"I shall be so brief that I have already finished" Dali

24 (Hours)

The following takes place between 4 p.m. (PST) Thursday, October 30th and Midnight (GMT) Friday, October 31st, 2008.  Events occurred in real time:

Thursday, October 30th

4 p.m. (PST)  

Leave Edmonds

5 p.m.  

Arrive Sea-Tac Airport

7:30 p.m.  

 Depart Seattle

10 hour flight

12:30 p.m.  (GMT)       

  Arrive London Heathrow

2:00 p.m.  

Check into Yotel Hotel (The only hourly hotel that welcomes

 your wife

  and kids as well and makes London Heathrow somewhat pleasant)

8:00 p.m.  

  Check out of Yotel Hotel

10:30 p.m.  

Hour flight to Cork, Ireland

Midnight  

   Home

Jet lag is an ugly thing--will be back on in a bit--good to be "home"!

Progress Report...

Two months plus in Cork and leaving for Paris, London, Seattle, New York for three weeks for our first extended trip out of Ireland...

 

REPORT CARD

Apartment A-  

A garden would have been nice

St. Maries of the Isle B+   

A couple more English speakers would have been nice

Cork A     

Fantastic, vibrant city with nary a mall in site.  English Market is both Pike Place Market and Union Square Farmer's Market.

CW's Family A

Have stepped up helping with the DCs and have given us plenty of space

Exploring Europe B-   

Amsterdam, London, Paris...if we get Italy in November grade will go up a bit..

Exploring Ireland C

Dublin and Kilarney...a ways to go here especially only 2 pints in 2 counties...

Business prospects A-    

Ahead of schedule...have incorporated, know what we need for wine license,  found a neighborhood we like, opened business account..but, probably going to leave on trip without space unless potential landlord drops rent...

Overall, smooth move--probably will stay two years but if we don't have  a business in Cork by fall, 2009, we will begin to look at other cities in Europe and then beyond...

I have no idea...

Wine is fine, but beer...

Oh, a pint would be nice about now (or several glasses of wine ago).  No beer in wine bars here.  The powerful publican lobby has seen to that.  All the places I visited were perfectly respectable (and I was as well--pretty much), but nothing special.  Trying to find that place where you say, "Ah, this would work in Cork..or Edmonds..or New York, etc.."--it just doesn't happen.  To be in this business, you have to possess a certain amount of confidence and a lot of lack of risk aversion.  You can never be certain what's going to work--doesn't matter if you spend ten grand or ten million.  One thing we don't mind is opening in an economic downturn (understated?) as you get a better sense of reality of the business you will do over time.   Our first bar (in New York) opened in December, 2001--not  a great time in New York.

A trip to the Big City...

Dado is going to America for a while so we rented a car for a mid-week visit to Kilkenny--actually, CW and DCs went to visit Dado.  They dropped me at the Thomastown Train Station-makes Edmonds Depot look like Grand Central--for a two hour ride to Dublin.  Yes, the big city (of Ireland).  After several months in Cork, arriving in Dublin is like being on a different planet--smooth, suave, sophisticated--at least by Irish standards.  I was travelling to Dublin under the pretext of going to the Irish Food Show--lots and lots of cheese--as well as a couple of nights of "researching" wine bars as we are thinking about taking the wine bar plunge in quiet little Cork.  The food show was like all the others I have attended over the years.  The highlight was finally meeting John Gowan, who owns Cork City Coffee Roasters.  Great coffee and John is married to an Edmonds gal (nee Strickland) and he used to live there.  His retail store happens to be a few doors down from where we are thinking about opening the wine bar--it will be an Edmonds Dynasty! Time to drink some wine!   

2 Down, 30 to Go...

International Bar, County Dublin, Dublin

This is where things go horribly wrong...

