Snow Day 2007

Well, its the last day of 2007. I'm sitting in the Infamous Tattoo studio in Stockholm Sweden waiting for Tyson to finish up his drawings. Looking back, what can I say about 2007? Cha-cha-cha-changes. Lots of things happened, lots of things didn't happen, however the good have always outweighed the bad. Overall, I'm happy and I couldn't imagine being anywhere other than where I am right now (in life, not necessarily in Sweden).

Just to recap my little trip so far:
I got in on Friday morning and found my way to Infamous where Tyson works. It was really easy to get here, just a short trip on the subway. I dropped my bags off and took a short stroll around the old town before it began to get dark around 2.30pm. Tyson and I went and go some dinner and just hung out, headed home early and watched a movie before hitting the hay.

Saturday, more walking around, dinner at some fancy place and then back to the studio for a birthday party. It was rad cause I got to meet a lot of tysons friends and just interesting people in general, not to mention an open bar. After the party on to a bar for a few more drinks and then home for snoozing.

Sunday, more walking around. Went to the modern art museum, then to the grand hotel to pretend we were millionaires and drink expensive beer. Then continued on a small pub crawl of Stockholm. Found a girl passed out in a public toilet and got some help for her, cruised around the park for a while. Home early around 11.30.

Today, December 31, 2007. i slept ridiculously late but woke up to snow. tyson headed into town early to do a bit of work, where I met him him at the studio, where I'm typing this. No major plans for new years as of yet. I have a feeling we might just end up here at the studio with a few cans of beer. Not too sure yet.

Farewell 2007 welcome 2008. Its going to be a great year.

Cozy pubs.

Warm pubs, pint in hand and good friends for company. These are the days of my life, at Brogan's Pub.

Me and Gudrun
(these first two photos were taken by Dara, i want his camera!)


Gorgeous.

Me and Mick


Your's truly and Aishling


Fun times.

Dublin in December

How it goes

The rain is upon us and coming down hard today, which is okay because I'm home nursing my hangover all day. Things have been going good lately. Good thing i did all that traveling last month cause now i'm spending most my time indoors, trying to paint more, watching lots of films and sitting in cozy pubs. I've seen some great films lately, Control, The Darjeeling Limited and 30 Days of Night.

I've also been to a few great gigs, Wilco and The GO! Team, where I met the most amazing guy. Upcoming: The Good Life tomorrow nite, Múm and Seabear, CSS, Stars (again) and maybe the Smashing Pumpkins in February.

In other news, work is going good, just found out last nite that one of my designs won the Design For Print Award! So that's very cool. You can see some of my most recent work on my new online portfolio. I also bought my ticket for Stockholm, hanging out with Tyson for new years! Hooray! I'm super excited because Sweden has always been on my list of somewhere I'd like to visit.

We'll that's my life at the moment. Hope you're all doing well.

More travels!

Last week I made plans with Jessica and her two flatmates to drive up to Belfast this weekend. Well, as life has it, the other two girls' plan's changed and jess and I were out of luck. But we though, hey, let's go anyway! So this morning we hoped on a bus to Belfast. I'm not quite sure how it works but the bus costs 22euro and takes 3 hours while the train takes 2.5 hours and costs 60euros. So the bus was just fine with us.

Of course we made now plans of where to stay but figured we'd find something. Belfast greeted us with a torrential downpour! More rain than I've seen in quite sometime and of course accompanied by gale force winds. We opened our umbrellas and headed in the direction of a few hostels. The first hostel had a sign posted, no vacancies, so we headed to the hostel I stayed at 8 years ago! It however was also full and we came learn that it was quite a busy weekend in belfast due to a football game and two big gig's on (one being My Chemical Romance, causing the town to be crawling with 16 year old goth kids). Next step, bed and breakfasts. Once again turned away from the first, we found the second one only had 1 three-bed room left for £75 ($154!) no way were we gonna pay that. But as we were walking out the door we met a another lady how was looking for a room and she was on her own. Bingo! So we decided to share the room with her for a much more reasonable £25 per nite. We were set!

We booked ourself a Black Cab Tour to go take a look at the war murals, with piping hot chips in hand we hoped in the cab. It was going to have to be a short tour because it was already beginning to get dark at 4:30 and the weather was not cooperating. The murals were not quite like last time i saw them, 8 years ago, because this time there is peace! thank goodness. Once back in our room we warmed our feet for a while and had a great chat with Janet, our roomie. Then Jess and I headed out for the most amazing indian food and then to meet Janet for a pint at the pub across the street.

