Well I'm off on the piss tonight after our department lunch so blogging may not be top of my agenda tomorrow morning! And then I'm off home about midday so I'm going to create the last post of 2005 now.
I have absoloutely no intention of visiting here again for about 2 weeks as I'm taking an extra long Christmas break to allow myself some head space and recovery time after what has been, with hindsight, a difficult and very busy year!
In the meantime, thank you for taking the time to visit me here and for reading my ramblings during the last 7 months.
Have a wonderful peaceful christmas and if you get bored drop by and play this:
http://www.elfmovie.com/swf/snowball_fight/index.html
It's fun!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
On this the shortest day of the year...
They say there's magic in the air on the solstice.
I don't know about that but I do know that there's hope!
I handed my notice in today.
I'm off back to evil bank land.
Don't fret though it's a short term move to gain experience and bide my time hopefully in an environment where I won't fade away due to boredom! Extra money is also an advantage.
The major problem with the move is whether I will have internet access. If not the blogging will have to wait til the evening times when the boy and I will do battle for ownership of the PC. Ah well I'd still rather not be bored! Don't worry though I want to keep this site up cause I really enjoy venting here!
P.S Photo's are robbed! But they illustrate my point nicely I think!
I don't know about that but I do know that there's hope!
I handed my notice in today.
I'm off back to evil bank land.
Don't fret though it's a short term move to gain experience and bide my time hopefully in an environment where I won't fade away due to boredom! Extra money is also an advantage.
The major problem with the move is whether I will have internet access. If not the blogging will have to wait til the evening times when the boy and I will do battle for ownership of the PC. Ah well I'd still rather not be bored! Don't worry though I want to keep this site up cause I really enjoy venting here!
P.S Photo's are robbed! But they illustrate my point nicely I think!
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Christmassy Nonsense
| Your Christmas Song Is |
 It's not about what you get under the treeBut sharing love with family, friends, and strangers |
What Christmas Carol Are You?
| You Christmas Stocking Will Be Filled with Money |
 |
What Will Be In Your Christmas Stocking?
| You Were Nice This Year! |
 |
Were You Naughty or Nice This Year?
How embarrassing...
Monday, December 19, 2005
Tag! I'm it!
Mish has tagged me with a very thought proving meme which I feel obliged to answer. It has to do with weird habits and took some careful consideration by me before I decided to answer it. I would also like to point out that I haven't looked at anyone else's answers yet so these answers are entirely my own!
The first player of this game starts with the topic “five weird habits of yourself,” and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals. Don’t forget to leave a comment in their blog or journal that says “You are tagged” (assuming they take comments) and tell them to read yours.
No.1 I need to have a choice of shampoos with which to wash my hair with at all times. My theory is that if you swop around the brand every wash my hair remains shiny and soft otherwise the product builds up and makes it dull and sticky. I don't know if its true or not but it has become one of my compulsions!
No.2 I try to avoid killing spiders and small creatures as I have a fear that karma really does exist and I would prefer to err on the side of caution. Generally I make a half hearted attempt to drown the spider in the bath, fail, and then release him into the wild when the fear of karmic retribution hits me!
No.3 Whenever I use my hair straightners I spend the rest of the day obsessing about whether I've plugged them out or not, even if I have checked that they were in fact plugged out about 40 times before I left the house.
No.4 I used to play a game with my food when I was little which involved building a kingdom in my tummy of kings and queens, princes, princesses and subjects. The game involved piling a little of every type of food on my plate onto my fork to create the king and queen and then varions combinations of the types of food to create the other characters. As a result I still do this however subconsciously, and, yes I realise how ridiculous it is.
No.5 I cannot sleep in a room where the bed is between a window and a door. This again stems from my childhood where my overactive imagination reasoned that if monsters were to attack me and came through the door then I could battle them with my back to the wall, however if they also could come through the window and get me from behind, then I was screwed! I also think that it comes from time I spent in hospital when I was very small. I was in isolation in a room with 2 windows which were opposite each other and a door on the same wall as the internal window, it made me feel very insecure and vulnerable, as people were constantly observing me, yet I couldn't move.
So there you go, I should probably be under observation for mental instability but I keep it well covered up most of the time!
I now tag
Red Mum
Maca
Kaz
Steve and Elke
Which is my quota of 5!
The first player of this game starts with the topic “five weird habits of yourself,” and people who get tagged need to write an entry about their five weird habits as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose the next five people to be tagged and link to their web journals. Don’t forget to leave a comment in their blog or journal that says “You are tagged” (assuming they take comments) and tell them to read yours.
No.1 I need to have a choice of shampoos with which to wash my hair with at all times. My theory is that if you swop around the brand every wash my hair remains shiny and soft otherwise the product builds up and makes it dull and sticky. I don't know if its true or not but it has become one of my compulsions!
No.2 I try to avoid killing spiders and small creatures as I have a fear that karma really does exist and I would prefer to err on the side of caution. Generally I make a half hearted attempt to drown the spider in the bath, fail, and then release him into the wild when the fear of karmic retribution hits me!
No.3 Whenever I use my hair straightners I spend the rest of the day obsessing about whether I've plugged them out or not, even if I have checked that they were in fact plugged out about 40 times before I left the house.
No.4 I used to play a game with my food when I was little which involved building a kingdom in my tummy of kings and queens, princes, princesses and subjects. The game involved piling a little of every type of food on my plate onto my fork to create the king and queen and then varions combinations of the types of food to create the other characters. As a result I still do this however subconsciously, and, yes I realise how ridiculous it is.
No.5 I cannot sleep in a room where the bed is between a window and a door. This again stems from my childhood where my overactive imagination reasoned that if monsters were to attack me and came through the door then I could battle them with my back to the wall, however if they also could come through the window and get me from behind, then I was screwed! I also think that it comes from time I spent in hospital when I was very small. I was in isolation in a room with 2 windows which were opposite each other and a door on the same wall as the internal window, it made me feel very insecure and vulnerable, as people were constantly observing me, yet I couldn't move.
So there you go, I should probably be under observation for mental instability but I keep it well covered up most of the time!
I now tag
Red Mum
Maca
Kaz
Steve and Elke
Which is my quota of 5!
Friday, December 16, 2005
The Great Light Off
Every year from the beginning of October to the middle of January the houses in our area are bedecked and adorned with all manner of crazy decorations, from pumpkins and witches to santies and reindeers.
There are 2 houses in particular on my street that seem to outdo each other every year. The fact that they are directly opposite each other adds extra fun to the proceedings, which I like to refer to as the Great Light Off.
Last year house no. 1 put up a sizeable amount of tacky lights and ornaments all over the facade of the house. House no.2 then waded in with twice as much crap and so it continued in a tit for tat fashion until finally there wasn't an inch of space on either house and santa was even parachuting off the telephone wire. I think my favourite pieces of tack had to be the giant 6 foot blow up snowmen in the front of house no.2, I don't honestly know how the inhabitants got past them to enter by the front door!
This year we are once again witnessing the Great Light Off, the snowmen haven' t been produced yet, but I live in hope.
There are 2 houses in particular on my street that seem to outdo each other every year. The fact that they are directly opposite each other adds extra fun to the proceedings, which I like to refer to as the Great Light Off.
Last year house no. 1 put up a sizeable amount of tacky lights and ornaments all over the facade of the house. House no.2 then waded in with twice as much crap and so it continued in a tit for tat fashion until finally there wasn't an inch of space on either house and santa was even parachuting off the telephone wire. I think my favourite pieces of tack had to be the giant 6 foot blow up snowmen in the front of house no.2, I don't honestly know how the inhabitants got past them to enter by the front door!
This year we are once again witnessing the Great Light Off, the snowmen haven' t been produced yet, but I live in hope.
