Today's Random Pic...

"Courage"





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Here we go again....

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Should I be worried? I am starting to have this paranoid feeling like I am being followed.... it is a feeling like the little people really are after me.....


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But I am becoming wise to their tactics. They are tricky little things... they do their best not to be noticed.... they act casual.... they try to look like everyone else.... They want you to think that they are just part of the crowd....






(for the full story read these previous posts HERE and HERE)
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The panic has set in...

Many of you might know that Dee and I are going to be back in the states for 6 months. We have been really excited about the opportunity to reconnect with our home culture and get to spend a lot of time with family and old friends... but to be honest with you it has always seemed like a trip we are going to take far in the future. It is something we have been talking about and planning for a while but has never fully seemed real. That is.... until yesterday. We leave our house a week from today and won't be back until after the new year! WOW! We have a lot to do to get ready! It has really just hit me... and I almost feel a bit panicked when I think of how long we are going to be away!

We are going to keep the website going... and will be posting about our time in the states. I'm really excited about the opportunity to photograph the areas where we grew up... and the places & people are are important to us!

A few more pics...

Ok... I know that everyone must be tired of seeing zoo pics... but I am going to post a few more. I had such a good time taking them and I feel like I got some great pics... I hate to not to post them!









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Thoughts about the Zoo...

I really liked the zoo... and I appreciated the opportunity to see some amazing creatures close up... I, however, couldn't help feeling a little conflicted about the whole experience. I know that the animals are all very well taken care of and may in fact enjoy longer and safer lives in captivity than if they were left on their own in the wild (a fact that I was reminded of when I saw a VERY old wolf in the zoo).... but there is a certain sadness at seeing these wild creatures in such small enclosures and with such limited freedom. I stood and watched a majestic silverback gorilla sit quietly in the entrance of his cage... his face seemed so sad and broken... I couldn't help but feel a little guilty that this was his life.




I also found it very strange that zoos are such a popular place for children. I understand the fascination... but doesn't it seem a little strange and against every survival instinct to bring our youngest and weakest members of society and display them in front of the most dangerous creatures in the country? At what point did we stop fearing these creatures and start taunting them?




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The First of the Zoo Pics...

But please no comments about how the monkeys look like me... or something equally as cheeky!











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Happy B'day

While we were in Dublin we celebrated two big occasions. Our 9th wedding anniversary (wow... I can't believe it has been that long) and Dee's birthday (I don't think that I am allowed to tell you how old she is). It was nice to go somewhere different for these two occasions and to have some time to ourselves even if it was just for a couple of days. Dee enjoyed having extra time to shop in Dublin and we enjoyed getting to try some new restaurants (although our favorite one was closed down!).


Here is a picture of us on O'Connell street on Dee's birthday.





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Today's Random Pic...

Grafton Street in Dublin





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Today's history lesson...

O'Connell Street is Dublin's main street and is one of Europe's widest streets. The statue is that of Daniel O'Connell the great 19th century political leader that worked for Catholic Emancipation (the right for Catholics to sit in the Westminster Parliament, denied for over 100 years) and for the repeal of the Union between Ireland and Great Britain.

The great building with pillars (on the left of the photo) is the General Post Office. It was on this spot that the tri-colored Irish flag was first raised and Patrick Pearse read the declaration of Irish Independence during the 1916 Easter uprising.




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Too much to try and catch up on…

We are in Dublin for a few days. We arrived Wed. night during a day-long rain storm. I noticed around nine o’clock that the skies were clearing and that it was going to be a clear and crisp night. I grabbed the camera bag and ran down to the River Liffey. This river that runs through the heart of the city was once sailed by the Vikings when they first settled this area. I stood admiring the city when I noticed a ship off in the distance. I decided to investigate and boy am I glad that I did. This majestic sailing ship is a part of the Mexican navy. Yep…. The Mexicans have a navy! I tried to find out where the ship was going and why it was in Dublin, but the sailors that I was talking to did not speak enough English for me to discover the whole story. The men invited me aboard, and I was able to wander around for a few minutes on this amazing ship!








