Day 82

Today I met...I want to say his name was Andrew. Horrible of me, I know, but if that isn't his name that's what I'm calling him. We met at Doyle's after Shannon ran away during our test run of a "How I Met Your Mother" game...a.k.a the infamous "Have you met..." Even though the game was coming up with nothing or gay guys, "Andrew" was just as excited as we were about it. We talked for a while about his buddies, his brothers, his studies, my studies, Thanksgiving, America, Ireland, you know, the whole bit. Interesting guy but Shannon and I were about ready to leave. The place was crowded and our game wasn't turning out to be so much of a game anymore. I left to go to the bathroom before we left and when I came back Shannon was waiting for me...just in front of the "green shirt guy" she had been gawking at all night. Just then Andrew came over and, gotta love the guy, pulled "green shirt guy" and Shannon together and said to him "Haaaaave you met Shannon?"

Day 81

Today I met Diarmaid, not Dermot, Diarmaid. It's Irish of course. Diamaid was the one native who could make it to own Dublin Thanksgiving but he definitely made up for everyone missing. As one of the first Irish people some of them had met, he quickly became the life of the party, even for me who is used to long, drunken, sometimes annoying chit-chats with locals. Also known as "Google," Diarmaid supplied us with useful/useless information (depending on how you look at it) as well as token phrases in Irish all night long. I am now the proud owner of the phrase "Is sin a duirt si," more commonly known as "That's what she said." And I congratulate myself for that because despite the bottle of champagne, two bears and a few shots of vodka I had that night, I still remembered it. Quite legendary if I say so myself. Diarmaid was even nice enough to take us along to the pub with him to meet us with his "Canoe Club" buddies (although I think they kayaked). The guys were a little on the odd side, but then again, so were we in our traditional indian headdresses and pilgrim hats and beards. Now that I think about it, it was a true Thanksgiving: sharing food, drinks, conversation and acquaintances; the melding of two cultures to create one pretty awesome night.

Day 80

Today I met Malon. It's Thanksgiving so myself, some Americans, and a couple Dutch decided to get together to attempt our own Thanksgiving in Dublin city. Only problem is, Ireland is sufficiently lacking in the ingredient department. Many of us had to alter or change our dishes because the country doesn't have simple things like graham crackers or cranberries. Who would have thought? I mean they do eat cheesecake and I eat cranberries in my muffins here all the time. Maybe some secret club you have to be in. Anyways, the celebration was to go down at a friend of a friend's flat, Malon. After Shannon and I hauled all of our groceries across the city in a broken down bus, we were about to pop. But when we arrived the apartment was open, clean, and decorated and Malon was there to greet us at the door. She was a beautiful girl with dark brown hair, the occasional freckle and a Dutch accent I found myself missing since I left Holland. She was equipped with her feathered Indian headband as was the rest of the crew. The night turned out to be wonderful. Malon was so nice and literally offered every dish, pan, and spoon we needed to serve our meal, which, by the way, was pretty damn good for a bunch of college students. After we had stuffed ourselves to the max and drowned ourselves in wine, we headed out to the pub of course, feathered headbands, beards and pilgrim hats intact.

Day 79

Today I met a wonderful shoe repair man. My prized Frye boots apparently have an achilles heel and given the fact that I where them 75% of the time, something needed to be done. I made it all the way down to the shoe repair shop (come to find out later there was one much closer to home) with my two pairs of shoes and cash in my pocket to fix my babies. The man, probably in his mid-forties, was hunched over a paper on the counter. I showed him the damage and he said he could do them in an hour. I was amazed. So, he took my shoes and my bag and jovially handed me a pickup ticket and I went out shopping. When I came back an hour later we smiled as he handed me my bag of shoes, good as new. Great guy, I really wasn't expecting them back for a few days. It's nice to meet someone who wants to make your life easier.