Wow, all i can say is, wow. What a crazy "pub". It was a bit more like a bar than a pub, but it had such an eclectic mix of people there and we had our pick of any of the 60-year-old men we wanted. Needless to say it wasn't exactly our crowd, but very entertaining none-the-less. After two drinks, and watching the "belly family" get arrested, Jess and I decided to head back to our warm beds.

Up-and-at-em early this morning we walked with Janet back to the bus station, where she caught a bus back home to Monaghan and us up to Giant's Causeway. We completely lucked out with the weather, a crisp clear day with puffy white clouds, making the perfect day for a cliff walk by the ocean. Giant's Causeway is such a magnificent place, it's no wander it's been named a national wonder of the world. After a few hours there, we headed back to belfast and then on another bus back to dublin, about 4 hours of bus ridding all together. Not so bad.

Tomorrow I'm off to the exciting land of work! (that's sarcasm).

Belfast and Giant's Causeway

Home again, home again.

Rome was great. It never ceases to amaze me. Walking through the doors of saint peters, exiting the metro to find the coloseum looming before us, or turning a corner and seeing the sun gleaming off the magnificently beautiful trevi fountain. This was the third time I did all these things, and it still felt like the first. However, my anticipation was even greater, cause I knew they were all coming.

Rome was more packed than usual due to the bank holiday weekend, because of this we decided to skip admission to a few of the major attractions and opt for people watching in the piazzas. Our last nite included an amazing dinner of salads and pastas chased down by delicious red wine. The food is simply amazing, however, we somehow also mananged to find a bad restaurant, i wouldn't suggest it unless, day old microwaved vegitables is your thing.

Italy Novemeber 2007

So now, i'm back in Dublin, I feel truly home again. My friend jess (from germany and my compainion on this crazy irish adventure) captured my feelings about dublin:

...I would miss these thousands of people from all around the world who jostle my shoulder when I go through the city, where parcels never find our house, always a beer in front of me without having to pay...that amazing wind, I will miss the smell of winter... in Dublin that is a smell like a flowery open fire, pub's where looking from the outside look empty and dead but inside all hell is breaking loose, where the rain and mist can be so lovely especially in the country side, bicycle lanes where actually there aren't any ... where elderly people and the pub keeper bring the night to an end ... just a 10 minute drive when I want to smell the sea, just 30 minutes drive to see beautiful mountains ... excellent and affordable fish and chips in the irish film institute ... where people keep acting naturally in all their life situations, to live in the real and rough north side, the city where a river divides the money... but otherwise where everybody is a star.

Thanks Jess.

Rome again Rome again

Yippy, just got into rainy Rome. Once in Italy we stayed two nites in Lecce and then headed over the the supremely beautiful Amalfi Coast, where we stayed the next two nites. And where I reminiced of the days of yore. Here in Rome were staying in the same hostel I stayed in last time i was here, however, they are booked up for the holiday weekend so we need to find somewhere else for the next two nites. So I best be internet searching for hostels. tootles.

Amazing, just amazing.

The last week Emily and I have been living in postcards. We have seen places I thought were just TV sets, but no, they exsist and we were there. Climbing the walls, walking the streets, eating the food and drinking the beer in these unbelivilby beautiful places.

After Dubrovnik we headed south to to Kotor were we hiked the walls that were built in 1166. After a cold, restless nite, dreaming of zombies coming down from the mountains, we headed down to Bar for a nite, where we lounged in the ruins of the 10th century Stari Bar (old city).

Last nite we jumped aboard our 9 hour ferry ride across the Adriatic to Bari, Italy. Yet another restless nite filled with dreams of the boat running into a whale, into another boat, and somehow sinking from a hole that just appeared out of no where. Emily finally dragged me out of our cabin half an hour after we docked. Still in a daze, after agruing with the taxi driver, we managed to grab a taxi to the train station with several other travelers, for minimal price. We napped for our two our journey to Lecce, the Florence of the South. Here we have set up camp in my idea of the perfect apartment. I may just move here so I can live in it perminitly. So far we have managed to walk around the city at nite, which is so beautiful because all of the old baroque buildings are lit up. Absolutly amazing.

We are here for two nites, then we head to Mantra and stay the nite in some swanky cave hotel. We will continue our way north to the Amalfi coast and then spend our final nites in Roma!

