A New Year

I hope this new year's generally happy for all, nightly television news reports notwithstanding. On our side, domestically, there's a lot of settling to do yet, after our relocation: over the course of the year, I hope that we make our way into some stable longer-term situation (home, school, work, budget, etc.) that makes us happy. We'll certainly try. December was rather more a month of one-offs and feet-finding.

R. instigated a visit to the city centre for the Hogmanay concert and fireworks, I'm glad they did, it went well. It wasn't too cold, windy, or wet, just moderately so, it was nice to see the concert, from a distance given that we are not fans of crowds and noise, and the firework display. Walking back reminded me of my college days, when I'd also walk in a group in a British city to some event or other, even to the dark and the mist for getting back near home.

A guess occurred to me for why some of these events have multiple exits but only once entrance: perhaps to ease the ingress security for keeping the event clear of undesirable people and things.

Vestiges of the USA

While in Eastern Tennessee, I built credit that got me a good mortgage. I still hold a US credit card, through which I pay for US landline and cell numbers, which still reach me. However, it looks as if I am to be settled in Scotland for the foreseeable future so, what's the point? I am not sure, and they cost a little ongoingly, money that could be spent elsewhere. The advantages I can think of are but abstract possibilities.

I could just get rid of the US credit card and telephone numbers, and switch to being UK-based only but, once I do that, it's probably a difficult decision to reverse, given that such things are far easier to set up as a US resident. It's not as if I have found a UK-based VoIP provider who will give me a regular US number cheaply, especially one that can receive SMS. Still, if I do not think of compelling advantages soon then I may reorganize away from maintaining any US-based presence.