Kong made me cry
I'm talking "Fiona get a grip, you can't sob in the cinema" crying.
I'm such a freak sometimes that I even amaze myself!
Review to follow on my review page cause that's what it's for!
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Life and Near Death
I gave blood yesterday. Which was good.
I nearly got run over by a kid on a tricycle this morning. Which was funny.
Tike on a trike
I came very close to being wiped off the road by a driver taking a right hand turn against the lights. Which pissed me off.
I nearly got run over by a kid on a tricycle this morning. Which was funny.
Tike on a trike
I came very close to being wiped off the road by a driver taking a right hand turn against the lights. Which pissed me off.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
In The News # 2
I was musing in the linked post previously about the story surrounding Michael McDowell v Frank Connolly. Last night the tale took another turn with McDowells address to the Dáil and Ahern's defence of McDowells position and his assertion that McDowell has been acting with the full consent of the cabinet in relation to this matter.
McDowell is still asserting that Connolly is/was involved in subversive activity including travelling to Columbia on a false passport, the application for which he was able to produce, and being associated on that trip with a known IRA man.
The other side of the coin is that Connolly's Centre for Public Inquiry have recently being investigating the purchase of land in North County Dublin for the location of a new prison site. The coverage on that story indicates that the land may have been bought over value, but McDowell denies this.
So it appears that McDowell is concerned that a public body with funding like the Centre for Public Inquiry and the subsequent powers of investigation that it has access to should not fall into the control of subversives who could use it to undermine the authority of the state. That sounds like a fair argument to me. What is really strange about this story, however, is Frank Connolly's unavailability for comment.
He has denied the accusations previously but since the story hit the headlines again he has consistently refused to provide evidence of whereabouts in April 2001 or offer any defence apart from denial. Surely at this stage it's time for him, if he has been the subject of a witch hunt, to stand up and address the issue. The longer he fails to do this the worse it looks for him.
McDowell is still asserting that Connolly is/was involved in subversive activity including travelling to Columbia on a false passport, the application for which he was able to produce, and being associated on that trip with a known IRA man.
The other side of the coin is that Connolly's Centre for Public Inquiry have recently being investigating the purchase of land in North County Dublin for the location of a new prison site. The coverage on that story indicates that the land may have been bought over value, but McDowell denies this.
So it appears that McDowell is concerned that a public body with funding like the Centre for Public Inquiry and the subsequent powers of investigation that it has access to should not fall into the control of subversives who could use it to undermine the authority of the state. That sounds like a fair argument to me. What is really strange about this story, however, is Frank Connolly's unavailability for comment.
He has denied the accusations previously but since the story hit the headlines again he has consistently refused to provide evidence of whereabouts in April 2001 or offer any defence apart from denial. Surely at this stage it's time for him, if he has been the subject of a witch hunt, to stand up and address the issue. The longer he fails to do this the worse it looks for him.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Hard Lessons Learned
1. Budweiser and Budvar are not the same drink.
The girlies and I hit the town last night with a vengenance. I am alive this morning but in great need of more sleep and antiacids! We ate in the Dandelion Café and the food was lovely but the waiting staff were a bit weird. I was discussing this with a colleague in work this morning and she said that she had heard something similar so at I don't feel too bad about saying it here.
The waitress was very bubbly and friendly but seriously didn't have a word of English. Trying to order the beer turned into a bit of a pantomime, us going 4 Budvar please, her reply 4 vodka? No, Budvar please, etc etc. In the end Bex resorted to Budweiser which was understood, but we had to dispatch her off to correct the order after a very ernest discussion about how they were definately not the same drink! We got the right ones in the end, but what an effort!
2. Computer programmers are very hospitable.
We completed our night in a private members club after being begged by one of the girls, boy to please come and double the female to male ratio at the party. There was free booze so of course we went! It was Margarita's for me all night.
3. Margarita's taste lovely on the way down but repeat on you all the next day.
Uuuurrrrrgggghhhh. I feel yucky.
The girlies and I hit the town last night with a vengenance. I am alive this morning but in great need of more sleep and antiacids! We ate in the Dandelion Café and the food was lovely but the waiting staff were a bit weird. I was discussing this with a colleague in work this morning and she said that she had heard something similar so at I don't feel too bad about saying it here.
The waitress was very bubbly and friendly but seriously didn't have a word of English. Trying to order the beer turned into a bit of a pantomime, us going 4 Budvar please, her reply 4 vodka? No, Budvar please, etc etc. In the end Bex resorted to Budweiser which was understood, but we had to dispatch her off to correct the order after a very ernest discussion about how they were definately not the same drink! We got the right ones in the end, but what an effort!
2. Computer programmers are very hospitable.
We completed our night in a private members club after being begged by one of the girls, boy to please come and double the female to male ratio at the party. There was free booze so of course we went! It was Margarita's for me all night.
3. Margarita's taste lovely on the way down but repeat on you all the next day.
Uuuurrrrrgggghhhh. I feel yucky.
Monday, December 12, 2005
As a classic dame I would be....
| Katharine Hepburn You scored 19% grit, 23% wit, 42% flair, and 23% class! |
| You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women. Find out what kind of classic leading man you'd make by taking the Classic Leading Man Test. |
 |
Still Grinning!
Well I survived the wait for the results, receiving them, and the Christmas party and I'm still grinning like the Chesire cat!
Me!
It feels like the weight of a thousand worlds has been lifted from shoulders, I feel younger, lighter and oh so so happy. The relief of knowing that I will never have to sit those horrendous de-humanising and horrific exams ever again is the best Christmas present I could ever have received!
I comfortable passed Equity and Property, I had a fair idea that they had gone ok at the time, but my real worry was Tort. And I just got it! There was no room for error there it seems but, boy oh boy, I don't care!
As per my previous post I had a ball celebrating on friday, lay on the sofa all day saturday, grinning! And went to see March of the Penguins last night. All in all a very good weekend.
I'll be out on the town again tonight with the women for food and laughs, and will undoubtedly feel some pain tomorrow but I can nearly guarantee that I'll still have that smile on my face!
P.S. My opinion of March of the Penguins has just been published on the other page if you're interested!
Me!
It feels like the weight of a thousand worlds has been lifted from shoulders, I feel younger, lighter and oh so so happy. The relief of knowing that I will never have to sit those horrendous de-humanising and horrific exams ever again is the best Christmas present I could ever have received!
I comfortable passed Equity and Property, I had a fair idea that they had gone ok at the time, but my real worry was Tort. And I just got it! There was no room for error there it seems but, boy oh boy, I don't care!
As per my previous post I had a ball celebrating on friday, lay on the sofa all day saturday, grinning! And went to see March of the Penguins last night. All in all a very good weekend.
I'll be out on the town again tonight with the women for food and laughs, and will undoubtedly feel some pain tomorrow but I can nearly guarantee that I'll still have that smile on my face!
P.S. My opinion of March of the Penguins has just been published on the other page if you're interested!
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Celebrate! This party's over...
I had four lines by the end of the night in response to all questions posed to me.
1. I passed my exams!
2. I'm being a good girl!
3. I won a teddy.
4. I have a balloon.
I was a very drunken Trixibell!
1. I passed my exams!
2. I'm being a good girl!
3. I won a teddy.
4. I have a balloon.
I was a very drunken Trixibell!
Friday, December 09, 2005
Catfights & Handbags
I'm like a cat on the proverbial hot tin roof today and consequentially am not that interested in doing any actual work, as such I have only today become aware of the level of interest and excitement in the "blogosphere" (I won't apologise for using the term as I quite like it) concerning women and blogging and feminism.
