Northern Ireland Confidential

angel at my table

GENEVA, Switzerland -- On this gorgeous Saturday I decided to break away from working in the hotel room for a late afternoon lunch.

Everyone had the same idea I did, and the outdoor cafes on the plaza, just off the lakeshore, were filled with people.

Whatever "Swiss precision" exists in this small canon failed to penetrate the bubble over my Italian bistro. After more than 20 minutes, no one had come to take my order -- or even to acknowledge my existence in any way.

Dazed with hunger, my mind drifted. Maybe I should return to my hotel room, laden with work, and order room service? Or maybe I should find a small corner shop and buy a few items? I dreaded the thought of going back indoors, but the idea of sitting outside and starving this close to food* was even more unappealing.

Just then a man strode purposefully to my table. This was the first clue that he had no professional affiliation with the restaurant. The fact that he wasn't wearing a uniform was the second.

"Would you like to come sit with us?" he asked me. "We got the attention of a waiter, and if you come now you can place your order."

Like the disciples in Bible times, I picked up all my belongings and followed him.

what the flock

This morning on the early-morning rural drive to the international airport (savour the irony), I saw something curious.

All the sheep were laying on the ground together in a little group.

No one sheep was off by itself. They all appeared to be awake. It was if they just decided to have a break from roaming around the fields to hang out together for a wee chat.

Has anyone else seen this phenomenon?

nobody's perfect

Instant Messaging exchange between me and a colleague back in the States [when we should have been paying more attention to a teleconference]:

Note: I rarely partake in IM, but I had to sign in to the chat function when I saw this guy was on the teleconference. He's wonderful -- practically perfect in every way. He's an Almost Perfect Man (APM).

Me: Hey, don't tell me who your choice is, but are you voting?

APM: I have never voted in a presidential election.

Me: Our friendship is over.

APM: It all comes down to two words

Me: No excuse

APM:  Electoral College

Me: I can't even repeat the word I just said out loud when I read that

Me: So disappointed

Me: I always knew there was probably some flaw underneath your perfect exterior

Me: Now I know what it is

APM: hahahahaha

He went on to redeem himself somewhat by demonstrating a full knowledge of the issues and candidates, and expounded on his philosophy that politics is local. Sigh ... I sent him a new favorite link of mine [courtesy of KNS] and we had a good laugh over it. Then he dared me to put the link on the master chat of the teleconference.

I did not.

good international press

Hey, check out this New York Times article about two of my favorite things: live music and Belfast!

Courtesy of EIB - thanks and glad you had a great birthday!

sensory perception

Because I have no discipline, I called a friend and asked her to go walking with me after work. Otherwise I would have just gone home, not to emerge again. We set off about 7:15 and were stunned by the amount of people out on a Wednesday night. Turned out there was a big soccer football match on at Windsor Park. You could hear the fans singing from far away.

It is a gorgeous night here with a full moon. It's cold and it smells like fall. We walked for a little more than an hour through some nice neighborhoods and saw some lovely homes and people settling in for the night. What a beautiful city. I'm always content to stay in Belfast, but I need to start wandering more.

I came home and booked a train ticket to Dublin in a few weekends. I'm reading about lots of places but I need to go and see for myself.

monday to fryday

Today sucked was pants. I didn't have a particularly bad day myself, but two very bad bits of news came to me and I can't help but feel sad on behalf of my colleagues who are dealing with these tragic events. The days are getting shorter but my hours are getting longer. I stayed late, drove home in the darkness.

I thought about stopping off for Ben & Jerry's but I just wanted to get back to my place.  And BBC iPlayer. Tonight it featured a travelogue hosted by British national treasure Stephen Fry. He's touring New England. In the fall. Deep sigh. He went and had lobstah in Maine, then trailed Mitt Romney in New Hampshah, and went to Ben & Jerry's factory! I'm sure the customers didn't have a clue who he was, whereas people here would have been much more worshipful.

Then Stephen went sailing in Rho-dye-lund before making his way through the part of Connecticut where I used to live (poor soul!) and eventually to Mary-land (which is how he pronounced it).

It was wonderful to watch ... I feel better. Still wish I'd had a pint (of Ben & Jerry's!).

true confession

You must do the thing you think you cannot do. -- Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Longtime readers probably know I really don't like:

(1) Malls.

(2) Chain restaurants.

So what was I doing at a chain restaurant in a mall?

I needed salad. A big salad. In the States, if I wanted a big salad, I would go to Chili's. I had heard from a co-worker that a Chili's had actually opened here in Belfast. Why?

I wanted to see for myself. So I went to Chili's and had a Quesadilla Explosion Salad. It was good, even if I had to be in a mall to have it. The sad part is, aside from the wonderful accents, you really couldn't tell that you were in Belfast, as opposed to East Peoria, Illinois or Gatlinburg, Tennessee. They were doing fairly steady business for late on a Thursday night, but I noticed most people weren't drinking margaritas (which Chili's pushes hard). They were drinking pints.

Located next door to Chili's: Maggiano's. And opening next month: T.G.I.Friday's.

mapgirl: patent pending

A while back I wished for a recording device for radio, and lo and behold, someone invented the podcast. Brilliant. I didn't see a dime, but I'm still glad someone came up with it.

My next big brainstorm is something I've confided only to DMJ, and because she is trustworthy she hasn't run off and developed this thing, a sure path to fame and fortune.

I want virtual reality that recreates my favorite walking routes. Imagine it -- no matter where you live, you can sweat it out on a treadmill, but feel like you're walking down the Champs Elysees in Paris, through the Gran Place of Brussels, along the Thames in London, and my favorite: my special Saturday morning route through downtown Nashville.

James Dyson, are you listening?

it's rude to stare

Mapgirl Dark Secret #82: I am easily starstruck. I don't do anything foolish in this regard, I just think it's cool to see famous people.

Last night there was an Officially Sanctioned Celebrity Sighting, that is, A Conversation with Ciaran Hinds as part of Queens Film Theatre's 40th Anniversary.

I wish KNS had been here for it. She is not easily starstruck, and she also appreciates actors like Ciaran Hinds and his work in great little films such as "December Bride," which was screened before the interview. She would have enjoyed the whole evening.

makeover

Yes, that is a brilliant new banner, courtesy of DMJ, whom I turn to for all my weblog banner needs. She did this as a favour to me, so don't pester her to develop a cool banner for your weblog.

She actually had 4 amazing designs -- we may be rotating them. They're too good to keep under wraps. One features a Red Hand of Ulster. Just be warned.

Thank you DMJ!