I will leave you with an image of what I will be dreaming about from now on...

Mi jesu idiomi

Rough translation: We are idiots. Here we are in the most beautiful place in the world, huddling in our apartment. Why you ask? Because instead of believing the weather forecast and bringing coats, gloves and scarfs, we brought swimsuits, skirts and tanktops. Now we are freezing. but its okay cause its our own fault. Today we are shopping for warm clothes. Two more days here and then were off to Montenegro! Were trying to follow the warm weather south!

burrrrrr!

Dubrovnik!

Day 4 in croatia, this is our second day in Dubrovnik and it is more beautiful that i ever imagined. One of those places that words/pictures can't describe. Emily and I flew into Pula (northern croatia) on tuesday evening, found our incredibly cute private apartment with the friendliest owners and most amazing view. The next day we spent walking around Pula, which has a colosseum similar to the one in Rome. However, as the sun began to fall, we quickly learned that we didn't pack the right clothes for the weather. It's true that during the day it is sunny and beautiful (we even went sunbathing!) but once the sun goes down croatia quickly turns into an in credibly cold country. We're layering all out cloths and are working through it.

Thursday we hoped on a 14 hour over-nite bus ride to Dubrovnik. we couldn't believe our eyes when we got here. so beautiful. The first day we walked all around the old city and atop the city walls. Today we ventured into the new town and on to the famous copacabana beach. we're just in town now heading for some dinner, seafood for me!

Here's a photo from the internet, i'll post my photos when i'm back home in Dublin.

Off to Croatia/Montenegro/Italy

We just got back from traveling around West Ireland, every corner we turned we felt like we had entered a new postcard. Absolutely amazing scenery. I haven't had much time to post photo's but will when i get the chance. Christina left this morning to fly back home so it's just me and Em again, just like the good ole days. We take off tomorrow for Croatia, don't really have any plans except that we need to be in Rome in 18 days. Wow it's gonna be so great to be traveling again!

I'll post pictures as soon as I have a moment, hopefully before I leave tomorrow.

Adventures with Emily and Christina Chapter 1

Hooray! Em and Christina arrived in last friday morning at 5am in the morning. They arrived baring gifts; milk duds, twinkies, cupcakes and of course the most important reeses cups. After a few hours of chatting, the girls hit the hay and I hit the sidewalk to walk to work. After a very giddy 7.5 hours at work I skipped off early to meet the girls and help them get their barings of the city, aka, show them the pubs. We walked through temple bar and down a few of the main streets. We then stopped in to the Porterhouse for their first pint. Then then we met up with Aishling for another and then off to the IFI for dinner. After a quick stop in at the Turks Head we headed across town to meet up with Susan and Owen at a friends birthday party. As anticipated, jetlag began to set in, instead of trying to keep the girls from falling asleep in their guinness, we headed home.

Up and at em early the next morning we really set out to see the city. We started off by cruising around Christchurch, Saint Patricks, Dublin Castle, Chester Beatty Library, temple bar, Stephen's Green, ending up at Trinity College for the highlight—the Book of Kells. Which was absolutely amazing. Then off to the Northside with a quick stop at home. As the sun was heading down, we headed to Glasnevin Cemetery. After an hour walk through some of the most beautiful gravestones we headed across the street for a pint of the best guinness in town at the Gravediggers pub. Dinner time! Home for some spagetti, and then off to meet up with Martina for a "quiet pint" at the Lord Edward. We finished out "quiet pint" with a taxi ride home at 3am.

Next afternoon, up and at em' again. I told the girls that we wouldn't be doing much walking since our heads and bodies were still aching from the nite before. With blue skies above our heads we caught the DART down to Dalkey with the goal of catching a boat out to Dalkey Island, but when we got there the harbor was closed. We met a nice local man who pointed us in the direction of a few unmentionable famous people's houses, so we figured, what the hell, let's take a look. At this point our day of "not walking much" turned into a five hour walk to another village down the East Dublin coastline. The view was amazing. Halfway through our walk, i realized we were halfway to Susan's house so we might as well keep on walking since we already had plans to visit her that evening. We caught up with susan in Kiliney at the Obelisk on Kiliney hill. After the day's long walk we headed with susan to get some dinner in Dun Laoghaire at Cafe Mao. Then back to the DART and home to fall into bed.

This morning the girls were up at 4am to catch their flight to Edinburgh, and me back to work. I can't wait for them to get back on friday and we'll do it all over again!

