Wrapping up loose ends...

(the "before" edit)

Ahh another Tuesday in the universe.

Last weekend was a flurry of activity, starting with K&B's bright idea to go looking for home furnishings (ugh... so domesticated). So we hopped on the Luas and went off in search of random apartment-y type things. After discovering that big box stores really only cater to people with cars we somehow managed to get everything back home on the Luas (ordeal and a half!) and in to the apartment. Phew.

Sunday I managed to get everything that was left in my old place over to the apartment, and did a bit of a blitz clean so that it's ready for inspection by my old landlady (I need my deposit back!) So that is a small relief.

Then, in an attempt to be a gold star pupil for my photography class, I went in to town with B and spent 6 hours (!!) in the office editing photos in Photoshop. Ugh. Our project was to do 10 "before and after" edits, and I managed to get through 9 before my eyes started to fail me. Too much staring at a computer!

But it all paid off! Last night it turns out I was the only one who actually DID the project and the instructor loved what I'd managed to accomplish. (his hopes were quite low for me as after the second class - the one dedicated to Photoshop - I'd left nearly in tears of frustration at "not getting it" - oh how I have progressed!)

So that's that, I suppose.


(the "after" edit)

Two-thirds moved and other exciting things...

Well I've done it. I am now about 2/3 moved in to the new apartment with B. The new place is wonderful, cozy and brand spanking new. We have a wonderful view out to Phoenix Park, close access to buses and the Luas (the tram) and the Museum of Modern Art just around the corner. I'll post photos as soon as I figure out how to do that on here.

Now if I could just get rid of the major train lines that run by the back of the building.

Seriously. What a way to wake up. Has anyone seen The Blues Brothers? Okay, it's not quite that bad, but there have been quite a few jokes made about that already.

In other news... The Boss is on holidays for 2 weeks (!!) so I'm now "in charge" - whatever that means (mostly being run off my feet, if yesterday is anything to go by!) So far it's going well, which I will need if the "save my job" campaign is to have any success.

Photo class is actually going a lot better now that I managed to guilt the instructor into explaining things s-l-o-w-l-y. Turns out I wasn't the only one that didn't understand a thing the other week. Now I can Photoshop like a... well... still like a beginner, but a better beginner! I have to do a "before and after" project for next week (our final week), so if anyone has any suggestions for photos that should definitely be part of my portfolio, please let me know!

That's it for now... I'm off to stare longingly out the window at the warm sunshine whilst being trapped in my office.

I don't even believe in Spring!

Well despite the fact that it is currently nice and sunny out, having lived in Dublin for 2.5 years now I am hesitant to accept the idea that it may actually be Spring. I'm afraid I need more proof than ONE nice day, Mr Weatherman.

So despite the hail, sleet and snow I actually had a good weekend "down the country" with B and family. I'd been sent down by work on Friday to take part in a cultural diversity fair at the Garda (police) training college, which ended up being 4 hours of me explaining who we are and what we do until I literally had no voice left. But still, was nice to get out of Dublin for a bit.

And now I'm back - back to the good times (??) of recurring peptic ulcers, trying to get an appointment with a gastroenterologist to deal with the aforementioned ulcer, getting ready for The Big Move on Friday... oh, and working. And photo class, which is another rant in and of itself. 2 out of 4 classes focussing on PhotoShop is NOT "Introduction to Digital Photography"...

Manic weather, manic life... just another Manic Monday...

Well, Irish weather never fails to disappoint. Early last week was glorious - sunny, warm, t-shirt and jeans type of weather, and I thought we'd finally arrived at Spring.

I was wrong.

Over the weekend and into today we've had rain, hail and very VERY cold weather. Pack away the t-shirts again, K, you jumped the gun on that one!

Appropriately enough, though, my life has decided to become as manic as the weather. Between the unofficial work policy of "K can handle that!", the growing suspicions of a peptic ulcer, making arrangements to move in with B in a week and a half, and extracurricular activities (photography class and Mandarin lessons) it seems like I'm not destined to slow down or relax anytime soon.

Happily I've managed to talk myself into working an exhibition on Friday, in Tipperary (where B is from) so I will have a relaxing weekend down the country.

Don't get me wrong, though, I quite enjoy the manic life, no matter how much I complain or vent or occasionally threated to turn into the Incredible Hulk ("you wouldn't like me when I'm angry...")

Welcome to my world

Thanks for coming out! So this is blogging... welcome to the new millenium, K. Eventually I hope to have exciting, deep and meaningful musings, rants, writings and tirades on here, but in the meantime, I will attempt to answer the question: "Who or what is Verdandi?" (from my website address)

According to Wikipedia, she is one of the 3 norns in Norse mythology. Being of mostly Scandinavian origin myself, I kind of like that.

"Her name literally is the present tense of be or "to be" and is commonly translated as "in the making" or "that which is happening/becoming", related to the Dutch word worden and the German word werden, both meaning "to become". She is the present moment."

Basically I like that. Having adopted a "live for the now" mentality recently, I think it's appropriate. I am the present moment!