a group of four: three boys and one girl who were playing Monopoly. An older couple were sitting behind me on the comfortable seating, reading I think. The four on the other table kept going in and going out, presumably to smoke, leaving their unfinished game with them.

Eventually the older couple left to go to their rooms and the four emigrated to the comfortable seating. We played our game until I won by default (ain’t no thang). We then joined those four folks in the comfy seating and played a few games of poker with Monopoly money.

They were from Leeds, all of them wore black t- shirts and piercing on their lips or eyebrows type of people. Had a nice chat.

(just a little bit of the diary edited out.)

By this time we were ready for bed so we went. A shut up snore came from the other end of the room so we quickly got into bed and fell asleep after a few minutes of creaking.

Woke up today at 9:45am and was told by the man behind the desk that we had to be gone from the hostel by about 10am and back any time after 5pm. After Kiran had come back from the shops, we got ready and were out on the road towards Merrick (the mountain).

We parked just where the pathway started. Before going up the pathway to climb Merrick, we went to see the stone that was dedicated to Robert the Bruce. We looked at the spectacular scenery behind the stone- a wide expanse of loch, dottings of trees and one big mountain (that wasn’t Merrick). Breathed in the smell of nature and we were on our way up the Merrick path.

We continued for perhaps an hour or so through some beautiful wilderness. We decided to head back after we saw Merrick obscured by cloud. Another day, perhaps tomorrow. Kiran wanted to go up when we would be able to see everything.

We ate some sandwiches and went for a forest drive. – two in fact- but we had to head back from the first one because of logging and some sort of ‘refurbishment’ down the road.

Came back to the hostel which was about 7:30pm and went into the local village to get some food. We decided to eat out at the Chinese. I had Pork Chow Mein and a cider. Wonderful stuff.

Finally came back to the hostel. So grateful to sit down, get my book and relax. Kiran had been chatting a lot. Stomach filled and sat down now, contented and happy and thinking about today’s events. Now I can read and let all the wonderful memories settle into my mind. Still haven’t learnt the name of the village- I learnt it but I forgot**

I also remember that we stopped at a very out of the way pub just after the first forest drive. We sat outside. Certainly feel that I have not wasted my day at any point.

29^th April 2014.

Just sat in Kiran’s car, have just attempted and succeeded in walking up Merrick mountain. Woke up from the hotel, got out and travelled to the start of the trail by 9:30am. Had a small chat with the people who had just parked by us. They had gone up several times. The man pointed out that I had inappropriate footwear (which I did) but my old trainers were all I had at the time when I left. He was with his wife so we chatted a bit to her as well.

Started walking immediately, swiftly went by the place that we stopped yesterday and on, forever on, we went.

We stopped at an abandoned house with no door, completely empty inside apart from a  few logs on the floor. Charcoal and wood were the lovely smells that had made their home in the house. We stood there for a while exploring it. There was a cairn just outside the house and a trickling river.

We set off again, upwards into a forested area, possibly my favourite part of the journey. The moment you were in the forest you were in another world, the faery world.

“Hello Thomas the Rhymer.”

“Get on with your journey Ed.”

We stopped for a rest just outside the forest. We were maybe about 1/3 of the way by that time, as Kiran told me. My back was like a waterslide and soaking into my shirt.

We carried on up, mumbling to each other or in silence- And we reached the top by about 11:50am.

Kiran looked around to see if you could see Arran (the island) or the coast of Ireland. We saw both***

We stayed at the top for perhaps an hour, looking around and attempting to take pictures.

(Just a little bit of the diary edited out.)

We were back down again by about 3pm. I had a sandwich which I had left in the car (the first think I had eaten all day) and started to write. We are going off to the pub for a meal- the out of the way pub we went to yesterday. Hallelujah!

30^th April 2014.

We got back to the hostel yesterday, sat down and chatted to two polite Scots for a while after both having showers. Learnt a lot. They were locals who were cycling all around the place. Friendly folks. At about 10:30pm we decided to go out to the place where we parked, just below Merrick to look at the stars. The hostel manager said that he would have the latch off for when we came back but we had to be quiet.

