Alone again (naturally)

[trinityofone]

I'm baaaaaaaack! I mean, hi.

So my family left this morning. Mostly, the visit went very well: I was happy to see them, they were happy to see me, and their greatest criticism was that I hadn't put up more posters in my room. (Me: I decided that I would rather be able to eat than decorate. My mom: Even poor peasants try to make their space homey. Why don't you clips some pictures out of magazines and make a collage? Me: Because last I checked, my life isn't part of the nouvelle vague. [Okay, I didn't really say that last bit.]) We did a lot of stuff and I had a great time, although I'm very much feeling that I could use a vacation from this vacation, especially since my dad gave me his cold.

But they gave me other stuff, too! We were doing Christmas as "See something you want in Dublin, tell us what it is, and we will buy it for you (within reason)" this year, so I got to choose everything myself. Prezzies:

1. Don't You Have Time to Think? by Richard P. Feynman (Feynman was very much the type of man I would like to see Rodney become in 20 years. Minus the thing with bongos. *g* )
2. Creating Web Pages in Easy Steps by Nick Vandome (Finally!)
3. Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
4. The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough (*vbeg*)
5. Flannel PJs
6. A beautiful wool throw from the Avoca handweavers (Perfect for when I'm working at my computer--IOW, 98% of the time)
7. The complete first series of the new Doctor Who (It comes in a TARDIS! *geekgasm*)

I have excellent taste!

My parents also brought me presents from my aunt (A California Farmers' Market shirt) and my uncle (Nick Drake's Bryter Layter). Oh, and slodwick made me this:


*loves*

The best thing, though, is that my parents brought me the correct kind of charger for my camera, so I can take pictures again! Many were taken over the last week, so I'm going to break them into smaller groups. I'll start you off with:

Dublin Signage


All signs in Ireland are bilingual--English and Irish. This is out in Ballsbridge (British Islands place names = win!), which is a really posh neighborhood that I'll post more about later.


This is what Irish traffic lights look like: in the foreground, you can see the signal for cars; in the background, the one for pedestrians. *shakes head* It's the little differences, man.


And these are Irish exit signs. Or as my brother dubbed them, "This way to the monolith!" (This one is from the Guinness Storehouse, BTW.)


Dublin is a city of contrasts. *g*


No, really.

It's also a city with some of the best shopfront signage I've ever seen.


South Great George's Street.


O'Connell Street.


An arcade on O'Connell.


A jewellers on O'Connell.


Somewhere south of the river--possibly Leeson Street. Baggot Street!


Wicklow Street, just after sunrise.


And again, with a warning.


I still have no idea what this means.


Or this, really.


This is pretty clear.

And then there's the graffiti.


A post box near St. Stephen's Green.


On one of the derelict buildings behind Trinity College.


The Simpsons--International School of Cultural Relations.


Near the Guinness Storehouse, a reminder of why we should all pretend to be Canadian.


And again, with my father, myself, and my brother, standing around like we're posing for an album cover. (Possibly something by The Smiths?)


In Sandycove (about which more later), this cracked me up.

But not as much as this:

And frankly, I'm confused. The first sign provided the helpful red slash, but this one, not so much. Therefore, is it a warning, or a recommendation? *g*

And finally, my favorite sign in all of Dublin, gracing the bottom shelf of my bookcase:


More to come!

And finally, I'm at something like skip=200 bagillion, so if you said something to me in the last week, can you just poke me or link me or wave your arms and stomp your feet? I'm paying attention now, I swear. Well, mostly.

Comments

[wychwood]

Yay! You're back! *flails some*

Whee, photos! :) But I don't understand your deal with the pedestrian crossings and exit signs, those look totally normal to me ;)

3. Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold

Yay! Didn't I, like, rec this to you last week? And were you going to get it anyway?

7. The complete first series of the new Doctor Who (It comes in a TARDIS! *geekgasm*)

I just ordered this myself *g* Have you seen it?

(and Merry Christmas, all that sort of thing)

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Didn't I, like, rec this to you last week? And were you going to get it anyway?

You did! And I kinda was. (I've read some of the later books--out of order *shame*) But you reminded me that I really wanted to, so thank you! And yay!

Have you seen it?

Prior to receiving the DVDs? No. But I've watched about six episodes already and *loves* How much of the other versions have you seen? I've caught a few episodes of the Tom Baker incarnation, but that's it, so I must make an effort to reinforce my geek cred...