From what I can see Sinead kicked off the discussion with a post , which then developed into a debate about Feminism and who is and who isn't a feminist and why. I won't list everyone who has entertained this topic as I would undoubtedly mess up the links so I've linked to Sinead and you can do your worst from there!
For my two cents, I was quite amused by the debate on feminism as it has always been my opinion that however much a woman denies being a feminist, by the mere fact that she has received a certain level of education, has chosen to work, choses to use contraception, drive a car, vote etc. she supports feminism. Without the hard work of generations of women none of these things would be options to us modern day women, and in my opinion they should not be taken for granted but celebrated and built on by all of us today.
I think it is also important to note that with these freedoms we have encountered other problems as women which were not immediately apparant when the fight for equality began. And that is children. Biologically we have to bear to children because men can't. This makes us different to men in a very fundamental way. However in today's society, where equality has been the key phrase this difference hasn't been fully acknowledged. Because we have so many more opportunities available to us we are now faced with the obligation of having a career that is fulfilling and also bearing the next generation. This leaves many women in a situation where they either have to make a choice or they engage in the most phenomenal balancing act in history.
As for myself, I am currently working towards hopefully one day qualifying as a solicitor, that means that if I chose to have children I will one day have to decide to either juggle both and become superwoman or chose between just having a career or just being a mother. It's not something I'm relishing having to consider.
As for women in blogging, I think my blog roll is dominated by female bloggers, but that wasn't by choice! It just happened that way! There quite a few male bloggers I enjoy reading and I think its important to be able to appreciate all aspects of interpretation and opinion. But I don't think I would have bothered getting into this lark if I hadn't seen women like Sinead so comfortable and at ease in what I would have previously considered a male dominant arena. I learnt by participating on discussion boards and reading Sigla's blog that there was nothing to be afraid of and could actually be very rewarding.
So thank you Sinead for showing me the way and opening up new possibilities for me!
From what I can see Sinead kicked off the discussion with a post , which then developed into a debate about Feminism and who is and who isn't a feminist and why. I won't list everyone who has entertained this topic as I would undoubtedly mess up the links so I've linked to Sinead and you can do your worst from there!
For my two cents, I was quite amused by the debate on feminism as it has always been my opinion that however much a woman denies being a feminist, by the mere fact that she has received a certain level of education, has chosen to work, choses to use contraception, drive a car, vote etc. she supports feminism. Without the hard work of generations of women none of these things would be options to us modern day women, and in my opinion they should not be taken for granted but celebrated and built on by all of us today.
I think it is also important to note that with these freedoms we have encountered other problems as women which were not immediately apparant when the fight for equality began. And that is children. Biologically we have to bear to children because men can't. This makes us different to men in a very fundamental way. However in today's society, where equality has been the key phrase this difference hasn't been fully acknowledged. Because we have so many more opportunities available to us we are now faced with the obligation of having a career that is fulfilling and also bearing the next generation. This leaves many women in a situation where they either have to make a choice or they engage in the most phenomenal balancing act in history.
As for myself, I am currently working towards hopefully one day qualifying as a solicitor, that means that if I chose to have children I will one day have to decide to either juggle both and become superwoman or chose between just having a career or just being a mother. It's not something I'm relishing having to consider.
As for women in blogging, I think my blog roll is dominated by female bloggers, but that wasn't by choice! It just happened that way! There quite a few male bloggers I enjoy reading and I think its important to be able to appreciate all aspects of interpretation and opinion. But I don't think I would have bothered getting into this lark if I hadn't seen women like Sinead so comfortable and at ease in what I would have previously considered a male dominant arena. I learnt by participating on discussion boards and reading Sigla's blog that there was nothing to be afraid of and could actually be very rewarding.
So thank you Sinead for showing me the way and opening up new possibilities for me!
Feck it anyway
I have been informed by my mafia network that the FE1 results are out today.
Feck.
I also have to go to my Christmas party tonight....
Methinks there will be one drunken Trixibell loose in Dublin tonight one way or the other...
Feck.
I also have to go to my Christmas party tonight....
Methinks there will be one drunken Trixibell loose in Dublin tonight one way or the other...
Thursday, December 08, 2005
The long slow decline
It was painful to watch United play Benfica in the Champions League last night, really painful.
They are now out of European football for the first time in 10 years. I can only imagine that it will also now herald the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure as manager of the team, though when he goes and how will be up to the powers that be, unless he decides to cut his losses himself.
Listening to Dunphy and Giles last night on RTE, they were recounting how they were able to trace the decline of the team to gave against Porto 2 years ago. Others would argue that selling Beckham was the beginning of the end. Regardless of when it began there can be no doubt that losing the game last night is a huge blow to United and whatever and whoever comes next will as Dunphy put it "Have a dog of a job".
They are now out of European football for the first time in 10 years. I can only imagine that it will also now herald the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's tenure as manager of the team, though when he goes and how will be up to the powers that be, unless he decides to cut his losses himself.
Listening to Dunphy and Giles last night on RTE, they were recounting how they were able to trace the decline of the team to gave against Porto 2 years ago. Others would argue that selling Beckham was the beginning of the end. Regardless of when it began there can be no doubt that losing the game last night is a huge blow to United and whatever and whoever comes next will as Dunphy put it "Have a dog of a job".
A stitch up? A frame? A conspiracy???
So Tom Parlon reckons Ivor Callely has been the subject of a conspiracy. It's very unfair the way he's been targeted you know? I mean anyone could let painters into their home and not pay them, couldn't they? Anyone could offer their PA a car in order to keep them in their job. Anyone could be Ivor Callely...
Except we're not are we? We pay our bills and treat people with respect.
I have no sympathy for this man. Pride comes before a fall they say. It looks like this guy is falling fast.
The update on the Frank Connolly last night is that the funding has been withdrawn for the Centre for Public Inquiry... Curiouser curiouser and curiouser.
Except we're not are we? We pay our bills and treat people with respect.
I have no sympathy for this man. Pride comes before a fall they say. It looks like this guy is falling fast.
The update on the Frank Connolly last night is that the funding has been withdrawn for the Centre for Public Inquiry... Curiouser curiouser and curiouser.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
In the news
I opened my eyes this morning to the dulcet tones of Cathal Mac Coille delivering the news as is my routine every morning. I find it is a good way to introduce myself to the day and only really backfires when the alarm comes on in the middle of a Morning Ireland screaming special between Aine Lawlor and some other individual who doesn't like the cut of her gip!
However this morning I found the news especially intriguing. It would appear the Michael McDowell our esteemed Minister for Justice, published a written response to a parliamentary question on the eve of the budget announcement. As a result, in my opinion anyway, today is turning out to be a very interesting news day.
The gist of it is that McDowell has accussed Frank Connolly, brother of Niall Connolly one of the
Columbia Three of travelling under a false passport with known IRA men to Columbia to engage in dirty dealings with Farc rebels. Curious, thought me, who is Frank Connolly when he's at home?
Frank Connolly is the CEO of a group calling themselves the Centre for Public Inquiry, a privately funded body who is charged with keeping an eye on governement accountability and ethics. It rang a bell somewhere in the back of my mind but nothing concrete and besides where do they get their money from?
They have been funded by Chuck Feeney, reknowned Irish American philanthropist who also liked to support the IRA.
McDowell doen't like Connolly. He doesn't like IRA men, and he really doesn't like being questioned about his ethics. This is a very interesting story and I hope we hear more about it.
I have linked to some stories I found online which I think are very informative about who we are dealing with here. I hope the links work!
However this morning I found the news especially intriguing. It would appear the Michael McDowell our esteemed Minister for Justice, published a written response to a parliamentary question on the eve of the budget announcement. As a result, in my opinion anyway, today is turning out to be a very interesting news day.