Friends unite!

Tis the wind and nothing more!

The wind is back and it has blown summer away. But despite the blustery, cold, dark by 7.30 evenings I've still managed to do a few things. The fringe festival has been on for the last month and I went to a few events. But in more exciting news—Emily and Christina will be here in 1 day!!!! They arrive in early friday morning and I couldn't be more giddy!

My world

So I got a little bored and in preporation for Emily and Christina to get here, I've noted all my usual haunts.

They can be found here.


View Larger Map

Goodbyes

Jessica Lynn Liddell
November 4, 1979 - September 2, 2007

Jessica was one of those people I didn't see for years. But when we did see eachother, our friendship always picked up right where it left off. I will always remember her for being a very sweet person and a friend that years couldn't detour. I will always always remember Jess.

STAYTON - Jessica was lost to her family and friends in a river accident on Sunday. One major blessing was that she was with friends and having a good time.

She was born in Salem and moved to rural Stayton prior to her 1st birthday. She spent her school years in the Stayton public school system, where she excelled as an artist. This talent led her to achieve her Associate of Art degree through Chemeketa Community College. She put herself through school working at Stayton Video/Liquor store and Wherehouse music.

Her first job was at Ace Hardware, after school hours and the Ugo's Pizza Parlor, where she met her future husband, Marty. They were married on August 5, 2000. After residing in Salem for a few years, they moved back to Stayton. She was employed at Sublimity Eyecare as a team leader, working for her Uncle John and with her sister, Michelle.

Jessi was a beautiful, vibrant young woman who will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She had many hopes and dreams, one of which was to open an art gallery and feature works by her friends, her sister, and herself. Friends are hoping to have some of her artwork and photographs memorialized in a book to be published, with proceeds going to an art scholarship. She was also a counselor for the Outdoor School program and looked forward every year to the week she spent helping students learn about nature and ecology.

She was preceded in death by her father, Darrell Plunkett, and grandfather, Hal Rickman. Survivors include her husband, Marty Liddell and his family; her mother, Cheri Plunkett; half-brother, Brian Shapiro; younger sister, Michelle Plunkett; grandmother, Edna Rickman; uncles, Tom, John, Bill and Janet, and Don and Tami Rickman; and aunt, Janice and Rick Moore. She also had numerous cousins who adored and looked up to her.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 8 at the Weddle Funeral Home, Stayton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations for the art scholarship, the Outdoor School program, or the Marion/Lynn County River Rescue operation can be sent to PO Box 392, Sublimity OR 97385

---

Timothy Lee Harrison
1960 - August 25, 2007

My cousin Tim. My heart goes out to Candice, Shawna, Bobby Joe, and Ashley..

A Tillamook-area man fell to his death while bow hunting with his brother Saturday afternoon on private property about 3 miles north of Trask River Road.

On August 25, 2007 at approximately 1:04 p.m. the victim's brother, WILLIAM HARRISON, age 50, from Tillamook, called 9-1-1 after hiking about three miles from the scene where he had left his seriously injured brother who had fallen about 250 feet down a cliff. Personnel from Oregon State Police, Tillamook County Search & Rescue, Tillamook Fire Department, Tillamook Ambulance, Netarts Fire Department, and Garibaldi Fire Department responded to the area to assist.

After emergency responders returned to the scene on foot with the victim's brother, two rescue personnel went down the rocky cliff to where the victim, TIMOTHY LEE HARRISON, age 46, was lying. The victim died at the scene before he could be retrieved and taken to a hospital.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter responded to assist with retrieving the victim and two rescuers.

Trask River Road is about three miles east of Tillamook along Highway 6. The scene was about 7 miles up and 3 miles north of Trask River Road.

Oregon State Police troopers from the Tillamook work site are the lead investigating agency. A chaplain for Tillamook County Sheriff's Office also responded to assist

---

Emily Frances Egan
1989 - August 28, 2007

I didn't know Emily too well, but I did spend a few christmas' and thanksgivings with her. The Egans are some of the most loving people I've ever met, they don't deserve heartache like this.

A funeral Mass will be at noon Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, in St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church (Madeleine parish) for Emily Frances Egan, who died Aug. 28 of homicide at age 18.

Emily Frances Egan was born April 2, 1989, in Portland. She went to the Madeleine School, earned a GED certificate, and had been a student at Portland Community College.

Survivors include her father, John; mother, Terry; and brother, Joe.

