Harry Potter's wand
A rude but funny link.
A year in the life of an Australian writer in Ireland.
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Thank you for reading Dublin Up.
Saturday, October 18, 2003
Galway
So, we're out of Dublin. Finally! Found a cosy attic space in a bed and breakfast (which, incidentally, does not serve breakfast, but such are the vagaries of travel), and now I'm setting down my impressions.
It's a very youth-centric city. Quite cool. And with a fair bit of Spanish influence here.
The train ride over was lulling. Threading our way past fields that mirrored Scotland, and Tasmania, and a lot of pastoral landscapes.
Now hopefully we'll find a place to eat. I'm starvin'!
So, we're out of Dublin. Finally! Found a cosy attic space in a bed and breakfast (which, incidentally, does not serve breakfast, but such are the vagaries of travel), and now I'm setting down my impressions.
It's a very youth-centric city. Quite cool. And with a fair bit of Spanish influence here.
The train ride over was lulling. Threading our way past fields that mirrored Scotland, and Tasmania, and a lot of pastoral landscapes.
Now hopefully we'll find a place to eat. I'm starvin'!
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Yes!
Among the many good things happening, I also wrote a haiku yesterday:
Silk threads wind-jostled
red leaf caught between the bars
soft saw-tooth ripples
Our home is lovely. I gloat when I think of it. Bought silver cutlery! No longer have to use plastic fork for breakfast.
Now all we need a music-maker. While one of the perks of my bookshop job is free CDs, sadly, I have nothing on which to play quite-defunct discs.
This coming weekend, Mark and I have finally pulled out our collective fingers to arrange a day off. We get three days in which to explore the rest of Ireland. Now that warrants a huzzah.
Huzzah!
Among the many good things happening, I also wrote a haiku yesterday:
Silk threads wind-jostled
red leaf caught between the bars
soft saw-tooth ripples
Our home is lovely. I gloat when I think of it. Bought silver cutlery! No longer have to use plastic fork for breakfast.
Now all we need a music-maker. While one of the perks of my bookshop job is free CDs, sadly, I have nothing on which to play quite-defunct discs.
This coming weekend, Mark and I have finally pulled out our collective fingers to arrange a day off. We get three days in which to explore the rest of Ireland. Now that warrants a huzzah.
Huzzah!
Saturday, October 11, 2003
It's ours!
We have it. Our very own place. So looking forward to moving in and stamping ourselves all over it.
So if any of you need a place to stay over (one at a time, ladies and gents!), there is a living-room floor in Rathgar that has your name on it. But be nice!
Now, excuse me while I take a sip of this nice French merlot.
We have it. Our very own place. So looking forward to moving in and stamping ourselves all over it.
So if any of you need a place to stay over (one at a time, ladies and gents!), there is a living-room floor in Rathgar that has your name on it. But be nice!
Now, excuse me while I take a sip of this nice French merlot.
Friday, October 10, 2003
Quiet glee
High: Day off!
Low: But I work tomorrow.
High: Day off on Sunday!
Low: _________ [No low at present that I can see.]
So, I've got two names of literary agencies to whom I can apply for work. I'm thinking something occasional might be good for me, so that I've got time to write.
House-hunting is also proceeding apace. Possible areas of habitation (or is that co-habitation?) are Harold's Cross [nice, kinda olde worlde swanky], Portobello [same, but near a groovy little canal], and Rathgar [don't know much about this suburb, but it would be close in to a supermarket—always a bonus].
I suggest we genuflect before the benign house-hunting gods (Lares and Penates?) to grant me safe asylum somewhere with a big kitchen, and no psycho neighbours.
High: Day off!
Low: But I work tomorrow.
High: Day off on Sunday!
Low: _________ [No low at present that I can see.]
So, I've got two names of literary agencies to whom I can apply for work. I'm thinking something occasional might be good for me, so that I've got time to write.