The gist of it is that McDowell has accussed Frank Connolly, brother of Niall Connolly one of the
Columbia Three of travelling under a false passport with known IRA men to Columbia to engage in dirty dealings with Farc rebels. Curious, thought me, who is Frank Connolly when he's at home?
Frank Connolly is the CEO of a group calling themselves the Centre for Public Inquiry, a privately funded body who is charged with keeping an eye on governement accountability and ethics. It rang a bell somewhere in the back of my mind but nothing concrete and besides where do they get their money from?
They have been funded by Chuck Feeney, reknowned Irish American philanthropist who also liked to support the IRA.
McDowell doen't like Connolly. He doesn't like IRA men, and he really doesn't like being questioned about his ethics. This is a very interesting story and I hope we hear more about it.
I have linked to some stories I found online which I think are very informative about who we are dealing with here. I hope the links work!
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
In my opinion
I feel I've been a little off my game recently, which is due to various different reasons, some discussed here and others pointedly ignored!
This blogging game can be a little exhausting after a while. You feel obliged to be funny and interesting and readable on a regular if not a daily basis, and there have been plenty of days recently when none of that has appealed to me. It has occurred to me that it might be easier to have a blog with a dedicated theme like United Irelander at least there he knows what his boundaries are! Here, because this site is dedicated to my inane ramblings I get to throw a bit of everything at it, with no real structure to anything that I'm doing. It's probably a good indication of how I approach life. And I find that pretty frustrating at times as well!
I would love to say that I have now come up with a theme or a structure for this blog, but I haven't. Instead I have decided to tackle the stuff in my life that is frustrating me. The wheels are now in motion and I hope, all fingers and toes crossed, that I will soon be more fulfilled.
Also the exam results should be out in the next 2 weeks and with a bit of luck that chapter will also be closed as well. Oh how I long for closure on that one!
This blogging game can be a little exhausting after a while. You feel obliged to be funny and interesting and readable on a regular if not a daily basis, and there have been plenty of days recently when none of that has appealed to me. It has occurred to me that it might be easier to have a blog with a dedicated theme like United Irelander at least there he knows what his boundaries are! Here, because this site is dedicated to my inane ramblings I get to throw a bit of everything at it, with no real structure to anything that I'm doing. It's probably a good indication of how I approach life. And I find that pretty frustrating at times as well!
I would love to say that I have now come up with a theme or a structure for this blog, but I haven't. Instead I have decided to tackle the stuff in my life that is frustrating me. The wheels are now in motion and I hope, all fingers and toes crossed, that I will soon be more fulfilled.
Also the exam results should be out in the next 2 weeks and with a bit of luck that chapter will also be closed as well. Oh how I long for closure on that one!
Friday, December 02, 2005
Small Girls, Big Bags...
I'm realtively small compared to most people these days, which makes buying trousers a pain in the posterior and has meant that I have learned how to hem to save myself a small fortune on tailors!
However there is one thing in particular I really just have to grin and bear, and work around as best as possible and that's rucksacks.
Today I carried a huge one in from home, in the rain. It's full of christmas gifts for the family that I have decided to transfer back to the parent's house now rather than having to lugg them onto a packed train 2 days before Christmas. Clever me eh? However the trek nearly killed me this morning, I had to use the biggest bag I had today to fit everything into it properly. It's at least 2/3 the height of me! Ah well at least I'll have that job done!
However there is one thing in particular I really just have to grin and bear, and work around as best as possible and that's rucksacks.
Today I carried a huge one in from home, in the rain. It's full of christmas gifts for the family that I have decided to transfer back to the parent's house now rather than having to lugg them onto a packed train 2 days before Christmas. Clever me eh? However the trek nearly killed me this morning, I had to use the biggest bag I had today to fit everything into it properly. It's at least 2/3 the height of me! Ah well at least I'll have that job done!
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Redemption and Rain
I have been reinstated onto the hallowed list of contributors to Irish Blogs! Three Cheers for the banishing of gremlins!
On the other hand, Weather Pixie says:
I don't know what she's looking so cheerful about it's one of the most miserable days in months and months.
That's all I have to say today.
On the other hand, Weather Pixie says:
I don't know what she's looking so cheerful about it's one of the most miserable days in months and months.
That's all I have to say today.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
The War of Independence
I'm not an expert on the War of Independence, I leave that to the lovely boy who has boundless knowledge in that field, and would no doubt put me to shame if I tried to spout on about it!My own field of knowledge is Gaelic Ireland in Tudor times and the demise of the culture and the rise of colonialism, in case you're interested!
However, I watched a fascinating programme on RTE last night, called Hidden Histories, The Burning of Cork. The programme documented how Cork city went from being a city that strongly supported the British Empire and regularly decked the city out in blue white and red to celebrate royal marriages etc. (and I thought the Dubs were the Jackeens because they hung out the Union Jack to welcome Queen Victoria on her state visit... this was definately a new one on me) to having the city centre completely destroyed by arson set by British Auxilliary forces in November 1920.
It reminds me of scenes from Dresden or London in the Second World War.
The viciousness of the Auxies (as they were known) is legendary at this stage, and the volunteers reaction to their attacks in my opinion were entirely justified. The Auxies were trained and tested soldiers, some of them are known to have been still shell shocked from serving in the first world war, and as a result their service in this country was marked by its violence and cruelty. The burning of Cork occurred in retaliation to Volunteer uprising in the area which occurred due to the Auxies treatment of local people, i.e. taking pot shots of people working in fields, humiliating people, maiming them etc.
It was a truly brutal time in our history, one of many unfortunately, but this episode in particular hasn't received much coverage, which I think this programme has gone some way to rectifying.
The programme last night I felt gave a very balanced and complete account of what occurred in the Cork area in the time leading up to the burning and if it's on again I would recommend you spare an hour to sit down and watch it.
However, I watched a fascinating programme on RTE last night, called Hidden Histories, The Burning of Cork. The programme documented how Cork city went from being a city that strongly supported the British Empire and regularly decked the city out in blue white and red to celebrate royal marriages etc. (and I thought the Dubs were the Jackeens because they hung out the Union Jack to welcome Queen Victoria on her state visit... this was definately a new one on me) to having the city centre completely destroyed by arson set by British Auxilliary forces in November 1920.
It reminds me of scenes from Dresden or London in the Second World War.
The viciousness of the Auxies (as they were known) is legendary at this stage, and the volunteers reaction to their attacks in my opinion were entirely justified. The Auxies were trained and tested soldiers, some of them are known to have been still shell shocked from serving in the first world war, and as a result their service in this country was marked by its violence and cruelty. The burning of Cork occurred in retaliation to Volunteer uprising in the area which occurred due to the Auxies treatment of local people, i.e. taking pot shots of people working in fields, humiliating people, maiming them etc.
It was a truly brutal time in our history, one of many unfortunately, but this episode in particular hasn't received much coverage, which I think this programme has gone some way to rectifying.
The programme last night I felt gave a very balanced and complete account of what occurred in the Cork area in the time leading up to the burning and if it's on again I would recommend you spare an hour to sit down and watch it.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Over-Tiredness
I can't get enough sleep at the moment and it's driving me mad.
Waking up is nearly impossible, and getting up is actually near on impossible.
As a result, I'm cranky, lethargic, and sleepy for most of the day.
It's not a good way to be.
This is my favourite view as of the last few days.
I need to stop drinking beer and stay in my pj's all weekend, but I won't because it's party season and this is what it does to me!
Bah humbug.
Waking up is nearly impossible, and getting up is actually near on impossible.
As a result, I'm cranky, lethargic, and sleepy for most of the day.
It's not a good way to be.
This is my favourite view as of the last few days.
I need to stop drinking beer and stay in my pj's all weekend, but I won't because it's party season and this is what it does to me!
