Friday Flashback...

Getting my passport, has me thinking of previous trips.  I have many files in my email and found a few old mass emails sent from the summer I lived in Ireland.

Life in Dingle...so far


I have settled into so weird form of small town routine. I have been working 50+ hours a week, but during the time I am not attempting to look forbidding to deter persons from shoplifting, I do have some fun. Monday's and Tuesday's are reserved for work, Wednesday's is movie night. I travel the 5 min walk to the Dingle Theatre, which consists of one lobby with a booth to buy my ticket and a booth right beside of it to buy candy, soda, etc., but they will not allow you to buy any of the junk food at the ticket booth, it is kinda funny and I'm sure I'm not describing it well. The movie screen is old school, a curtin opens up to reveal the show and large fake planters of flowers (much like a funeral home) are on either side of the screen. I am such a creature of habit and my need to sit in the middle of the middle, I always seem to sit in seat E9. :) So far I have seen, "Old School", "25th Hour"(which was great btw), "Rules of Attraction", and last night "Bruce Almighty".

Thursday allows for drinks at "The Small Bridge". Friday drinks everywhere, but most likely "Adam's Pub", Saturday dancing at the disco on top of "Small Bridge", Sunday drinks at "AirConer" and sometimes dancing at "The Hillgrove" the one nightclub. So there you have it lots of drinking and working. :) Also everyday I walk by the bay to remind myself I'm in Ireland and as someone very smart told me "better to work like a dog in Ireland than the U.S." (Thanks A)

Ok kids, it's my day off and it is actually sunny outside so I'm off to pack a lunch, book, and music and head to a small sandy area by the water, not really a beach, but it works. Miss ya all, and send lots of emails.

A

Woot...

I can officially leave the country again, yeah!

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Why Am I At Work...

My head is better, but these people keep talking.  Doesn't help the minor headache I still have.  At least my stomach is back in working order, at least it was, then I ate some toast and I'm not sure if it will continue that way.  Damn weather trying to kill me. 

New Snapple today, Trop A Rocka, not bad.  Snapple fact, India has more English speakers than the United States.

Head bursting, stomach off....spring are you trying to kill me with this migraine. Why aren't the pills kicking in...argh...oh, that hurt my head.

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Don't Judge The Suit...

Monday morning Snapple fact.  Penguins can jump 6 feet.

Ah... catnip...

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This Morning's Snapple Fact...

"The chicken is the closest living relative of Tyrannosaurus Rex."

I would never have guessed.  Of course chickens are evil, so maybe that makes a bit more sense now.

Ah...Spring

Lovely evening for a long walk, very Irish-esk. Signs of spring everywhere.

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Somewhere Else...

Today, I just kinda want to be somewhere else.  This morning started off delightfully with a nice breakfast out, I don't do that often, so it was a real treat. I then went and got my passport photo taken, yikes small rats around the city were scrabbling to get away.  The photo even broke the machine, I couldn't get my photos. I have to go later this evening to see if they could get them to print. If not, gotta do them again.

My work day has been fine, not a lot of stress today.  However, I really just want to be someplace else.  I'm not asking for much, maybe a bit of sun, nice jazz playing in the background, and a good book in hand or time to work on my knitting.  Ahh, talk amoungst yourselves while I drift away for a moment.

A pint of Killians in my little scenrio might be nice too. Oh and a nice gentleman in a kilt to serve the pint.

Something Is Not Quite Right....

Spring flowers half grown, but covered in snow. Argh!

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New Yogurt...

Kroger has new yogurt flavors...spiced pear a surprising delight.

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13...



Update:  Too much wine...forgot about the cookies-burnt the darn things...at least I got two as cookie dough.  ;-)

Today? Today was the first day of classes for the new semester. Today I saw 13 students on academic probation. Did I mention today was the first day of classes and these people were just now coming in to have their blocks removed so they can schedule.

I heard 13 stories that went something like...I did not pass my classes last semester because my cousin's uncle's nephew's squirrel died. My response: ok, sorry to hear that, but what happened the two semesters before this, when you didn't pass your classes. The replies went something like this: oh, well, my sister's niece's friend's turtle was in the hospital and I was so upset I could not go to class. Oh and my brother's father's boss's car was stolen and I couldn't take my finals.

13...13.....leads to dinner in a box. Can you believe pizza and cookies all in one crazy shot. Bring on the wine. Why am I fat...today my job is giving me stress eating. So tonight I will not be answering my phone, too much talking already today. I will be eating pizza, cookies, chips and a lot o' wine and watching a sappy chic flick and escape to a fictional world where a woman can meet the man of her dreams when she randomly runs into him in a foreign country and her car breaks down or she goes on holiday and meets the man of her dreams when he randomly knocks on the wrong door. I know it's buttshit, but damn those movie men are always so hot and after 13... I need a bullshit movie night.