Several months ago, I went to pick up our rental car for the trip to Dado's house in Killkenny. The car rental space is located on McCurtain Street on the northside of the city, across the River Lee, a short hop from city centre.  Several doors down from the car rental place, I noticed an empty storefront that used to be a traditional music store:  and I thought--that would make a good bar.  Which, for those of you who know me, is not such a big deal.  I think every space I see would make a good bar and fortunately for all of us other people exist who are able to envision hospitals, parks, museums...Didn't think of the space again until recently after I had made some inquiries on some other spaces in different neighborhoods.  I kept coming back to the space though and finally started asking around the neighborhood who owned it.  Turns out the space used to be part of the restaurant next door (the blocked up archway in the photo was the door that connected the spaces), but the owner let some friends use it for a music shop.  I called the restaurant a number of times looking for the owner to no avail and was told the space had been rented already.  Anyway, finally reached the owner, George, and yes indeed he had committed the space to a take away shop.  But, he said to call him in a couple of weeks because his tenant was "messing around" with the lease.  A week or so later, when CW was getting her eyes checked (the stability of our relationship is based mostly on her poor eye sight--I've told her I kind of look like Gabriel Byrne if she squints) in the neighborhood, I was "skulking" around the space as I tend to do.  Well, lo and behold the door opened and out popped George.  I introduced myself and told him I was very interested in the space.  Yes, he said, you told me that a week ago on the phone.  He did ask, however, what I wanted to do with the space and I said wine bar.  Hmmm, said George, give me a call Monday (it was then Friday) and we'll see where my current tenant is.  Monday came around and I went and met George. He told me that the take-away guy still wanted the shop but George's wife liked the idea of a wine bar in the space (leave it to the women!)  Anyway, I then gave George a package of photos and reviews of our New York and Edmonds bars as well as an Irish attorney and an Irish accountant who "represented" "my company"  (I got their names out of the phone book and was trying to get an appointment with them).  So here we are.  No lease signed yet but it looks promising. Are we out of our minds?  There are probably 5000 pubs in Cork City and exactly one wine bar (Meade's) Hmmm?  The publicans here have a very strong lobby and will do anything to keep the value of pub licenses (okay to serve beer wine spirits without food) extremely high (200,000-400,000 Euro just for the license)  However, the whole wine thing is a bit new here so wine licenses are not an issue as publicans see no threat.  In order to serve beer with wine however, we would have to serve a "substantial meal", have no bar, and only serve beer with the meal.  Screw that!  Will a wine bar work in Cork?  Not a clue but why not roll the dice.  Off to a restaurant show in Dublin this week as well as to check out the wine bar scene there.  Did meet with an accountant (good) and attorney (expensive)  We have the accountant forming a company just in case we go ahead with this but the attorney stuff I am attempting to do to save money.  Also, trying to get up to speed with health and building codes, where to find carpenters (Irish carpenters?  really?) plumbers, electricians, etc.., etc... Even if we don't go ahead with this space, the education has been interesting.  And, CORK would most likely replace MILAN on the window.  More to follow!

Not "Child's Play"