Bah humbug.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Play it again Bob...
I saw the legend that is Bob Dylan play live this weekend in Dublin.
He really can't sing anymore , and in fairness to him he was never the best vocalist out there, but it was still really cool to be there in his presence as he croaked out the classics.
It was a very pared down show, red velvet cutains, a band (who were really brilliant) and Bob on a piano facing to the side, croaking away! There was no support and he played for 2 hours exactly. And I enjoyed myself!
We then went and got hammered on Erdinger and I am now sworn off pints for the rest of my life.
He really can't sing anymore , and in fairness to him he was never the best vocalist out there, but it was still really cool to be there in his presence as he croaked out the classics.
It was a very pared down show, red velvet cutains, a band (who were really brilliant) and Bob on a piano facing to the side, croaking away! There was no support and he played for 2 hours exactly. And I enjoyed myself!
We then went and got hammered on Erdinger and I am now sworn off pints for the rest of my life.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Re-Visitation
Back in August during the height of my studying/working madness I did a psychometric test based on what movie you are. I got the Godfather and was amused and a bit worried by the result. I then vowed to revisit the test once I had put some distance between me and the exams. So here goes....
Classic eh?!?
Classic eh?!?
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Severe Weather warning eh?
According to those in the know in we are going to get snow on friday....
I'm going to be sceptical about all of this and say I bet here in Dublin we get a small drop in temperature and some wind. We just don't get exciting weather here.
This is the graphic from RTE's site for tomorrow. It doesn't look all that scary does it?
The thing is though in this crazy country we all (and I include myself in this) get very excited at the prospect of weather extreme's be it warm weather with sunshine or cold weather with snow! We then go abroad where people are used to it and fry or freeze depending on what is necessary. Oh yeah and lets not forget how the country just grinds to a stop once snow comes!
I've come to the conclusion we're all just soft and need to toughen up in the face of a bit of cold!
P.S I wonder have I tempted providence with my scepticism.....
I'm going to be sceptical about all of this and say I bet here in Dublin we get a small drop in temperature and some wind. We just don't get exciting weather here.
This is the graphic from RTE's site for tomorrow. It doesn't look all that scary does it?
The thing is though in this crazy country we all (and I include myself in this) get very excited at the prospect of weather extreme's be it warm weather with sunshine or cold weather with snow! We then go abroad where people are used to it and fry or freeze depending on what is necessary. Oh yeah and lets not forget how the country just grinds to a stop once snow comes!
I've come to the conclusion we're all just soft and need to toughen up in the face of a bit of cold!
P.S I wonder have I tempted providence with my scepticism.....
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Mario Rosenstock is a Genius
I always listen to Today FM on my walk into and home from work in the morning and evening. I'm a fan of the station, love their programming and talk shows and wouldn't have it any other way.
Most mornings you will find me on my route to work creased up with laughter at the antics of Bertie Ahern (our esteemed Taoiseach), Ronan Keating, Gerry Adams and my favourite the Boy Roy (Keane), on Gift Grub (the link is to Wikipedia's definition of gift grub).
This particular morning I didn't know whether to laugh (which of course I did) or cry (which I was close to doing). The Roy Keane leaving Manchester United story has been big news as we all know since last friday. I have to admit I was genuinely shocked when I heard he had left so abruptly as I really thought that at worst he would go in the January transfer window and at best in the summer. But in typical Roy style he leaves under a cloud of rumour, mystery and drama.
Rosenstock in I Keano playing Keane.
Gift Grub has been suspiciously quiet on the subject until this morning....
This morning it was an all time classic. Keane sang the Will Young song "I think I'd better leave right now" with his own words of course. When it appears on the web site I'll drop the nod if you haven't heard it already. I think it should be released for christmas to cheer up everyone! I'm still laughing!
Most mornings you will find me on my route to work creased up with laughter at the antics of Bertie Ahern (our esteemed Taoiseach), Ronan Keating, Gerry Adams and my favourite the Boy Roy (Keane), on Gift Grub (the link is to Wikipedia's definition of gift grub).
This particular morning I didn't know whether to laugh (which of course I did) or cry (which I was close to doing). The Roy Keane leaving Manchester United story has been big news as we all know since last friday. I have to admit I was genuinely shocked when I heard he had left so abruptly as I really thought that at worst he would go in the January transfer window and at best in the summer. But in typical Roy style he leaves under a cloud of rumour, mystery and drama.
Rosenstock in I Keano playing Keane.
Gift Grub has been suspiciously quiet on the subject until this morning....
This morning it was an all time classic. Keane sang the Will Young song "I think I'd better leave right now" with his own words of course. When it appears on the web site I'll drop the nod if you haven't heard it already. I think it should be released for christmas to cheer up everyone! I'm still laughing!
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Mystical Nights and Gruesome Sights
As I have already documented I went to see the Goblet of Fire last night with friend Gil, and have made my thoughts public knowledge on my review page if you are interested.
We had a great laugh last night. Mooched round the shops, gossiped and stufed our faces. Actullay to be fair I stuffed my gaping gob, Gil showed remarkable restraint!
However, I was faced with an apparition last night, which almost put me off finishing my chocolate malt. Now it takes a lot to put me off my food, so let me just stress that this was a traumatic event!
The vision involved, a young wan, not exactly a supermodel (in fact she was a big girl to be frank), a pair of very loose, low hipped jeans, a spotty backside, and lots of flab. The image went something like this....
This cartoon from here is amusing. The reality of it on a young wan, was not. I blame her friends, why oh why did nobody tell her? I think I'm scarred for life.
We had a great laugh last night. Mooched round the shops, gossiped and stufed our faces. Actullay to be fair I stuffed my gaping gob, Gil showed remarkable restraint!
However, I was faced with an apparition last night, which almost put me off finishing my chocolate malt. Now it takes a lot to put me off my food, so let me just stress that this was a traumatic event!
The vision involved, a young wan, not exactly a supermodel (in fact she was a big girl to be frank), a pair of very loose, low hipped jeans, a spotty backside, and lots of flab. The image went something like this....
This cartoon from here is amusing. The reality of it on a young wan, was not. I blame her friends, why oh why did nobody tell her? I think I'm scarred for life.
Monday, November 21, 2005
A Mighty Weekend
That was one busy weekend and as a result of a lot of posing and posturing, and admittedly some hard word I am now Trixibell BA(hons) H. Dip Arch, BA LS. That's a lot of letters for one little lady! The BA LS is the latest addition to my name and was earned on Saturday from DIT Aungier St.
I had all my family and friends with me over the weekend. The In-laws finally met the Out-laws and so that embarrasment has now been dealt with and it all went well, thankfully there were no daggers at dawn between the fathers!
We ate our yummies at The Trocadero, and the food was gorgeous. They treated us really well and even joined in when we got boisterous!
So although I'm still wrecked I'm happy and am off to see Harry tonight! Yeaaahhhh!
I had all my family and friends with me over the weekend. The In-laws finally met the Out-laws and so that embarrasment has now been dealt with and it all went well, thankfully there were no daggers at dawn between the fathers!
We ate our yummies at The Trocadero, and the food was gorgeous. They treated us really well and even joined in when we got boisterous!
So although I'm still wrecked I'm happy and am off to see Harry tonight! Yeaaahhhh!
Friday, November 18, 2005
Friday Funtime
Ok funtime this week is another guessing game. This might be an easy one for some but I'm interested in hearing the response anyway.
I took the above shot at home a few weeks ago. Can anyone tell me what album cover this place was featured on?
Trixi points going a begging here!
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Secret Shame # 3
I am part woman....
part gorilla...
Which part is which will not be disclosed.
P.S this is a very cathartic exercise, I think it's good for me to be honest.
part gorilla...