And a happy assorted holidays to you, too! *g*

[siria]

Hee. That arcade on O' Connell Street belongs to a cousin of mine. *hums "It's a small world."*

Somewhere south of the river--possibly Leeson Street.

*peers* I think that might be Baggot Street, actually.

The 'Disc Machine' sign is pointing you towards a machine where you can buy tickets for on-street parking. Two or three euros an hour, I think. Otherwise you get clamped, which isn't pleasant.

And I can't believe you didn't take one picture of a certain hairdressing establishment!

[siria]

Oh, crap. I just opened one of my CD cases and realised it has one of the SG-1 season 2 discs in it. So you either have one empty case, or one case which contains a Decemberists album. Crap. I'll give you the right disc when next I see you, if that's okay. Mea culpa.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

That arcade on O' Connell Street belongs to a cousin of mine.

Ha, really? I must favor it with my patronage some time...

I think that might be Baggot Street, actually.

Ahh. *corrects* And thank you for explaining the Disc Machine sign--I'll have to tell my mother, because I think she might still be scratching her head. *g*

I can't believe you didn't take one picture of a certain hairdressing establishment!

I'm going to! I want to do, like, a Geek Tour of Dublin--so that, and a certain jewellers, and anything else you can think of...

[darling-effect.livejournal.com]

All the signage is indeed swoon-worthy. "Prams Car Seats Cots & Buggies" is a favorite though. You half-expect them to advertise horse-drawn carriages as well!

Glad you had a lovely holiday.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

I LOVE signage. And, I don't know if I've ever shown you this, but so does my uncle, who's an artist whose work I think you'd really like. *pulls the first link off Google* Greg Colson (http://www.speronewestwater.com/cgi-bin/iowa/artists/record.html?record=19).

I also love how OLD Europe is. Which sounds stupid now that I've typed it, but you know what I mean. *g*

Glad you had a lovely holiday.

Thanks! I hope you did, too. And here's to a better 2006! *raises imaginary glass*

[soupytwist.livejournal.com]

OMG OMG SANDYCOVE!! God, it's so gorgeous, and... does this mean you've read At Swim Two Boys? *has had dinner with Jamie O'Neill and totally looks for chances to boast about this to anybody who might have actually heard of him omg*

And wow, the pictures... I've only been to Ireland the once, but that's the Dublin I saw, and thankyou for capturing it so well. (Though I'm amused you mention the streetlights, cause that was one of the things I first noticed when I went to north america as being disorienting. :)) And I love the Smiths album cover, heh.

And also, y'know, squee for Dr Who and Rodney is TOTALLY going to end up being the new Feynman - *geeksquee!* - cause while the bongos not so much, the writing snarkily brilliant books which explain science is just, yes. Genius. Has to happen. :D ("Surely You're Joking, Dr McKay?" maybe. Heh.)

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't actually read At Swim Two Boys. It is ON MY SHELF at home in L.A., but I didn't quite get around to reading it before I left, and it was a big heavy hardcover so I couldn't bring it. jarsy is going to try to lend it to me, though. And having dinner with the author is still totally cool--dinners with authors are always cool! How did that happen?

I'm really glad you liked the pictures. There are a lot more coming, so... And ha, the streetlights! I love how many variations one can do on the "You people are weird," "No, you people are weird!" debate. Last night jarsy and I did basil: BAH-sil vs. BAY-sil (I'm in agreement that it should be BAH-sil, though half my country isn't) and herbs: erbs vs. herbs (I do say erbs, but I had to bow in the face of the Izzard argument: there is a fucking 'h' in it). Ahh, culture.

"Surely You're Joking, Dr McKay?"

Heh, yes. Though I'm torn between wanting Rodney to eventually be mature enough to just privately mock the idiots, like Feynman, and neverever stop being obnoxious and rude. "Surely you're joking, Dr. McKay?" "Surely you're not a complete and utter moron, Mrs. Eisenhart!"

Okay, really I'm torn between wanting to write a SGA Manhattan Project AU and the sad remains of my sanity, but, uh. Yeah.

Yay, Ireland!

[slodwick.livejournal.com]

Oooh... I adore the album cover! *giggle*

Man. Now I want to take out my camera again!

Re: Yay, Ireland!

[slodwick.livejournal.com]

Also, I have a wee challenge (http://www.livejournal.com/community/picfor1000/28094.html), if you're interested.