This is not Chucky from the aforementioned movie and I was subject to the wrath of my Dutch friend Sylvia when I suggested as much.  Apparently, it's a well-known much-loved Dutch doll from her childhood-oops.  And when I staggered up two flights of steep stairs (Dutch go up not out with their houses--right up there with Bangladesh in per capita population per area) after drinking strong European beer all night,(Quick bad joke: what do American beer and making love in a canoe have in common? Both f$x@ing next to water) this "doll" was waiting on my pillow.  Anyway, more on my last night later.  Trip was great. Friday:  Walked from our apartment in the pouring rain to the bus stop where I got the 6 a.m. bus to the airport (5 Euro--not bad)  My flight to London Stanstead was 9 Euro but because Ryan Air likes the add on charges I had to check-in at the gate (5 Euro) because no EU passport.   Then once through security, things looked quite a bit different than, say Sea-Tac:  Lots of 7 a.m. drinking at the bars.  And it's everyone, not just a bunch of louts or hens going away for the weekend--people actually treating travel as something to celebrate--SeaTac? Beer at 7 a.m.? Sure.  Nice smooth 1 hour flight to London--well London Stanstead, an easy train ride to London Liverpool Station.  Took the tube a few stops to Marble Arch and found my hotel (Where my mom and aunt were also staying on their tour).  Had a nice wander around the Grosvenor Square area where I was assigned for a while with that "Government" job--one of my favorite pubs--Red Lion--where I had a drink with thee Tom Jones-- was boarded up--wonder if he still has my boxer shorts I gave him?  Anyway, eventually found my mom and Rose Marie and because we were in London, we went out for Chinese food???? Next day, we went to Harrod's--wow, I am not much of a shopper but this store is pretty impressive!  No wonder Di was gonna hook up with this family. Went to a proper English pub for dinner and then I headed on the train to Harwich where I boarded the overnight ferry to the Netherlands--very impressive for 51 sterling--my own huge en-suite room, casino, restaurants, kids areas, cinema--had a bite/drink and then woke up as we were pulling up to Holland.  Quick train to Amsterdam and an easy tram to my hotel.  Ahhh, Amsterdam.  London left me a bit cold apart from some nice memories of previous visits--but Amsterdam--8 months to 80 years--all on bikes--in sweats and tuxedos and evening dresses.\ Yes, I am a sucker for bike transportation as those of you know who know me know well. Borrowed a bike at my hotel and went riding around--hadn't been to Amsterdam in a few years so took a while to get my bearings.   Red Light District:  like any good thing, used to be better. Now tour buses fill up the streets and it's a parody of itself.  But anyway, I went looking for it just to see its current state.  Missed it by a block (how is that possible?) and ended up in Cafe 't Mandje, a bar founded by one of Amsterdam's first open Lesbians--Bet van Beeren (1927-2007). Great mixed crowd and loads better than the Red Light District.  More biking/drinking next day and then a lunch with mom and Rose Marie.  Took the commuter train out 30 minutes to Sylvia (Dutch) and Johns' (Scottish) house--they have two dreadful creatures about DCs' ages. Have known these two friends ten years plus so a great visit even though Sylvia pointed out that they weren't those hip Dutch people who live in City Centre and put a family of four on a bike.  After a great night of Moroccan food, German beer, and a frightful night with Chucky, I was on my flight back to Cork.  All well at home except YDC freaked out at first day of preschool--CW left him anyway.  This weekend, I am on my own (payback??) with the DCs as CW is off to Dado's to see some relations.  That's it--looking forward to Edmonds.  May take one more trip before Edmonds to Littlehampton UK to buy a Dutch bike--21 hour ferry ride home--ouch!!.  My new favorite web site: "The Man in Seat 61"--thinking about the train to Casa Blanca in November! And also for anyone interested, I am doing Wainwright's Coast to Coast walk in June, 2009.  If you can walk and then drink, this is for you.  It's a 190 mile walking pub crawl from sea to sea.

London Calling

I am off to see me mum and her sister in London tomorrow. Then getting a overnight ferry to Amsterdam Saturday night(don't worry, it's the Belgians who forget to close the doors on their boats -circa 1987) where I will hook up with them on Sunday. Visiting Dutch/Scotish friends Monday night outside Amsterdam and then home Tuesday. Will try to report from the road and any Red Light District visits will be pure as well as purely in the name of research. Doei!

Dutch lesson: doei (do-we) = goodbye

Hey, you talking to me?

This is ODC and her new friend Eva at St. Maries of the Isle lounging around the classroom.  As soon as we figure out what language Eva's parents speak, we are going to invite her over for a play date.

"I got the news today, oh boy..."

Today Older Dreadful Creature brought home St. Maries of the Isle official "Track Suit" policy. Track suits are to be worn to school on Mondays and Wednesdays.  The good news is that we don't have to spend any more money on extra jumpers at Marks and Sparks as well as feeling that we have been truly accepted by the posh Irish track suit crowd--most mornings I go to the gym(no life of leisure here) after dropping ODC at school so it's possible that we may be walking together in matching suits.  If I can get YDC and the trouble and strife in them, the world is our oyster!!! 

Rhyming Cockney slang lesson:  Marks and Sparks = Marks and Spencer, a UK- based        department store

         Trouble and strife = wife

Root cause of Irish underage drinking solved (by me)

According to our Irish Lonely Planet Guide, there are exactly four children's activities in all of Ireland: Fota Wildlife Park, Kilarney Jaunting Cars, a musuem in County Kerry, and some dolphin that's tame enough to swim with. Well, we have been here a month, and have already done two of the four kids' activities. This past weekend we did the traditional Kilarney Jaunting Car with the dreadful creatures--I think these Irish horsemen work off-season at Central Park's carriage rides.

"He ain't heavy, he's my..."

This is gonna cost us some counseling sessions...

Whew!

Made it through Day One--and not any visible marks!

"Mama pyjama rolled outta bed..."

This makes Holy Rosary Edmonds seem absolutely Bucolic!

Call. Blow. Pump.

ODC teaching classmate CPR--grade promotion any day now!

Theme music from Jaws

ODC cautiously approaches St. Maries of the Isle--probably shouldn't have let her watch the Magdalene Sisters last night.

