These are the days of our lives...

My visit to the Irish Modern Art Museum.


Oh Jesus!


Our town.


I just can't escape New Mexico.


Door number one?


We Judiths tend to stick together

Choose wisely

When I woke up this morning it was soooo nice outside. Walked to work. Sat in a building all day. When I finally left the building, it looked like armageddon outside, lashing rain and the sky was pure black (at 5:30 when it's usually light). But by time I got to the bus stop it stopped. So once again I decided to walk (my new years resolution). About half way home, guess what? Yep, you'd think the flood was 'acomin. And guess what else? Yep, forgot my umbrella, so I ducked under a ledge.

When the rain lessened I continued on my way home. When I neared the crosswalk to head onto my street, I noticed people stopping, looking as if they were going to cross but then continued on their way. When I got the the  crosswalk I saw why, the street had narrowed and now had two streams (approaching white water rapids status), 5 feet wide at least, on both sides. I live on a bit of a hill, so all the water from the hill was rushing down the streets and apparently Dublin's medieval sewer systems aren't capable of handling the rain water (???).

Dilemma: walk up the street to the next crosswalk or go swimming.

I went swimming. I knew I couldn't jump the water, so the next best plan of action was to one-foot hop to the center and then hop out. It turned out to be a two hop. Both feet took their turns hopping in the water up past my ankles. A good time to point out that I made the decision this morning NOT to wear my boots, but to wear my cute open-topped maryjanes instead. So, then I found myself standing in the island in the middle of the street. This was truly an Island, completely surrounded by water. I had the other side still to venture across, same formula as last time.

Once safely on the other side of the street, a meer minutes from home, I looked down at my feet, completely soaked, socks, shoes, jeans. I laughed out loud and wore a huge grin all the way home.

V-day

Well, I just found out that St. Valentine actually resides here in Dublin, well his remains at least. I guess I should have went to see him today. Instead I helped Ashling celebrate her 27th birthday with dinner, wine and Diamonds. Maybe I'll go check out the Saint this weekend.

Anywhoo. Happy v-day everyone!

Doin' time.

Today I went to jail. Kilmainham Gaol was built in 1796 to house all of Irelands criminals. Before the jail was built all criminals were shipped to Austrailia, most of them dying on the 7 month voyage. The jail is most famous for holding Irish Rebelion leaders, Joseph Plunkett caught my attention. Most of the men involved in the 1916 Easter Rising were not your normal military leaders, they were artists, poets and musicians. Irish history is passionate, so much devotion to the country and people. I will definitily study up on it a bit more.


Main gate

East reformation wing

Execution yard

The cell Plunkett was held, 1916

After the jail, Martina and I got a little lost but hopped the LUAS back to town for some Pizza, then for a drink at 4Dame Lane, and ended the evening at the Irish Film Institute. Many of our nites end up there (or start off there). We watched For Your Consideration, a good laugh after walking through a dreary jail all day.

Home again, it's only Saturday (oh wait sunday now, its 1 am.) I have all day tomorrow to enjoy.

But there's still the question of:

This morning

I opened my front door to go to work and aloud said "Oh, inter-esting..." as I stepped out onto a snow covered street.

It's funny how you're awake for an hour but never look out the window, and then, it just hit's you. The snow was beautiful against the rosy morning sky. There's suppose to be more snow tomorrow.

Overall, a very good day.

Other than the fact I woke up at 1pm I had a great day! I was hoping to get up early and venture into town for my first weekend back in Dublin. Got my act together around 3pm and headed ot the Hugh Lane Modern Art Gallery. It was, uh, interesting. The exhibition they had on on was called "The Studio" which consisted of actual artist's studios that had been dissasembled, and then reassembled within the Gallery. So I walked through a bunch of "recreated rooms" that had paint splattered on the walls, sketches, notes, beer cans, etc. The Gallery also holds the Francis Bacon collection which was really amazing.

After the Gallery (only took 1.5 hours to get throught it) I rode my bike around town some more. Oh, I didn't mention, it was an absolutly gorgeous day. Grabbed a bite for dinner and then I was off to the Decemberists gig at Vicar Street. Guinness and a great show, although they didn't play either of my favorite songs. The show got out rather early so I decided to take advantage of the nice nite and walk home. Which I happened to pass a Thai take out place on the way and was lured in by the smell. While waiting for my food I had a funny conversation with a drunk dubliner about football.

Now, I'm at home, eating Pad Thai and watching Snakes on a Plane!

Bravo! Good day!