Welcome to life among the Blue People

I am a pale person. I have never tanned, any colour on my face is usually the result of too much sun and quite painful. Many people over the years have told me that my lack of colour is basically a lack of discipline: if I worked at it, spent time and money, I too could get a healthy colour. Explaining that I have tried sunless tanning, baby oil, "natural looking" bronzers, vitamin A and that I lived in Africa (where, surely, I was exposed to enough of the "right kind" of sun) all to my detriment and; that, in my 30s i have accepted myself and am ok with the skin G-d has given me, is not acceptable to these people. My natural pallor indicates that I am sedentary, "sun paranoid" and probably unhealthy.

Until now.

Moving to Edinburgh has been a revelation on many fronts. I have realized that American television production values are really the best in the world, that internet access means something else entirely in Europe and, that a "heated" apartment is a radically different concept in Canada. The revelation that has comforted me the most is that I now live among a pale people.

Now, obviously, there are people of colour here - Edinburgh is not a completely white society. Many salons have tanning beds, spray tans and "fake bake" for those who want to wander the darkened streets looking like they just came back from Ibiza. There is also a home grown industry that takes people to the sun filled and sexy Euro destinations, so who knows? Maybe these tans were earned the righteous way: on a beach.

For me, it's the relief of knowing that, this summer, I will not be alone in my pale-ness. People will not come up to me in the super market and ask me if I'm sick because of my pallor; I will not be accused of not liking fresh air because I don't want to sit in the sun at noon; explaining to people that I don't want to walk on the sunny side of the street? asking for a shady spot on a terrace? doesn't matter! it's all shady! and we're so far north that any sun will only contribute to my Vitamin D intake.

I was speaking to a native of Edinburgh today and told him how exciting I found the fact that everybody looked like me. He smiled, laughed and said "ah yes, welcome to life among the blue people". and here I am.

Back in Black

We're back online! Again, some more ...



I was encouraged by a friend to try this again, so here I am. I'm a bit ambivalent: anyone who's my Facebook friend can guess that. The whole concept of an online presence kinda freaks me out. I'd love a place that I can use as a scrapbook, a bulletin board without the constant barrage of comment, reinforcement and god knows what of Facebook (can you tell I'm a Facebook burnout?)

It's been about 18 months since my last post which is a long time ago. Lots has happened: I'm not going to recount everything in this (or any) post. It would be silly in many ways, most people reading this don't need a rehash of my history. It'll come in bits and pieces, if it's supposed to. If not? Better left unsaid (or un posted).

I don't want this to become one of those "look
at me, at what I have & what I've learnt and aren't I great?" blogs (aka "bragging" - tm the ever wise Devlin) yeesh. Oprah's fine but good heavens! Some stuff should be private or at the very least not open to everybody's discourse. What have I learned in the past 18 months? That life is both greater and smaller then one can possibly imagine ... I'm older and wiser but that comes with a whole lot of experience and situation that isn't always pleasant. Hearing people babble on about their enlightenment en masse is really unappealing to me, and I assume most people really don't need to hear about my stuff anymore than I want to chat about it. If you are interested? Feel free to leave a comment.

Some things should be mentioned at the start of the new and improved SadieBelle: Sweet Pea and I were married this spring and are now living in Edinburgh, Scotland. We've been here for about a month: so far so good. Belle's with us and pretty much the same: stubborn, hilarious and always herself. Hard to believe she's 10 years old! A mature pup, indeed. I thank heavens everyday for my little family and how fortunate I am that I have them in my life. That's it, that's all...
xoxo