[darcydodo]

Awesome! Also, you look great in the leather jacket. I'm so glad that we delayed going to lunch for ten minutes so that you could find it and buy it. ;)

But... no gloves? No scarf? Isn't it cold??

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

That was the best delay EVER. Thank you for taking it for me. ;-)

It really wasn't that cold the day we went to Guinness. But in case you're worried, I do always have gloves and a scarf in that omnipresent green satchel. Also, I have hardy Vermont-honed blood. Or something. ;-)

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Um, can you tell me which entry it was on? *is hopelessly swamped and behind on EVERYTHING*

[lyra-sena.livejournal.com]

*pines* I loved Ireland so much when I was there. And the pedestrian lights! I have pictures of those as well, because they amused me so very much. There's a shop in Galway whose sign reads in big blue letters, "HAIRY LEGS". I have no idea what the shop is all about, but I do have a funny picture of me standing in front of it with my skirt raised.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Damn, now I almost want to go to Galway just to see that shop! Is your pic postable? *is intrigued*

I'm really coming to love Ireland through photographing it--before I was just living in it. It's weird how you can gain new appreciation through the filter of a lens!

Totally pointless comment

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

Also, I may need to borrow your boa.

[spazatron.livejournal.com]

Ooh. Awesome signs. I especially like the car going over the cliff.

PUT YOUR PHONE ON LOUD. (Hint.)

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Who wouldn't like a car going over a cliff?

But why are we constantly thwarted? *cries*

Also, I got your Amazon gift certificate. Thank you so much! That was so sweet; you totally didn't need to do that. I actually need to haul my ass to the GPO and mail you your crack!gift. And get you something cool 'n' Irish, too. Thoughts? (Go wild!)

[aurora]

Pictures!

Wow, Irish looks incredibly weird/mysterious. Do you speak it, btw?

"This way to the monolith!" :D:D I think the Belgian are exactly the same, so I wouldn't have noticed anything strange about it.

I love, love the Murphy's/church-y building contrast.

The Wicklow Street is so pretty. Also, it reminds me of Magritte's 'Empire Des Lumières' because of the strong light/dark contrast.

Simpsons! USSR! ♥

And I think that's the first pic I've seen of you. It would make a fine album cover. Perhaps for The White Stripes. Alternatively, for The Streets.

Welcome back.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Irish looks incredibly weird/mysterious. Do you speak it, btw?

Irish is an incredibly beautiful looking language, and beautiful sounding, too. Unfortunately, the way it's spelled bears almost no relation to the way it's pronounced, so it's really hard to learn. I don't speak it--I know one phrase, the stupid touristy phrase that everyone learns: póg mo thóin. It's pronounced "pogue muh ho-in" and it means "kiss my ass." Charming, eh?

Oh, Magritte. I love Magritte. I saw a bunch of his paintings in Venice once, and I fell in love. My mom wants me to decorate my room? I should get a big poster of one of his lampposts...

I think that's the first pic I've seen of you.

It won't be the last! (Is that a promise or a threat? *g*)

It would make a fine album cover. Perhaps for The White Stripes. Alternatively, for The Streets.

Well, we'd all have to be wearing black or red or white for it to be the former, but yeah. And hey, if Jack White'd be willing to pose with us: bonus! Big bonus-y bonus!

[airinshaw.livejournal.com]

So I'm guessing as you took photos of the Forty Foot that you've read At Swim Two Boys?

If so you should see this photo (http://pics.livejournal.com/airinshaw/pic/0001yrbx/s640x480) and and this one (http://pics.livejournal.com/airinshaw/pic/0001zz3g/s640x480) that I took when I was there recently with soupytwist, aneli8 and mrsronweasley.

Also - we met Jamie O'Neill and had a brilliant dinner with him - as you can see (http://pics.livejournal.com/airinshaw/pic/0000ztp1/s640x480) from these photos (http://pics.livejournal.com/airinshaw/pic/00010y7t/s640x480).

And I chose to take the car-over-the-edge sign as a recommendation - which makes it a good job that my car was left in Leeds for the duration of my Irelandness no?

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

As I also explained, meek and embarrassed, to soupytwist, I haven't actually read At Swim Two Boys--it was on my shelf, in my "to read" pile, back in L.A., but I didn't get around to it before I left. So a complete coincidence--but one I shall take as a sign that I need to read that book, STAT!

It's really cool that there's almost exactly the same light in your Forty Foot photos as in mine--that weird, diffused, sea light. I really want to go back to Sandycove and wander around some more. (When it's not so cold!)