So off we went. We decided to stop on one of the country roads and have a peer upwards. Awe inspiring stuff. Must have seen at least two shooting stars. So strange to be on an empty country road at night, no lights, no nothing.

We set off again and got to our destination. We looked and saw that there were much more stars, all bright and beautifully vivid. We walked with our torches to the Robert the Bruce Memorial stone and sat down. The animal part of my psyche imagined all manner of things: beast jumping and attacking me in the dark, someone with a knife unsuspectingly jumping in front or behind me and slitting my throat. These thoughts made me look down every few seconds to protect my neck. But the night sky was beautiful- I saw another shooting star while I was there.

We headed back to the hostel, locked the door and clambered into bed as quietly so as not to cause a disturbance.

Woke up in the morning, got ready and went out for a tea and a bacon cob- or bap as they say around here. Had a lovely time. Headed to what might be referred to as the ‘activities information centre’. There was a bar in there and a few locals. We looked for some activity info and then went into the tourist shop. I bought a pen with a Scottish flag on it and some seaweed soap for Ma.

I can’t remember names when writing but we visited the town- and I mean THE town in Scotland, famous for the large amount of books that are sold (seen as the book capital of Scotland). We went into three shops, one had a cafe with a lovely gay guy behind the counter. Bought books and sat down to lunch of salmon pate, salad and crackers with Earl Grey to drink (Wigtown was the name of this town). The two books I bought were ‘Mysteries and Secrets of Magic’ by C.J.S Thompson and ‘The Hermeticum’ by (duh) Hermes Trismegistus/ Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy. Such a relaxing place. 

After that went to a few shops, attempted to go down to where there was a river or loch but then thought it would take too long and then left to visit Whithorn, a beautiful coastal village (where the man that works at the hostel lived)...

We ate ice cream and explored. Went up to the lighthouse and sat down to look at the scene. Breathed in and felt healthy.

The ruins of St Ninian’s church was also on the hill and we checked that out. The modern church was being refurbished when I quickly peered into the door so not much to look at there. We walked along the road and then decided to travel back to the hostel.

Now sat down and about to flick through the books that I bought. Planning to ear at the hostel and then try one of the pubs in town, maybe two.

1^st May 2014.

Went into two pubs last night, the Cree in and the hotel just by the hostel. Got back about 12ish ad went to sleep. Woke up about half nine...

(Just a little bit of the diary edited out.)

We set off on a journey to the castle that existed nearby, Lochdoon Castle. On the way we saw a hamlet that was merely two houses opposite each other on the road, in the middle of wilderness. Got to the castle and found it smaller to what I had imagined. Looked at the history- It used to be on top of the island in the middle of the loch nearby, but through the waters rising through the building of a hydroelectric dam nearby, it was moved brick by brick and reconstructed just on the side on the loch during the 1930’s.

The area experienced a dark day in their fights with the English. The English had attacked and they attacked back- with a lot of messy results.

Went back on the road and went to the nearby deer park. We walked for two minutes until we saw a hut in the distance where we were able to see all the wildlife- not a single deer to see. 60 lived in the park but naught there. Hills, hills everywhere, but not a deer to see.

It was just 3pm by the time we left. I was knackered at this point but Kiran drove us to the Kirroughtree Park. Kiran saw an orienteering trail, so I grabbed my opportunity and said that I would stay at the visitor centre while he did his walking, have a tea and write in my diary. I can now give my thoughts their time and have that wonderful time in my head that I love to have.

Kiran came back an hour after I had sat down and then we went for a slow 45 minute walk. I was feeling ready to sit down with a book by the time we got in the car. I needed my ‘alone in my own head’ time.

Got back to the hostel after just quickly popping to Sainsbury’s. Ate dinner, sweet and sour. Then had half a pizza. After this I was given a membership card for Scottish hostels. Sat down and read a chapter. Kiran asked if I would like to go out to the pub- said yes and then continued to read. I might just have one drink. I want to have a relaxing time and don’t want to be out too long.