House-hunting is also proceeding apace. Possible areas of habitation (or is that co-habitation?) are Harold's Cross [nice, kinda olde worlde swanky], Portobello [same, but near a groovy little canal], and Rathgar [don't know much about this suburb, but it would be close in to a supermarket—always a bonus].
I suggest we genuflect before the benign house-hunting gods (Lares and Penates?) to grant me safe asylum somewhere with a big kitchen, and no psycho neighbours.
Thursday, October 09, 2003
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
Monday, October 06, 2003
Early to rise
Yay! Catching up on sleep-debt is trés cool. I feel so rested now.
Yesterday, I went to see Matchstick Men, starring Nicholas Cage. It was quite good. Had a bag of popcorn with me. Somehow, I've been inculcated to think that movies aren't the same without some consumables nearby.
Just finished reading The Devil Wears Prada: a scary insight into magazine publishing, but still fluffy for all that. Now I'm onto Umberto Eco's Baudolino, heavily touted as being equivalent to The Name of the Rose. I'll give you the verdict when I've finished.
I'm powering through my books. Have also finished Fast Food Nation. Now that's a scary read. No more McFries for me.
Yay! Catching up on sleep-debt is trés cool. I feel so rested now.
Yesterday, I went to see Matchstick Men, starring Nicholas Cage. It was quite good. Had a bag of popcorn with me. Somehow, I've been inculcated to think that movies aren't the same without some consumables nearby.
Just finished reading The Devil Wears Prada: a scary insight into magazine publishing, but still fluffy for all that. Now I'm onto Umberto Eco's Baudolino, heavily touted as being equivalent to The Name of the Rose. I'll give you the verdict when I've finished.
I'm powering through my books. Have also finished Fast Food Nation. Now that's a scary read. No more McFries for me.
Sunday, October 05, 2003
Wednesday, October 01, 2003
Yes, I know
But really, these bags under my eyes testify to everything. Too many Baileys? No, never. Nuh-uh!
Baileys is yummy, though.
Why is it that one can't ever sleep when one really needs to?
I have reviews to edit. Need more motivation! Can one find motivation at the bottom of a butterscotch schnapps bottle, I wonder?
Lack of sleep certainly helps tangential thinking. Though some people would probably call it loopy thinking.
So this is a glimpse of my state of mind today. Scary, huh?
But really, these bags under my eyes testify to everything. Too many Baileys? No, never. Nuh-uh!
Baileys is yummy, though.
Why is it that one can't ever sleep when one really needs to?
I have reviews to edit. Need more motivation! Can one find motivation at the bottom of a butterscotch schnapps bottle, I wonder?
Lack of sleep certainly helps tangential thinking. Though some people would probably call it loopy thinking.
So this is a glimpse of my state of mind today. Scary, huh?
Thursday, September 25, 2003
Long time coming
I've neglected my poetry for the last few months. Now I smell the breath of autumn and it is as crisp as a freshly-bitten apple.
I love autumn. It is the season most conducive to writing. I wonder why that is.
Looking at the other poetry books on the shelves at work, I have to quash my squiggles of envy. Why do I want a book so much? Not for the money. Oh, no. Ho-ho-ho-ho. Money? I think not. What then?
The reason is inarticulable (just like that word). But I must send my work out. I must. Papers, ink, come to my aid.
I've neglected my poetry for the last few months. Now I smell the breath of autumn and it is as crisp as a freshly-bitten apple.
I love autumn. It is the season most conducive to writing. I wonder why that is.
Looking at the other poetry books on the shelves at work, I have to quash my squiggles of envy. Why do I want a book so much? Not for the money. Oh, no. Ho-ho-ho-ho. Money? I think not. What then?
The reason is inarticulable (just like that word). But I must send my work out. I must. Papers, ink, come to my aid.
Sunday, September 21, 2003
First days back
I'm missing Spain already. Waah! I want cheap food, and cheap alcohol, and cheap food again, and warmer climes, and long drives up the coast looking at weird, burnt, hyper-terrestrial landscapes.
