Day 1 – 1/17/15

There is quite the difference between activity at 4:30  and 5:30 am!  Luckily my room was available and I got in a power nap before I had to meet up with everyone at the National Museum of Ireland.  After a bit of culture (gold shiny things and bodies pulled from bogs), there were pints and laughs in a few pubs throughout the afternoon.  It also helped me get my bearings/orientation in the city.  

Look - a unicorn!!

I had a ginger interaction with 12 hours of landing and the result was an amusing selfie to show as proof of life to my friends.  “Americans, do you have an Apple 6 charger!?”

There were pre-pre-dinner drinks, pre-dinner drinks and finally dinner at the Fade Street Social Tapas restaurant.  I was fading but still went for “one last one” after dinner.  

We're so fancy!!

The vibe of Dublin was welcoming and I was embracing it right back!!

Ireland Trek!

All the trip prep went smoothly – even down to the weighing my suitcase, euro conversions and purchasing tickets for the movie premiere and multiples nights of the play. 

The flight, car service, hotel and bus upon arriving fell into place and the trip vibe was reaffirmed by the music coincidences in the airport. When was the last time any radio station played a song from one of Mick Jagger’s solo albums!?!? 

Token plane pic

I ended up with a fantastic seat mate from Wales who gave me a bunch of suggestions on places to visit and find good craic.  It was a smooth ride and we landed an hour earlier than expected due to the tailwind!

Ireland Stats...

For those that are interested....

Total Steps = 160,109

Total Floors = 163

Total Miles = 60.69

Breakdown - Steps, Floors & Miles:

Saturday, 1/17/15 – 16,379 – 19 – 6.21

Sunday, 1/18/15 – 10,450 – 10 – 3.96

Monday, 1/19/15 – 28,596 – 22 – 10.84

Tuesday, 1/20/15 – 24,191 – 14 –9.17

Wednesday, 1/21/15 – 19,319 – 21 – 7.32

Thursday, 1/22/15 – 31,126 – 23 – 11.8

Friday, 1/23/15 – 23,705 – 29 – 8.99

Saturday, 1/24/15 – 6,343 – 25 – 2.4

Too-Ra-Loo-Ra....

Working on getting my pictures sorted and each one reminds me of a fantastic bit of the trip.  And then there is this song - thanks to the Walworth Farce, it will always make me cry.

Hello Dublin!!

Eyes On The Prize...

This was in my fortune cookie the other day.... 

There is only one logical conclusion of who that will be.... 

Right?  

I mean right, right?  

Really, right!?!?

Only a few more days to wait!!

And...And?

Looping in my head today for some reason.  (delayed reaction since I saw the movie a week ago?  Or just because it is one of my favorite musicals?)

 

And-?
The Prince-?

Oh, the Prince...

Yes, the Prince!

Well, he's tall.

Is that all?
 

Did you dance?
Is he charming? They say that he's charming...

Whoah....Just Whoah...

Whoah, whoah to the freaking whoah, whoah, whoah!!  

Theatre tickets were previously obtained and now I am going to the movie premiere where the lead that I want to see (aka the ginger jedi) will be attending!!

This trip is coming together so smoothly I fear that my plane will blow up to counter it!!

Pause...For 2 Seconds...

Follow you into battle? 
Ride an elk? 
Anything else??? 

Yes....just yes!!

The New Year!

It has been a whirl of happiness to start the year - just how I like it!! 

New Year's Eve was full of tasty wines (w00t sommelier Steve!) and fantastic company for dinner and the party afterwards. I learned that commas are important, the power of Christ will remove a wine stain and never hesitate to go on a sequined selfie rampage! 

To ease back into the workplace after being away for our shutdown, I brought a helper.....she was great until the hole punchers and copier started being used. They are related to the evil paper shredder and must be frightened away!! 

Merry Christmas!

Hey Universe…Part 2…

Hey Universe…since one is in progress, let's throw the vacation list out there for the future…
 

Thailand
Las Vegas (that has it's own sub list)
Mall of America
San Francisco (Mainly for Alcatraz)
Latvija
California
New Orleans
Colorado
Hawaii
Texas
More of Canada
London
England's Country Side
Ireland
Germany
Paris
Greece
Switzerland
Finland
Italy
Tokyo
Cook Islands
Ireland

Australia
New Zealand
Turkey
Sweden
Caribbean Islands
Easter Island

"Impossible n'est pas Français"

Farewell and adieu to you, ladies of Spain,

Get your arse down here or granny will poach you in white wine and feed you to the dogs!

For we've received orders for to sail for old England,
 
What are you thinking, flying around the house like a demented parakeet?
 
And we may never see you fair ladies again.

Bloodys...

A fantastic Sunday brunch!!  I am still amazed that a little balsamic takes them to an incredible new level! 

Hey There!

"There are no strangers here, Only friends you haven't yet met." - William Butler Yeats 

Seems to be the trend at the annual parties that I look forward to - fantastic company, lots of laughs and people that are not strangers for long!!

Royals!

I did stumble upon their hotel by accident - was not a planned royal sighting expedition. There was a bit of a crowd waiting for a glimpse! 

Death Becomes Her....

The main reason for my NYC trip - the Met is doing a display on mourning attire. (Yes, you read that right)
Stunning fashions and the mourning jewelry is just fascinating!! 

Holiday Windows!!

It's been a while since I went to check out the NYC holiday decorations - there seems to be a Gatsby/Gotham theme this year... 

Ice skater!!

Indulgence....

Living the suite life!

Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You...

As I listened, I kept expecting the song to go one way (aka Frankie Valli / Lauryn Hill) but turns out that it's a completely different song!

Just wow....definitely added to the rotation....