Which part is which will not be disclosed.
P.S this is a very cathartic exercise, I think it's good for me to be honest.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Oh Thanks be to God
Ok that might be a little excessive but Irish Blogs have finally become unstuck! No more cringing with embarrassment for this Trixibell!
My life has been consumed by...
THE BEST GAME EVER!!!
I've been playing The Movies obsessively since the Lovely Boy bought it on friday. It has literally taken over my every free moment in the evenings! If I'm not playing my own game I'm helping him voice charcters for his! It's deadly fun!
So far I've created war epics, sci-fi thrillers, comedy's and my latest production is an off the wall romance between 2 vampires who get killed by an avenging priest... Movie magic!!
The aim of the game is to become a movie mogul by setting up running and developing a movie studio from the 1920's onwards. As you move forwards you unlock new technology and features develop new stars and directors and then you have to manage them all! It's great! If you fancy seeing parts of your day just disappear I recommend you invest in this game!
I've been playing The Movies obsessively since the Lovely Boy bought it on friday. It has literally taken over my every free moment in the evenings! If I'm not playing my own game I'm helping him voice charcters for his! It's deadly fun!
So far I've created war epics, sci-fi thrillers, comedy's and my latest production is an off the wall romance between 2 vampires who get killed by an avenging priest... Movie magic!!
The aim of the game is to become a movie mogul by setting up running and developing a movie studio from the 1920's onwards. As you move forwards you unlock new technology and features develop new stars and directors and then you have to manage them all! It's great! If you fancy seeing parts of your day just disappear I recommend you invest in this game!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Where to go and what to do?
I'm in a bit of a hiatus at the moment. I'm in a job I don't particularly like and definately get absoloutely no job satisfaction out of, and where my supervisor is more concerned about punctuation than the fact that I am so obviously bored.
Don't get me wrong punctuation is very important and I try to be careful, but when I just can't bring myself to care, I get careless. What can you do?
Very important stuff.
Yet I have plans that mean moving on right now wouldn't be the wisest of moves from a CV point of view, which leaves me kind of stuck here looking forward to being even more bored in the future.
I could cry and I wonder whether temping would be such a bad idea. At least I might have some letters to type or dicta phone to take every day, rather than just sitting here processing the odd query and filling out information on poxy forms.
I'm having a bad day.
Don't get me wrong punctuation is very important and I try to be careful, but when I just can't bring myself to care, I get careless. What can you do?
Very important stuff.
Yet I have plans that mean moving on right now wouldn't be the wisest of moves from a CV point of view, which leaves me kind of stuck here looking forward to being even more bored in the future.
I could cry and I wonder whether temping would be such a bad idea. At least I might have some letters to type or dicta phone to take every day, rather than just sitting here processing the odd query and filling out information on poxy forms.
I'm having a bad day.
Monday, November 14, 2005
I could have been a contender...
The company outing took place on Friday. It consisted of 5 a side soccer on an outdoor pitch in driving, freezing rain. It was more of a wet T-shirt competition than a football game (or three) to be perfectly frank. The boys were happy.
I discovered something new about myself that night. I discovered that if I had played football from an early age, had developed skills and practiced regularly I could have been quite good at it.
I'm serious!
Fionaldhino...? (thanks to the boy for this play on words)
I could see all of these wonderful plays taking place in my minds eye while I was on the pitch and even managed to pull one off, and scored a goal on the half volley. It was impressive, believe me (well I was impressed anyway!) However as a rule my lack of skill let me down, consistently. The sad part is that, I feel that at this stage of my life, any chance of a career has passed me by. But I will always have the memories of how I could have played to keep me going...
I discovered something new about myself that night. I discovered that if I had played football from an early age, had developed skills and practiced regularly I could have been quite good at it.
I'm serious!
Fionaldhino...? (thanks to the boy for this play on words)
I could see all of these wonderful plays taking place in my minds eye while I was on the pitch and even managed to pull one off, and scored a goal on the half volley. It was impressive, believe me (well I was impressed anyway!) However as a rule my lack of skill let me down, consistently. The sad part is that, I feel that at this stage of my life, any chance of a career has passed me by. But I will always have the memories of how I could have played to keep me going...
Friday, November 11, 2005
Pulling on the Red Chord
I got a free ticket to The Frames last night! Was dead excited!
I know many people out there hate them and I also know that many people think they're alright! Me, I've been a proper fan since I was 15!
In fact one of the most pressing reasons why I decided to come to Dublin for college was so that I would have access to see bands like The Frames, Lir, An Emotional Fish, Juniper, play in the mythical magical Whelans! And I wasn't disappointed! And now of all of those bands only the Frames have retained their original shape, though I think Lir still play from time to time, but I'm not sure.
I was down the back last night with seated tickets but am not complaining as I didn't know I was going to be there at all until 4.30 yesterday afternoon!
It was a great night they played favourites new and old and nearly broke my heart when they played Fitzcaraldo and Red Chord. They also had a nod to Mic Christopher without over doing it too much, I think they've finally found a balance in how to remember him.
Oh and the special guest was Damien Rice! He played 3 songs, 2 of which I heard after scrambling to sink a pint and sprinting to our seats!
Joe and Glenn at Vicar St ages ago!
I'm a bit tired today I have to gather the energy to play an inter company football tournament and drink some more later. Oh yeah and do some work of course! Busy me eh?
I know many people out there hate them and I also know that many people think they're alright! Me, I've been a proper fan since I was 15!
In fact one of the most pressing reasons why I decided to come to Dublin for college was so that I would have access to see bands like The Frames, Lir, An Emotional Fish, Juniper, play in the mythical magical Whelans! And I wasn't disappointed! And now of all of those bands only the Frames have retained their original shape, though I think Lir still play from time to time, but I'm not sure.
I was down the back last night with seated tickets but am not complaining as I didn't know I was going to be there at all until 4.30 yesterday afternoon!
It was a great night they played favourites new and old and nearly broke my heart when they played Fitzcaraldo and Red Chord. They also had a nod to Mic Christopher without over doing it too much, I think they've finally found a balance in how to remember him.
Oh and the special guest was Damien Rice! He played 3 songs, 2 of which I heard after scrambling to sink a pint and sprinting to our seats!
Joe and Glenn at Vicar St ages ago!
I'm a bit tired today I have to gather the energy to play an inter company football tournament and drink some more later. Oh yeah and do some work of course! Busy me eh?
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Trixibell Bocht
I discovered to my horror yesterday that The First Irish Exam for Blackhall place takes place on the 12th and 13th of January next year.
So what you ask? The 13th is my birthday. Crap.
I have picked up my booklet for the course from Griffith and will be plodding my way through it all over Christmas. Am not best pleased!
I'm also thinking of getting one of these courses cause my Gaeilge really isn't what it should be, even after 14 years of learning it in school! I mean technically we should all be proficient after that amount of time spent learning a language.
I wish they would start teaching it like a living language not a dead one. I learned more German in 6 years and could hold a half decent conversation in it still, after all this time than I could with Irish. There's something seriously wrong there!
So what you ask? The 13th is my birthday. Crap.
I have picked up my booklet for the course from Griffith and will be plodding my way through it all over Christmas. Am not best pleased!
I'm also thinking of getting one of these courses cause my Gaeilge really isn't what it should be, even after 14 years of learning it in school! I mean technically we should all be proficient after that amount of time spent learning a language.
I wish they would start teaching it like a living language not a dead one. I learned more German in 6 years and could hold a half decent conversation in it still, after all this time than I could with Irish. There's something seriously wrong there!
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
A wee rant
I'm not being cranky right, in fact I'm in pretty good form this fine November morning, but I do find myself more than a little irritated. The irritation has been growing since Monday evening and reached a climax this morning in my own mind. It was a slow burner, as they say.