Yesterday, I went back to work. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I wore my new boots and they didn't even make my feet that much. Probably not a detail that you needed to know, but there you go.
This morning, I made Mark some French toast.
"I wonder if they have French toast in France?" Mark asked.
"Dunno. Guess we're going to have to go there to find out," I replied.
They were yummy, actually, even if I do say so myself, slathered as they were with faux maple syrup and topped with banana slices. I think Mark might be missing his tostados, which are bigger versions of Melba toast, that he had for breakfasts in Alicante, spread with apricot jam on top.
I love breakfasts.
My sister called me this morning. She sounded happy. I think it's because of this boy. She thinks he's The One (no, not Neo from the Matrix, you silly). She asked me again when I was going back.
I don't know when I'm ever going back.
I'm missing Spain already. Waah! I want cheap food, and cheap alcohol, and cheap food again, and warmer climes, and long drives up the coast looking at weird, burnt, hyper-terrestrial landscapes.
Yesterday, I went back to work. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I wore my new boots and they didn't even make my feet that much. Probably not a detail that you needed to know, but there you go.
This morning, I made Mark some French toast.
"I wonder if they have French toast in France?" Mark asked.
"Dunno. Guess we're going to have to go there to find out," I replied.
They were yummy, actually, even if I do say so myself, slathered as they were with faux maple syrup and topped with banana slices. I think Mark might be missing his tostados, which are bigger versions of Melba toast, that he had for breakfasts in Alicante, spread with apricot jam on top.
I love breakfasts.
My sister called me this morning. She sounded happy. I think it's because of this boy. She thinks he's The One (no, not Neo from the Matrix, you silly). She asked me again when I was going back.
I don't know when I'm ever going back.
Monday, September 15, 2003
¡Hola, amigos y amigas!
Hey, this keyboard I´m using is weird. But I kinda like it.
Typing in an internet cafe here in Alicante, but am actually staying in Torrevieja. It´s actually a bit of a nothing town (Torrevieja, that is, not Alicant, which is muy bien). The Lucan of Alicante, if you know what I mean, full of development high-rises and bland, salty spaces.
I like the rest of Spain so far, though. Went northwards, past Culleras, where Mark and I stayed overnight, and I got to try my first Spanish transactions. Interestingly, a double bed is not dobles cama, but cama de matrimonia; literally, the matrimonial bed. Hmm.
We drove over 800 km in our first three days. To Salou and back again. Quite wish that we didn´t tie ourselves down to an apartment, but should have just done a road-trip instead. Ah, well, we´ll know next time.
A good word to know is quisiera, which means I would like, and he/she would like. And everyone says hola, which is all you really need, I think (not quite, but close enough).
Food is cheap. It would be good to live here. So warm. Everything shuts down in the afternoon, just as I´ve heard it said. Good to know Spain meets and exceeds expectations.
Hey, this keyboard I´m using is weird. But I kinda like it.
Typing in an internet cafe here in Alicante, but am actually staying in Torrevieja. It´s actually a bit of a nothing town (Torrevieja, that is, not Alicant, which is muy bien). The Lucan of Alicante, if you know what I mean, full of development high-rises and bland, salty spaces.
I like the rest of Spain so far, though. Went northwards, past Culleras, where Mark and I stayed overnight, and I got to try my first Spanish transactions. Interestingly, a double bed is not dobles cama, but cama de matrimonia; literally, the matrimonial bed. Hmm.
We drove over 800 km in our first three days. To Salou and back again. Quite wish that we didn´t tie ourselves down to an apartment, but should have just done a road-trip instead. Ah, well, we´ll know next time.
A good word to know is quisiera, which means I would like, and he/she would like. And everyone says hola, which is all you really need, I think (not quite, but close enough).
Food is cheap. It would be good to live here. So warm. Everything shuts down in the afternoon, just as I´ve heard it said. Good to know Spain meets and exceeds expectations.
