Christmas Pudding!

At last, its Christmas!  I knew there was something missing, as if I hadn't had enough to eat, but I couldn't quite think what it was.  Then today my mother gave me a Christmas Pudding.  Mmmm......

There is something about the smell of the pudding that just makes Christmas.  But just my mothers pudding, nobody else's.  Unwrapping the tin foil and then pulling the greaseproof paper that's stuck to it off......mmmm (insert appropriate Homer Simpson sounds here)....I made one myself, a couple of years ago, using 'her' recipe.  It was a good attempt, but nothing like the real thing.  It must be the bowl she mixes it in, or maybe I didn't use the correct type of brandy, but it just didn't taste quite the same.  I remember when I was younger the 'bowl' hanging around the kitchen for a couple of days with a tea towel over it, and it being stirred and stirred with a wooden spoon.  Then it was boiled for ever and some poor unfortunate got the job of making sure that the water didn't boil off it.  But it was all worth it in the end.  "The proof is in the pudding", never a truer word uttered!!

That's twice around the park for me tomorrow, or four times if I eat any more of it tonight!!

Oh wait, something else missing......I haven't seen any cake yet!!

Aliens

Day three in the Big Brother noise filled house.  I could get used to this!  Although I can't remember anymore what my my couch looks like, I haven't seen it for quite a while.  It appears to be covered in Aliens, in the shape of several 20 something year old males that are permanently attached to laptops!  I wish I understood the language they are speaking as they seem to find everything very funny!  I am trying really hard but I am just not getting it.  Lucky I have something else to keep me amused.  I had a go at  reading Gulliver's Travels on an e-reader.  I think I could get to like this form of technology.  You can make the size of the text bigger.  Not that I need to for any reason (!) but just because I can......

Bigger text, hmmm, does that mean more pages........?

Merry Christmas Indeed!

What a lovely day!  Surrounded by family and friends (and snow), coffee pot going non-stop and the house full of noise. There was even a text or two from Santa!   A great way to start Christmas.  More of the same tomorrow I fear, with the added attraction of wrapping paper all over the place and too much food!!  Can't wait............

Just one thing left to do now.....Cava anybody?


(Merry Christmas Croatia, Denmark, USA, Australia, Russia, oh yes and 'Anonymous')

XX

So glad that's over!

Well, week one over.  Only, oh who knows how many, to go!!  Although the first week was made much better by the fact that I could stay at home and work.  Maybe I could make that a permanent thing.

But I am never happy, I have cabin fever now.  I did sneak out earlier to walk the dog.  It's crazy out there and still snowing.  But everywhere looks so nice, its a pity its causing such havoc for people that are travelling.  I was on 'Airport Watch' for my family that were trying to get to Spain.  But it looks like everybody else in the country was doing the same thing, the DAA site crashed at Lunchtime.  So it was back to texting and listening to the Radio for updates.  They finally got away at 6pm.  Woo Hoo!  Or should that be Boo Hoo, I didn't really want them to go!!  (oops did I type that out loud!)  Well, it will be 'Train Watch' tomorrow for the other lot coming up from the country!  Typical, you get rid of one, and another one steps in to take their place!  Seriously, I hope they all get here OK. 

So now its 'to walk or not to walk, that is the question'......

Oh to be 6.

Working at home again today!  Listening to 'Santa' on the radio.  How funny!  It's lovely to hear the children talking to him and singing songs for him.  Oh to be six and the only thing you want in life is a DSi. (A red one!).

I wonder does Santa have e-mail...........?

That white stuff again...

Rusty enjoying the snow!











I like this white stuff, and I don't understand,
why those humans complain when it covers the land.
With my thick coat of fur,
I never say brrrr.....
As I run and jump, it's more I demand!!


PS...why can I never find those snowballs they throw, I know it landed here somewere....?

I like technology...

I think I might actually like working for the 'IT Crowd'.  Today the gave me a lap top and send me home, so  I can work from home tomorrow (and the next day)!!  No more wading through the snow to catch an elusive bus that doesn't want to be caught.  It even changed its route this morning to fool us passengers that were waiting patiently for it.  Hmm.....

Although I did wish that the laptop was bit lighter.  I decide to fool the bus this evening and walk home, not so clever with a rucksack and a computer to carry.  Now I understand how Donkeys feel.  Although a Donkey doesn't get rewarded with a glass of wine for all his effort. And I won, the bus was way behind......

Roll on tomorrow, I am looking forward to going to 'work' in my PJ's..........!

Not funny!

Home at last! 

What a day.  First day officially at the Dungeon.  Turned out exactly as I expected.  Not much more that I can add to that!  Then when I did get to see the outside world.  It was covered in that white stuff again.  And more of it falling. 

I made a quick getaway, and got a far as the top of the road and that was it for an hour.  Seriously, nothing moved except the snowflakes for an hour.  I turned off my engine and waited.  I played that game where you make up stories about the people you can see in the cars stuck in the traffic beside you.  And then when you move up a car, you can start all over again with a completely different story about the next lot of people stuck in a car.....for an hour.....and then another hour.....

I wonder was anybody else playing the game too.  And I wonder what 'my' story was.......Let me see....
Strangely elusive petite blond, staring wistfully out of her window, looking haunted and sad......Or the reality, completely stressed starving, (needing to use the bathroom!) blond dreaming of being on a beach somewhere!!

