Le retour

Back from Canada, back at work, back to... black? Nah, it’s not all that bad. Just post-holiday blues, and the cold weather here isn’t helping!

So, it was a good trip. Going on my own wasn’t so bad at all, probably because of all the peeps I had to hang out with on the other side. Had the best weekend with Amandolin, just the right balance of relaxing, sight-seeing and cruisin’ on the highway! We managed to pack in a winery tour, visit to Niagara-on-the-Lake, see Niagara Falls, go to the Canadian Superstore, get Taco Bell and go out on the razz in TO, all in one day! At least, I think it was a day, at that stage my body clock had given up the ghost and I was running on buzz. Got to meet A’s mama, who was very cool, and also her lovely fella Mike (never thought I’d get to chat to anyone about European football in Canada!) And of course Josie, wine adviser and gourmet oracle!



And just when I finally got that song 'Rehab' out of my head, I discover that Amy Winehouse has recently conquered Canada...

TO was great, as per. I’m more relaxed there than any other city, I think. It’s not just because I’ve been there a few times, it’s more than that. I need to ponder on it some more, and come back with a proper answer, because everyone is asking me what the big draw is. For now I’ll just say that I like the way people smile at me when they hear my accent!



And the honey crullers. Oh, sweet temptation…

Good to see everybody, but especially Jenny, who has been terribly neglected up to this point! We had a good lunch and a lovely talk, she’s looking well and doing great! And I’m doing what you ordered, J – writing!

She loves me!

We all went out on Monday night to the Sugar Club for the roomie’s birthday. She had been hyping up a singer called Kate Walsh that none of us had ever heard of, but as of today, I’m in love. You think there are only so many singer-songwriter types that you can listen to, but add this one to the top of the pile, she’s wonderful. A beautifully sweet voice, lyrics that are simple but never trite, she had me at… A minor, I think it was. Check it. http://www.myspace.com/katewalsh



She signed my newly-acquired CD "Alice - Lots of Love, Kate". If that isn't a marriage proposal, I don't know what is...

Knee is slowly getting better, went to the phys on Saturday, she wiggled it around a bit, hooked it up to a machine, gave me some exercises to do and told me to come back in a week. Need to get it sorted ASAP cos I’ve decided to go on a little trip to the T dot O dot in a few weeks. I know I can’t afford it and I’ve been there before but it’s a good place to both relax and have fun in, and I’m staying with the cuz again so it’ll be ok. You know when sometimes you just have to get away? I guess Toronto is that place that’s familiar but just different enough to sort me out for a few days. That sounds like I’m dumping on the entire city… Oh well!

I'm back, eh

Back from the trip to Canadia! This time not only got to see more of the T dot O dot, but also managed a brief visit to Ottawa (“it’s the nation’s capital, eh”) and Montréal. Québec unnerved me a little bit. It looks like Canada, but…they’re speaking French. It was just a bit weird, is all. But it’s a nice spot.

Got to see the cuz, his lady, Amandolin, her pals, all the gang at the Mothership, The Blue Jays, and Dave Cam! Got plenty o’ culture, including a visit to the McMichael gallery, the modern art museum in Montréal (including very cool music videos installation) and on my last day, a Warhol exhibit in the Art Gallery of Ontario. Was glad that a certain someone kicked my ass in gear (via email!) to go see that… ;)

Still sleepy… I think nature is telling me to listen to my bear tendancies and hibernate…

Avenue who? Avenue Q!

Well Avenue Q was absolutely fantastic! Laughed?! We nearly fell down on the floor, soiled ourselves and cried. I recommend it to all, it’s completely worth the trip over to Lahndan. Getting to spend some qualidee time with Vicki is not included for all, I was just lucky!



















Inspired by all things puppety (puppetish? Puppet-esque?), we brought Socky, the sock-like sock puppet along for the ride, with hilarious consequences! Well, hilarious for us anyway. Might have something to do with drinking doubles all night, who’s to know?

El Scorchio

It’s hot again. I believe I can say without any exaggeration whatsoever that it is the hottest it has ever been anywhere ever. Categorically. It got up to 30 degrees in some parts yesterday, which is about 29 degrees higher than the yearly average, give or take a few. Continue reading, this is all scientifically proven fact! Met Eireann were quoted as saying that today in particular would be hotter-n a mofo (their words), perfect weather for frying eggs on cars.






















So instead of baking my ass here last weekend, I went to where it was even hotter - to sunny Wales, for the wedding of Mark and Rachel! The former lead guitarist of Vern’s Pest Control was in flying form, and his lovely bride was a vision to behold. Myself and Lar went over on Friday and partied hearty until Sunday. The happy couple are currently calming themselves down in the Maldives. It’s probably about the same temp there as it is in Cymru right now…

And no, I didn’t meet anyone called Myfanwy. I wasn’t even the only gay in the village…

30 degrees, religion, and rum

Some text messages received from Sib 2 over the past few days, he was on pilgrimage in Medj with the parentals, then they went to Croatia for a few days to shake off all the religion. He’s been looking for mojitos for the past while, but refused to go to any bar in Dublin that might serve them, for “fear of the gay homosexuals.” He finally managed to get one in Dubrovnik...

Him: Havin a mojito, fuckin’ lovely

Me: Just the one?!

Him: Well I’ve finished that one, quite delightful, so I might just have another


One day later…


Him: Had a few more mojitos today, started Ma and Da on them, ma wants you to get the recipe for them…

I done did it!