Day 78

Today I met another man at the bus stop. I was sitting on the edge of the bench when he came by and stared with horror at a man sitting at the other end. He pointed to an elderly woman standing and asked him, "Did you offer her your seat? Did you?" The man obviously didn't which made him start to get angry. Suddenly, I was in the middle of an almost bus stop brawl. The couple that was seated turned out to be foreigners and the girl started screaming in Spanish. I could do nothing but hold on to my groceries and pretend to be invisible. Thank god the bus showed up and the crew left except for the man who started it all. He sat down next to me and started complaining about the couple and the fact that he just ate for the first time in four days. Not so sure about that given that he reeked of the drink and pulled a Druids Cider out of his pocket and sucked it down like a can of coke. I didn't want to disagree with anything the man said given that I was the only one left at the bus stop but he was actually very civil. He simply explained that ladies like that reminded him of his mother and everyone should help them. He finished by asking where I was from as I boarded the bus and slurred a "Nice to meet you" as the door closed behind me.

Day 77

Today I met a man at the bus stop. He offered me a seat after I had set my heavy groceries down with a sigh (possibly one of the things I hate most about living in Dublin. You have to pay for bags to carry stuff in...and then of course you have to carry it who knows how far). Anyways I took my seat and he asked if I got anything good. It was sadly just groceries and he smiled as he remembered that I was out of class because there was a strike today. "Seems like there's one all the time," he said. Of course, after a few sentences from me he realised I was American somewhat making a jab at my accent, but was still sweet nonetheless and smiled as he got onto his bus.

Day 76

Today I met Dave #3. He was a friend of James and much more drunk. He attempted to give me some more career advice through his slurred teeth that had become yellow and gray with age. I listened and nodded, sprinkling the conversation with 'oh really's, 'yeah's, and 'thank you's although I had absolutely no idea what he was saying 90% of the time. He told me a riddle about bellybuttons and another about buying toothpaste but it took half the night not to figure them out but to understand what was being said in the first place. One thing I know I heard right though was one of the oddest compliments I've ever received. In fact, to me, it's most likely an insult but to Dave #3, it could have been the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. As I was walking out the door, Dave grabbed my hand and said, "You know that Britney Spears...you know that Madonna?...You're more beautiful than both of them." Man, do I feel pretty.

Day 75

Today I met Dave #2. I received possibly my fourth proposal from Dave because I said I love County Clare. After hearing that he proceeded to get down on one knee and tell me he loved me. I said no...especially considering he had just put on a production singing to a "Christine" I believe. Oh well. By the time I ever actually am proposed to maybe I won't act like an idiot and bawl my eyes out so much that I can't even say yes or no. Or, maybe I'll be so good at saying no that if I ever really have to it won't be as bad. Thanks Dave #2 for giving me more practice and see you in Clare.

Day 74

Today I met Dave #1. Dave came to talk to me after asking a bartender what my name was and I guess if I was normal (I must have gotten the o.k.). Dave had somewhat of a John Cusack vibe to him with his long forehead leading back to a head full of dark brown hair matching his chocolate coloured eyes. His friends thought he looked like Matthew Broderick whose name took us ten people and an hour to figure out. He kept my Bulmers full and the time flew by after answering numerous questions about American girls and what they like. However, I wasn't too interested so the night ended and haven't heard from him since.

Day 73

Today I met James. My dad had left for the night and again I was sitting at my favorite bar alone. I was chit-chatting with Alan about the guys asking about me at the other end when a man next to me chimed in. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help but eavesdrop," he said. I didn't mind at all considering I needed someone to talk to while I finished up my Bulmers. James and I somehow got to talking about careers (as I've had some sudden realizations that the path I've been on is crumbling beneath me). He told me to keep my options open and as a small business owner himself, I should do the same. My current dream of opening a B&B in the irish countryside sounded like a brilliant idea to him but he demanded that I never stop writing. I don't think I ever will but I can't help but notice that the die-hard investigative journalism thing is not for me. As the glasses emptied and filled, emptied and filled, James became more enamored with me and introduced me to his friends. He was a sweet sweet guy, completely in love with his wife and happy with his career. Couldn't ask for anything better than that.