Electric Picnic 2007!!!

Where to begin...the weekend that I had most eagerly anticipated came, and went in a flash.

Friday
I took friday off and at 11am met Aishling and Martina at the bus station to catch our bus down to Stradbally, about a two hour drive south west of dublin. We got down there, found a small area just big enough for our three tents. It turned out to be a great spot, with the best of both worlds, a vegan/vegetarian booth on one side and Hog in a Roll on the other. Shortly after we pitched our tents up we were joined by bridget from limerick. Throughout the day already we had seen several people we knew and most stopped in for a beer or a chat.

After a few beers, a spicy mexican vegan burger we headed in to the arena for the start of the festivities. We started the festival off with Hot Chip on the main stage, then stayed for Bjork. She was great, as expected. However I cut Bjork short and Aideen and I headed towards the crawdaddy tent to catch Modest Mouse. Wow, what a turn out, i had to fight and throw some elbows but we finally managed to squeeze into the jam-packed tent, which was completely worth it. Since modest mouse was my most anticipated act, the rest of the festival was just icing on the cake. We headed back and caught up with the other girls for LCD Sound System. Back to the tents for some decent shut eye.


Saturday
This was without a doubt the busiest day. It turned out way better than I had expected. I knew there were loads of bands on, but I wasn't too crazy about any of them, I have since changed my mind. This day's music hit it off with !!!. Good stuff, then in a blur over to catch a bit of The Undertones on my way to see Bonde Do Role. After shaking our booties for a while Aishling and I took our seperate ways, her heading over to meet up with the rest of the girls at Fionn Regan and me to M.I.A., one of the highlights of the festival. The day was young the sun was out, and Architecture in Helsinki was playing, they were absolutly amazing! I had to give ladytron a miss and head over to see Ratatat. The girls put their faith in my musical taste and headed over with me. They were not disappointed. Ratatat was without a doubt my favorite of the weekend! They don't need no stinking lyrics! They were so good, we stayed for their entire set, missing the first half of Polyphonic Spree. But we made it just in time to hear their amazing cover of Nirvana's Lithium (another highlight).

It was only 9pm. Much more to do. We had a short break before the B-Boys took the stage. What a joke, biggest mess up of the festival. For some reason (I can only assume sound?) they put the Beastie Boys on one of the smaller stages, in a tent. Well, the tent filled up very quickly and there were a 1000's more outside trying to squeeze in. We took one look, and said no way. Back to the tent for us, for a few beers before the Chemical Brothers. However, once i snuggled into my tent you couldn't get me back out. I wasn't too pushed to see the Chemical Bro's either, sleep held a much higher priority. The other girls went, and said i didn't actually miss much, so that was good.


Sunday
After a somewhat proper nights sleep, I woke up feeling refreshed. The last day! Not a lot of bands on my schedule for today, so it was a good opportunity to take advantage of the other festivities. We did a lot of "chilling out" in the body and soul area. This place completely reminded me of the Oregon Country Fair (lots of hippies). The first band i went to go see was Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, they were good, but not amazing. I think the sound was off. Then stopped off for a Sonic Youth song on my way to Rilo Kiley. Yes, I realize I passed up sonic youth for Rilo Kiley, and I'm not happy about that either because frankly, their set was very dull. Live and learn.

Back off to the main stage to meet up with the group. Iggy and the Stooges were playing, but frankly I don't remember, too busy talking to my mates about everything else going on. To bring the festival to an end, Primal Scream put on an absolutely amazing show. I shall not forget.

There were a few things I missed that I would have liked to have seen, including, Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, The GO! Team, Deerhoof, ladytron, Camera Obscura, Gary Baseman and Tim Biskup.

But without a doubt one thing that made the festival worth every euro:

Battle of the century

The Babylonians vs. The Romans

As mentioned below, I got two fish. After a mighty battle, for breath, Nero won. Nebuchadnezzar died after only three days. I didn't mean to do my own animal testing but I got the wrong info from the pet store and apparently Nebuchadnezzar needed a filter to survive while Nero does not. I gave him a proper flushing burial.

Long live Emperor Nero.

It get's lonely at the top—and I live in an attic.

Hardly a replacement for logan, but meet Nero (left) and Nebuchadnezzar (right).

I've lost EVERYTHING!