I was never so glad to be home and to see Rusty's little smiling face and waggy tail.  Although I do wish he could bring himself for a walk.  Right off to face the snow, no rest etc......

Day one at the Dungeon

It's cold and lonely in the Dungeon today.  I can see out, and its snowing!! 

I was beginning to despair, but its OK, I found a machine that dispenses chocolate........things are looking up!!

Forecast?

Whats the weather forecast for today?  Just had snow, so it has to be something else, right? Right?

My shovel is looking for overtime payments...........

Interesting (?) fact No.2

Q) Whats the medical name for a 'Shopaholic'?

A)  Mad person! 

Yes, that's actually the correct term!  The medical term is Oniomania.  Onios means 'for sale' in Greek (those pesky Greek's again!) and mania means insanity. 


Right, where did I leave all that stuff I bought...........

Sneachta Aris?

Cén fáth go bhfuil sé ag cur sneachta ARIS??

That wasn't in my plan for today......grrrr!!

Right, where's that shovel.

Goodbye to T2

I'm packing up again, but this time they are moving offices without me.  All my stuff is in a crate to go....who knows where!

I'll miss the activity.  I'll miss the noise.  I'll miss the planes.  I'll miss the work......oh wait (!!)  I'll miss the bizarre stories and the even more bizarre interaction between all the construction crews.  They are a funny bunch, and constantly challenge each other.  The biggest gripe they all seem to have with each other is how much time they took for lunch, or who even got time to have lunch.  It's a bit of a competition I think.  It seems the winner is the last one to have lunch, and if you get no lunch at all, jeez, then you are King!!  (What a crazy competition, and as competitive as I am that's one competition that I would be happy to be lose, every day!!)

I'm sitting here looking out the window, wondering what will be the next plane to depart.  I have quite enjoyed the speculation about the destination of each take off.  I'll miss that too.  BIG SIGH!  It was a shaky start, but in the end I enjoyed my time here.  I have lost count of the amount of times I have been asked for my e-mail address.  That's a good sign, isn't it?  There are quite a few leaving today, some of them have been here from the start of the project, so its a bit more intense for them.  And quite a lot of them don't know where they are going next. 

Oh well onwards and upwards......or in my case, to the dungeon and beyond.......

(I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to cry, I'm not going to cry........hmmm........this is not working)

Did somebody mention lunch?

Interesting (?) fact No.1

Q).  What does the 'X' in Xmas stand for?  OK, OK, smart asses, we know it stands for 'Christ'mas, but why is it used?

A).  X is actually the Greek letter 'chi' which starts the word Χριστός which means 'Christ' in Greek.  So there!  When you use Xmas you not really being a heathen after all.

So,with that in mind, what does the 'X' in X Box stand for.........?

Oh wait......I always sign my e-mails XX!!

Christmas Conundrum?

Why do the empty Christmas decoration packets not fit back into the storage boxes they came out of?  This happens every year.....And there will be the same dilemma when I go to put them away again.  Is there a 'decoration Elf', who purposely mixes everything up to perplex me.  He must be a first cousin of the 'fairy light Pixie', who is also very mischievous and ties the lights up in knots......

Hmm....where did I leave that magic wand?

Closure!

I am now the proud owner of.....my own house!!

It's five months, almost to the day, since I had my lovely day out with the Judge, but it has taken until now to get it all signed sealed and delivered.  It was funny being back in the Solicitors office again, more signatures (I lost count after about 50 and the last one looked nothing like the first one) but at least this time it was for a positive event. 

Somebody somewhere in the Land Registry office, in a room full of ledgers will have to get out one, beat the dust off it, find the page, and then........put my name in!!  Woo Hoo!!  I wonder can I go and look at it, just to gaze and ponder.  Or, I wonder is it gone all hi-tech in there now and you could actually look it up on a computer.  Naw, that just doesn't conjure up the same image.  I prefer the one of a little bald man with white gloves, looking for the ledger, finding it, dusting it, searching the pages, and then taking out his fountain pen, (or better still his quill) and putting my name in, and then stamping it with some wax. (do they still do that?)  Now I'm happy!  I'm in the book!

Drink anyone.......??

Discovery

I've discovered who the dragon is.........and it's not me!!!!

A day in the Dungeon

I am typing this very quietly as I don't want to wake the dragon.  There's always a dragon in a dungeon, isn't there?  Anyway, it's so dark, I can't see the keyboard, lucky I can touch type. 

Starting from Monday, I am going to bring a hammer and a chisel with me and make a little hole in the wall every day so that by Friday I will be able to see the outside world.  Otherwise, I have visions of me ending up like Miss Havisham.

I have been promised a trip to the outside world later, to visit the Bank!!  I can hardly wait........

Wait.....I've just had a thought......If its a dungeon, and there's always a dragon, and I am the only one here, does that make me.......Oh no!!!

Elivs has left the building!

Got a farewell gift and a hug.  And then he was gone.....

The man who built the Terminal, is now gone to the Terminal to catch his last flight outta here!  I wonder will he notice any of the 4000 defects still to be fixed on the way out??

I won't be far behind him as I am 'outta' here myself at the end of the week.  Eh...but first I have to clean out his office.  Just like the real Elvis, he left the building, but left a mess behind!!

I feel sad.....  :-(

More singing...

Mince meat made!
Tree up!
Presents bought (not wrapped)!
Cards written (not posted)!

"And so this is Christmas, and what have you done?"

