OK - I'm about to Blog again... but this is just a starter to get me warmed up...

I found this on YouTube a while ago and I think's its sooo funny... Hope you enjoy it too :-)

Making Sense of the Elections!

For those of you, like me, who cannot make head nor tail of the difference between the various political parties here and what they stand for, they have come up with a brilliant tool that works it out for you.

Just answer the few questions that they give you and they'll tell you who the closest party is to your views! That simple! Just follow this link.

What's been happening.....

Its been an eventful few weeks since my last post. I finally escaped Alcatraz at the end of last month following what I can only remember as being a very boozy 2 week run of lunches, dinners and drinks.

The first week out of Alcatraz was a strange feeling. Having spent so long in the structured environment and routine of the workplace, it seemed really unfamiliar to suddenly be in charge of my own time. And it needs a fair bit of discipline, which is not one of my strongest qualities! I knew I wasn't on holidays, so I didn't have that feeling. I knew I wasn't working for someone else, so that feeling started to sink in eventually. I remember on one of the days, I decided to go for a swim mid-morning and I actually felt a sudden kick of guilt from it, as if I was absconding from my responsibilities to go and enjoy myself without permission. I just couldn't quite pin down the way I felt. I was over the moon at having finally left, but not sure of where I had landed.

Last week, though, things started to gel a bit more. I started things moving with the business set-up and started to see some results. All in all, I know I've a shit-load of things to do, I know that some of it won't come easily or naturally, but I have to say that I am, for the first time in years, actually buzzed about what lies ahead. All in all, things are great! I've even started to go to the gym again and get some excersize to burn off those extra kilos that have been sneaking up on me and taking up what seemed like permanent residence.

Of course, there is a down side to being around the house during the day. No, its not Day Time TV - hate that stuff anyway... Don't see the point of it. No, the big downside is that you're at home for all the feckin' politicians when they come canvassing. Its like being under seige. You can't walk out of the door without being accosted by them. Not to mention the amount of election leaflets and promos that they're dumping in my mailbox everyday of the week...

I'm really looking forward to the next few months though, even if I know some of it will scare the crap out of me. So, for the next 4 weeks, I'm going to concentrate on getting all the bits of the plan moving forward. Even if I don't get things tied up, I want to have started some progress on each area. Then comes the break before the hard slog....

Last week we were given tickets to go see the George Michael concert (at the Point I think), which takes place the day before we head off on holidays to Mykonos. It should be a great gig - as long as George himself can make it after his last court appearance. I can't wait to get there... Even when we get back, we have the Pride March in Dublin on the day after our return. You just couldn't get a better way to start and finish the holidays...

Today is Sunday. Its a bit grey out there and not particularly warm, but we have to go for the ritual dinner with the inlaws anyway, so its probably just as well. I've been listening to Newstalk all morning and all they been talking about is the Election, how Bertie managed to get his house done up and paid for by someone else and Mary Harney's ongoing bitch-fight with the nurses' unions (there's a bit of Thatcher coming out in that woman... I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes the first lady Taoiseach one day!) Bbrr....

Escape from Alcatraz!

Just over a week left before the Big Day! Finally starting to see the light at the end of the escape tunnel... A trip to London, 2 dinners and 3 lunches left and a fair bit of last minute panicking and be I'll free!

Going to dinner in La Mere Zou this evening with everyone from work, which should be fun. The question of where to go for drinks after has yet to be decided, but I was thinking of shaking things up a bit and suggesting the George... For those of you who know it, you'll understand that its not a conventional watering hole, particularly for a corporate evening :-)

But I will miss the place though. Yesterday, this guy who used to work on one of my teams, came up to my office and gave me a present of a traditional 3-piece Sudanese traditional men's garb. Oh, and a pair of matching slippers. I was really moved and surprised at someone going to that trouble... I also got a very nice gift of a Zippo lighter from a friend in China with the symbol of the god of Fortune on it to wish me good luck. And here's me trying to get myself to stop smoking!...

Talk to you all later wherever you are!

Global warming at last!!

Finally, its hitting the Green Isle... Global warming is here at last and its great! For two weekends in a row, we've had nothing but sun and temperatures we barely even get in summer.

I was walking down Grafton St. today and could barely keep up with all the totty that's walking around. Have you ever noticed that, like the way salt brings the flavour out in food, the sun seems to brings the talent out in Dublin. But its hard work, I'll tell ya, trying to scan 200 stunners a minute.. The best thing is to position yourself outside the Clarendon or the Bailey, outside obviously, 'cause its thristy work!

Anyways, that was it.... Just wanted to let you know that I'm totally enjoying a chillin' weekend :-) Off to Gruel later for a bite and then on to some watering hole.

A Weekend in The Kingdom!

What an amazing Easter Weekend!!

I haven’t been away in Ireland for a weekend in too long a time, so we decided that for the Easter weekend, we’d head down south to Kerry and take a bit of a break. We were so lucky – for once the weather was exactly what you’d wish for – sunny and warm. We spent the first night with some friends in Cork and then made our way towards Bantry and that area of Cork.