I've always thought highly of macintosh computers, everyone know's that. But now, my faith is wavering. Only one year after i bought my macbook, the hard drive has crashed. the ironic part was i was backing up all of my photo's when it crashed. so now i've lost the last 6 months worth of photo's which are precious to me. Not to mention all of my design work.

just got off the phone with the apple repair guy...it would cost me over 500 euro ($620) to retrieve the data. So i sucked it up and i'm just getting a new harddrive without the retrieving the data.

One year - no regrets

As of yesterday i have officially lived in Dublin for one year. It's crazy how time fies, yes when I'm having fun. I've learned so many new things living over here, mainly how to live on my own and be comfortable with myself which is far from easy sometimes. I've decided I'm going to stay for another year and see where this crazy world brings me. After that I think i'd like to continue traveling, asia will be next.

To celebrate my one year anniversary I came down with strep throat, so I've been celebrating in bed for the last 3 days with Tom Robbin's Skinny Legs and All. Usually I'd be celebrating with my computer re-watching all the episodes of Firefly but my computer decided to get strep throat also, and is dead. Unfortunately, without my start up disc's (which are in oregon) I can't fix her. Bugger.

So I'll be keeping a low profile this weekend, taking my antibiotics, napping and reading. exciting stuff. Bring on year number two!

Week in a flash.

What a doozy. Last week was very slow at work but my nitelife was running faster than I was.

Wednesday I headed out to a Design Social put on by Design Ireland.

Thursday evening was Tanja's (my flatmate) last day so all of us in the house headed out to wish her safe travels back to Switzerland.

Friday nite I went out with some friends after work, great nite.

Saturday, Aishling and I headed up to Howth for a walk along the beach, followed by Tapas with Susan and Owen then met up with Martina for drinks.

Today was a lazy day, filled with sleeping, tv watching, laundry, cleaning the room. And I just got back from watching Sherrybaby with Ash, good movie but very depressing. We were suppose to go see the Simpsons Movie, but of course it was sold out.

Next week I foresee a week filled with movies the Simpsons Movie, Transformers, and an outdoor showing of Spinal Tap.


The flatmates, from left, Keiran, Donnacha, Tanja, and yours truly.


Howth >>>




Fish and Chips by the sea, some of the best I've ever had!

not much

Sorry I haven't been writing lately. There just hasn't been much going on. But there has been a lot going down...rain that is. The most exciting news is, I went and watched Alien's on the big screen last nite, outdoors, with NO rain! It was great, watching a scary movie outside where real alien's could have attacked at any moment! However, they didn't, only a few seagulls flew over.


The morning commute


Sunset from my window

Who's bright idea was this?

An outdoor festival in Ireland???

Wahoo, yesterday Martina and I headed out to Punchestown in Kildare for the Oxegen 2007 music festival. The festival was two days but we got day tickets for Sunday only. Upon arrival we were 100% satisfied with our decision to buy wellies, due to the fact that we have been receiving more rain this summer than ever before (yes even for ireland). By the end of the day mud people were abundant and mud wrestling was the main event, set to the tune of some of the most popular bands around.

Our day started out by catching a bit of Charlotte Hatherley (of ASH), nice and rocky. We then sloshed over to the Green Room to watch Calvin Harris, great energy, horrible lyrics. It was pretty exciting when the top of the tent burst during his set. Lunchtime! We ate the best felafel's I think I've ever had listening to the rhythm of the Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars.

Now, the fun begins. Bloc Party took the main stage, and put on an good show. We cut it short though and headed over to catch Albert Hammond Jr, but got there just as they were clearing the stage. Which is okay because we're going to see him at Vicar Street Next month. Now it was time for Martina and I to go our separate ways, she headed over to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and me to CSS. Due to a certain Amy Winehouse cancelling her set (ahg that woman, i tell ya always messin things up) I missed half of CSS because they were moved up in the schedule. But I was able to catch the last half, which was absolutely amazing, as expected. The good thing about the time change was I was able to catch the majority of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club set with Martina, and found a few other friends there too.

We stuck around at that tent for the next band, Satellite Party. I'm not quite sure why they changed their name from Jane's Addiction though, all they played were Jane's Addiction songs. Wow is Perry Farrell crazy. Then across the way to see the fabulous Arcade Fire. Once again we cut the set short and slugged over to watch bright eyes. Now i was just expecting same ol thing, but, they blew us away! Without a doubt one of the highlights of the festival, I think I finally made Martina a fan also. She finally figured out "what all the fuss was about." We stayed in the same tent for the fabulous (tosses hand) Rufus Wainwright.