"Attention class. Class attention. Class! Shut up!!!! Thank you.

We knew we liked Older Dreadful Creature's (ODC) teacher when she rugby tackled a little Irish boy who, not quite ready to leave the cocoon, was running crying after his parents.  She was still restraining him when we left the classroom--fantastic! Eggs are meant to be coddled in Europe, but not children. We had also wanted a bit of cultural diversity for ODC and boy we got it--I thought I had wandered into a United Nations Peace Conference when I walked into the classroom.  Further investigation required, but my guess is our ODC and the little Irish boy are the only native English speakers--that's inner city Ireland 2008.   No automated bell system but rather a nun walking the halls with a hand bell.  Anyway, ODC loved her first day! 

Let the Beatings begin...

Tomorrow is Older Dreadful Creature's (ODC) first day in "Junior Infants" (???) at St. Maries of the Isle in Cork, Ireland.  Her fourth school in four years, three cities and two countries--she will be well-prepared for next year:  French military boarding school.  We wandered over to the school today to buy some supplies and her official St. Maries of the Isle track suit (for real) and we're talking "old school" Roman Catholic:  nuns in habits (carrying black jacks--just kidding), etc...--but extremely friendly welcoming people.  ODC will be studying the ever practical Irish language (I thought it was the Chinese who were going to take over the world) and a multitude of other subjects.  The older school girls were out on the streets today in a various array of lovely uniforms--two things Holy Rosary Edmonds could take note of:  school ties and no white tennis shoes or sneakers on the young ladies or boys for that matter--looked so much nicer. We were also told that that school is so cold in the winter that the kids wear their track suits-- all day--to keep warm and also prepare them for Irish professional life.

Irish lesson:  "Now I'd be deceiving yeh if I'd said yes or no" = I don't know   

Cause like a princess she was lying there, moonlight dancing off her hair..

Well, I am sure my older readers can fill in the rest of that 1974 Sammy Johns classic hit.  Chickens never had it so good.  The two vans are their coops in Dado's front yard.

Soon to be patented, "Hoop the Children"

When the Dreadful Creatures got tired of slaughtering chickens at Dado's house, we went back to the old Edmond's backyard standby.  Required:  Hula hoop, grass, candy for the kids to run to while trying to avoid a hurling hula hoop.

31 to go...

One of my more loftier goals in our time here is to have a pint in each of the 32 counties.  County Wexford, the Rag in New Ross.

Be Prepared

As we learned on the way back to Cork from Dado's house, petro stations are in short supply here.  As we finally rolled into one, the non-gasoline choices for the dreadful creatures were a touch limited.

Irish lesson:  Minerals and Chocs = Soda (or pop for our Edmond's friends) and candy

See you next time, Dado

Just another manic Monday...

Fairly typical Monday morning:  up with Dado, stop by petro station for bad cup of coffee, drive to Kilkenny City, go to anonymous car park, buy three ducklings out of back of lorry because Dado likes duck eggs for breakfast.  I tell you, saving loads on petting zoo fees with the visit to Dado's.

Irish Lesson:  car park = parking lot; lorry = truck

I think I need a hamburger..

With the dreadful creatures pulling each other's hair out,  CW in front of the Olympics (aside--have to like the Irish commentator today--as one of the USA women's relay team was being awarded its gold by an IOC official who happened to be a Sikh, the comment was, "They trot out some strange fellows don't they"--tomorrow an Irish boxer will be going for the gold; great to be in a country with so much pride on the line while watching a sporting event.aside over) and Dado was chopping and stacking wood.  So, I got on with my touring.  Drove down to New Ross, County Wexford and boarded the Dunbrody, a "famine" ship" that sailed to New York in 1845 full of hungry Irish people.  Character actors portrayed the various passengers/crew who would have been onboard and let's just say it would have been no Queen Mary 2.  Anyone needing to straighten out their over-indulged children would be wise to give them a "Scared Straight" experience here.  

Over the hills and through the woods to Dado's house we go!

