My Journey to see - Richard Dawkins - Brief Candle in the Dark at the Borders Book Festival

Borders Book Festival – Galashiels, Scottish Borders

Richard Dawkins & Ex-Fundamentalist - Susan

Richard Dawkins - Brief Candle in the Dark

What Can I say...? I am still on a high from last night '17 September 2015', when I met 'The' Richard Dawkins... Wow, Yes Richard Dawkins. My Partner Jim and I went to Galashiels, (Galashiels is a burgh in Selkirkshire on the Gala Water River. The name is often shortened to "Gala". Galashiels is a major commercial centre for the Borders region, on the Scottish side of the Borders between Scotland and England).

Considering I developed a travel phobia due to my indoctrination, it seemed almost impossible for me to travel 2 hours From Glasgow, and 2 hours back, to see RD...  As soon as I heard from my sister, only the week before that Richard was coming to a Scottish town, suddenly became within reach and a reality! (Gulp) but I almost dismissed the thought of me ever seeing him, even though I have had therapy and learned techniques on how to deal with my travel phobias... I brushed it off, as I do with most things to do with travel. Then using excuses, that the tickets would be sold out quick smart, gave me reason not to pursue it...

After telling Jim, about it, he more or less went on line to book 2 tickets immediately... My heart was thumping; don't know if it was with excitement or anxiety, probably a bit of both!

I was telling Jim "the tickets will be sold out, no chance of getting them"!

But Jim is not put-off easy... After about 10 minutes, he said, "That's them booked"! Arrggghhhh... Yayyyyyyyy! I was a total mixture of emotions, between ecstatic, and fear! What a mixed up combination indeed...!!!

I started planning the journey in my head already! We had 7 days to go, oh my goodness... I had to just try and put things out of my head till nearer the time, otherwise it would have driven me mad!

Anyway, my man 'Jim' is so patient and kind with me, and I knew he would have stopped at any point on the journey if and when needed, but I also had to use the techniques that I learned... And the end result, wow, seeing and possibly meeting Mr Richard Dawkins...? I felt like a silly teenager meeting her pop idol... lol...

The day came, and yes, it happened! We got there safe... 
I had about 3 or 4 moments when I felt a panic rise in me, on the journey there... But, as was told in therapy, that my anxiety will reach a peak, and come down again... I used my breathing exercises, and got through it... I did it... I was almost jumping about with glee... ha ha ha...

We got there early. Jim had taken the afternoon off work, so we were not rushed and more relaxed... Thank you my darling Jim! 

And we only got front row seats, what! How much better can it get? And it did... 

Richard is a fabulous speaker and makes the academic/scientific jargon translate easier into an understanding for the ordinary man... I was fascinated by him; he is quite funny too, so interesting, and beguiling, captivating and enchanting... How much more can I sing this man's praises... lol... 

After the speech and some questions, which I had my hand up ready to ask a question, sadly never got asking it!

But! My question would have been, firstly to thank him for his aid in my recovery from Christian Fundamentalism, especially in his interview with Jill Mytton, brilliant! 
And then, was he was going to make any more "Christmas email" videos, by an open fire... lol... 
I'm sure I had more questions, but when you are on the spot, it is difficult to remember exactly, which one would be the best question to ask...!

Next after a fabulous speech, an appreciative and thankful (For coming to Scotland) audience, applause! It was time for the book signing... 
Being at the front of the audience, we made it in about second place for signing... 
I asked Richard to sign the book I'd just bought "A Brief Candle in the Dark", I'd also brought with me, one of my favourite books, "Unweaving the Rainbow". And yes he signed both, one he kindly wrote to Susan as I asked. And got some photos taken... I gave him one of my "Ex-Fundamentalist" pens I got made, just for fun... lol

Then I took the camera off Jim and I just missed Jim shake Richards hand... Arrgghh! Why didn't I think of that too...? But as you do at these things, you feel a little rushed and I took a couple of quick photos of Jim and Richard and they were only slightly blurred, because I hadn't focused it... Damn! Sorry Hunny!

All in all I made it home safely and the journey wasn't as bad as it was going. 
I was on a high, and kept thinking, did that really happen? lol

I'll never forget my day, not for a long time, no way... Thank you Richard Dawkins, and thank you Galashiels, Volunteer Hall, where the staff were very friendly, indeed helpful and accommodating, thank you to my partner Jim, and thank you Borders Book Festival... 
Wow! Phew! 
This is one Happy Ex-Fundamentalist, let me tell you... Big Smiles... :D