The end was near, the sun was going down and the Killers were on, but Daft Punk was louder. We stood half way between the two turning an ear to each. We also ducked into the Pet Sounds stage to catch a song from Brian Wilson, gotta say, a middle aged man sitting down playing a keyboard just wasn't holding a light to the lasers and light shows Daft Punk was putting on. We ended the nite with All These Things That I've Done by the Killers. Overall the last hour was filled with dancing to daft punk, singing along to the killers, and feeling sorry for Brian Wilson being overshadowed by the other two.

The nite was almost over. The heard of mudcaked people headed towards their cars, campsites and us to our bus. We ended the nite, in the standard Martina/Judy way, by getting separated. I squeezed onto a bus and the doors closed before Martina got on. We thought I was the lucky one but getting on a bus first thing, but it turned out Martina was the lucky one. About 10 down the road, my bus got a flat tire! Now we had 50 muddy, exhausted, drunk people waiting a half an hour for another bus to pick us up.

I finally got to the door and peeled off my wellies around 2am. Wow what a day.

Some mud pictures, this was not just a certain area, this is how the ENTIRE festival grounds looked:

Happy fourth of July

It's nites like tonite that I love where I am.


unfortunately, i did not take this photo, but this is pretty close to what it looks like.

I'm sure the rain will resume tomorrow.

Caio Italia!

Hello Ireland.
I'm back in dublin where it's easy to pay for things and find my way around, yet the food just isnt as good and the people are not as attractive (no offense ireland!). Of course the trip was good. I have to say it was very different from other trips i've taken.

I spent the first three days on my own, it was a bit lonely, but allowed some quality thinking time. Rimini is suppose to be one of the liveliest cities on the Adriatic coast. But because i was there on a wednesday through thursday not much was going on. I spent a lot of time on the beach, but got so burnt that i couldn't really go back. So then i thoroughly walked around the quiet city which took only about a half an hour. The majority of the remaining two days i passed time reading and drinking corona's in the garden at the hostel. Friday nite i headed out with two swedish girls (super nice girls), but headed in early because i had to catch my train early the next morning.

The Tiberius Bridge in Rimini, began under the Emperor Augustus in 14 and was completed under Tiberius in 21.

Saturday morning I headed to Faenza. I found the hotel that sarah was staying at really easy but she has left a note at the front desk to let them sleep a bit, so i grabbed a coffee and read more of my book. It was so great to see sarah, I haven't seen her since January and I haven't spent quality time with her in a very long time. The wedding was at three so we got ready and headed to the church. It was a smallish wedding at the very small, oldest church in Faenza. Now, all i know of italian catholic weddings is that the entire thing is read from a booklet and there's a lot of standing up, sitting down, kneeling and singing. After the wedding we headed to the reception at a vineyard a little outside the city. The food was amazing and the wine even better (as expected). After the reception finished, we headed back into town and joined the towns people in the pre-palio, (a jousting tournament between the town's five districts) festivities.


Sunday we walked around the town a bit and then headed over to the stadium with everyone else in town to watch the Palio. It was pretty fun, but at time more fun to watch each district yell and shout at the other districts and in some cases throw water balloons. After the match was over we headed out for a bit to eat and then sarah and i stayed out assuming there'd be some sort of victory party. We ended up crashing the winner's party but it was quite boring so we went and sat in the piazza for a while. Around 1:30am, the piazza was dead, but just as we were about to give up on any further festivities and head home, we heard drums and along trots the winning district with their pennants flying high. We sat around for an hour or so more and watched them celebrate.

Piazza del Popolo

This morning I had to get up early and head home. The travel home went very smoothly, I only wish I didn't have to do so much sitting around at airports I could have had some more quality visiting time. I need to get working on that teleportation devise.

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To feel the sun on my back

Isnt it great lying in the italian sun? its only great until you wake up the next day and realize youre a lobster! I can barely move. And that was with sunscreen on. As italy will have it, i was suppose to head to Faenza today to meet up with sarah but guess what? Train Strike! No trains are running for 24 hours. Not only that but sarah missed her flight in Frankfurt (curse you again frankfurt!). So I hope to see her tomorrow. Off to put some more burn cream on.

Rain, rain, go away...

The weather here is crazy! Everyone is freaking out because normally June and July are very nice in Dublin. However, there's flooding all over the country and the rain is not stopping. It's predicted to rain for the next month solid!