We have left the comforts of the city (now there's a bad idea) and have driven to the "country" for a few days--Knocktopher, Kilkenny to be exact.  Driving on the wrong side of the road wasn't as bad as I expected--only a few near head-ons when I momentarily lapsed into States' habits.  One of the last times I drove on the "wrong" side of  the road was in Lahore, Pakistan. We were in bit of a hurry and trying to get around a herd of goats in the road. So we headed toward a narrow alley.  My partner Doug's last words were, "Looks a little tight" and mine were "Loads"--and then I wedged the car between to two walls, instantly to be surrounded by fifty pointing and laughing Pakistanis (I have never been anywhere in the world where a crowd forms as fast as in Pakistan).  Anyway,  yesterday's trip was less eventful.  Last night, we ate carrots and potatoes from Dado's garden and this morning we will have eggs from the chickens he keeps in two rusty vans in his front yard--and I thought my friend Grant was bad--So Dado and Current Wife (CW) are still sleeping this Saturday morning and I am up with the two dreadful creatures.  I have tried to make a fire in the stove so I can make a yummy cup of Dado's instant coffee.  But Dado has no kerosene,  and I filled the entire house with smoke. Dado and CW are either still sleeping or have perished from smoke inhalation (that would mean we were only married one month--whoopee!).   I now have googled  "Starbucks, Ireland" and got Dublin--a mere two hour drive up country.  So I gotta go now--have to resuscitate, I mean wake up CW, and tell her I am going out for coffee and a paper.

Irish lesson # 3:  Dado = Grandpa

On a happier note...

Family portrait brought to you by Pez.

Aloha, Bill

"Bill, I love you so, I always will..."  So sang the 5th Dimension and so say I today.  You hit a certain point in life where the wedding invitations seem to dry up and deaths of loved ones start to pile up on your doorstep.  My dear friend (and second cousin) Bill Wormington passed away this weekend in Honolulu, Hawaii and the world is a much lesser place.  Bill was in his eighties, but was in the midst of heading on another 'round the world trip this fall--I had hoped to meet him and his wife Judy somewhere on their itinerary.  I first met Bill in 1990 when, in the midst of one of those "government" jobs, I got plunked down in Manhattan, never having been and knowing not a soul.  An aunt passed on Bill's number to me and the very day I called him I was soon at a wild party ala "Breakfast at Tiffany's" style in their tiny apartment meeting all sorts of crazy characters.  That began an eighteen year friendship that contained at its roots a deep affection for everything  New York City, unlimited desire for world travel, and a fondness for art--the art of drinking.  Bill was generous with both time and spirit.  His Manhattan apartment became my home when I would blow in from "adventures" in  Pakistan and his Catskills retreat was my escape from the City.  His cabin was filled with books, records from the 40s, booze and had a wood burning hot tub.  I used to try to replicate his fire starting skills and would come back in the house  sorely disappointed- with him just shaking his head--until the night I saw him soak the lot with a cup of kerosene.  Every Fourth of July he would venture down to Chinatown and fill his car with illegal fireworks bound for the country--Judy and I would proceed to have exceedingly dangerous firecracker wars.  Motorcycles, dogs, guns, skiing, scotch, hiking, fix-it--Bill was all man and yet was a complete soft touch.  He retired first to the Catskills but just too quiet for him after all those years in the City.  They completely switched gears and moved permanently to Kona, Hawaii where he spent his last years (one which included trekking around Mount Everest).  In January of this year, as fate would have it, I spent two weeks in Kona, literally across the street from Bill and was able to enjoy his company every day.  As my trip was winding down, Bill and I went to the Harbor House where Bill swore the beer was coldest on the planet--he would know!  He said to me, "Brian,  other people need stuff, you and I need to see the world." You're right, Bill, and now I will travel for you.  I miss you and God damn, you left too soon!

"It's not the critic that counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or when the doer of deeds could have done better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and  sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt

Catch-22 by Joseph O'Heller

So, in order to open a bank account here you need proof of address.  For proof of address, you need an ESB (i.e. PUD, Con Ed) utility bill.  To sign up for an ESB account, you need a bank account because ESB only allows direct debit bank  (told you they were a suspicious lot).  And to top it off, you need both an ESB account and bank account to get wireless.  We're screwed!

Irony?

The quintessential Irish oxymoronish address.  It's actually the name of a bar near us.  Never seems to be busy.

Don't Walk

This is ODC trying to cross the street in Cork City Centre.  Not sure where the Irish put all that EU money.  Actually, it's Fota Wildlife Park a short train ride outside Cork.  

Irish lesson # 2:  Wildlife Park = Zoo.

Can't we all just get along?

So well put by our dear friend Rodney.  They are enjoying each other's company for a moment--I think their watching Benny Hill re-runs.