Come on sing along.......
Louder!! LOUDER!! LOUDER!!

Normality returns?

Just back from the park with the dog.  Everywhere is green!!  It's lovely to see the grass again.  There are still some small patches of white stuff around and the paths are covered in some parts with compacted ice but besides all that, its lovely out and to be out!  I didn't need my thermal underwear either, the sun is shining the temperature is up and there is a clear blue sky above.  All together that makes a beautiful day. 

That brings to mind a U2 song, right everybody sing along........don't let it slip away.......

Oh no, its all gone horribly wrong!

I can't believe it?  How has this happened?  When did this happen?  Why did this happen?  What's going to become of me now?  How will I cope?  What will I do?  Will anyone notice? 

It's not life threatening and I know it's an easy thing to fix.  But that's not the point.  I have been without them for so long now its going to be hard to cope.  I knew it would happen eventually, but its still a shock!!  I know if I tell anybody they will laugh at me and say get over it and that I was lucky enough to have gotten this far, and it was about time I joined the rest of the unlucky!!

Jeez, a gray hair, what's next?  Glasses??  I need a drink.............(or maybe a hairdresser!!)

It could only happen to me......

I was really looking forward to it you know, not just all day, not just all week, not just all month, but since August, when I bought the tickets!  Dashed home from work, jumped into the shower, got ready, ran to the bus stop (actually that's an exaggeration, walked gingerly. as the paths are still too slippy) got on the bus and into town.  Couldn't tell where I was as the windows on the bus were too dirty, but I knew when I got to town!  Right, straight to the bar!

We did listen to the warm up band, politely, from the bar!  They were OK! Not long now.

The noise level goes up, and up.  They must be coming on, right vacate the bar double quick time.  The atmosphere is fantastic, nothing like live music (and a glass of wine) to get you rocking. 

Song no.1, really gets the crowd going, song no.2 now they are on fire!  Song no.3, they blow the joint....

Eh literally, the electricity is gone!!!! What???  Confusion sets in for a minute.  Then the crowd gets hushed by a 'suit'.  "Its OK its not our fault, the whole of Dame Street is in darkness".  How funny!  All of a sudden there are loads of musicians on the stage, girls with violins, where did they come from?  The band are handed acoustic guitars from somewhere, they have decided to go with the concert 'unplugged'.  It was hard to hear, as we were up in the 'gods', but lucky enough the crowd joined in and sang along.  The band played heroically for another couple of songs and then had to leave the stage.  Health and Safety rules!  Bah Humbug!!!  We were asked to wait until a certain amount of time had passed to see if we could get going again.  Everybody waited in good spirits, despite the fact that they closed the bar!!  Health and Safety again..... Unfortunately there was no sign of the power coming back and were informed again by the 'suit' that the concert would be rescheduled for next Tuesday.  The crowd cheered enormously upon hearing this piece of news!  What a great crowd.  What a great night, even tho' it was actually a disaster.

It was funny to walk out into darkness, no street lights, no traffic lights.  We could see into the kitchen of a restaurant, the Chef was trying to cook (on a gas cooker!) by candlelight, how inventive.  Oh well, nothing for it now but to find a bar.......

Excuse the Language.......

I think he says what we all want to!!  (Well I mightn't want to use some of the words, but.....)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koY6kXhQDQo&feature=player_embedded

Christmas Card dilemma.....

So much for being organized.  I had a list, somewhere on a computer, all nicely typed with names and addresses all sorted by country etc.  Do you think I can find it now........Bah Humbug!!  Its back to the old fashioned way for me now.  Time to get out 80's file-o-fax.  So only people I knew in the 80's will get Christmas Cards!  Unless of course you are reading this and you send me your address, and you better be quick, or you wont get the card until January.  Actually better still, send me a stamped addressed envelope......! :-)

And speaking of the 80's, Wizzard are on the TV, oh wait, was that the 70's...........ouch!!

Здравствуйте !

A very big Irish "Howya" ( Здравствуйте ) to my Russian Reader(s).  Nice of you to drop in!!  I hope you can understand the nonsense that I am writing, and maybe you will add a comment and let us know what part of Russia you are living in!

Slan Leath!  (That's Irish for Goodbye!)

What's going on?

A miracle this morning!  My window washer worked.  Water sprayed out and I have a lovely clean window.  I can see the road!!  Could it be?.....is it too much to hope for?.....did somebody listen to my verse?....Is there a thaw?  Hurr-aw!! Does this mean I might see my driveway again soon?  Will I recognise it?  Hmmm, I hope I haven't been parking in the wrong one!

What's the Thaw-ry

They said there would be a thaw
hasn't happened in Tallaght, that's for sure
will there be more snow?
I hear you say 'noooo'
there just can't be anymore!

Survival - A new challenge!!

OK, you have survived a plane crash in the Canadian mountains along with several other passengers.  Its -25 degrees daytime temp and -40 degrees night time temp.  The pilot and the co-pilot are dead.  The nearest town is 20km away and the terrain is woody with several rivers running through it.  You are dressed for a business meeting.  The following 12 items are available to you.  Put them in order of importance for your survival and explain why?

Wire wool
Cig lighter (with no fuel)
Newspaper - one per passenger
Extra clothes, trousers and shirts
20m x 20m sheet of canvass
Loaded .45 Pistol
Compass
Part of a map (laminated)
Tin of animal fat
Large bar of chocolate (one per passenger)
Bottle of whiskey
Axe

(The things you have to do nowadays to get a job.....)