Day 72

Today I met Jeanie. I was watching the sad excuse for a fair football game when Alan came back to bring me closer to the bar. I pulled up a seat while simultaneously dodging around the screen and spectator's panicked eyes. In front of me was Jeanie. Alan introduced us and she reminded me so much of an old co-worker of mine. She was fairly quite as she nursed her rum and coke for the second half of the game and I couldn't help but wish I could be more like that. She was a gorgeous girl with dark brown hair, fair skin and bright eyes. It didn't surprise me that Alan had Kenny grabbing her anything she needed. The way Alan looked at her was something I had never seen. I'm not sure if they're together or not but for that night, Jeanie was it.

Day 71

Today I met Dennis, the better of the country tour guides I've had. Instead of an incessant monotone voice and plethora of historical facts and dates, he simply made everyone laugh, even at the cheesy jokes. I gathered that Dennis was from the Dun Laoghaire area considering every other person or car we passed he waved, honked and asked how they were. Dennis is a family man from a large Catholic family and loves the country will all his heart. Unlike other bus guides, nothing sounded like he had said it hundreds of times and once more may kill him. He was enthusiastic with every sentence and was determined to make our rainy day in County Wicklow a lovely one. Ok, I have to stop at this point and explain that "rainy" would not be the word. The day had started off like any other in Ireland: rain. We planned accordingly with our trench coats, rain jackets and wellies but that was nothing compared to the utter torrential downpour we experienced. Driving through the mountains our bus rocked back and forth with the surges of the wind and I could feel the bus's pain as it struggled up the hills against elements. So as you can imagine, Mr. and Mrs. Typical Middle-Aged Americans found every reason to complain about anything, especially the weather. While I asked, "Don't you know where the hell you are?" Dennis put on a brilliant face and refused to let a bunch of embarrassing Americans ruin the trip (the samples of Jameson helped too). So any road we couldn't drive down, we walked through and he sacrificed his umbrellas so we could at least keep our shirts dry if nothing else. I actually talked to Dennis for a while about everyday stuff. He was interested in how I was doing, what I was studying and I attempted to make up for everyone else's terrible portrayal of American. I have total respect for the guy for not giving up and he made it a great day despite the lack of luck we had.

Day 70

Today I met a kid at Mulligan's. He was working behind the bar but honestly didn't look older than fifteen with his Harry Potter-esque spectacles, acne spotted face and slightly pre-pubescent voice. However, he was laughing right along side the old men who had been pouring pints since before he was born. I could tell by the way he purposely walked through the bar and laughed at jokes only he knew, he was proud to be in the position he was. What more could a teenage kid want than to be helping at a bar late on a Tuesday? I thought one of the men was his dad and when we asked if that was the case, they simply turned to look at each other and burst into laughter. The kid walked away chuckling and shaking his head as if that was the dumbest question he had ever heard. It is Ireland, but how that kid was working there was beyond me. And to think that I can't get a job...

Day 69

Today I am back in the 21st century with a new laptop and can finally get back to this project before it runs away from me. So, while I've been away you've missed out on nothing more than me feeling like I'm on the prairie and going through books like they're magazines. Needless to say being a college student with no job, no computer, no pets, no boyfriend, and no television, things got pretty boring. But back to the important stuff. Today I met a bartender at Mulligan's. I've been there several times but frankly, there were far too many distractions to really get to talk to the guys who apparently pull the best pint in Dublin. We had already been "pub-hopping" (as my dad would say) for a little while and...well basically I don't know if I got his name or not. He was a tall, somewhat gangly man in his forties with dark hair and eyebrows that were as dark as his sense of humor. Usually I can keep up with the Irish sarcasm but this guy's face was so straight I think I did my awkward giggle most of the time. Nevertheless, he was funny and although quiet at times, he wanted to be around someone. He didn't remember me from before but I have the feeling the next time I go back, I'll be picked on for sure. Of course, only in the "because I like you" sort of way...hopefully.