My problem this morning concerns Chuggers The link is to Sigla Mag where Sinead wrote about this phenomenon about a year ago. I laughed and nodded when I read it and I find myself laughing and nodding again now. However I encountered a new breed of chugger this week and hence the slow burning anger.
I was sitting merrily (what other way is there to sit, one asks?) in the sanctity of my own home. The blinds were drawn the heating was on and my dinner was being consumed in front of Corrie, what bliss. Then comes the knock on my door. I answer it hesitatingly as it might be Johnny next door requesting milk for his cup of tea or it might be someone less pleasant you never know what the rain will bring out. What was I confronted with? Flippin Chuggers.
Needless to say I was not/am not impressed. Running the gauntlet on Grafton St is something you can prepare yourself for, finding yourself face to face with the begging bowl at your own door on a wet and windy night is quite another. And then when they went through their choreographed spiel and I told them that I already gave to charities, that I had a budget and that it had reached its limit, they got thick with me! The cheek! I do give, more than I can actually afford to as it happens and these upstarts have the front to tell me that I won't miss an additional 2 euro a week! Whether I will or won't miss it is not for them to decide excuse me. But of course I did get that pang of guilt anyway after they had left. And then the anger began to sink in.
And now I'm really cross and I wanted to see has anyone else encountered this new form of terror and annoyance?
My problem this morning concerns Chuggers The link is to Sigla Mag where Sinead wrote about this phenomenon about a year ago. I laughed and nodded when I read it and I find myself laughing and nodding again now. However I encountered a new breed of chugger this week and hence the slow burning anger.
I was sitting merrily (what other way is there to sit, one asks?) in the sanctity of my own home. The blinds were drawn the heating was on and my dinner was being consumed in front of Corrie, what bliss. Then comes the knock on my door. I answer it hesitatingly as it might be Johnny next door requesting milk for his cup of tea or it might be someone less pleasant you never know what the rain will bring out. What was I confronted with? Flippin Chuggers.
Needless to say I was not/am not impressed. Running the gauntlet on Grafton St is something you can prepare yourself for, finding yourself face to face with the begging bowl at your own door on a wet and windy night is quite another. And then when they went through their choreographed spiel and I told them that I already gave to charities, that I had a budget and that it had reached its limit, they got thick with me! The cheek! I do give, more than I can actually afford to as it happens and these upstarts have the front to tell me that I won't miss an additional 2 euro a week! Whether I will or won't miss it is not for them to decide excuse me. But of course I did get that pang of guilt anyway after they had left. And then the anger began to sink in.
And now I'm really cross and I wanted to see has anyone else encountered this new form of terror and annoyance?
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Things to note
I received my three thousandth visitor to my blog today! That's a lot of people who have been exposed to my ramblings inane and otherwise! Thanks to everyone who keeps coming back and leaving comments, I am finding the whole experience highly amusing and entertaining!
I have reviewed a book on the other site if you're interested.
It's good to be back reading again and I might even get to the cinema this weekend so you can expect a bit of waffle about that as well!
And in other news there is only 10 days to go to the Harry Potter premier! Say no more...
I have reviewed a book on the other site if you're interested.
It's good to be back reading again and I might even get to the cinema this weekend so you can expect a bit of waffle about that as well!
And in other news there is only 10 days to go to the Harry Potter premier! Say no more...
The Gym
They have offered us the use of a few gym machines here in work for free, and the opportunity to have an assessment with a personal fitness person to make sure that we were using the gear in the proper way. So I put my name down. I mean free gym use and a session with a personal trainer is not to be sniffed at is it?
So I had my session last night. I have some pain already. I believe the pain should increase and take hold properly about lunch time.
And what did I learn? That I look awful standing in front of mirrors trying not to cry out loud. That I don't like scary weights machines and that realisticly, free or not, I probably won't be able to motivate myself to go there too often.
But I want to get fitter and so I'm going to try. If I mention it again it means I've gone. If I don't it means I've chickened out and this is never to be mentioned again!
So I had my session last night. I have some pain already. I believe the pain should increase and take hold properly about lunch time.
And what did I learn? That I look awful standing in front of mirrors trying not to cry out loud. That I don't like scary weights machines and that realisticly, free or not, I probably won't be able to motivate myself to go there too often.
But I want to get fitter and so I'm going to try. If I mention it again it means I've gone. If I don't it means I've chickened out and this is never to be mentioned again!
Monday, November 07, 2005
Home
My Dad was making lots of noise banging and cursing things on Saturday morning so rather than lying in bed wasting the day I got up and got out.
These are some images I captured from the area where I live.
This is known as Ladies Walk.
The swing.
This is the approach road to the castle demesne.
The Church Yard
This is my mother's favourite tree taken last christmas
I just liked the look of this!
These are some images I captured from the area where I live.
This is known as Ladies Walk.
The swing.
This is the approach road to the castle demesne.
The Church Yard
This is my mother's favourite tree taken last christmas
I just liked the look of this!
Friday, November 04, 2005
Two Many Pints...
Delicate. I'm feeling very delicate this morning.
I went on the lash with my Mad Auntie Joan last night. I hadn't planned it.
She's some savage when it comes to guzzling pints.
I'm not.
I thank God for the chips and sausages that saved my life.
I was drinking Stella Artois. I thought I would be home after 2.
Foolish me.
P.S. You get Trixi Points if you can name the pub in the photo!
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Irish Blogs
Would it every bloodly move on!
I don't even like that post that has been sitting proudly on top of the list for a week now it was meant to be said and then forgotten.
Jesus, it's annoying me badly at this stage!
I don't even like that post that has been sitting proudly on top of the list for a week now it was meant to be said and then forgotten.
Jesus, it's annoying me badly at this stage!
Secret Shame # 2
I recently admitted to my friends that I thought "Harry was looking well".
Looking good...
Princess slammed me in the most damning of language. I am most unclean according to her.
On the other hand my other friend agreed with me, so all's not lost...
All the same I feel bad about admiring a 16 year old. It's just not right.
Looking good...
Princess slammed me in the most damning of language. I am most unclean according to her.
On the other hand my other friend agreed with me, so all's not lost...
All the same I feel bad about admiring a 16 year old. It's just not right.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Things to love about Winter
United Irelander had a little rant yesterday about why he hates winter, which made me think about why I don't hate winter! It's not my favourite season because of the darkness but there are lots of things that make it bareable, and this is my list:
1. Christmas Trees - I love the smell of real christmas trees as they dry out in your living room. I also could watch the flashing lights circuit all day without getting bored!
2. My birthday! It comes after christmas in January and breaks the bleak days of January up very nicely thank you!
3. Extra blankets on your bed - makes the bed clothes heavier and cosier and I always sleep better when I'm all tucked up!
4. Fresh, crisp, bright mornings, where the air feels clean and makes your skin tingle.
5. Snow days! When the country shuts down and you can't feel guilty for not going to school/work cause you live at the top of a very steep hill that it just would be too dangerous to attempt to drive on! I love this country!
6. Cozy winter open fires to warm your toes beside.
7. Hot soup for lunch and porridge for breakfast that as you eat can you can feel warming your tummy. Yum.
8. The stark beauty of the countryside stripped bare and waiting for new growth.
9. Hot Whiskeys and or Hot Ports.
10. Wooly jumpers to hide in and cuddle up in, in complete comfort and disregard of whether you have eaten too much lately or not!
So there you go, the days may be getting shorter and darker but it doesn't have to be all bad!
1. Christmas Trees - I love the smell of real christmas trees as they dry out in your living room. I also could watch the flashing lights circuit all day without getting bored!