And the full frontal...

That's us in the third floor flat--for those planning a visit, no elevator.

A room with a View

This is the view from the back window of our apartment.  In the upper right pane is the posh building that would not take kids--screw them.  In the upper left pane is St. Finbarr's Cathedral.  Himself was the Bishop of Cork in the 6th century and he is the patron Saint of Cork.  ODC's school, St. Maries, is across the street from the Cathedral, about 5 minute walk from the apartment.  See, from S-H-I-T to religious history in one post--I know who my audience is.

Mister Softee

Sunday morning has become movie day for myself and the ODC.  I am trying to impart to her my love of cinema--you know the snobby subtitle thing.  The last three weeks have been Wall-E, Kung Fu Panda, Space Chimps.  Well, today our local theater had run out of "kids movies" and ODC had seen this advert over the last few weeks and has been begging me.  No matter that her 8 and 10 year old cousins were next door watching Wall-E--she wanted to see "Wild Child".  So, I relented being the soft touch that I am.  Well, the very very first word of dialogue was "S-H-I-T exclamation point" followed shortly by "BEE-AUTCH" yes, even ODC understands that pronunciation.  All in  all, the film, rather movie, was fairly harmless and most of it went over her head.  Thankfully next Sunday we will be far out in the countryside at CW's Dad's place.  Somewhere on Second Avenue North someone is saying a Novena for me when in fact she should be thanking me for prescreening the film for her.

Irish Language Lesson #1:  Candy Floss = Cotton Candy.  Seems a bit strange how something that rots your teeth contains a dental reference.  Also, no twizzlers or anything similar are sold at Irish theaters.  The madness continues. 

It's been one week since...

Yes, I am a lame blogger. Getting wireless here for your personal computer is not a simple matter. In addition, CW and I have been having the t.v. or no t.v. debate and that has slowed down things as well. ODC has never had t.v. in her first five years so...Well, a bit to report. I have been officially been granted permission to remain in Ireland for one year and am entitled to work (too bad) and benefits (?). It would have been longer but due to my recent marriage, Irish Immigration will renew my status after a year and give me an additional four years. Still working out what health benefits, etc.. we are entitled to. Since the huge influx of foreigners (me and 50,000 Polish Butchers), the social services have tightened up bit. But hey, it's great seeing the "dark" Irish on the streets in this new world. We did move into an apartment--Apt 3, 12 Dyke Parade, Cork. And this is why I don't allow posts--can you see the multitude of "woman in comfortable shoes walking by" comments I would receive. See, so there. Anyway, the Irish family that has seen it says we got good value (1100 Euro per month ) and it's furnished as are most apartments here. 5 minutes from St. Maries (ODC's school), 8 minutes from Fitzgerald Park (Cork's Central Park or maybe I should say Edmond's City Park), 10 minutes from University College Cork (UCC) Health Club where we get a discount as CW is a graduate (so she says). Am preparing a small picture book of my Irish daily life that will be on view at Daphnes so you can envy my life or most likely appreciate yours even more. Speaking of envy, We will be travelling to Paris for a few day in October before flying to Edmonds/New York the last two weeks in October. Hope to do a couple of guest bartending shifts at Daphnes if allowed. Missing so far? Big, powerful hot showers--taking a shower here is like being drooled on by a passed out drunk. YDC has chosen not to sleep anymore so we are delirious at the moment but all in time. The apartment is decent sized so guests from the States are now officially invited...C'mon, after years of having Irish people who CW supposedly was related to lounging in my apartment, it's time for revenge. Well, I know most of you must get to the Monroe Fair I mean the Taste of Edmonds--is there any difference? I remain your humble reporter.

The Sweet Sounds of Home...