Last night (I forgot to say) we got talking to a Geordie bloke in the hotel who had a dog- it was nice that the hotel allowed dogs. It was rather nice. He told us that he got the dog from around here so he was taking him/ her back for walking around in his/ hers birthplace. Dog was well behaved... and apparently allowed to sleep in the same room as the bloke.

Just waiting for Kiran to get out of the shower so we can go out. I wouldn’t mind staying in as well and reading a few more chapters, but since this is the last night...

2^nd May 2014.

Sat right now at the Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in England. 500 metres above the sea level- right in the middle of no where.

Just had a hearty meal of lovely veg curry and sipping a pint of lovely Somerset cider called Sheppy Cider. Kiran is still eating.

Got up, packed and out of Newton Stewart hostel and off we went by 9:30am. We had decided to go to the Tan Hill Inn long before holiday. Kiran had gone there/here many times as a kid and I told him that I wouldn’t mind going- and that is why I am writing this now in this lovely pub. Gorgeous open fire, food and good company- and what else does one need apart from reading material.

Back in old England, contented and might have another one of those pints. Good music playing in the background too, folk.

3^rd May 2014.

Left Tan Hill Inn and got back home by about 8pm. After a chat he left and I said hello to Leicester again- (by ‘he left’ I mean Kiran left my house to go to his house.

Just looked through the diary. I have become future Ed that first made himself known on the 26^th April 2014.

*I have regularly been keeping a diary since the 18^th February 2014. At this point I have written about 1 ¼ diary volumes (if that is of vague interest to you).

**The town was called Newton Stewart.

***We later found that it may not have actually been Ireland that we saw.

"Pick up the paper any day and you can read dozens of items that could sow the seeds of futility, fear, worry, anxiety, and impending doom... Knowing that you can reject these negative suggestions by giving your subconscious mind constructive autosuggestions, you counteract all these destructive ideas.
Check regularly on the negative suggestions that people make to you. You do not have to be influenced by destructive heterosuggestion... All of us have suffered from it in our childhood and in our teens. If you look back, you can easily recall how parents, friends relatives, teachers, and associates contributed in a campaign of negative suggestions. Study the things said to you, and you will discover much of it was in the form of propaganda. The purpose of much of what was said was to control you or instill fear into you. This heterosuggestion process goes on in every home, office, factory and club. You will find that many of these suggestions are for the purpose of making you think, feel, and act, as others want you to and in ways that are to their advantage."

(Nlog Day 14.) The 'Idea' State of Mind.

Due to *cough* and other such excuses, I have not posted for a few days... but I seriously have been working on 'stuff' and so forth.

I have been trying to observe what comes into my mind at the mid- point between going to sleep and being awake. This seems to be a special time in which ideas are likely to come to you. I think that the reason that ideas come to you readily when you are half conscious is because you are interacting with your unconscious mind and you are more open to its workings... the veil between the unconscious and the conscious becomes less dense.

I bet someone has told you at some point in your life that you should keep a pen and paper by your bedside just in case an idea comes to you while you are falling asleep. This advice is given because things just come to you while you are falling asleep (I find it annoying really, especially when you are genuinely trying to get to sleep but you feel that you have to write down the ideas that are coming to you because you will forget everything in the morning).

Here is my theory, from what I have gathered from various sources. Carl Jung introduced the idea of the collective unconscious. I think that the idea that all humans share the same unconscious is valid. Mysticism talks about an astral plane. In this astral plane there exists every single thought that any human has ever had in all the forms that thoughts can exist in. This plane of existence can be touched upon and manipulated through the imagination and as certain mystic traditions state, humans can tap into the astral world and bring back things into their waking consciousness.

The astral world can be understood as the unconscious mind, a mind that can be summed up as the collective mind of all life, the machinery of the universe. When we are nearing sleep, we are closer to our unconscious mind, this astral realm that can be tapped through our imagination... and therefore it is more likely that we can look into this 'place or state of consciousness and bring back ideas, thoughts and visual mental pictures into our conscious mind for us to write down and use in our waking world.