Day 68

Today I met who I'm guessing is the manager at Market Bar after we had been there for the third or fourth time in a month. Bald, like many people I've met recently, and always sporting a smart black dress shirt and jeans, he's fits the part of a smart, social, helpful restaurant manager. He recognized us from another night even though the large dining room can seat hundreds in a day. Of course, my dad was here and being the tourist he is, he asked for him to take our picture and he was more than happy to do it for us. Great guy, one of those not too much not to little personalities that you can't really get sick of.

Day 67

Today I met...who knows who he is. I was walking down the street in my prized Frye boots that kept me warm and beautiful at the same time. Only problem is, they don't get along well with the cobblestone streets of Ireland. I was walking down the street from school and tripped, one of probably five times that day. As usual, I kept moving acting like nothing happened until I heard a voice behind me, "That was close." Oh great. He proceeded to tell me a story that involved him, rain, cowboy boots and O'Connell Street. Can't say I was paying attention much, I just laughed and walked along beside him and the next thing I knew he sped up and was gone. Very strange encounter.

Day 66

Today I met Bobby and Kaya. I was in The Liberties area working on the story, surprise surprise. After searching what seemed like ages for a mother and a school-age kid, I jumped when I saw the two and was even more ecstatic when they told me they lived in the area. My story is about the swine flu (yippy) and needed to ask Bobby, the mother, how she felt about the vaccinations and if she planned on getting one for her daughter. She swept back her frizzed hair and looked down at her daughter playing with her pigtails, "I probably will get her vaccinated, yeah." Her face was of concern especially after I told her that in a couple weeks time, Kaya would be able to get the vaccine. I got her information while the little girl shouted out, "Don't you want my name? Don't you want my name?" I bent down and asked her to which she replied "Kaya." I could't help but be reminded of myself as a kid shouting "Cheese, cheese!" any time a camera was near. She begged for the spotlight too, and she'll get it in the next issue.

Day 65

Today I met a Kevin St. librarian and I have to say, felt pretty stupid. I have been looking for the 200's section in the library for weeks but was never able to find it. The 160's seemed to always bleed into the 300's and there was no other section in sight. Now that I really needed one of these books I asked the librarian where the mysterious 200's section was. An older man peered over his spectacles with a confused look in his eyes but very politely told me that it was in between the 100's and 300's. Well duh. I told him I had trouble finding it the last time but that I would go check again. Of course, there it was. A set of maybe five or six books made up the 200's. No wonder I was never able to find it. Usually I was covered in rain, taking in deep breaths and wanting to get a move on. So, I got my books walked by him and thanked him for helping, especially for nicely helping. I may have felt stupid but at least he didn't make me feel that way.

Day 64

Today I met Luc, an extremely enthusiastic typical journalist, I guess you would say. As the editor for our last issue, he's been busy and under the gun but I don't think I've ever seen him without the slightest crack of a smile. A scrawny kid who probably weighs less than me, it's no surprise hearing he walks 45 minutes to class everyday, rain or shine, no less. Turns out, we don't have it that bad...or maybe we do considering he gets a workout in no matter what. He invited us to his house in Galway for his 21st birthday. Not sure if we'll make it all the way out there, but nonetheless we were excited to be talking to an Irish classmate let alone be invited to something.

Day 63

Today I met Brendan. I was off on another assignment for my embarrassment of a newspaper with Shannon. She was multi-tasking, of course, and talking to the elderly about being alone on Christmas (which was a bit awakward to ask) and if they would be attending Christmas Mass. Brendan was an instant target with his slight slouch, driver's cap, and a pair of kind eyes accented with deep crow's feet; a cute old man at his finest. We huddled together under a canopy hoping to get some shelter from the misty and raging cold wind. Brendan was probably the fifth person Shannon had talked to and I begun to realize even though these people weren't "alone on Christmas" like the subjects we were looking for, they were still alone. Once you got to talking, it was hard to leave. They skipped their buses, they stood in the freezing cold and they gave you trinkets just to have the chance to sit and talk to someone. I got the feeling Brendan didn't care who we were, why were talking to him or frankly, what we were even talking about. His eyes simply lit up with the chance to talk about his family and his wife who passed away over 30 years ago. Amazingly and sadly, I'm not sure if his heart ever mended after that. I could tell how much he missed her and it made me hope that someday when I'm old, I won't be alone: in any sense of the word. One elderly lady even said, " It's important not to be alone, the ones you care about are the ones that keep you going."

