Fit Like Quine, diya wint a Mac?

Living near Aberdeen (well, Between Dundee and Aberdeen) is somewhat like the Oregon trail was around the end of the 18th century. You really had to have a good reason to live there because you missed out on things. Civilisation, for instance. Shopping. The ability to see things such as theater or bands (We only get the really hardy or desperate bands up here). And since its a wee inward-facing city, there's a real 'Little House on the Prairie' thing going on. For instance the local job market is referred to as 'The Magic Roundabout" as its full of the same people just hopping between companies. The local radio station - Northsound - is called 'Radio Fit-Like'..

Now before folks start climbing down my throat here, I must point out that I was Born in Aberdeen, grew up in Fraserburgh (just north of Aberdeen) and left for Edinburgh University in 1984. I then came back from Edinburgh and worked in Aberdeen in the early nineties, and then a couple more stints around 2000. I feel I can make this observation.

Well, all that isolation is going to change. Well, change a little bit. Why ? There's a new Apple Store opening in Aberdeen! Yay! The second in Scotland. No longer do I have to trek two hours to Glasgow (as I did this weekend to lust at the 27" iMac "Jumbotron"). I can instead spend 40 minutes on the train and walk straight to the store without suffering the 'inclement' weather that so characterises Aberdeen. (If you have the misfortune of not living in Aberdeen, you can visit to see perhaps the worst-designed road system in the world. One so bad that it inspired Chrisopher Brookmyer to write 'A Big Boy did it and Ran Away' - about a man so hacked off with the roads in Aberdeen that he became an international terrorist. Surprisingly, this is actually a work of fiction).

Its a wonderful feeling. Its like civilisation is finally catching up with me. Only delivery food, fast internet and a decent train service to go!

Comments

[Ferdy]

Unrelated, but still:

Reporter: "What do you think of western civilisation?"

Einstein: "I think it's a good idea."

[NeilT]

And you have it bad? When the son of a friend, in France, was having issues with his 24" iMac I was asked to have a look at it. I felt that the entire lack of a partition on the hard drive plus the fact that the install disk took 30 minutes to report that might, just, lead to the conclusion that it was borked.



so I sugested that they take it to an Apple store and get the drive replaced. Super let's look for one.



Erm, Paris, 400 miles away! Erk. Ok what do we have closer? Oh, so called apple stores which, sort of, do Apple stuff.



After two abortive attempts I suggested they might want to change it themselves. Oh how do you do that? Haven't a clue but you'll find it on YouTube.



They did. that huge glass screen is held on by a Magnet which circumnavigates the exterior of the glass... Cool. Then you need a degree in awkardness to get it off, that and suckers and "other stuff".



Somewhat deterred they decided it might be better to get the Apple store to do it after all. One of the Apple Stores said, "Oh yes we can do it for €300". But when they phoned back, it was "We'll have to send it to Apple and it'll be €600".



Erm, that's almost the price of a new one.



So after some Franglaise negotiating they were told a guy near Congnac could do the job. Off they went to Congac and dropped off the TV with a one armed guy who said he could do the work.



That was a month ago. I believe they are still waiting.



Feelings of "Civilisation" are relative, the Chinese had a very high civilisation for the time......

[Anne aka sis]

"theater"? You'll be going to McMerica for that then? Aberdeen has had a perfectly good theatre for a very long time. Anyway, nothing beats the local productions.

Shopping? who wants to mingle with thousands of other sheep when you've got t'internet to do your shopping on.

Bands? we've got great bands up here too - why just last night I watched a Queen tribute band in Hatton of Fintray village hall - it was b***y brilliant!

There's nothing wrong with living in the northern reaches of Scotland! It's a great place to live... just ask all the Polish, Russian, etc. http://www.billbuchan.com/web.nsf/emoticons/DLYH-5N3GJV/$File/laugh.gif" />

[Bill]

Ah - my sister who was exposed to the culture of Sacramento... http://www.billbuchan.com/web.nsf/emoticons/DLYH-5MZVLU/$File/wink.gif" /> You know, where they filmed 'The Lost Boys'.


---* Bill