2. My birthday! It comes after christmas in January and breaks the bleak days of January up very nicely thank you!
3. Extra blankets on your bed - makes the bed clothes heavier and cosier and I always sleep better when I'm all tucked up!
4. Fresh, crisp, bright mornings, where the air feels clean and makes your skin tingle.
5. Snow days! When the country shuts down and you can't feel guilty for not going to school/work cause you live at the top of a very steep hill that it just would be too dangerous to attempt to drive on! I love this country!
6. Cozy winter open fires to warm your toes beside.
7. Hot soup for lunch and porridge for breakfast that as you eat can you can feel warming your tummy. Yum.
8. The stark beauty of the countryside stripped bare and waiting for new growth.
9. Hot Whiskeys and or Hot Ports.
10. Wooly jumpers to hide in and cuddle up in, in complete comfort and disregard of whether you have eaten too much lately or not!
So there you go, the days may be getting shorter and darker but it doesn't have to be all bad!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Tribute to Trick or Treaters
It has been brought to my attention that my previous post may have come across as a little negative in relation to the whole Hallowe'en phenomenon, and believe me that's the last thing I intended! I love Hallowe'en I was just a little amazed at the amount to fireworks available last night tis all!
Anyhoo we had a small but friendly group of monsters and super heroes visit us last night which I knocked great sportout of my only complaint being that not enough turned up! I'm going to have to go children hunting tonight to force the remaining sweets and treats on them as otherwise I'll eat them and that's bad for me! Hopefully they won't be too sickened after last night's feast! Though I was assured by one of my visitors last night that there was no doubt he would be very ill and he seemed to relishing the prospect!
Check out the link for cool trick or treat photo's on flickr...
Anyhoo we had a small but friendly group of monsters and super heroes visit us last night which I knocked great sportout of my only complaint being that not enough turned up! I'm going to have to go children hunting tonight to force the remaining sweets and treats on them as otherwise I'll eat them and that's bad for me! Hopefully they won't be too sickened after last night's feast! Though I was assured by one of my visitors last night that there was no doubt he would be very ill and he seemed to relishing the prospect!
Check out the link for cool trick or treat photo's on flickr...
Did you know that fireworks are illegal in Ireland?
Hallowe'en has come and gone and so the build up to Christmas will now be thrust into full gear. But I'm not ready for that yet so I'm going to dwell a little longer on Hallowe'en and hope the rest will take care of itself!
I came back to Dublin last night early enough inorder to feed the neighbourhood monsters and protect our house from bangers and such like as is necessary at this time of year. It turns out that we were also treated to the most amazing pseudo professional firework displays throughout the whole night from our kind and law abiding neighbours!
It was, to be honest, stunning in the real and not the figurative sense. I timed one display that lasted for 30 minutes. That's 30 minutes of constant, and simultaneous rockets and what have you going off over our house in a very residential area. That means there were loads and loads of fireworks in the estate. It was all a bit crazy and I felt really sorry for the animals they must have been petrified.
What I really want to know is where do they get them from? Does everyone indulge in cross border trading at this time of the year? Where are the guards? And why can't they be legalised so at least there can be some sort of qulaity control to make sure people won't be hurt unnecessarily? Oh and nearly as importantly how much does it cost to buy enough gear to put the sort of spectacular show that we witnessed last night on? Some people have more money than sense!
I came back to Dublin last night early enough inorder to feed the neighbourhood monsters and protect our house from bangers and such like as is necessary at this time of year. It turns out that we were also treated to the most amazing pseudo professional firework displays throughout the whole night from our kind and law abiding neighbours!
It was, to be honest, stunning in the real and not the figurative sense. I timed one display that lasted for 30 minutes. That's 30 minutes of constant, and simultaneous rockets and what have you going off over our house in a very residential area. That means there were loads and loads of fireworks in the estate. It was all a bit crazy and I felt really sorry for the animals they must have been petrified.
What I really want to know is where do they get them from? Does everyone indulge in cross border trading at this time of the year? Where are the guards? And why can't they be legalised so at least there can be some sort of qulaity control to make sure people won't be hurt unnecessarily? Oh and nearly as importantly how much does it cost to buy enough gear to put the sort of spectacular show that we witnessed last night on? Some people have more money than sense!
Friday, October 28, 2005
Beer Snobbery
I was out last night with my good friend doing girly things like shopping, giggling and buying the same clothes, you know yourself how these things go. And we also went for a bite to eat.
At dinner we had pizza and beer, the pizza was delicious and the beer was Budvar and was gorgeous, as you would expect. We then decided to have another drink before we went home and headed for Neary's just off Grafton St. Great pub, brilliant atmosphere but I still feel the loss of the peacock wallpaper in the ladies toilets, it will never be the same for me since they cleaned the place up.
Howandever, Neary's would not be a trendy pub and so choice of beer on draught is limited to Budweiser, Carlsberg, Heineken, Guinness and Smithwicks. All very well when you haven't been drinking yummy Czech beer. I ordered a Budweiser on the basis that I was interested in the compare and contrast of drinking one after the other.
The King of Beers?
Let's just say it was not a good experience. Actually minging is the term I would apply to the taste of my pint. I couldn't finish it.
Then I started thinking about beer and my likes and dislikes. I have developed a strong preference for imported beers, especially Czech and German beers, in recent times. Miller, Bud, Carlsberg, just aren't acceptable to me anymore. I have become a beer snob!
And to think 20 years ago your choice of beer was Guinness, Smithwicks or Harp! And we were happy with it!
At dinner we had pizza and beer, the pizza was delicious and the beer was Budvar and was gorgeous, as you would expect. We then decided to have another drink before we went home and headed for Neary's just off Grafton St. Great pub, brilliant atmosphere but I still feel the loss of the peacock wallpaper in the ladies toilets, it will never be the same for me since they cleaned the place up.
Howandever, Neary's would not be a trendy pub and so choice of beer on draught is limited to Budweiser, Carlsberg, Heineken, Guinness and Smithwicks. All very well when you haven't been drinking yummy Czech beer. I ordered a Budweiser on the basis that I was interested in the compare and contrast of drinking one after the other.
The King of Beers?
Let's just say it was not a good experience. Actually minging is the term I would apply to the taste of my pint. I couldn't finish it.
Then I started thinking about beer and my likes and dislikes. I have developed a strong preference for imported beers, especially Czech and German beers, in recent times. Miller, Bud, Carlsberg, just aren't acceptable to me anymore. I have become a beer snob!
And to think 20 years ago your choice of beer was Guinness, Smithwicks or Harp! And we were happy with it!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
I made butterflies
Picture me grinning proudly at my computer screen.
Yep I made butterflies and I did it all by myself!
Seeing as I have no clue about stuff like this and am basicly learning by doing can you tell me please if it looks ok?
Cheers!
Yep I made butterflies and I did it all by myself!
Seeing as I have no clue about stuff like this and am basicly learning by doing can you tell me please if it looks ok?
Cheers!
Trixibell in the Middle
I had a little ego boost sitting in my email account this morning and all I had to do to access it was to sell my soul to the spam devil!
I signed up ages ago to Tickle Tests to elleviate my boredom through self examining tests! And did loads before I got bored! But one of them was an IQ test which I did and didn't really think much about after that! However it turns out that if I was an American school child I would be in the gifted class - like Malcolm!
Trixibell in the Middle
It's a load of nonsense really but I liked reading it, it made me feel clever!
I signed up ages ago to Tickle Tests to elleviate my boredom through self examining tests! And did loads before I got bored! But one of them was an IQ test which I did and didn't really think much about after that! However it turns out that if I was an American school child I would be in the gifted class - like Malcolm!
Trixibell in the Middle
It's a load of nonsense really but I liked reading it, it made me feel clever!
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