We stayed that night in a fantastic little hotel called the Seaview Hotel in the village of Ballylickey. Straight away we knew that we’d fallen upon one of Ireland’s hidden secrets. It’s a beautiful old manor house on the seafront that has been extended and restored. Well furnished – although a tad dubiously in some places, but clean, warm and friendly. Next door to the hotel, just set off the main road was a place called Mannings Food Emporium. A lovely little deli type place with tables and chairs outside in the sun – just begging for a bottle of red wine and cheese board to be enjoyed outside. And although it was Good Friday, we did manage to get just that! The couple of hours that we spent outside in the sun, were a taste of the weekend to come… Wine, cheese, music and sun!

Later in the afternoon, we went back to the hotel and got ready for dinner in the restaurant downstairs. Impeccable service and even better food. Coupled with a few after dinner glasses of red wine, we were fit for bed by just nine o’clock.

The next day we headed down to Kenmare and went for a really relaxing walk down by the pier. Again, the weather was just fantastic, the temperature was in and around the late teens and everything was just perfect. We checked in to our guesthouse (Virginia’s Guesthouse), which shares its premises with Mulcahy’s Restaurant on one of the main streets. I won’t bore you with the details, but if you’re ever in Kenmare, you’ve got to try these two places… Especially Mulcahy’s!

The second day in Kenmare was probably the best we’d had… in a long time! We had got a tip to head over to a place called Gleninchiquin Park – about 20 mins south of Kenmare on the R571. A really tight winding road that seems to go on forever, but that eventually leads you to the depths of the Kerry countryside. This is something you just cannot miss. I have never seen a place like this before and its got to be the more breathtaking piece of scenery that you’re ever likely to find on this island. We took a 2 hour walk up and around the upper waterfall, which was not easy going (especially if like me, you’re unfit and a smoker with a hangover!) – but it was definitely worth every effort. The view from the top was just unbelievable and when set to the music of Jessye Norman’s ‘Sanctus’, you could only say that it was magical…

So after a weekend that has to rank somewhere up there in the top three best weekends ever, we headed back to Dublin with a five hour drive and a warm fuzzy feeling. We couldn’t just stop there and let the weekend finish, so we took a 10 bus and got off at Stephen’s Green to have lunch at the Clarendon. Thankfully food service had stopped so we were able to concentrate on the Minervois with Joe and Beth offering their selfless support.

I felt a bit rough this morning as I drove to work, but after a weekend like that, you just can’t complain!

Happy St Paddy's Weekend!..

I cannot believe that its been Christmas since I entered a post to this Blog....

Well, thankfully that's all over and we're now well into Spring with Paddy's weekend marking the start of the thaw. Not that you'd know it from the weather here.. Its manky out there - there's a gale force wind blowing and snow is forecast for tonight and tomorrow. At least the dafos are coming out anyways so the better weather must be around the corner....

I was walking down to Tesco's yesterday at about 3ish and I was surprised to see that there were so many people about for the march. In true Irish style, the pubs seemed to be recovering lost business with hordes of people downing drinks as if it was about to be outlawed...

Once in Tesco's I set about finding myself something that tasted like normal food but could be pinged in the microwave. The place was buzzing with people. Oddly enough though, the one thing that seemed to be selling the most were trays of beer.... and, by the looks of it, mostly being bought by Polish guys... The stuff was just walkin' out of there... (in case you're still wondering, I picked up a chicken and potato chorizo dish - not too bad either.)

Anyways, all in all, a very quiet and civilised day for me on Paddy's. Tried to get The Queen on DVD again from Xtravision, but its still out - they screwed up on that one...

So I ended up watching The Great Global Warming Swindle and, folks, I have to tell you, that I am now thoroughly confused and no I've idea what to believe anymore. Some weeks ago, I took out a DVD by Al Gore called An Inconvenient Truth - (thanks to B for recommending it). Excellent documovie. Once you've watched it, you'll have the urge to recycle everything in sight and sell the car in favour of a bike. Al effectively confirms everything that we've all tried hard to ignore for the past few years and re-awakens urges from years ago from within yourself to make a difference, take action and change the world.... All very noble and right and proper and all that. So just as you're getting accustomed to watching TV in the dark - to save electricity - and showering in cold water (just kidding), along come the other crowd with their even more convincing documovie....

Although I'm still sifting through the ideas put forward by the two sides to try and make head or tail of the issue, I find it difficult to believe that man's behaviour hasn't contributed to the whole problem that we now face. The idea that all these changes in global and atmospheric trends have happened just because of an increase in solar flare activity and atomic particles seems a bit too conveniently coincidental, no matter how good the argument is.... Having been educated and raised in the shadows of Catholic Ireland, I have inherent belief that all things that we enjoy are shortlived, wrong and that, ultimately, one has to pay the price for it before being banished to Belgium or hell. The over-consuming, hoarding world in which we live and have shaped may indeed one day have to pay the price for what it has enjoyed to date... And maybe that time is coming sooner than we think!

Merry Christmas!!

