Brad Pitt, Philadelphia and Glasgow.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been in Glasgow for the last two weeks - it has been mentioned that it's unusual for two people who are rhyming slang for a jobby turning up at the same time. Michael Knight has denied rumours that he will add to the group.

Anyway, Glasgow has recently been invaded by zombies - or to be more precise the film crew for zombie film World War Z. Brad Pitt stars in this and has been filming over the last two weeks, sending most of Glasgow into meltdown. 

Some of the photos below show how Glasgow has been transformed into Philadelphia for shooting - there's been a real buzz in Glasgow lately, it's been quite an interesting experience.

Whilst we are mixing up USA and Glasgow culture here are a few jokes from Tam Cowan's radio show this week with the theme being "jokes that you can only get if you are Scottish".

A Glasgow woman goes to the dentist and settles down in the chair. 'Comfy?' asks the dentist. 'Govan,' she replies.

What did the Siamese twins from Glasgow call their autobiography? Oor Wullie.

Did you hear about the fella who liked eating bricks and cement? He's awa' noo.

After announcing he's getting married, a boy tells his pal he'll be wearing the kilt. 'And what's the tartan?' asks his mate. 'Oh, she'll be wearing a white dress,' he replies.

A year back in Glasgow

The 2nd of August marked one full year back in Glasgow - we find it hard to believe it's been a year. Katie and I have been reliving some of our travels from 2010 and arriving at the airport and seeing family when we got home is definitely still a highlight.

We both feel that another exciting new chapter is about to start and with me looking for a new job there will be some more changes over the next 12 months. We'll keep the blog going to keep you updated and we hope you continue to enjoy it even though it's not as exotic as it used to be!

Big G

Just a quick one - we were out last week with some of Katie's work colleagues and bumped into Big G in the bar Oran Mor.

Us with Brad Garret who plays Robert in the hit Tv Show Everybody Loves Raymond

Big G in Oran Mor

Big G works for Rangers in the ticket office, and we know him from Jordanhill. A tremendously tall and nice fella who reminds me a wee bit of Ray's brother Robert in Everbody loves Raymond (in size and shape not personality)

Our birthdays and Derby Day

It was our birthdays at the end of May (as usual) and this year we decided to give Perth volleyball a miss and hide under a bush instead. We did however go out for dinner and a few shandies on the Saturday night with a bunch of good friends and had a great old night. Thanks to those who attended ;o)

I had a job interview to prepare for so we didn't really feel 100% in the birthday spirit. The job interview preparation went well - unfortunately I didn't get the job though. Well, I say unfortunately but actually, if I am being honest, the only disappointing thing about not getting that job is that I am unemployed at the end of term and have to start job hunting again - I was kind of looking forward to some predictability and drudgery. ;o)

But hey ho, it's back on for high octane excitement again. If Katie didn't have such a great job we would seriously be thinking about moving again - there are a million tax free teaching jobs in seriously hot countries which would be very tempting for a couple of years. Besides, it would make for a much more exciting blog....

Anyway, after the highs and lows of interviewing we had Derby Day to look forward to. Our great friends Noan and David who live down in Romsey (picture the movie Hot Fuzz and you'll know what Romsey looks like) had won at a charity auction a table for 10 in a posh marquee at the Epsom Derby. They invited us down for a cracking weekend which we both thoroughly enjoyed after all the recent pressures.

We flew down to Southampton on the Friday afternoon and we had a lovely afternoon out on the lawn playing quoits and drinking champagne - it really is a different world. Noan and David's neighbours Chris and Lyndsey joined us and we all had a good laugh before venturing out for a Thai meal.

On the Saturday it was an early rise to get the chauffeur driven Mercedes mini bus to Epsom. On the way we picked up the Saturday racing papers in an effort to be well informed about the possible winners. I would have been better not bothering, we won pretty much b*gger all!

By the time we got to the races it was Pimm's O'Clock - well, they were serving lots of it along with champagne if that makes more sense.

 Inside the marquee

Liz, Chris, Andrew, Noan, Lyndsey, some big old guy we didn't know.

It was a lovely day and we had a great track side view from our tent at Tattenham corner. We were well served with food and drink all day - needless to say this was made full use of.

 Some horses running round the corner.

Noan and David

 Katie and David

 The girls

Noan and Katie

A great day was had by all and after the races we still managed to get the chauffeur to stop by a pub for a quick pint on the way home, we then stopped off in Romsey for one and picked up an Indian meal for a midnight snack.

The next day we sat around an watched the final of the French Open on the telly before flying back to Glasgow. 

Good company and many drinks - thanks to Noan and David for exactly the kind of weekend we were in need of.

Fun in the Sun - In Glasgow?

A heatwave has been hitting Glasgow recently would you believe? O.k., so it's not really a heatwave, it's been somewhere between 14 and 21 degrees, with little rain and lots of sunshine.

It has meant shorts and T-shirt at work and sitting outside where possible, including some visits to the local park and sitting on the stairs drinking beer (as most people around here seem to do).

Normal service has been resumed today however, election day in Scotland, colloquially known (in my mind anyway) as "choosanumpty day". It is pissing it down today - can a Tory government do anything about that? Nah, I didn't think so. ;o)

Recent photo

This blog is never going to become photography only but I wanted to share a photo that I took recently, it felt good to get back out taking photos - here's to many more!

Rangers v Celtic

I seem to have attended more Ranger's games since coming back from New Zealand than I ever did before I left. But I do love the sport and they don't come much bigger over here than these. Australia v All Black's? The atmosphere isn't quite the same.

The last one was the Cup Final that Rangers won at Hampden.....

And today's was a last minute ticket for the game at Ibrox which ended up 0-0 thanks to some stunning saves by big McGregor.

For those of you who aren't living here and probably don't know, Rangers are being hammered at the moment for singing sect*ri*n songs, and now the police, fifa and everyone else seems to be getting involved trying to sort things out. Especially now that people are being targeted with expl*sives and de*th threa*ts. (Even though I am not saying anything wrong I have blanked out some of the letters so filters don't identify me as a suspicious blogger and shut me down.)

 For what it's worth here's my tuppence worth on the whole embarrassing situation in Glasgow at the moment.

1) I sincerely hope that this is just the catalyst that we need to rid Scottish football of  all the mentalists who get their kicks on both sides out of their hatred of the other.
2) I think "him over there" needs to conduct himself with a bit more decorum, although he doesn't deserve threats against him and his family.
3) I look forward to the day when we can have a healthy, fun rivalry with each other - and to those who say it can't happen, I have two words for you...smoking ban. They said that couldn't happen either.

Steph.

Photography

I've also been getting myself back out and about taking some photos - with varying success I might add. As I was saying to my snapper friend Gordon, it's like not having ridden a bike in a while - you can still do it but you're not as confident and a wee bit shit.

Here are a couple of the shots that I took the other day, remember to keep up with my flickr account for the latest updates and oldies

www.flickr.com/stephbrown08

A funny anecdote from the Central Station picture - 3 teenagers come up to me and one said "can you take a picture of me?" - I said, "I could, but no offence pal, it's no gonna make me any money." His mates found this pretty funny - as did I. 

Och, the Glasgow banter.