The Swimming Pool

So the last time I checked in my classmates and I were basking in the air of self-congratulation that descends post degree show.

A lot has taken place since then. Graduation took place, with the bonking-on-the-head-with-the-towelling ritual, followed by the get-hammered-on-cheap-champagne ritual. In between Dundee, the sunniest city in all of Scotland (so we're told) opened it's skies and proceeded destroyed the assembled graduates and their families with a thunderous downpour, ruining brand new shoes and suede jackets left right and centre.

Eventful in any case. Before this important milestone of my life I spent 2 weeks with the boyfriend traversing California in a 'compact car' (read massive Chevvy, America has a different concept of compact). We started in LA and drove up the coast to San Francisco, before braving 'Death Valley' to get to Vegas. 'We' might imply that I did some of the driving. I did not, and instead spent a pleasant 2 weeks learning how to navigate without any road signs and rather useless free maps.

Wacky hijinks ensue. Just don't ever ask about the Hoover Dam.

At some point I'd like to draw a lot of the wonderful characters we came across along the way, such as crazy motel lady, with her sign advertising 'pool, wifi and air con' only to cackle gleefully when she revealed (having taken our cash) that the pool did not in fact have any water, the wifi didn't actually work, and the air con sounded like a truck starting up. All night. Or lovely Carlos, from LA, the 'writer/actor/producer/director' who had several scripts if you'd like to see them and was waiting on his big break.

And living in the Banana Bungalow hostel.

But as of yet I haven't, being back to reality. I've moved out of my flat in Dundee and am playing the terrifying waiting game: having sent out a zillion reels and pestering letters to a zillion studios, it's just waiting now.

So what am I doing? Well, I've injured myself and so can't kill time the way I usually do by running, so I've been frequenting the local swimming pool. Every single time I've gone I've tried to take mental snapshots of the amazing array of human lifeforms that go to immerse themselves underwater. Startling, horrifying and fascinating, all at the same time. 90% of the time I'm the youngest in attendance, bobbing around in a sea of white-haired perms having over-loud conversations with names like Vera, Moira, Janet and Maud.

So here're a few of my favourites! Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.