Nollaig shona!!!

Oh yes - went for the real tree, thank you very much. It was a cold day and we were tired, so we only went to 2 spots. We knew it wasn't good when the tree out front, advertising the place for people to spot and want to visit, was the saddest looking Charlie Brown tree. We go in, tell them we want a full tree, and with all seriousness, they pull out a tree, shake it out and offer it up. I'm pretty sure I could see 85% of the trunk.

Anywho, we end up with this lovely tree. And the best thing about it is that it's straight up and down and fits perfectly in the impossible hole created for it - a span of 3 feet between a chair and a BIG ASS TV.

Awwww....look at us - we're so festive.

Yep - I can fit my whole head in a "gap" without hitting a branch!! Ahhhh....Christmas.

My first trip home in 7 months!

It was a fly by for sure - 6 days on the ground and 3 cities in 2 states to visit. It went something like this:

Thursday - Drive to San Marcos

Friday - Make Black Friday blacker

Saturday - Visit friends in Lafayette

Sunday - More of the same

Monday - Drive to NOLA - visit more friends

Tuesday - Fly back.

PHEW! I'm tired just thinking about it. But it was invaluable and a much needed visit with family and friends. A few key shots:

Me ma:

Me da:

Oh hells yeah - BUMPER CARS!


Maybe next year fellas:

To Kristie, Aimee, Meredith, Mary Clayton, Isabelle, Eva, and Pam:


It was so great to see your beautiful faces!! Your turn to come here to me! See you soon...

The best show around

Last Friday a few of us went to see Des Bishop stand up at Vicar Street. I've seen a few of his DVDs since I got here and the show lived up to all of my expectations. His comedy is perfect for any American living in Ireland since he's American himself. A half-breed really: apparently he came to Ireland from Queens in his early teens.



And you better believe that we waited in line for a pic and a signature. Ok, ok - so by the time we finished our drinks when the show was over and they started making us leave, the line had died down to maybe 5 others. We were lucky.

When all of you come to visit me in Ireland, we'll plan it around a Des Bishop show. So, Des you may want to amp up the schedule in the spring. I'm just sayin'.

Anyone have any red and blue paint??

A little blurry, but it's just what it looks like. That's the Treasury building. I know what you're thinking - that makes perfect sense.



Here he comes...