I think I'll go to Italy and lay on a beach all day! Rimini and Faenza here I come!!! Be back on Monday.

The end of an era.

Sad day.

Brú na Bóinne!

Wow, what a great weekend!

Guess I'll start with friday. After work, it was so nice out I couldn't bare to go home so I walked up to stephen's green park and walked around then popped in topshop where i found two great shirts and ran into Martina (imagine that). We went and grabbed a quick bite to eat and then I met up with Kieran (my flatmate) and his friend Tom at Trinity College for a few cans on the grass. Headed home just after nine.

Saturday, I woke up early and hit the bus station for a trip out to Newgrange. I usually don't like tour bus' but it is one of the only ways to get out to Newgrange if you don't have a car. So at 10am I climbed on the bus with all the other tourists. On our way we stopped by Mainistir Bhuithe, an early christian settlement. Now mainly a graveyard with a remaining round tower. Then back on the bus and off to Mellifont Abby, dating back to 1142! We had about an hour tour and then back on the bus again.

Celtic Cross

Cup o flowers

Mellifont Abby

Next stop our main attraction, Newgrange. Let me also point out that it was HOT outside, well into the 70s and clear blue skies, therefore, the airconditioned bus was actually quite enjoyable. When we reached newgrange we had an hour break for lunch and then waited out turns to catch a minibus out to the site. It was pretty amazing, it was constructed 500 years before the pyrimids! Of course no one is quite sure what it was used for but, it aligns with the sun for the winter solstice. They've built in a similation of the solstice while you're inside. It's pitch black and then slowly a pencil thin light begins to creep in and illuminiates stones with spirals carved on them. Pretty cool indeed! We remained at newgrange for an hour or so, then back to the bus for the ride home.

Newgrange

I was walking up the path to head back to the bus, and who comes trotting down the path towards me? Kieran and Tom! Crazy coincedince. They were out for a drive, saw signs, and decided to check it out. I got my stuff from the bus and told the driver I wouldnt be continuing home with them, which was fine, he was a super nice guy and a great guide. Unfortunatly the boys had arrived too late for the last tour out to newgrange but we were able to book the next one out to Knowth.

Knowth

Around 5:30, tired, and sunburned we headed back to dublin, stopping at an overpriced golf pub on the way for some grub and watch a little Back to the Future.

Long day huh? Well it wasnt over yet. Got home cleaned up and then met up with Martina and Aishling for a nite on the town. We were all in great form, full of laughs and beers. We ended the nite shaking our booties at Whelans pub.

Again today the sun was out. I absolutly love dubin in the summer, as do the dubliners. Everyone just gathers in the parks to lounge all day. I grabbed my book and headed down to stephen's green for some reading. I was dreading having to go find a dress to wear to Erick's wedding, but I completely lucked out and bought the first dress I tried on in the first shop i went (i swear by this shop, it works everytime). Then I met up with Aishling for some sushi! And now I'm home.

Great weekend!

As always see my Picasa Page for more photos

I pomised my mom I wouldn't do anything crazy

So I cut my hair. Bangs!

Blog theft!

For your viewing pleasure, meow.

Short Trips

This weekend was (still is) a bank holiday weekend! Aishling and I decided to take advantage of the long weekend and head over to Galway. Galway is only a three hour train ride from Dublin, it's one if Irelands largest cities. It's most known for the Claddagh Ring. Over all it was a cute little city, we were only there for one nite but walked circles around the city center several times. We lucked out with the weather, Saturday it drizzled off and on. Sunday when we headed out to Salthill, the beach, the weather was gorgeous. Here are some of the highlights.


Galway Cathedral


Claddagh


Salthill coastline


All smiles at the Bierhaus, drinking a nice blonde ale.

The Great Distraction 2007

1. Puppies


2. Coffee


3. Quick trips


4. google kittens and puppies


5. Flash


6. Ratatat


7. C.I.


8. Jake Gyllenhaal


9. Johnny Depp


10. Substitutions


11. Photography


12. Friends


13. Six Feet Under


14. Slayer


15. Not eating meat


16. Imagining

weekend photos.

This weekend I went back down to Killiney for one last look before they go to their new families.




This one was the hardest to leave...she also didn't find a home that day so it made it extra hard not to bring her home with me.


This is nacho, he reminds me a lot of Logan, and apparently doesn't mind puppies too much.


The beginning of the sunset on the way home.


This is just a crazy door in Dublin.