Hello Croatia!!

I would just like to say a big Irish 'Howaya' (Hello!) to my reader in Croatia.  How are you?  Nice of you to drop in.  Why don't you leave a comment and let me know who you are?  It would be nice to hear about life in your part of the world..... :-)

Game over.....

After much shoveling and scraping, I finally made it out of the driveway and braved the roads.  Well I think there were road there somewhere, underneath all the compacted snow and ice.  The snow on the roads had turned gray now, not pretty.  Some people have their Christmas decorations up now and the flashing lights and snow covered house look very pretty, very picture postcard-e, especially when it gets a bit dark, they make up for the gray snow.  Anyway as Willie Nelson would say I'm 'back on the road again'.  So nothing for it now, but to go to work tomorrow......Effort!!  I wonder did they miss me? :-)

What are the chances of a white Christmas, anyone got the 'odds' on that??

Another one from the Master

For Kevin, from Grandad.....Happy Birthday!

2009 (a year late, as there was complaints cos there was none last year!)
There was a young shop assistant
who as a salesman was very consistent
he sold toys on one floor
ladies tights near the door
and in the basement was discount resistant....

2010
There was a young fella called Kevin
who died and went to heaven
there were drums at the gate
and he played with his mate
but the gig had to finish at eleven!!

And finally a self portrait....
There was an old Codger called Ned
who was hard to get out of his bed,
So they set an alarm
that he'd come to no harm
But he ran out and hid in the shed!!

The King reigns........Oh wait.....if he is the King, then I can still be Queen, cant I, cant I, CANT I????

One night in the Institution

We walked paths that are treacherous
and faced the perils with braveness
For a glass of wine
and a really good time,
(wish the walk home had been painless..........!)

Another crazy night in the Institution (Mortons!).  Best quote of the night:  "Blah Blah........Bored!!"  Oh well, maybe you had to be there.  Did I win a turkey.........

Don't forget your shovel.......

Another day of this snow,
now out with a shovel I must go
to clear the drive
is now what I strive
so we can get back on with the show'!

Buses v Interviews?

Are interviews like buses, you wait all year for one, and then three come along together??

Now that I have a job, I seem to be able to get interviews, no problem!
Brian Cowan should be worried..........

Stranded again!

Another snow day!  Hurray!!  All the advice given is to stay in and keep warm, so, it's back to bed for me.......  I will have to brave it later tho', and help my parents out, they called me in distress yesterday, they had run out of......Vodka!!

Leg Warmers!!

Snow, snow and more snow!!  It never stopped all day, but I don't mind, I love it.  I was out as much as possible.  The last time something like this happened was January 1982.  As far as I can remember we were all stranded in our homes for a whole weekend.  Myself and my sister spent the time knitting leg warmers.  Well, it was the 80's!!  Actually they would be very useful now and everything 80's is back, isn't it??  This is a picture of my back garden!!  Its only a few weeks since I took the umbrella down and put it away for the winter!  Its funny to watch the dog in it, he gets lost when he goes out into it.  But it doesn't stop him.  He jumps about like a spring lamb.  At one stage in the park today he looked like he was swimming as he was running through the snow.  When we got home there were ball of snow stuck to his fur, we had to pull them off and they were so compacted it must have been hard for him to run with the weigh of them.  Lots of people out and about even tho it was snowing heavily.  I think they are all going stir crazy as they have been indoors now for three day in a row.  Lots of abandoned cars out there too, crazy motorists.  By the look of the roads I don't think I will be going anywhere tomorrow either.  Happy days!!  Another day of enjoying the snow!  I might even take up knitting again.......hmmm......wonder where I left those needles.

Stranded!

Stranded today, nothing moving here not even the birds, no footprints, no tyre marks, just snow!  Looks like a day at home for me.

I hope there's something in the fridge..........!

Oh well nothing for it but to get back into bed! :-)

Snow Art!

An amazing evening.  The scene outside my house is like something from a Christmas Card.  Walking was even better.  It was snowing but the most impressive thing was the lightening.  I have never seen anything like it, well maybe in Italy in 2008, but it's so bright out anyway and to have the scene lit up with light like that was just brilliant.  Now I know how the Celebs feel when the paparazzi are around.  Then there was the thunder and then hail!!  Madness.  But I kept walking, it was lovely, believe it or not.

No sign of the teenagers again, but, they left evidence that they were there earlier, in the form of 'snow art'.  I wish I had had my camera with me.  Some of the sculptures were amazing.  The best one being the 'Lough Ness Monster'.  Do I need to describe it, or can you just imagine, two semi circles and a long head sticking up out of the ground, looked like the beast swimming on the lake, fantastic!  There was other stuff too, something that looked like the McDonald arches (!), or an attempt at them and a whole family of snow people.  What creative teenagers we have, I hope they are as creative in school.  Oh dear, did I just write that.....I sound like such an 'old person'.  I'm not sure Rusty appreciates the 'art'.  Or maybe ferocious barking is his way of showing his appreciation.  But if it keeps snowing like it is now, then the 'art' will have disappeared by tomorrow.  What a shame, or will that just be a clean sheet for them to start again??

I don't want it to end.......(until I have to dig my car out again!!!)

Scarey out there!

