More than a month ago, Anita wrote about the shocking revelation that mere water would remove frost from her windscreen.
At least one person expressed skepticism, and we understand the incredulity that might come from the northern latitudes of other continents. So, today, we offer you a video demonstration of this distinctive method. (more…)
The falling popularity of two major political parties in Ireland would be no surprise to anyone who regularly reads the Irish daily newspapers. A recent poll covered by the Irish Independent gives the gist of the situation nicely, so I’ll link to four of the relevant articles here — along with some key quotes for those who want the shorter story.
First, a tiny bit of background information. (more…)
Sunday was gorgeous: warm and partly sunny. Today was almost as nice. It feels like spring!
In some places, robins are a sign of spring. In others, the heavens are the guide.
Here in Dublin, we know it’s spring when the flocks of tour buses take to the streets. (more…)
Alert readers have noticed the regular updates to this blog’s sidebar: daily photos, news stories from Ireland and all over the world, and other items of general interest. If you’d like to see Tumblr entries in full (or subscribe to their RSS feed), go to the website, bugle.tumblr.com.
This week’s tumblr included these items, and more:
(more…)
James Joyce was born in Dublin on this day in 1882. In honour of one of Ireland’s greatest writers, I set out to find his birthplace. (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.
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…)
Powered by WordPress
