So get this:
Dubliners use water to remove frost from the windshields of their cars.
WATER!
A fellow employee was making casual conversation when she mentioned that she took water to her car this morning to clean off her windscreen. I stopped to confirm what I’d just heard.
“Sure, that’s right,” she said, and continued with her story.
I reeled. My world shook to its foundations. Water to remove ice? (more…)
I started listening to NPR’s Planet Money podcast to understand why The Reserve money market fund broke the buck. I’d read several recommendations for the Planet Money’s analysis, but the financial crisis didn’t shock me until a major money market fund failed to meet my lowest expectations.
My second shock came when I heard a collaborative investigation by NPR and the New York Times that focused entirely on one link in the world’s economic mesh: between Kenosha and Dublin. The story was compelling and illuminating, aside from its personal relevance. It was also riveting to hear how millions of dollars (on paper) moved in 2007, along with me, from the northernmost suburbs of Chicago to the city of Dublin. (more…)
Last week, Ireland’s Government presented its budget for 2009 with the theme, “solidarity and patriotic action in most difficult and uncertain times.” The prevailing response to the the Fianna Fail party, in particular its Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, was that they chose the right tune but played too many notes off-key. To put it in terms from the US election: Lenihan used a hatchet rather than a scalpel.
The proposal that generated the loudest outcry was the introduction of means-testing for medical cards for those over 70 years old. For the past several years, persons over 70 received a card that entitled them to free health care. With budget deficits looming, the Government chose to limit spending on health care for the growing number of Irish people living a longer time. The proposal was a means-test which would eliminate free care for those able to pay their own way, thereby introducing a tiered system of benefits.
The specific extent of means testing was more than a small step away from universal health care — according to the Irish Independent, more than 50% seniors would not qualify for full coverage. The response was immediate outrage. A protest was called for this past Wednesday, to bring that outrage to the door of the Dail on Kildare Street, just a few blocks from our home. (more…)
The Open House Dublin event last year was one of our best Dublin experiences. This weekend is the 2008 Open House event. We’re excited about it, and we’ll have lots of Dublin architecture to share next week!
In preparation, I had lunch at The Cake Café in the Daintree Building this week. It is a gorgeous oasis off my favorite busy street in Dublin, and an achievement in sustainable design, to boot. There were dozens of bicycles parked under an integrated shelter across from the restaurant part of the building, and young and old cyclists were continually coming and going — but not to the café. Maybe I’ll find out why on my next visit.
Last week was gorgeous — sunny and warm. I’d call it an Indian summer.
Yesterday, the temperature seemed to drop a few degrees with every rain shower that passed through. Today is cold. It is more than an autumnal chill; winter sent its forward scouts to Ireland this Thursday.
The doorbell rang after 10:30 last night. Anita woke me up to ask if I’d heard it. The radio was playing in our bedroom, and I insisted that it was just a sound effect from some commercial.
It rang again, more insistently this time. There was no doubt that somebody was at our front door.
“I locked the gate, I swear I did,” Anita said as we put on some clothes to meet our unexpected visitor. We talked quickly, in low voices, as we walked the length of our flat: Who would ring at this hour? Somebody we know? A neighbour? A Guard?
I made a brief case for not answering, on the grounds that it would bring nothing but trouble. I don’t remember how I lost that argument in just a few seconds. (more…)
After our outstanding experience last year, we were not about to let the 2008 Dublin City Cycle pass us by. On Sunday, we woke to a sky that looked ready to rain at any moment, but we were rewarded for our bravery by a dry and pleasantly cool morning.
The year’s route was on the southside (whereas last year’s started on the northside). Just like last year, we were delighted by cycling down streets that are normally dominated by motor vehicles. (more…)
I learned about the Kings of Concrete festival late last week, and I barely remembered to go at midday on Sunday.
It was a gorgeous day, probably the warmest yet, and the sun was beaming its love upon the whole land. Just to walk to the Dublin City Council building was a joy. (more…)
It was summer today!
Hip hip, hooray!
It was a really warm day!
Maybe it will stay…
People swarmed all over the public spaces of Dublin’s city centre today, to enjoy one of what may be just a few summery days of the year. I had a few errands to do, and I found myself compelled to take the long way round. (more…)
Links to peruse at your leisure, presented in no particular order. (more…)
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