Made it to work eventually!  Had to dig the car out, twice!   The first attempt to brave the icy roads ended in vain and the second was successful.  My estate is like a ghost town, nobody seems to be alive, not a footprint on the footpaths just some funny little marks that look like they were made by a bird.  Not a tyre mark on the roads either, until I drove out and made a mess of the lovely picture.   Am I the only crazy one going to work?  What a journey, too.  Impossible to keep the windscreen clean, the washer bottle frozen, trying to move around in the seat to get the best view out of a streaky window.  Huge trucks going by at breakneck speed throwing more sh*t onto it.  Windscreen wipers making visibility even worse.  Why did I bother.  Oh yes, I remember now, I have to give in my notice!!

More champagne??  I think not......

Mrs Snowman

No teenagers tonight on my walk.  I can't decide if I am happy or disappointed.  What happened?  I was looking forward to my dodging and throwing exercises.  Although they left some evidence that they had been there earlier tho', in the form of a female snowman, or should that be snow'woman'??  How did I know the snow'person' was female, by the pink hat it was wearing obviously.  Rusty did his usual Mexican stand off with the snow people.  He just doesn't get that they are not real.  Silly dog.  Actually I should have attached ski's to my boots and used him like a little Husky, that would have been fun. 

It was much colder out there tonight than last night, maybe that's the reason for the missing teenagers, or else they are all at home watching Man U playing.

I hope it doesn't get any colder tonight, because I had to dig my car into my drive this evening, so I have no chance of getting it out in the morning if there is any more snow......effort!!

My poor little car got stuck
in a snow and ice filled rut
we pushed and we shoved
with hands that were gloved
still stranded in the morning? just my luck!

Pesky Teenagers!

What am I?  Target practice?  The teenagers got me again.  And this time there was double the amount that there was yesterday.  But my synchronised running, ducking and aiming skills have doubled too.  In only two days!!  If there is an Olympic Event that involves all three maneuvers then I am in line for a gold medal.  Once again Rusty sided with the teenagers, they must be more fun than me.  I'll remind him of that the next time his bowl is empty.  He didn't like their snowman either.  He circled it growling suspiciously, then he barked fiercely a few times and ran as fast as his little snow covered legs would take him.  Hmmm....so much for being my 'protector'!

Tomorrow evening, I'm bringing my own teenager........that'll show em!!

There was a little dog that went
out in the snow and spent
all of the minutes
without any limits
loving the delightful event

PS...I now have double the amount of wet clothes too.....

A great day for Siobhan!

:-)

I am now back in the real world.  The real world of employment that is.  This morning I had no job, and this evening I have one, quick or what!!  Should have worn a short skirt to an interview before now, who knows where I could have ended up.   What a relief!!  Watch this space for updates to my new life in the wonderful world of IT.  I hope it's not like that program on the TV (The IT Crowd), or if it is, I hope I'm not the dumb one.......oh wait.....

Thermal Underwear!

Just back from walking the dog.  Amazing how although its dark the sky is still kinda blue and everywhere is bright.  I decided not to bring my iPod, thought it would be nice to listen to the sound of the snow crunching under my boots instead.  That was all going very nicely, until I met a bunch of unruly, fun filled teenagers.  They thought they would use me for target practice.  Its not easy to run, keep your dignity, stay upright and dodge snowballs all at once.  The things you have to do on a Sunday afternoon.  Rusty even decided to join in the fun, and joined forces with the teenagers!!  Traitor.  I gave a good as I got, but I am soaked now, TG for thermal underwear!  There is a puddle of wet clothes inside my front door, and a pile of snow.  Oh well, it will just add to the mess that the Finchley Brennan's left in their wake.  They are all gone home now.  Peace once again reigns in my house.  Hmmm......I think I prefer the mess and madness to peace and quiet.  Oh well, 'till the next time.

So the teenagers thought me they would beat

but they didn't expect me to be so quick on my feet

blow after blow

they hit me with snow

with me did they think they could compete??

 

It was fun to watch them slide

and down the bank of the river they would glide

but my fear was they would go

into the river below

and get a thoroughly wet backside!!

 

 

They are all at it now

There was a family of Brennans
Who had to run back and forth with errands
If they left something out
Their Mammy would shout
"You're only a bunch of Lemons"

Jeez......what have I started!!

One from the Master

Happy Birthday to James from your Grandad!!

There was a young scientist called James
Who set his house up in flames
His experiment went wrong
So he burst into song
Singing 'I should have stuck to computer games'.....

(Not sure that crown was ever mine!!)

Snow!

What a fantastic morning, following a fantastic night.  It was lovely to walk home in the snow last night, not a bit cold, although the alcohol could have been a factor in that!  Michele and Suzanne looked mad with no hats and piles of fresh flakes on their heads!!

And now this morning, a clear blue sky and the snow weighing down the shrubs in my garden.  They are all bending gracefully under the pressure!

Dying to go out and throw a few snowballs......

Every thing's covered in snow,
and the children's cheeks are aglow
So bright and clear
they have put on all their 'gear'
so that out in the snow they can go!

Hmmm
Not so sure about the state of my house when they come back in.  Never a Vincent around when you need one.....

Vincent and the Hoover

Apparently, Vincent is a whiz with the hoover, according to Deirdre.  This has been revealed after several bottles of wine so its subject to scientific verification.  The test will be stringent and will be posted as soon as they are in.

Watch this space..............(it's clean of dust!)

Ode to snow.....

Oh my god there's snow!
And everything is a glow
the kids are delighted
and very excited
and outside they are raring to go!

