Incentive to use contraception

A friend sent this photo to me last week; thank God it's not my house!

Photography - Lesson 3

So there you go, my 3 seconds of fame on the Irish television screens;

'Taken by Wouter who was on his way back to Passage West'.

Photography - Lesson 2

*HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH*

Absolutely brilliant!! They used the picture of the sunset I posted two days ago in the backdrop of the TV3 weather forecast today! Just got a call from Emma asking if I had send something in...

Excellent!

Historic Passage West

I pass by this sign twice a day and never really paid any attention to it until last night.

Carlo

I totally forgot to post this little new addition to the family.

He's Carlo - no sheepdog yet, but he's biting like crazy, so let's see if he's a good one. For now he's just a cutie!

Photography - Lesson 1

Just take as many pics as possible, there's got to be a good one somewhere!!

We are totally crazy!

I think that we should make it official news by now: We are absolute nuts!! Once again it's been a mad couple of days!! On Wednesday I flew to Holland to catch up with the family and friends! I don't know how but I managed to have breakfast at Enid's place in Amsterdam, have coffee at my parent's and dinner at Sara & Jort's in Tilburg before heading to the pub to watch to Holland vs Argentina game. It was my first match (and apperantly also the last one) that I watched this World Cup! We had an absolute ball and it was great to see Frank and Lonneke. Thanks again for making such an effort guys! Your hospitality was amazing and will be remembered!

On the Thursday I went down to the famous Efteling to meet Frances and Peter from Sydney. They're in Europe at the moment seeing some old friends so rather than flying all the way down under, it was just as easy to meet them in the Efteling. Oh, the Efteling? What is it? Well, let me quote Frances in one of her emails:



It's a theme park, I suppose, but nothing like the tacky Disneyland I expected it to be - we've just spent the last seven hours wandering acres and acres of simply beautiful fairytale forests filled with elvish villages, picturesque castles, rivers, rides and animatronic displays really imaginatively done. All the well-known fairy stories are brought rather wonderfully to life and for me the theme-park rides really were a sideshow, with the incredibly detailed worlds created within the elaborate buildings around the park being the main attractions. The gardens are just exquisite as well and my eyes are still full of leafy green and overflowing blossoms.



So yes, we had an absolute fantastic day in the Efteling and I'm already looking forward to next time; don't know when or how, but it will happen again!



On the Friday I gave the Ozzies a quick guided-tour around beloved Amsterdam before flying back in an over-pressurized A320 cabin that made several people sick, thankfully not including myself. Apparently the man himself, Mr. Wacko Jacko Michael Jackson had been on that plane flying into Cork a few hours earlier. It's all gone mad!!



Saturday was a day of utter madness! We went to see David Gray in concert at the Marquee; it was only alright. We've seen him years ago in Killarney, but this time it was just blend, no real effort, a bit out of shape. Still he has a fantastic voice, good enough songs, it just didn't gel, he couldn't entertain.

The gig finished around 22.45 and now you may think that that is a good time to go for a quick pint or just to go to bed, we got back to the car and drove to Newcastle West for Tom's 30th birthday party. We arrived at 00.55 and finally we were able to have a few pints. Well, a few pints? There was plenty of drink! We arrived in the middle of the sing song, and the party lasted pretty much until it got bright; We danced some Irish Sets in the kitchen (The Kerry-set actually and yes I danced it too!) and had a great old laugh!

Well, the Sunday was quite a short day I must say; waking up around 12.30 does not leave you with much of the day, but we made the most out of it anyway. We went to Castleconnell to see Sophie's new house and had a lovely day! Thanks again for the lasagne and salad! Yummie!!

So yeah, we arrived back home around 22.00 last night, even missing the last few minutes of the Holland game - well, as far as I've read the media, I didn't miss much anyway.... it was a mad old few days, by God, we're crazy!

Drink Driving

From the State where drink driving is considered a sport, comes a true story from Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland.

Recently a routine Gardai patrol parked outside a local neighbourhood tavern. Late in the evening the Garda noticed a man leaving the bar so intoxicated that he could barely walk.

The man stumbled around the car park for a few minutes, with the Garda quietly observing. After what seemed an eternity and trying his keys on five vehicles, the man managed to find his car which he fell into. He was there for a few minutes as a number of other patrons left the bar and drove off.

Finally he started the car, switched the wipers on and off (it was a fine dry night), flicked the indicators on, then off, tooted the horn and then switched on the lights. He moved the vehicle forward a few cm, reversed a little and then remained stationary for a few more minutes as some more vehicles left.

At last he pulled out of the car park and started to drive slowly down the road. The Garda, having patiently waited all this time, now started up the patrol car, put on the flashing lights, promptly pulled the man over and carried out a Breathalyzer test.