On a side note… Dee and I went to the Dublin Zoo Thursday morning… so stay tuned for some pictures! Here is one of the most beautiful creatures we saw there.

Back again...

So, we have finally made it back from our business trip to the UK. The week was nice but exhausting. We had an interesting experience as we traveled back across country on the bus. We hit a major construction area that caused the traffic to come to a complete standstill. The bus driver stood up at the front of the bus and asked if anyone was local and knew their way around this area. A little old man seated in front of us raised his trembling hand. The bus driver had him move to the front of the bus... and for the next fifteen minutes we had a wild ride down very bouncy country roads... branches scraped the top of the bus as we went down roads not designed for buses... and we did a three point turn in an intersection... We eventually made our way back to the main road and sat in the traffic not too much farther down the road from where we left it. I thought it was funny...... and quaint the way the bus driver asked for help from a local.


In addition to last week, I have been really busy lately. I managed to squeeze in a quick trip to the cliffs last night... not for my own enjoyment, mind you, but I took a group of students over to see the wonder that is the 'Cliffs of Insanity'. We got their about 9pm and stayed until about 10:30. I think that this is the first time that I have ever been there when we had the whole place to ourselves. One of the students asked me if I ever get tired of going to the the same places... I quickly answered 'no'! This time (and the one before) I have been really fasinated by the birds (gulls & razor bills) nesting in the cliff side. It amazes me how they can hang on to their little ones in such tight quarters.









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Happy Father's Day!

I just wanted to wish my dad a happy father's day! I hate that I can't be there with you but I am looking forward to all the time we are going to get to spend together this fall! I love you lots!


Here is a pic of my dad when he was here last summer:




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Today's Random Pic...

"catching up on all the gossip"







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Today's Random Pic...

A Norman castle...

I took this picture early this spring about an hour after the sun had set.

The Tin Whistle

Ireland really can be a magical place. The way a modern place mixes with ancient traditions and way of life really amazes me. Here is an example: As I write this I am sitting outside with my MacBook and wireless internet. I am also instant messaging with a co-worker and at the same time I can hear the faint tune of a tin whistle on the air. Only in Ireland.... wow... I love that!

The tin whistle is probably the most abundant instrument in Ireland (I would think). Here, most kids learn it first and then graduate to a harder instrument. The simple little whistle can be played with such complexity and speed that it astounds me. The airy tune can be carried on the wind across fields and water for what seems kilometers. I often will hear the magical music on the air and have no idea where or what direction it is coming from.

Away... but..

Dee and I are away with work all this week... but I have written several posts that will (should) publish during the week! So... stay tuned!

Wallace

Finally... (the last sheep sheering post)

These are the final two pictures that I am going to post from the sheep sheering competition. I was only there for about two hours, but I feel like I was able to really capture several different shots.







I was really excited when I got this second shot. I don't know what it is... but I love taking pictures of hands. I have taken so many that Dee actually suggested that we start a hand wall in our house.




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After...

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Before...

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Just a little off the top...

I was able to sneak out for a couple of hours this weekend and go to the annual sheep sheering competition. This is the third time that I have gone to one of these... and finally it wasn't a miserable day. Usually the rain buckets down and the wind lashes everyone who is there. This year the sun was beating down and everyone was complaining about the heat. I loved it! It always amazes me that these type of things still go on. No doubt that competitions like this have gone on here for generations.

Fathers and sons competed... lads from the next village battled against lads from Co. Kerry. The announcer spoke with the speed of an auctioneer and with the passion of the most excited sportscaster. The sheep seemed to go into a trance as their thick coats were sheered off of them at a record pace... The crowd cheered and laughed... men in white coats stood and judged the competitors... winners gave speeches... And there was even a 'queen of the wool' contest and winner.

This, beyond any doubt, is one of the many things that I love about Ireland.





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