How a bailout package works

It is a slow day in a damp little Irish town. The rain is beating down and the streets are deserted. Times are tough, everybody is in debt and everybody lives on credit.
On this particular day a rich German tourist is driving through the town, stops at the local hotel and lays a €100 note on the desk, telling the hotel owner he wants to inspect the rooms upstairs in order to pick one to spend the night. The owner gives him some keys and, as soon as the visitor has walked upstairs, the hotelier grabs the note and runs next door to pay his debt to the butcher.
The butcher takes the note and runs down the street to repay his debt to the pig farmer.
The pig farmer takes the note and heads off to pay his bill at the supplier of feed and fuel.
The guy at the Farmers' Co-op takes the note and runs to pay his drinks bill at the pub.
The publican slips the money along to the local prostitute drinking at the bar, who has also been facing hard times and has had to offer him "services" on credit.
The hooker then rushes to the hotel and pays off her room bill to the hotel owner with the same note.
The hotel proprietor then places the note back on the counter so the rich traveller will not suspect anything.
At that moment the traveller comes down the stairs, picks up the note, states that the rooms are not satisfactory, pockets the money and leaves town.
No one produced anything. No one earned anything. However, the whole town is now out of debt and looking to the future with a lot more optimism.  
 
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how a bailout package works.

Frost...

This morning was crisp and bright
and everything 'dressed' in white
the frost looked like sugar
and everything it covered
to my eyes was really a delight!

But the sugar to my car did stick,
and it really was quite thick
so out with the kettle
and showered the metal
problem solved, easy, not cryptic!

Ode to my 'shy' friend!

An Ode to my friend who is shy,
what were you trying to imply
that your music selections
are really just lessons
in how not to be cool, if you try?

Your selections were only a joke,
but they really did make me choke!
So come on my shy friend
do no more pretend
and your great taste in music uncloak!

Similiar thinking....

Somebody here at this office is thinking Patriotically like me too.  They have printed the 'Proclamation' and it is now hanging strategically (in the kitchen) where everybody can see it.  Nice....

Ode to my Country!

Lets hope this is only a hic-cup
We don't want to be controlled by Europe
Our country was ruled,
by such terrible fools
And now we are all in the syrup!!

It's all down to property greed
and we have forgotten the ones in need
And as for our bankers
they really are ******* (Stinkers??)
and left us in a mess indeed!

So lets try not to be so skeptic
and equally not as neurotic
And smile as we go
so Europe we'll show
That we really are quite patriotic....

Come on Ireland!!

Frown!!

I've been neglecting my B'Limericks......

So in honour of today

There is a 'old' biffo called Cowan
Who's bringing this lovely country down
Now it's German I must speak
this makes me say 'eeek'
and brings to my face a frown!!

Sunset in Dublin

OMG!

Did anybody else see the sky this evening.  I can't describe the amazing colours.  Orange? Amber?  Reddish-orange? Yellow?  Or all of those.  Anyway whatever colour it was, it was fab!  I watched for a long as I could........It's just black now......BIG SIGH!

Desert Island Discs.......the final countdown!

In no particular order....

I still haven't found what I'm looking for - U2
Love and Affection - Joan Armatrading
Come up and see me, make me smile - Steve Harley
Freebird - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Waiting for that Day - George Michael

Come Together - Beatles

Oh wait...............Can I change my mind??

Desert Island Discs....

So, I still can't make up my mind....

I did get a reply from 'a shy friend' who wont post her answer, so I'll do it for her, as follows:

My luxury item would be a razor - don’t you just hate hairy tanned legs. 
My book would be 101 ways to eat coconut!
My music –
Islands in the stream, 
don’t let the sun go down,
I am a rock,
Summer holiday
Wish you were here
Hmmm.....I'm getting a vibe here.....

Thanks Joan!  OOPS....did I type that out loud!!

Still working on mine!  I'm at no. 3 now!
Oh I forgot to mention, as well as the '5' you have to pick a favourite Beatles one also!

A challenge!

Ok you're about to be shipwrecked and washed up on a Desert Island.  You can bring one book, one luxury item and 5 of your favourite songs. 

What would they be?

For me the book and the luxury item are easy.  But I just cannot decide on 5 songs!!  How can you pick just 5.  I have been trying all day.....

The Book  -  Watermellon.
OK I know, not very 'classic' or 'intellectual', but it's the only book I have ever read that made me laugh out loud, over and over.  And I reckon you could do with a laugh if you were stranded!

Luxury Item  -  Moisturiser/spf 50
Well, I don't want to end up looking like a prune when the rescuers come for me!!

That just leaves the tracks..........tune in tomorrow.....I may have an answer.

Ode to a Cold...

This is the third day of this cold

and it's making me feel very old

eyes that are streaming

a nose that is gleaming

I really am a sight to behold

 

And it really is making me miserable

my red nose is clearly visible

shivers and shakes

and bones that all ache

a cure would really be blissful...

 

So someone please come up with a cure

I'll be ever so grateful I'm sure

To stop this nose running

would be rather cunning

and health once again I'd ensure

Technology

OMG I am in love.......

I have on my desk the best 'toy' I have seen EVER!!

An iPad.......

I only have a lend of it, but there is a big window beside me and I am only two floors up.  Just gathering a few hi-vis jackets that I can knot together to make my getaway..........

See ya later!!

----sent from my (stolen) iPad........

