Pride

June 22, 2026 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

This weekend was Edinburgh Pride. I went along with colleagues from my work. We meet, do the parade, give away goodies, and then celebrate at the end of the march. Lots of dancing was done, and drink was drunk. However, I have never ever been good at mixing my drinks, and felt ill as soon as I stopped drinking. Rookie error, tbh.

Edinburgh Pride march heading up the Royal Mile.

As time goes on, the need for Pride seems to be more important than ever. In the UK, we have an increase in politicians ripping down pride flags, and cancelling events. Trying to silence a community that is already under pressure. Talking about not just restricting trans folk, and their rights, but making gay marriage illegal, gay adoption? It’s horrific, and there is no need for that. It’s 2026, and it feels like civil rights are going backward.

I have always been brought up with the radical idea that you treat those around you with kindness. Yes, we all have different ideas and beliefs, but as long no-one is harming any other person or creature, they should be able to live peacefully. We all have to muddle through this life in one piece, so if being guided by a religion, or dressing a certain way, can help a person navigate the shit show, then it should be fine. They shouldn’t be targeted purely because they are ‘different’ or ‘not normal’.

When I was at school in the 90s, I remember discovering that I didn’t like boys. I didn’t know who to turn to. I didn’t know anyone who was gay. Any other gay girls. So, I went to a teacher, someone at school to talk about it. To ask for advice. Only to be told, that when I met a boy that really likes me, these feelings would go away. I felt broken, that something was wrong. Section 28 banned schools talking about LGBTQ+ themes and issues to pupils. Put in place by the conservative government in 1988. It was put in place to protect the idea of the ‘nuclear family’, and stop children from being ‘indoctrinated’ into the homosexual lifestyle. It was repealed in Scotland in 2000, with England and Wales following in 2003. But for so many queer people, it was too late. Sexual assault, abuse, suicide, queer people suffered.

We are at a point, in 2026, where it honestly feels like Section 28 could come back. LGBTQ+ people in the UK are genuinely scared. There is an effort by the political right wing, where they want to split the LGB from the TQ+. And it is not because they ‘love the gays’, it’s a method of divide and conquer. We need to stand together as a community, because once the ball starts rolling back on human rights, it doesn’t just take out the rights for people you dislike. It comes for all the rights of every marginalised community. It doesn’t stop till we, as a general population, are set back decades.

Ain’t Too Bad

April 4, 2024 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

A few days ago, I posted on here speaking of my nerves at turning 40. I think my brain, as usual, was making a bigger deal out of things than it needed to. Like, I have a tendency of feeling the need to put closure over something, just to a have a fresh start at things. In the past, it has been the only way that I have been able to pick myself up and carry on. But at the same time, I end up still thinking about past failures, and don’t really put my best foot forward.

I honestly don’t quite know what I expected to happen when I turned 40, which happened yesterday. I think I felt bad that I had no real plan to celebrate, and was quite happy having a nice time. I went out to the pub with my family, received some cool gifts (HMV voucher, new Scotland shirt, Lego McLaren F1 car), and generally had a calm day. It was raining all day, but that never stopped anything. I tried to sort my passport out, in the hope it comes quickly.

*McLaren F1 car all built and ready to race*.

Today I saw my nephews, received some cool books (if anyone ever struggles with what to gift me, a book is always a winner), and finally had some birthday cake. I also went for a wee evening walk, with my folks around Edinburgh. It was dry, and I didn’t think it was too cold. I haven’t been for a walk in Edinburgh for a while, and hopefully, with the lighter evenings, we can do it more regularly.

*Looking across Princess Street Gardens, Edinburgh*

So, it has been a good start to 40. Long may it continue

Butterfly Fly Away

July 19, 2017 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

The other week, I met up with my friend and her daughter, and we went to the Butterfly farm near Edinburgh. It was a place I hadn’t been since I was really little. It’s very warm, and butterflies just fly all around you. Was really fun. And I was able to take a few pictures.

The summer provides a good time to play tourist in your local area, especially if you have kids. You can find more information about Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World here.

Gone to the picture show

February 9, 2017 ~ Sue ~ Leave a comment

Today after work, I went to the cinema to see T2: Trainspotting. After a 10 hour shift, I am exhaust, and can fall asleep in front of the tv. Especially in the dark. I stayed awake though. Go me!

T2 is the sequel to 1996’s Trainspotting, a film about heroin addicts in Edinburgh. T2 is about the same group of guys, 20 years later. The film looks back fondly on the last movie, and we see how life has played out for Renton, Spud, Sick Boy and Begbie. And, there is a common theme that nobody really moves on that much, despite what we hope for.

The film is genuinely funny, but is also heartbreaking at times. It is widely known, that although based in Edinburgh, the first movie was most filmed in a Glasgow studio. This is where the larger budget comes into play, so that the film could then be filmed all over Edinburgh. In fact, Edinburgh, the trams, the airport, the castle, and car park (yes, car park), is as important in the film as the main cast.

When a sequel is released, there is always a sense of worry that it will tarnish the legacy of the original. This has definitely not happened in this occasion. In fact, there are a lot of opinions that T2 eclipses the original, much like that other T2 (Terminator 2: Judgement Day– well better than the original). I think felt like the tone was very different in this film, not so much forming around Heroin, but what addiction left behind.

The cinema is expensive these days, £11 a ticket from my local Odeon. So, because of the high cost, you have to make sure that you pick a good movie to see. Personally, i have been waiting for T2 since it was announced Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Ewen Bremner and Robert Carlyle were all in. The film is getting released this month worldwide, in fact US release is tomorrow (10th Feb). So if you are pondering a visit to the flicks, T2: Trainspotting should be considered your time.