I’ve just spent two weeks not drinking! For everyone that thought I couldn’t do it, in yisser collective faces! And for those that had faith, or those who didn’t care either way, I’d just like to say thanks. Mine’s a Budvar…

The travelling girlies have shipped off to South America, and thanks to that crazy international date line thing, they arrived there four hours before they left New Zealand! I was in Kildare for the weekend, but there was no time travel involved there, so I won’t talk much more about that.

Got my ticket for Canadia booked! I think! Waiting for the confirmation now. So, everyone in Canuckland, this is your warning!

Talkin’ aboot the T dot O dot

I’m just back from a very short trip to Toronto (the T dot O dot!), where I managed to fit in work, shopping, drinking and curling in three days. I also went up the CN Tower (above), caught a cold, met up with Amanda Hugankiss, and rrrolled up the rim to…lose. Heading back to Canadia in September with Hops, so it’ll be all of the above minus the work bit. Woo!

Wien

MUMOK
Originally uploaded by Allie F.

Well I survived the trip to Vienna with the bro and parentals, just about. City breaks are almost never about relaxation, but I’m so completely wrecked after it, it’s unbelievable. We went on Friday, returned on Sunday, and walked our asses off in between. Highlights included the MUMOK (right), which is the modern art museum, and the Kunsthistoriches Museum, which is one of Europe’s major art museums. They had a special exhibit on while we visited, of tapestries by Goya, which was amazing, worth the admittance alone. Also Café Central, with 16 different types of coffee and a band playing non-stop waltzes, made us all feel very classy indeed.

Heading home this eve for the long weekend, and the long sleep. Tomorrow is the big day for the little man, it’s Baby Cathal’s christening. Got another visit from himself and his Ma on Monday afternoon, man he’s getting big. Like, really big for 3 months. He’s supposed to be having a couple of mush dinners and however many bottles he needs per day, but she can’t get enough of the mush into him, he loves it, knocks back five or six daily. I think he also eats bits of pummelled veg too, and I dunno what else, turducken maybe. The kid eats more than I do. Anyway, I got him a little winter coat, like pretty much every bit of baby apparel, it’s the cutest thing ever, and I will probably take a million more photographs of him. Bless.

Update from our foreign correspondent

Wish I was there...

Got photos from Emma this morning, confirming for everyone that Thailand is a breathtakingly beautiful country. Just looking at them gave me the itchy feet to go travelling again! I’m sure Ems won’t mind if I post one of them up here. Check out that blue sky! I’m looking out the window here in Dublin where the rain is pouring down, and I know where I’d rather be!

Hola Emilio!

It's the 22nd of September! I almost forgot, but then I remembered, in time I hope (what time is it in Thailand now?!) A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Miss Emma, hope you're having a wonderful day, that you're celebrating with the girlies, and that your rucksack isn't too heavy! Sending lots of love from here...

...to here! Somewhere!



Thailand

The highs and lows of this roller coaster we call life. Or whatever.

Well, I'm back. Goddammit to mofo-ing hell, those two weeks sure did fly. I was down in Sunny Kildare for most of it, but ventured up now and again for the music. Pixies were completely amazing, but I knew that they would be. Scissor Sisters were pretty good, they didn't rock my socks off like before, but that's ok. Sleater-Kinney were SO GOOD, I was just blown away. For sure, the most fun you could have on a Tuesday night.

Other events included...

My cousin's daughter's 21st birthday. Since when am I so old?! And where are all these babies coming from?! Have you people no self control??!!

Maeve and Stephen's wedding last Friday, it all went off without a hitch, in that they actually did get hitched, and nobody bitched. Mr and Mrs Miley are currently honeymooning in Thailand, hopefully chillaxing after many months of wedding prep craziness. Huzzah!

Amanda (Mandolin!) finally got the hell out of here, Dublin being a bit of a nightmare for her. It couldn't have been the weather or the cost of living, so I'm going to take it very personally and assume it was US! Grrr!

Only messing, I think it was my dancing that made her run away in the end. And who could blame her?

The Three Miss-kateers (Emma, Nellie and Lin) head off around the world next Tuesday, so this week will be all about the sad farewells. They will be back in a year's time, which is far too long for me to wait, I will miss them tons. All I can say is, you kids better write! 'Cos if you don't...well...I'll come after you!

If any more people go away or make big life changes or just freak me out in general, I...well I...just don't know what I'll do. Complain, I suppose.

Lunding

Circus


Well, London (or as Lar calls it, Lunding) was terrific! Hotel was about ten paces from Piccadilly Circus (above), so we were very central. We got to see loads of stuff, went to the Tate Modern on Saturday morn to check out the Frida Kahlo exhibition, it was amazing. Hit Oxford Street with a vengeance that afternoon, shopped all around us. Went to possibly the best Chinese restaurant ever, In Chinatown (of all places!) then met up with the wonderful Vicki and some other pals and went drinking in Soho for the rest of the night. Spent most of Sunday wobbling around the city, found a big Starbucks, got coffee, plonked ourselves down on those lovely big armchairs they have, and read the Sunday papers for a few hours like two grannies. It was great!

(Esca)Later!

Heading on a little weekend away to London this eve, which will be my first holiday (sort of) in God knows how long. I'm not going to give out about the crummy exchange rate any more, not going to freak out about getting to the airport in time or worry about the Ryanair plane falling apart in the sky, or any of the usual nonsense. Just going to head over there, meet up with some peeps, have some beers (none of that feckin' bitter!), have some larfs, and maybe buy some shoes.

LONDON BABY!