To his amazement the Breathalyzer indicated no evidence of the man having consumed alcohol at all! Dumbfounded, the Garda said "I'll have to ask you to accompany me to the Police station this Breathalyzer equipment must be
broken."

"I doubt it," said the man, "tonight I'm the designated decoy".

We should have bought sooner

http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0620/housing.html

House prices up 270% in 10 years

20 June 2006 14:08

House prices in Ireland increased by 270% over the past ten years, according to the results of a survey published today.

The Permanent TSB/ESRI House Price Index said that the average annual increase in prices was almost 15% for each year since 1996.

Prices in Co Wicklow increased the most at 310% while the smallest increase was recorded in Co Roscommon where prices grew by 190%.

The average house price in 1996 was €75,000. In 2005, the average house price was €280,000.

Water damage update

- We got a quotation for a new floor.
- We are awaiting a quotation from the installer that put down our floor originally - ETA this week.
- We are looking for a painter to quote us.

When we have all three quotations, they'll be send to the insurance firm and then it's a wait and see game to see whatever's gonna be on the cheque.

Logo design

I'm no graphics designer at all, but I was glad to help out and design a logo for a friend!

LINda MURphy - Makes Murlin; Merlin the grand wizard uses a wand, so why not incorporate that into your logo? Too bad that the Irish Jobs people only kept one star, instead of the three that were in the original design. Bummer was well about the borders, didn't expect the file to be cropped by that much!



For available positions, click here

WORLD CUP FOOTBALL - LIST OF TV RULES

Dear Wife, Partner, Girlfriend,

1. From 9 June to 9 July 2006, you should read the sports section of the newspaper so that you are aware of what is going on regarding the World Cup, and that way you will be able to join in the conversations. If you fail to do this, then you will be looked at in a bad way, or you will be totally ignored. DO NOT complain about not receiving any attention.

2. During the World Cup, the television is mine, at all times, without any exceptions. If you even take a glimpse of the remote control, you will lose it (your eye).

3. If you have to pass by in front of the TV during a game, I don't mind, as long as you do it crawling on the floor and without distracting me. If you decide to stand nude in front of the TV, make sure you put clothes on right after because if you catch a cold, I wont have time to take you to the doctor or look after you during the World Cup month.

4. During the games I will be blind, deaf and mute, unless I require a refill of my drink or something to eat. You are out of your mind if you expect me to listen to you, open the door, answer the telephone, or pick up the baby that just fell on the floor....It won't happen.

5. It would be a good idea for you to keep at least 2 six packs in the fridge at all times, as well as plenty of things to nibble on, and please do not make any funny faces to my friends when they come over to watch the games. In return, you will be allowed to use the TV between 12am and 6am, unless they replay a good game that I missed during the day.

6. Please, please, please!! If you see me upset because one of my teams is losing, DO NOT say "get over it, its only a game", or "don't worry, they'll win next time". If you say these things, you will only make me angrier and I will love you less. Remember, you will never ever know more about football than me and your so called "words of encouragement" will only lead to a break up or divorce.

7. You are welcome to sit with me to watch one game and you can talk to me during halftime but only when the commercials are on, and only if the halftime score is pleasing me. In addition, please note I am saying "one" game; hence do not use the World Cup as a nice cheesy excuse to "spend time together".

8. The replays of the goals are very important. I don't care if I have seen them or I haven't seen them, I want to see them again. Many times.

Thank you for your cooperation.

A busy weekend

We're on the Ryanair flight at 16.40 to Dublin for a thirtieth birthday party, back to Cork tomorrow night and then straight back into the car to go to Lauragh. Back up to Cork on Sunday night, and then I'm off to Holland on Wednesday.

It's crazy again....

Hard work paid off!

Subject: Commercial Law
Result: Pass.

Subject: Equity Law
Result: Pass.

Subject: Company Law
Result: Pass.

Subject: Environmental Law
Result: Pass.

Needless to say I am unbelievably proud of Legal Eagle!

Ups and Downs

Some months ago I wrote about ups and downs, well, it seems like life is just a vicious circle with its ups and downs and there isn't much you can do about it. Just 'enjoy' the ride - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad.

After a fantastic week away in Zakynthos and Kefalonia in Greece, we arrived home to find our apartment suffering from water damage caused by an overflowing washing machine in the upstairs apartment.

Now, a week later, the walls are drying up, the laminate floor has since been removed and dumped, and we're back looking at concrete floors in the livingroom and hallway. So yeah, all the furniture has been removed to the bedrooms and it's just a big mess! Well, at least with Dee's father's help, we put up a curtain pole in the small bedroom and a lovely flower basket outside! Ain't got no plants to put in there, but that's a matter of time.

More pressing is the fact that we need to get insurance quotes to get the paintwork done, to get a new floor and to get that installed. Joys! Will we loose out? Most probably, a 750 EUR excess exists for each claim as is stated in the block policy.

Damned!