Eh...Storm Warning!

I spoke to soon!  The storm has finally hit........and I'm not at home!!  Now what am I going to do.  I will have to resort to sheltering under the desk.  (Note to self...insert chapter into book re 'under desk survival'). Actually, I am in a good position for survival here.  I don't have the Marietta biscuits or Rusty, but I do have a hard hat and a bar of chocolate.  And the biggest torch I have ever seen.  I can use the sellotape dispenser as a weight to keep me down and the back of my phone as a mirror, so I should be OK for a while.

Hmmm...the planes are still taking off, maybe its OK to come out?  And it is kinda hard to type from under here......

Under the desk, she did go,
when the storm started to blow,
She stayed there for hours
and missed all the showers
But the chocolate she didn't forgo!!

Ode to Anonymous....

OK 'Anonymous' you're on,
for duelling (of Limericks) at dawn.
So keep on with your writing,
I'll come back fighting
and the winner I will be anon!

AND!!

I must remind you, a Brennan I am
and failure is not in our plan
So dual if you dare
But remember - Beware!!
I won't be as 'meek as a lamb'.

A disappointing Storm

So what happened?  Where was the storm?  There I was barricaded under my bed with my torch, extra batteries, my book and a packet of Marietta biscuits.  And a mirror.  Apparently a mirror is vital for survival, and should be in everybodys survival kit.  You can use it to signal planes, ships etc.  Or you can cut up food with the sharp edge, or you can use it too look around corners, incase there is danger around there.....I just used it to check that I looked OK in case I was rescued by a hunky fire man.  Or should I be "PC" and say a hunky fire fighter!!  Are they always hunky or is that just a myth?  Anyway I didn't get to find out.

There was no storm, just an Irish style storm, rain!  And lots of it!  It was a bit windy, but the roof stayed on my house (TG!) so the mice had a roof over their head for another night.  However!! It was quite interesting under the bed, I had to try to fiqure out how to hold my book and the torch and be able to open the Marietta packet at the same time.  Rusty thought he would help, but that only meant more for him!  It put a new perspective on things for me, literally!  It made me think about how I should vacuum under the bed more often, in case I really did have to survive under there.  I had to keep moving the pile of dust around to get a more comfy position.  In the end I made it into a little mound and made a pillow out of it.  It worked well until Rusty decided to wag his tail.  That was the end of the Marietta biscuits too, they don't taste the same covered in dust.  AND the mirror didn't work the same with a film of dust over it.  Although I did look slightly better, must be the whold 'soft focus' thing.  Really I am very glad that there was no storm and it will give me time to re-think my whole survival strategy and be more prepared in the unlikely event of a real hurricane.  I should probably put the biscuits in a plastic bag, that would keep them dust free.

Right I'm off to the Library to find a book on 'under the bed survival'.  I wonder is there one.......maybe I should write it.......

A contender for my Crown?

So, "Anonymous" refuses to show 'his' hand, but, I now have a contender in the form of a 4 (nearly 5) year old.  My niece!  Her first attempt while only two lines long, leaves me fearing for my title....

"Twelve and seven is a very large sum,
but not as large as my mummy's bum........

A child Prodigy, can't wait to see what she comes up with for the last three lines!!

Storm?

What a lovely morning.  Just back from walking and its lovely out there.  Blue sky not that cold and very calm.  Is this the 'calm' before the storm, and is it relative?  If so then we are in for some storm.  Nothing for it but to hide under the bed!  Better remember to bring my book and my torch.....

Green Tea!

Well, it's all over.  The building has gone 'operational' and has been handed over to the client.  It's no longer a building site.  My work here is done!!  There was a hand over ceremony, and a handover document.  Did anybody see the film 'The Devil Wears Prada'?  Do you remember 'The Book'.  Well that's what the document was like.  It was my book!!  Nobody was allowed to take it from my desk.  There was only one complete copy, nightmare!! It was locked away at night!  Anyway to make a long  (document!) story less stressful, it was produced with 10 seconds to go and the loss of my sanity!

There was a handover ceremony and on the day I got a special mention because of all the hard work and the weekend I had spent producing the document!!  Woo Hoo, go me!  Remember, I wrote a letter, got a bottle of Moet, wrote another letter got another bottle of Moet, are you keeping up.  OK, the document was hundreds of pages long.  I was already planning the party!!  So I got my accolade and stood back and waited and waited, and then it appeared.  Was I going to need DHL to help me home with the case of..........Green Tea!!!!

Cancel the party.

I think I'll make some scones........

Anonymous B'Limerik - er

So 'Anon' it's time to confess.
Your identity I thought I had guessed!
But, alas, I was wrong,
and my search still goes on,
I'm at quite a loss, I profess!!

At Last!

I am now once again, the proud owner of a table and chairs.  Does anybody need me to explain where the other one went?  No more eating off our knees for us, it back to using plates!  I would like to cordially invite all my reader (s?) to come and join me for dinner.  It's OK I have actually learned to cook, well, that's if noodles count.  There'll be desert..........with chocolate..........and Cava (I wrote this very small on purpose, so nobody would notice and then I won't have to share!).

Rain

Why does it always rain when I am going out?
Is it always raining?
Or am I always going out?

........maybe I should just stay in!!

Hard Hat!!