Friday, September 12, 2003
Sing it one more time
Still got packing to do. All the necessary detritus.
Ah, life!
I'm leavingWell, I do know. Back again on Saturday, folks and blokes. Not really sure about Internet doo-dahs while in Alicante, but I'll be keeping track of what I've been up to, don't you worry.
on a jetplane
don't know when I'll be back again...
Still got packing to do. All the necessary detritus.
Ah, life!
Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Tired
A co-worker, recently returned from her own one-year working holiday in Australia, said to me, "I like hearing your accent. It reminds me of my time there."
"Well, it's not really a strong Australian accent, though, is it? A bit muddied," I said.
"I still like it."
There you go. There's no accounting for it. I've had one lady on the phone also inform me how pleasant I sounded.
Must be something in the water here.
A co-worker, recently returned from her own one-year working holiday in Australia, said to me, "I like hearing your accent. It reminds me of my time there."
"Well, it's not really a strong Australian accent, though, is it? A bit muddied," I said.
"I still like it."
There you go. There's no accounting for it. I've had one lady on the phone also inform me how pleasant I sounded.
Must be something in the water here.
Monday, September 08, 2003
Sunday, September 07, 2003
Scrapes and abrasions
My mum sent me a text the other day. She'd been in a motorbike accident. Not serious, luckily. Just grazes on her elbows and knees, and a deep cut in her right palm.
I'm glad it was not worse. Though I'm annoyed she wasn't wearing gloves and other protective gear, I'm glad she was wearing a helmet.
My mum sent me a text the other day. She'd been in a motorbike accident. Not serious, luckily. Just grazes on her elbows and knees, and a deep cut in her right palm.
I'm glad it was not worse. Though I'm annoyed she wasn't wearing gloves and other protective gear, I'm glad she was wearing a helmet.
Thursday, September 04, 2003
Wine on my sleeve
There was a launch at the bookshop today, and I was a wine jockey for the evening. Quite interesting, I suppose.
The author was polite enough to come over and introduce himself, even excusing himself when he had to go away. He was also slightly nervous, judging from the clammy quality of his handshake.
Funny how nerves are quite catching, because I started to feel a bit shaky myself. But I got into the swing of things soon enough. Then I spilt some wine on my sleeve, and now I smell like an alky. Yuk.
There was a launch at the bookshop today, and I was a wine jockey for the evening. Quite interesting, I suppose.
The author was polite enough to come over and introduce himself, even excusing himself when he had to go away. He was also slightly nervous, judging from the clammy quality of his handshake.
Funny how nerves are quite catching, because I started to feel a bit shaky myself. But I got into the swing of things soon enough. Then I spilt some wine on my sleeve, and now I smell like an alky. Yuk.
Wednesday, September 03, 2003
Late and early
Earlier starts to the day this week, but tomorrow I can sleep in a little. Yay! Might do some op-shopping. Always fun.
Mark sent me this old article about Tim Tams. Sometimes I'm so suggestible. I could do with one now.
There's an Australia shop near where I work and I saw that they sold Twisties. I thought, Cool! Went back the following day with some money, and walked out in disgust when I saw they were priced at €3! Scandalous! That's about six Aussie dollars! This is just, you know, the normal-sized bag, not the bigger packets that you can get. So, goodbye Twisties! No way, José.
Earlier starts to the day this week, but tomorrow I can sleep in a little. Yay! Might do some op-shopping. Always fun.
Mark sent me this old article about Tim Tams. Sometimes I'm so suggestible. I could do with one now.
There's an Australia shop near where I work and I saw that they sold Twisties. I thought, Cool! Went back the following day with some money, and walked out in disgust when I saw they were priced at €3! Scandalous! That's about six Aussie dollars! This is just, you know, the normal-sized bag, not the bigger packets that you can get. So, goodbye Twisties! No way, José.