Day 62

Today I met a Belgian girl outside of a classroom and before I could even get her name she was kissing my cheek...and then the next. I've gotten used to the "french way" with my roommate and friends but I've never seen this girl in my life and I would never be prepared for it from a Belgian. Come to find out, her name was something I would never be able to pronounce so we call her Bebe. That's all I know about the strange girl but I guess I should enjoy getting kisses instead of snickers from the other international students. I should really stop dwelling on being hated so much but I can't help it when that damn French kid with the scarf laughs at me every week. I'll be heading to Paris for Christmas in a little over a month. Because of him, I pray people like me.

Day 61

Today I met Ina, possibly the cutest German girl I've come across. I met her outside of one of my Erasmus classes. She's a simple but beautiful girl dressed quite plainly compared to the Irish students decked out in what would normally be my going out attire. Most of the people I ignore. They often make their opinions on Americans known but Ina was happy to meet me. Turns out, she is in my newspaper class as well and was just as appalled by the recent issue as I was. She seems to be a quiet girl but I could tell she was a little more than dissapointed by the apparent "tabloid" paper we're writing for. It was a relief to find someone who shared my point of view and I'm happy to see her in class now knowing I'm not the only one dreading every minute of it.

Day 60

Today I met what I supposed to be a football coach and his obnoxious middle-school-age players. I was stuck on a bus with them...facing them, as the little boys continued to yell at their coach, a twenty-something who thought he was the cream of the crop. The coach always replied with a flip of his middle finger to which the kids laughed and started yelling again. I couldn't help but be reminded of a time when my pesky little brother and his friends were like the plague and the smells of sweat and god knows what other body odors filled the air. I and the poor guy across from me tried to distract ourselves with what stop we needed to get off at but it didn't help much. Thank god it was the bus and not a train. I could have smacked those little dweebs.

Day 59

Today I met a couple on a train. After coming out of the bathroom at the train station in Cork, I realized my train that wasn't supposed to leave for another hour was already boarding. I hopped on and within moments we were leaving. I turned to ask the guy next to me what the deal was and he said the train was late and I just happened to make it on. I was happy to be in a seat and not carrying around my luggage and would be getting into town an hour early. After getting settled I glanced over at him and his girlfriend, I suppose and the goldfish in between them. I couldn't help but let out a laugh and they just shrugged and laughed along. They both seemed pretty cool and relaxed. She had her brown hair thrown back in a bun on top of her head and slept most of the ride bundled up in a bright purple blanket. He, in his beat up sweats and runners, worked on a crossword puzzle and sang Maroon 5 louder than entirely necessary but he didn't seem to care. In fact, at first his voice sounded great but as he played with the notes and intervals, the tune went downhill. Have to admire him, I couldn't possibly sing out loud on a train especially without the fantasy of an iPod filling my ears and everyone else's around me. I only sing along.

Day 58

Today I met Allison. I was sitting alone at my two person table in the bed and breakfast, feeling incredibly awkward. I expected it to be a family-style seating but I guess singles aren't often catered to as well as couples. I walked over to fill up my coffee and asked the only other couple in the room where they were from. Allison was a student from Philedelphia who was studying for a year in Scotland where she met her boyfriend. Of course, they were spending the weekend in Cork celebrating their year anniversary. Great, the one place I went to escape overseas romances for a night, I find a happy cross-continental couple. It wasn't too awful though. They seemed to be more tired and sick than lovey-dovey and mushy (honestly I don't think they were those kind of people anyways). Allison was about my age and talked to me through glasses and a bush of hair that was begging to get out of its ponytail holder. I felt a bit odd in my blouse and boots with hair and makeup done compared to them in their sweats and comfy shoes but at the same time it made me relax. We shared traveling tips and I helped them with the Cork City map so they could find the tourist office. They were both appreciative and quite a lovely couple really. Jealousy just took over for a moment there...how can you blame me?

