Being yourself/ Celtic music

Yesterday night I was having dinner with my flatmates.
Eventually, the topic of conversation turned into alcohol and the reasons why people drink.
Both my new flatmates don't really drink, one of them not at all and the other one very rarely.

As I wanted to be honest, I told them that I like drinking sometimes because the alcohol makes me feel more confident (which I think is the main reason why most people drink, at least within the drinking cultures I'm familiar with, those of Scotland and Finland).
I told them that I usually feel quite shy when talking to people, especially those I don't know that well, and that a little alcohol makes the whole stepping-forward- and-talking process a bit easier.
"But you don't seem to have any problem with talking to people", my flatmate Vanessa said.

This came as a surprise for me. Firstly, I was flattered and really took it as a compliment. Someone doesn't think I'm shy!

But then I started thinking.
Maybe I've acted wrong; maybe I've given the impression of being something I'm not.
Maybe I've just not been myself.
What if I, who have always tried to live according to the rule of being myself, am suddenly standing here, desperately trying to be someone else?

But on the other hand, what does "being oneself" really mean? One person might be able to appear in several different ways and still be herself.

I think that different people make different parts of your personality visible.
When it comes to me, I think I've persuaded myself to believe that I'm fundamentally of a shy nature and that being shy and quiet therefore is equal to "being myself" . But when I'm with people in whose company I feel comfortable, I'm not shy. And when you think about it, doesn't it mean that I'm actually being myself then?

This is no easy topic, and I'm going to stop before I lose track of my thoughts, which I feel I'm doing already.

Anyway, I'm glad that my flatmates belong to the group of people with whom I can be, as you like it, either "myself" or "the talkative version of myself".
Without the influence of alcohol.

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I saw today that Julie Fowlis will be playing at ABC here in Glasgow on the 4th of November. It's part of a tour she's doing together with a band called Salsa Celtica.

I've been fortunate enough to have had an opportunity to see almost all Scottish bands and artists I like over here, Julie Fowlis being the only exception. And since I've been a big fan for more than three years now I really have to take this opportunity and go and see her!

The only thing is that I'd like it better if it was only Julie.
Normally, I like experimental music where traditional Scottish/Irish folk is mixed with influences from both contemporary music and folk music from other parts of the world. My favorite band ever, Capercaillie, is a good example of that.

There is, however, something unique, something very pure, about the sound of Julie Fowlis and her band. I would prefer it like that, simple and accoustic without any latino-rhythms (I just looked up Salsa Celtica on Youtube and that seems to be what the band is all about.)

But I guess it might all be quite good live. I take it ABC is a good venue with plenty of opportunities for dancing, and I think it will all turn out fine. (Oh, how I long to do some proper dancing to some proper Celtic-ish band!!).

I will try to get tickets as soon as possible. It will be nice having something to look forward to.

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Right now I'm feeling rather restless, both from having a mild cold and from having had quite little to do during the week that passed. To be honest, I can't wait to get started with my classes on Monday.

I think it will all turn out fine.