"It's a real shame your camera doesn't have a flash facility Gary"
Actually it does, I was merely negligent in not activating it. These photo's were taken this morning in the changing room of Inverurie Swimming Pool. Although you can't see, he was grinning in anticipation of his impending swim. After the success of Tuesday, we arrived at the pool this morning in bullish mood, confident that there'd be no "Kate Winslet at any award ceremony" type crying and hysterics from Luca. And, gratefully, there wasn't. For the very first time he seems to be looking forward to his visits now.
However, is life ever that simple? Despite the relatively early hour of our visit (pre 0930) it was like a Dunkin Donuts shop in Houston - chaotically busy. The childrens pool was so busy there was actually a queue just to set foot in the water! After quickly coming to the realisation that at least an hours wait would ensue we cut our losses and headed, gingerly, toward the main pool. The big boys pool.
Luca is, unfortunately, very quick on the uptake these days, and he realised immediately that I was going to attempt to take him into the main pool. His grip tightened, his face hardened and his eyes began to well up. As we approached poolside he began to tremble. A quiet yelp escaped his mouth as my toe dipped into the shallow end. The yelp had become a disfunctioning car alarm by the time I was waist deep in, as he desperately held his legs as high as possible in order to avoid the icy splash. And an icy splash it certainly was, the temperature was clearly a good few degrees colder than the childrens pool.
Gradually, however, he relaxed. Although never accepting the sub-artics temperatures of the water, his whining (almost) abated and we spent another twenty minutes exploring the watery world. Eventually, when I decided he was starting to look a little too bue, I suggested we go back to the changing rooms and have some chocolate. The smile that spread across the face was like a rainbow after the storm!
He's sleeping now, tired out by his morning activities (I took him to the shops afterwards too, mainly to cause chaos), and, as I type this entry, his place has been taken by Sima, who's presently using my lap as a trampoline. I had to conduct a verbal disciplinary meeting with her on our return though, as she'd thoughtfully had a big poo in her food bowl...
Rolling backwards in time (as per normal), Carole and I were out on Friday night to a restaurant called "Moonfish". We both had fish. Surprising eh? The food was terrific though (best I've had in a while) and had we had more time we would've gone for a couple of extra courses. However, we were due at the cinema at 9pm to see the new "Underworld" movie, which, although not quite good enough to have left the restaurant for didn't fall too short. It was the third in the series (although confusingly also a prequel) but was accessible enough for non fans (such as myself) to be able to pick up and enjoy. Carole loved it though, so much so that we watched the original on DVD on Saturday night.
Speaking of which, I really hope our main TV is back soon. Squinting at the postage stamp sized screen of my substitute telly is proving awkward. Carole and I are now both walking around with a permanent squint as the wind changed mid DVD.
Also on Saturday, I went to the Aberdeen game with dad and Ross (the latter of whom is now becoming a regular again after a long disinterested period) and after a slightly dull start the game finished with the packed out stadium on the edge of their seats, depsite having to settle for a draw (albeit against Rangers). The most entertaining part came at half time, though, as the TV camera's were beaming the game live nationwide. However, as we watched the half time coverage from within the stadium, it quickly became apparent that the TV station had mucked up it's advert break procedure, and we were treated to images of the (male) presenter and co-hosts being applied with varying blusher, foundation, etc by the make-up girls. Indeed, so much was being applied that a female porn star may have baulked at the amount being shovelled on. While we were giggling at these absurd pictures, Carole was at a two year olds birthday party with Luca. He behaved himself (better than most of the others by all accounts) and had fun, though Carole admitted to me later that night that she wished I'd come. I thought that was nice, she'd missed having her big lunk around. Her next statement dispersed that belief however - "The other girls were drinking a really nice wine, and if you'd been there you could have driven!". Always nice to be appreciated.
Also on Saturday, Carole called her mum to arrange her next visit up here - it'll be from 13th February for 6 days. Rather "conveniently" timed, as it supplies us with a free babysitter for Valentine Day, as well as allowing Liz to travel to Livingston hospital with Carole and Luca on the 17th for his next session of laser surgery. With Liz having worked in the medical industry throughout much of her life it may allow us to glean a little more information from the - almost entirely uncommittal thus far - doctors about progress and chances of full/partial success of the treatment. Although I'm quite firm when requesting information, it's clear the doctors prefer to try and talk around me, as they clearly don't like to make committed estimations. And they're very good at it. However, they won't be able to catch Liz out with medical terminology. Although despite this I still suspect they'll be evasive, for (I assume) legal reasons. That said, over the last few weeks his face has been looking much improved so I'm looking forward positively.
**Useless fact of the day - Contrary to popular belief, America is not the fattest country in the world! Indeed, it only lies at number 9, behind such countries as Tonga and Kuwait. Nauru is by the far the worst, with 94.5% of the population being overweight or obese**
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