Day 57

Today I met Anne, the owner of a B&B in Cork. I spent the weekend in the city and Blarney after I realized some much needed R,R&R was in order (rest, RECOVERY, and relaxation). Needless to say I wasn't feeling the best after lugging my duffel around the city for six hours and hiking up to the hours in the pouring rain and a broken umbrella. However, I made it and Anne opened the front door for me with a pleasant smile on her face. Anne is in her mid-forties, I would say, and runs the bed and breakfast along with her husband. She looked like the typical mom and housewife, with her short bob and a constant hurry to her step. I wasn't surprised by this once I met her pre-teen daughter and heard a small dog bark in the background. She helped me as I shook the raindrops from, well, every inch of my body, and showed me my room. Although it wasn't the ideal B&B experience, it was cheap, the bed was incredible, I had my wine and chocolate, and I woke up to a hot breakfast. Thanks Anne for the hospitality and a chance to get a small part of my head back together. Now, back out in the rain.

Day 56

Today I met the real Marc, my professor. We finally all went out to a pub after class. He led us through the back streets showing us great places to eat that we ended up stopping by later on and we ended at Grogan's Castle Lounge, a run-down pub charmingly filled with artists and their work hanging on the walls. Marc wanted to have our drinks outside and despite the heat lamps above the patio, I froze my ass off on possibly the coldest night since I've been hear. I sat shivering trying to add to an intellectually stimulating conversation. Turns out Marc is a surprisingly liberal man for his age who has no problem with a joint every now and then and had just finished a class bashing Ireland's parliament. Though, he has a soft side as well which comes out when he references his girlfriend and their house in the country. Sounds like he lives a fantanstic life and I have to thank him for having so much enthusiasm and interest in his class and his students. Although he may be outspoken and throw his opinion in your face, it a nice change from stagnant, objective lectures back home.

Day 55

Today I met Barry.  He and his wingman were trying to tell me he was a professional tennis player who traveled the world.  He was an attractive Irish guy who stood at a very appealing 6 foot 5.  Maybe at one time in my life I would have just said "Screw it" and believed in the fantasy but tonight was not that night.  I wasn't going to believe a word they said in their grand scheme to pick me up.  I later googled him.  He really is a professional tennis player.  Hmm.

Day 54

Today I met Wolverine.  It's Halloween in Dublin and that means the freaks can be themselves and everyone else can be freaks.  After meandering through witches, trannies, sexy (fill in the blanks), and superheroes, we finally found a pub we could breathe in: Temple Bar strangely enough.  As I was sipping my Bulmers, Wolverine asked me for the umpteenth time that night if I was Michael Jackson.  No, I was a gangster without a gun.  We talked for a while about I don't know what as he annoying poked me with his blade...things.  I found out later he thought I was Irish the whole time, "snobby Irish" as he described it.  I don't know if actually being American is better or worse than that in his eye.

Day 53

Today I met the librarian who took all of my books away from me.  She was laughing and chatting with a cute co-worker when I approached the desk only to find out I couldn't renew my books I needed.  She pleasantly set them aside with names of my classmates attached to them and I walked away not so pleasantly.

Day 52

Today I met a Norwegian girl that knocked on my door.  Of course, she was looking for my third roommate who is never around especially when hoards of people need to see her.  This results in constant knocking on my doors and windows at all hours of the day and night.  Anyways, the girl was actually nice unlike the usual people who I answer to.  She was dressed in a flapper costume for a pre-Halloween party and believe it or not, it was completely flapper-esque, not slutty flapper at all.  She just needed to grab some speakers and by her accent I could have sworn she was American or Canadian.  Although, she did spend a year in Michigan, she's Norwegian.  Couldn't believe my ears.  Come to find out later, she's just as bad as the rest of them.