A dream come true, I am now the proud owner of a hard hat!!  A lovely yellow one, to match my eyes!!  I wanted to drink champers out of it today, but somebody pointed out that it wasn't a new one and who know's who's head it was last on.......good point!!  Just getting the yellow vest taken in now to fit me.  Building handed over, project finished, end of my job??  Not quite, there is still the biggest snag list I have ever seen to get through, so that's me sorted for a few more weeks!!  Next time you are flying out from Dublin and you are lucky enough to be in the new terminal, if you see somebody in and hi-vis jacket and yellow hat, look twice!  It might be me fixing the plumbing......

'B'Limericks

Ok, somebody is trying to steal my thunder.......Now I'm not one to name names, but Deridre you know who you are.

So, I throwing out a challenge to all you readers (reader?).

See if you can beat Deirdre's attempt!!  I, of course, already did.

Stuff

Why do people slow down when approaching the 'barrier free toll' on the M50, it so an upside down six (that's annoying (a 9), for anyone who doesn't have a teenager handy to translate!)

Speaking of teenagers, I won't have one around the house for very much longer.  No, he's not leaving home just going to be 20 soon!  Should I be sad or glad.  Does it mean when they turn 20 that they suddenly become an adult and do adult like things, like slow down on approach..........oh wait!

Three witches just knocked on my door, typical, never a witch around when you want one and then three come together.  I like Halloween, it's the only day of the year that I don't have to wear a mask! :-)

(Hic)

Another letter, another bottle of Moet.  I think I like this (hic) job.........

John Keats

Give me women, wine, and snuff
Untill I cry out "hold, enough!"
You may do so sans objection
Till the day of resurrection:
For, bless my beard, they aye shall be
My beloved Trinity.

I think he beats me at the Limerick writing..........

Go Jools!!

Wow.  What an evening of entertainment.
I don't know where to start.  From the very beginning it was pure music magic.  I have never see a bunch of musicians so happy in their work.  From the minute they came on stage they were in entertaining mode.  Oh sorry, did I tell you where I was?  Me and Kev went to see Jools Holland and his Big Band! Big being the operative word here, they were larger than life, every one of them.  I am trying to think of some adjectives to use to describe them and I think the only one really is Cool!!  Cool with a hat (seems to be a pre-requisite for being in the band) and the funky-er the better!!  But good as they were, there was no dancing.  Hmmm....anyway Jools played, his 'guest stars' sang, all good.  Then he brought on Alison Moyet. Wow again, what an entertainer, she sang 'Love Letters' and 'Only You' and a couple of others.  Looks very different to the Alison I remember.  Only getting over her and then he introduced the 'Queen' of Boogie Woogie.....Ruby Turner!!  OMG and then there was dancing!!  What a powerhouse of song, so entertaining, the crowd were on their feet in seconds.  She rocked the joint!  Even Kevin was on his feet, and he had no idea who she was.  We had a great time.  Oh yeh and the drum solo, was just OK..........!

Bank Holiday Weekend

At last a day off.  Three in a row actually, bliss!  Looking forward to the weekend, which will be full of family fun.  Hope you all are too, thats if there is anybody actually reading this!

I'm sitting here watching the planes taking off, wishing I was on one of them.  I wouldn't really mind where it was going, anywhere would be nice.  Before I moved offices last week, I could see straight out the window right into the take off path (not sure if that's the right wording!) of the jets, and if I had nothing to do (hmmm) I could look up the departures on the DAA web site and try and guess which flight it was.  Sad or what??  Now I have a lovely new working environment in proper offices with a real desk, instead of a makeshift one in a Portocabin, but I have to turn around to see the planes!  The new Terminal building is in my way a bit, but I can still see some of them take off, with the use of a complicated set of mirrors and wire that I have devised!!  I have turned into Mcgiver (is that how you spell his name?).  I may get a job in the world of construction yet.  Although I would have to have some structural engineering people look at my invention - read contraption!  Anyway, it's interesting.  It's interesting working here too sometimes, just the other day, my boss gave me a bottle of Moet for typing a letter for him.  Should I tell him that that's what I am here for, or should I offer to type a novel?  Watch this (aero)space......

Old men in leather trousers

This time two weeks ago I went to see Sting.  Not that I would normally like to look at 59 year old men in tight leather trousers, but in this instance I made an exception.  I was very glad I did. It was an amazing performance from the man and the orchestra, who really got into the swing (sorry!) of things.  But I am confused (as usual)!  The tour is named Symphonicity, but he is touring with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Why not a Symphony orchestra?  And whats the difference?  Answers on my desk by 9am tomorrow. 

note:  I know I can look this up on the net, but this is way more fun!

An interesting shower

Thanks for all the novel suggestions for my blog, my favourite being 'An Interesting Shower' provided by an anonymous brother of mine (Declan, you know who you are!). 

Once again I have been inspired to write an Limerick

"There was an interesting shower
that used up a awful lot of power,
you step right on in,
and loose most of your skin!
But it would grow back again in an hour!"

So unless you want more of these terrible Limericks, you can stop with the suggestions now!

My hands were cold walking the dog this evening.  I have a rule, hats, gloves and heating don't go on until November.  Dilemma!!  Should I break the rule, or stop walking the dog?

Wallaby

A Kangaroo/Wallaby on a dance floor at a 30th Birthday in the Clarion Hotel, Lucan and a Zebra for sale on the Internet in Ireland, your comments please.......

Virgin Blog!

So this is how you Blog, all I need now is something to Blog about.  Any suggestions?  Be nice now, I'm fragile!