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.


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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

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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

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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.

See more Photos

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.