Thursday like Not-A-Day

[lagilman]

Felt cranky and useless today. This may be a direct followup to my OAC post of yesterday. Managed to start a new story this morning, but realized within 2 pages that I wasn't quite on-track. Needs a little more time in the barrel. I know the Who, and I know the Where, and I even know the What and the Why, but I'm not quite sure on the How, yet.

Decided maybe I needed to just step away from the to-do list. Took to the sofa with a book, cocoa, and cats. The book was one I've been meaning to read for a while (a friend's first book) and I liked it but wasn't crazy about it (and so will not name it here but said author does not read here so odds are it's not you, no).

Around 4pm I started to feel more myself, so I took care of various office and household things, including (finally) settling my hotel for Dublin. Am starting to get excited, which means I will start planning soon. Half the trip is work, but the other half is going to be vacation, so suggestions welcome --considering no car, and limited time/funds, what's your Must-See opinion?


Tonight, continuing the theme of the day, I tossed my sole New Year's Plan (no wine on days I don't exercise) and opened an inexpensive bottle of wine and poured it into my new Bordeaux-specific glassware (each glass cost 2x what the bottle did!), and made a bowl of comfort food (chicken and ziti w/ tomato sauce and pignoli nuts). Ate it on the sofa, while reading some more. This impromptu-vacation thing? It's kinda nice. Unnerving, but nice.


Tomorrow, we are Back At It. Also got an invite to submit to an anthology. Fun opportunity, and I have time yet, but am starting to feel a little squishy in my schedule. Hrmmm. Time to get out The Big Calender and the Sharpie, and start marking out my days....

Comments

[girasole.livejournal.com]

I have never been to Ireland, but I would go see the Book of Kells and take the tour of the Guinness factory. Your mileage may vary.

[saladinahmed.livejournal.com]

Well, everyone will tell you this -- but yes, see the book of Kells. It's flipping awesome. I'd skip the Guiness factory unless you have a hankering to see a bunch of drunk American frat boys. There are some pretty neat-if-cheesy literary-themed pub crawls as well.

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

Thirding the Book of Kells

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

No chance of car hire? There's some stunning scenery around Dublin. But I fourth the B of K.

[klingonguy.livejournal.com]

Some years back, I was the guest at a Star Trek convention in Dublin. Part of the terms of my coming was that they take me to Trinity College to see the Book of Kells. They did, and I did, and it was sooooo worth it.

[klingonguy.livejournal.com]

I know the Who, and I know the Where, and I even know the What and the Why, but I'm not quite sure on the How, yet.

Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Candlestick. What more do you need?

[lagilman]

I'm only in town 5 days, and some of that's given over to the convention, so I figured I'd focus on staying in town, and next visit do more rambling. I happen to like cities, and it takes me about three days to get the feel of a new one, so...

[my idea of being a tourist: wander. eat. wander some more. get lost as often as possible and see what you discover. within logical safetly limits, anyway]

[lagilman]

Yeah -- the Book of Kells was already on my list (you can't do Medieval studies without developing a Thing about illuminated manuscripts) but I'd been wavering about the Guinness tour. I enjoy a pint every now and again but I'm far more interested in Irish whiskey...

[saladinahmed.livejournal.com]

Re: food: Dublin apparently has a burgeoning global food scene these days. I haven't been there in over ten years, but I hear lots of eastern euopean and asian immigrants have since brought their cuisines with them, and that irish chefs are drawing inspiration. I'd plan one traditional pub meal somewhere they play music and one meal of the "New" Irish cuisine.

Still boggles my noggle that immigrants now move TO Ireland...

Also, not much of a theater-goer myself, but Dublin has a wonderful scene: http://www.dublinuncovered.net/theatres.html

Have fun!