I think I must be regressing and entering second-childhood!! I was up at 06.30 this morning - apparently my neighbours also seemed to have been awoken at this time by their excited kids! I have no such excuse... Given that yesterday was somewhat...liquid, to say the least.

But it was a lovely afternoon and evening. We booked our normal table at the Clarendon and then all met there for food, chat, drink and intermittent panic shopping. Having been kicked finally at 6pm, we strolled down to Sheehan's where we joined the crowd on the street. Stayed there till we could no longer bear the cold (that still took a while...) and then walked home via Abrakababra (I'm not proud!).

So here it is, Christmas morning! I've just fired up my new wood-burning stove, put the coffee on and fed Nanuk... Its all quiet outside.

So before the day gets moving, let me wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

Now its starting to feel like Christmas!!

Its finally starting to feel like Christmas! F and I did the gifts thing a bit differently this year and asked each other what each wanted. The results were surprising and practical to say the least. F asked me for a pump for the shower - don't laugh - the one we had till now was just crap! Every morning we'd battle with the feckin thing. The problem was that the temperature control thing wasn't working. If you tried to adjust the water temperature to slightly below scalding, it would cut out completely! So every morning you did what you could by having enough contact with the water to wash, while trying to dodge the rest to avoid burn damage...

I opted for a wood burning stove for the kitchen.... It looks really cool and now this morning I have to leg it to B&Q to get the flue and other bits and pieces to try and fit it so that I can actually light it. Its like getting the toy without the batteries...

So, gift exchanges done - except for some stocking fillers yet to be done - we hit the city to finish our shopping.

That started 3 days ago and has been largely unsuccessful.... well unsuccessful in terms of actual purchases. Ireland being Ireland, we invariably hit the pub to say hi to someone and stay there for the rest of the day! Today is the last chance to get the last purchases done and we're due to meet up with friends at 1pm in the Clarendon for drinks.

I shall bid you bye bye until I have finished today's tasks and I will be back tomorrow with the results!

Happy Christmas Eve!

Peace and Goodwill my arse!!

I don’t know about anyone else, but I have noticed that the closer we get to the peak of the season of ‘peace and goodwill to all’, the more things seem to be getting crazy and stressed and the more narky and irritable people get!!

I for one, have decided that I am not going to get caught up in this madness…. I’m finishing whatever I have to finish for this year and then I’m switching off!!

I need to focus on more substantial things…. Drinking, shopping, sleeping and naturally, I need to start hatching the escape plan for 2007 to make sure that I’m not still sitting here doing the same old, same old until retirement hits… The start of the New Year is bad enough, but if you don’t have a plan to help you get through, it can be too much to handle.

Jet-Lagged.....

Just got back from Shanghai last night..... and this time I think my body clock is really screwed up! Its 05.00, and I'm up and ready for action.... but everyone else is sleeping :-(

Was just trying to work out what the hell to do with the next few hours, and I remembered a clip I heard on the radio the other day (was listening to 98FM over the net from China).

You have got to hear this - it is sooo funny! Raj and American women's ways!

Its hilarious! Let me know what you think.

What do you have to do for publicity...?!

OK - it looks like sex sells, so here we go... I'll lower myself - much as it may go against my moral standards - and revert to cheap, gratuitous sex appeal... I'll let you know how my ratings go.

Oh, and by the way, this is NOT a picture of me!!

Another day, another dollar...

I was just thinking as I was coming into work, that the best Christmas gift I'll get this year will be the opening of the Port Tunnel. At last, that endless stream of slow moving, road-clogging trucks will be diverted out of the city. At last I'll finally be able to get from home to office in less than half an hour for a journey that should really only take 5 minutes.

But as I was thinking that, I recalled a news item that was on a few weeks ago where the government had announced that following due investigation of Dublin's traffic situation, they had concluded that the problem lay essentially in the location of Dublin Port.

Dublin Port, they concluded, is located in the heart of the city and this is the main cause of all our woes. The solution, they decided, was to move Dublin Port to a location outside the city limits!!

So, just as we reach the point where the Port Tunnel finally opens on the 20th December 2006, the government realise that its actually the port that they should have moved in the first place!! Is that Irish or what?!

Back to Blogging....

Still trying to work this feckin' thing out and what happens?!... They upgrade my version so that I have to start again from scratch...

Ah well...

Anyway, don't think anyone actually even reads this Blogg..

Let me know if you do come across it...

Later

Dublin Pride 2006

Dublin Pride 2006! The opening speech by Miss Panty! 

Gay Pride Day Dublin

Irish Gay Pride Day Celebrations!

The best day ever! And, it didn't even rain (much) :-) 

Shanghai!

In fact this one is a slightly better shot typical of Shanghai! 

Shanghai - What a city!!

Just been to Shanghai on business - second time there and its got to be one of the most impressive first encounters that a westerner can get to China. I'll post another entry later when I've got over the jet lag, but here is a shot I took of a pond in a place I can't rememeber the name of...full of Coy (Koy?!) fish.... The other pics are much more interesting though..Promise!