...It certainly doesn't explain why Rupert the Bear comes into my mind every night while I am falling asleep.

Just ideas for anyone that cares to read.

Over and Out.
ED.

(Nlog Day 6).

...Would you like a packet of crisps?

Now that that question it out of the way... I shall begin the post.

Two clear ambitions came to my mind for some reason today. The first ambition is starting a business. The second is a burning desire to write a book. I was not sure why these two ambitions came to my mind but it was this line of thinking that made me think about general life goals.

I happened to be in Leicester on an errand and I picked up a book about archetypes. According to this book humans are summed up in these ten types,

• The Adovocate.
• The Artist/Creative.
• The Athlete.
• The Caregiver.
• The Fashionata.
• The Intellectual.
• The King/Queen/Executive.
• The Rebel
• The Spiritual Speaker

...and...

• The Visionary.

I would say that I was a few of these things. 

I'm not going to tell you which one I am... without giving anything away I was the second one... although I would say that I was in one way or another, most of them in some degree.

If you follow who you are then you will apparently be more successful because you are going with your own personal current so things will flow more freely... sounds good... I'm reading on.

Over and Out.

ED.

(Nlog Day 5).

"I have never experienced another human being. I have experienced my impressions of them. "

Due to having a busy day today my post is the above quote.

(Nlog Day 4). Culture Jamming.

Last blog post I talked about symbols and it is through this that I have written this post as a follow- on. Read if you want to... if you're interested.

I'm going to talk about culture jamming. The phenomenon is an anti- consumerist movement and is a good example of the use of symbols in society.

Symbols are the main way that humans interact, interpret and understand the world. We are all born as symbolising animals... and as an avatar of a thought, idea, concept (and shizz) you can affect and manipulate your brain.

My understanding of culture jamming is that it is meant to decondition people's minds to the use of symbols in the media.

A simplistic example is the Mcdonald's 'M'. That can be used to condition you to eat fast food a lot more. If you are exposed to a certain symbol over time in your day- to- day life, then it will slowly seep into your subconsciousness and make you more likely to buy a certain product... culture jamming reverses the process I suppose.

Here a few examples that I swiftly gathered:

...and...

Just a subject of interest.

Over and Out.
ED.

The Science of Language (Nlog Day 3).

Seeing as how I am doing daily posts for the second time in my life, I have started to become aware of whether I can think about things that I will find universally beneficial and relevant to anyone reading, while at the same time being able to write something that interested me during a specific day. The amount of visitors that I get are consistent no matter what I write so... let's get this on the road.

Initially, when you read the blog title "The Science of Language" many people that read this will assume that the subject that I'll be writing about will not be of any relevance to them (maybe)... BUT... if anyone chooses to read along, they will find that they can take away a few things from what I say and maybe apply it to their life.

My interest of the day is about symbols and language and what they do to the human mind. An idea came my way today, that seemed so obvious and familiar...

"Language and symbols are the coding system of the human mind."

Why this is so relevant to EVERYONE and so fascinating is that with this information, you can program your own personal experience with ease.

Everything that we are is what we think or what we have thought. This means that taking care of your inner world and keeping it at its peak is an essential responsibility and will have real effects in your reality.

"All that we see are our perceptions, we mistake that as our reality."

Our outer reality can be seen as a reflection of our inner reality... so if we wish to change our outer reality, then we must change our thoughts... which we can do through language and symbols because that is the way that our mind works.

Thoughts are seeds that are planted in your mind garden... the thoughts that are good are tended and worked upon.

Language and the symbols that we use to represent language can be used to change things for you and others.

The main purpose of Art is in line with the ideas I'm talking about (good art I mean). The purpose of art is probably debatable but for many people is to do such things such as,

• increase awareness.
• to affect mass change through changing the consciousness of others.
• to manipulate the mind for good (or bad I suppose).
• To widen the doors of achievable reality.

Reality is all in the mind... so be wise about what you think. 

The next post will be related to this post... I will be talking about... look at the next post and find out.

Over and Out.

ED.