03 July 2010

Glasgow Rain

It's raining outside and it has gotten quite chilly as well.  Another evening of stark contract to the recent weather we have had in Glasgow recently.  For the past number of weeks Glasgow has seen daily weather temperatures averaging 24C (according to my car trip computer) and we have seen days with blistering sunshine which puts lots of smiles onto peoples' faces.  Supermarkets saw a huge rise in the sale of disposable barbeque sets along with all the barbeque foods.  The sale of ice cream and cold drinks would also soar alongside that, benefitting the smaller businesses like newsagents, coffeeshops etc.  Parks and green grass areas would be swarmed with visitors and their frisbees.  They would sunbathe and have a barbeque as well then later drop litter around the overfilled bin that was not expecting to be used so much.  The poor park attendants have to clean up so much more around this time.  Tourists and visitors who arrived to Glasgow at this time would be very fortunate to have this weather and would definitely benefit from the sunlight as they check out the world famous architecture or come for university graduations etc.  This weather can be described as "too good".

Glasgow is never famous for being dry or sunny or for it's good weather.  Ask anybody local to describe the Glasgow weather and you'd hear something similar to "we get four seasons in one day".  Check out any foreign nationals who have stayed in Glasgow for a period of time and you'll find they have traded in their shorts for long trousers and also an umbrella.  "Glasgow weather is just unpredictable", however we know it's so ever-changing that we aren't that surprised by it anymore.  But this recent heatwave did take us by surprise.  It's so different.  It's so unusual.

To be honest, hearing and seeing the rain outside tonight made me happy.  It gave me a sense of normality.  It was like Glasgow for the past few weeks has been too different.  Glasgow in my whole life has never had so much sunshine for such prolonged periods.  It was too unusual and affected my way of life.  I don't mind sunlight, don't get me wrong.  I am not a vampire who longs for darkness, but too much sunshine in Glasgow is just not normal.  We've never experienced this before and frankly I do not know what to do in it.  Besides being at work which is by the far the most boring thing to do - sitting inside a five door hatchback car being driven around Glasgow for prolonged hours seeing people enjoying themselves outside just makes life sucks!  Being in the passenger front seat for the majority of my work time means my left arm gets more tanned than my right and this deep down really annoys me like nothing else.  The weather is too hot to wear a shirt so I wear t-shirts or polo shirts for comfort, but then I realise the colour difference in my arms when I get home.  What's worse is the sunlight also makes my skin itch and there were a few evenings when I find myself scratching the new tanned skin.  Some people suggest using sun factor but personally I'd rather put on sun factor on my body and sunbathe like everyone else.  Why should I put on sun factor to "encourage" further tanning?  Even in an office job I'd finish around 5pm and can still go out and enjoy some sunshine with friends perhaps, but being a driving instructor I spend the best part of the day in a car getting tanned one sided.

I really do enjoy my job, but I'd much rather be outside getting an even tan.  Maybe I am vain.  Yes, maybe I am.  I find having uneven tan marks very horrible. I'd rather be tanned all round or fair skinned all round.  What's the point in looking tanned and light togther?  Just not nice!  =(

I love the summer sunshine whilst I am on holiday.  I don't mind sweating away wearing shorts, sandals, sleeveless tops and carrying a backpack whilst touring Hong Kong.  And of course with sun factor on.  But I just cannot do such thing being at work.

Glasgow weather should just stop pretending to be what it's not.  Just go back to being unpredictable, to be ever changing and sunshine should just play hide and seek with the clouds as it used to it.  Us as human beings too - stop pretending we are something else or someone else.  We can pretend for a while, for a day, two days, two year but deep down you're not, and one day it will be revealed.  Being something you are not is just very difficult.  Putting on a mask.  Changing yourself to please people.  If you are yourself then you read from your own script.  You have your own dialogue.  But changing yourself changes your character and you have to re-write your dialogue in order to suit the character you're playing.  But God has already assigned you your role and character and has already destined you for great things.  Why change that?  If people are not happy with your character they can cast someone else for their "movie".  You know your own CV and should keep on displaying that to those interested.  Yeah, your life CV is shaped by God.  What you don't have you don't  necessary need to have, so don't need to strive to achieve.  And if you do strive to achieve something, then listen to your conscience telling you if it's the right thing to do.  If not, then reconsider what you're intentions are.  For your benefit or for the benefit of others.

Life is too short, don't kid yourself on.  Don't change yourself to please others.  Going out of your way to help people is nice.  However, don't change your personality just to please people.  You cannot be what you are not.

My current passions are:

Working out: keeping and shaping a nice body which is the temple for the Holy Spirit.

Teaching people to drive: the happiness of pupils passing their driving test is undescribable.  Only instructors will understand this.

Living a life pleasing to God: I am not the best Christian in the world, far from it, but I desire to be closer to God, to keep pure for Him and serving Him.  To stay pure for Him I have abstained from viewing anything with adult contents for almost three months.  This is through my computer, on tv or even anything tempting on the streets.  I am very pleased that I can keep strong and God is my reason for this.  I hope this can continue for a very long time, just like me abstaining from crisps since March 2008!!  =D