Cheers!

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One week ago...

On a long day like today, I need remember the good times, like the Mickey Finns at Byrnes with good friends. Hard to believe it was only a week ago, seems like months ago. I dread break week, probation and dismissals equals no fun.

Only two more days until the weekend...oh wait there are pigs who must have hair cuts this weekend -no rest for this princess...got to find that pea.

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Trivia Answers...


1. Which country did most Irish immigrate to after during the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840's?

United States of America
2. Who was the first High King of Ireland? (Hint: best pub in Columbus before closing in 2005)

Brian Boru

3. The Liffey Bridge in Dublin is also known as?

Ha'penny Bridge --half a penny

4. Where in Dublin is The Book of Kells on display?

Trinity College

5. Sunday, Bloody Sunday is an awesome song from what Irish band?

U2
6. What is this blog writer's favorite traditional Irish song?

The Fields of Athenry

7. What county in Ireland did this blogger live in briefly?

County Kerry


8. What is the largest city in county Antrim?

Belfast

9. Which group of islands in Ireland also give their name to a type of sweater?

The Aran Islands


10. St. Patrick drove all the what out of Ireland?

Snakes--which is yet one awesome reason to love Ireland.


Thank you, you two brave souls who entered this trivia contest.

Ms. D you had 3 correct while Ms. N you only had 1 correct.  So that makes Ms. D the winner.  Ms. D, let me know if you would like an Alison original or a surprise prize.

Happy Monday!

Road Trip...

Lou and I took a road trip to Ashland U today for a seminar. Lou insisted we visit to bookstore.

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Irish Trivia Day...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Who doesn't like a challenge, trivia, and prizes? I know, right! So today, post your answers to the questions below and Monday, I'll announce who had the most correct answers. Prizes, you get to choose an original According To Alison photo or surprize gift (trust me my budget does not allow for much, so don't get too excited).

Let the trivia begin.

1. Which country did most Irish immigrate to during the Irish Potato Famine in the 1840's?

2. Who was the first High King of Ireland? (Hint: Nice little pub in Columbus before closing in 2005.)

3. The Liffey Bridge in Dublin is also known as?

4. Where in Dublin is The Book of Kells on display?

5. Sunday, Bloody Sunday is an awesome song from what Irish band?

6. What is this blog writer's favorite traditional Irish song? (Hint: "Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing...")

7. What county in Ireland did this blogger live in briefly? (Hint: I lived in the town of Dingle.)

8. What is the largest city in county Antrim?

9. Which group of islands in Ireland also give their name to a type of sweater?

10. St. Patrick drove all the what out of Ireland?



I can't get the photos off my phone today for some reason, so I'll have to share those later for the Mickey Finns last night. Grand time! You will have to trust me that Lou is here with me at work and enjoying this day celebrating St. Patrick.

Happy Day Before St. Patrick's Day...

Also known as Mickey Finns at Byrnes night----yahhhhhhoooooooooo!

For Love of the Irish...

Dublin, Ohio had the annual St. Patrick's Day parade this past weekend. I had never been and thought, why not.  As stated on this blog before, I think, I'm not a fan of parades, but it is Irish, so maybe.

There were horses wearing green and floats.

A band wearing green but not playing Irish music. Color Guard wearing, pink--WHAT?  Men in Kilts--YES!!!

 More men in kilts--WOOT!  Men in aran sweaters--Woot, Woot!  Large Macy-esk balloons in the shape of a pot of gold.

There were 1st place floats with float riders.  And...MORE KILTS!

St. Patrick himself walked in the parade.  People dressed in silly outfits.  Dogs with green ties drove golf carts.  And more dogs with green scarves walked on all fours.

Macy-esk balloons of shamrocks danced past street lights.  More dogs walked on all fours.  More bands wore green.

There was Lou (in thought, he forgot to jump in my bag) and more bands, and more floats.

Fire trucks decorated in green. People dressed as leprechauns. Alf-that's right Alf! AND --------More Kilts!!!!!!!

The parade had a lot of green and was a good one time experience, but I was disappointed there was not more Irish music. I'm just saying.

In Case You May Not Know...


Thursday is St. Patrick's Day! Yes, the day we all celebrate the wee bit of Irish that is in us or at least in our hearts.

Because I have an addiction to food and because I can't stop myself from looking at food blogs. I bring to you a few of the lovely Irish-esk cakes I have found recently. Found on sites with people way more talented then me.

Guinness Cake from Cake Central
 

 
Irish Heart Cake by Lucks
 

 
Awesome Celtic Shamrock by Debbie Does Cakes
 

 
Kiss Me Cake from I Am Baker
 

 
Tomorrow-Parade Pictures---?