And I chose to take the car-over-the-edge sign as a recommendation - which makes it a good job that my car was left in Leeds for the duration of my Irelandness no?

Probably. *g* But who could blame you with an invitation like that? It looks like it's saying, "For a great time, try--"

[nenar.livejournal.com]

Eeep. I have something to send to you, I've just been taking forever. I'll get on it soon, hopefully.

In other news, I finally got an IPOD! You must impart Music-Wisdom on me. :)

I'm glad you had a good visit! We miss you.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Oh, don't worry about it! Though I do appreciate your thinking about me. Thank you!

Yay iPod! Which model did you get? Did you name it? ;-)

I'm cleaning out and re-organizing my iTunes right now, but when I'm done, I'll post a bunch of tracks for you. What sort of thing are you in the mood for?

I miss you, too! How are things going? I feel even more out of the loop than usual, this last week and a half. But it's a new year--I hope it's a happy one!

[porntestpilot.livejournal.com]

*frowns at you* I have a collage on my front door. Of Rodney and John mostly. I am a sad sad person.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

That is not sad! Collages can be Anna Karina-cool! Just, my life is not a Godard or Truffaut film, and Jean-Paul Belmondo is not lounging around my flat. Unfortunately. *pouts*

[violin-road.livejournal.com]

I am going to have to protest that "PRAMS CAR SEATS COTS BUGGIES" is slightly less wtf than the store somewhere up the street from me that sells hats, hoodies (I think), and human hair.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Your sign wins for alliteration. What freaks me out, though, is that my street in L.A.? NOTHING but hair shops. To the point where that's started feeling normal. Seriously, I'm just realizing anew how weird it is. *shudder*

[sonofzeal.livejournal.com]

I've read one of Feynman's books. He was the man. I actually saw a one+half man show about him. Staring Alan Alda. Was quite good.

Here's a story about Feynman. He a big van, and he had painted it with Feynman diagrams. All over the thing. Most people would see this, and just shrug it off as squigly lines on a van, but occasionally, someone would recognize the graphs.
"Why do you have Feynman diagrams painted on your van?"
"Because I'm Richard Feynman."

[wychwood]

*loves*

I think I'm in love with Richard Feynman just based on what I've heard from the fannish hive-mind. I must go and find some of his memoirs to read.

[dogeared.livejournal.com]

Your photos are so fun! This is my favorite sign (like your car one!) from when I visited a friend at Trinity a few years ago...

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Ahh! That's fantastic! You've got to wonder: do the people who put these up realize how ridiculously funny they are? Are they humorless stooges, or are they secretly cackling to themselves?

Glad you like the photos! Many more to come! (Still not sure if that's a promise or a threat...)

[lilac-way.livejournal.com]

My then-boyfriend (current husband) and I looked at engagement rings at the Happy Ring House (in, um, '92) but he refused to purchase anything at a place called "The Happy Ring House." In that same visit, my dad dragged my mom and me to Louis Copeland Outfitters so he could buy a bazillion new suits. My father was the original metrosexual.

All you need is a picture of Paddy Hannan's Pub on James' Street and you have my family history on film.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

So I'm secretly stalking you, am I? *g* Must remember to sneak over to James' Street to snap a pic of Paddy Hannan's Pub... =P

[gurrier.livejournal.com]

I lived in Dublin '97-'02, on De Nortsoide, and worked in Parnell Square. I was quite glad to leave it behind, but these pictures have made me miss it a bit! St Valentine's bones at Whitefriars are one of my favourite tourist "attractions".

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Are the relics themselves cool? If so, I must actually go see them--I was enchanted just by the sign. *g*

And I know what you mean about nostalgia for places you weren't necessarily all that fond of while you were there. I lived in Vermont for eleven years, hated it for about six of them, was ecstatic when I left, and now am subjected to heart-clenching desire for the stupid place when anyone so much as mentions it. Places seep into you. It's weird-annoying-cool.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_inbetween_/]

Love your posing family pic.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Hee, thanks! We are SO HARDCORE. We are the ROCK and the ROLL. We are...well, we're dorks.

[caseymae.livejournal.com]

I sent an email to your oldish yahoo address with my thoughts on slash, a query about the black and white mix you were going to do, and the list of altered movie titles. (Stomp, stomp.)

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I'm sorry! I'm not intentionally ignoring you--I'm just behind at LIFE. I'll dig through the 5000 messages in my account (eep!) eventually--feel free to keep poking me until I do.