It's 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning with CW and DCs still fast asleep. I have always preferred baseball on the radio and for $14.95 for the entire year I can listen to any game on my computer. So here I am in Cork listening to San Diego and San Francisco play in extra innings (Mariners were losing 10-0 so I went with the competetive game). This weekend is a "bank holiday" (Monday off) so Irish people can go away for the weekend and be rained on somewhere else. Things are looking up in the living arrangements. We have looked at about eight apartments/houses--one actually with a big backyard--but the place was twenty minutes out of city centre. We placed a deposit on an apartment within a five minute walk of St. Maries of the Isle (ODC's school) Even so, I still had to get a lecture from four agents in the real estate office about raising the DCs in City Centre. Sorry about the lack of photos at the moment. I am afraid of breaking CW's sister's computer so I am waiting until my computer is up and running before I post photos--hopefully late next week. All in all, apart from the whole "anti-city Children" living, the only slight negative in our first few Irish days is a bit of sticker shock with the prices here. We knew the dollar-Euro rate was horrible, but the cost of everything here is bloody awful--six-pack of Coors Light is 10.99 Euro--you do the math, it's too early here. I have found a couple of pubs which I particularly like. One is owned by a fella whose brother owns a bar in Long Island, New York. Speaking of small world, CW has already run into several friends in the street. Not bad for a town of about 120,000. That's it for now. Again, sorry about no photos. I know my writing isn't quite painting vivid colorful pictures of Irish living-well, mostly my writing but also it is quite grey and drab here. Cheers.

Children Need Not Apply in Vulgaria,...er Cork!

Yes, it appears we have arrived in Vulgaria with Jemima and Jeremy with a Child Catcher lurking around every corner in Cork City Centre (their spelling, not mine). Our efforts to find housing in City Centre have been stymied and thwarted at every turn by evil real estate agents who outright refuse or reluctantly offer to show us apartments in City Centre because they do not believe we should be raising children without grass, parks, other children, etc...As most of you know, our children have been denied those discretionary items from the day they were born. Today, this discrimination reached a pinnacle when Norma from Absolute Property Management outright refused to let us schedule an appointment with her office if we were intending on living in City Centre with Children. WE SHALL NOT BE DENIED OUR SORDID FILTHY CITY LIVING AND I SHALL FIGHT NO MORE FOREVER--NOT-- or something like Chief Joseph said.
This does not end here now!

First Impressions!

Began the day late as we were all a bit wrecked by a long day of travel. Looked at two apartments--small but near ODC's school (Older Dreadful Creature). Two unsolicited remarks that St. Maries is a great school and they were surprised we got her in. Fashion wise, Cork makes Seattle look like Milan--must have been a huge air drop of track suits. The people seem very stern and suspicious but met a bar owner and his family as well as a barista who were quite nice--no one walks around with lattes here--a bit refreshing. Well, it's pouring rain and I am off to walk the city without CW and DCs--and maybe a pint.

Date Line "Still" Southhampton

Getting off the boat went extremely smoothly--so smoothly that we have been at the Southhampton Airport for 5 hours with the dreadful creatures because the one daily flight to Cork does not leave until 4:20 p.m. this afternoon.  The dreadful creatures' white sailor suits have colored "airport grey",  every possible diversion tried, and this airport is becoming extremely smaller by the minute.  CW's mother and sister are meeting us at the  airport which means two taxis to CW's sister's loaner apartment.  What do you think?  Happy Irish family reunion in one and Daddy with the luggage with the other.  Well, final leg folks.  Assuming we don't have a "Quantas Air" enroute, my next post shall be from jolly old England, I mean Ireland--In Shallah! The photos are posting not so well right now so the one with this one will show the family sprawled all over the airport.  Cheers!

Dateline Southhampton

Well, that's it then.  Slowly piloting toward Southhampton early Monday morning, July 28th, 2008.  New country, new wife, new life.  Always good to leave the comfort zone and Edmonds was extremely comfortable for us.  The whole family was embraced by my hometown:  the Edmonds business community, Holy Rosary Church, the Montessori Mothers, my drinking buddies and especially the Daphnes crowd--hard to imagine finding those characters again.

What we did find however, with the exception of our best friends in Bellingham, those friends with whom we enjoyed long distance relationships while we were in New York were not necessarily the ones we became reacquainted with when we arrived in Edmonds.  We found that it is not always easy to arrive in a new place--hometown or not--and fit in perfectly with friends and family who already have established local lives.  If Ireland works out half as well as Edmonds, we will be thrilled.  Instead of arriving by circumstance of death, this time we made a conscious choice to move--albeit a decision made in little over a month.  Can we get that new bar open?  Will CW figure out how to fit in with her family's established routine let alone add me and the dreadful creatures?  Are we going to enjoy Ireland as much as Edmonds if we don't open a business?  And most importantly, can I get that pedicab driver job and are there Polar Bears in Cork?  Don't worry though--we won't get too comfortable.  I have already put the following moves on the table once we start enjoying Ireland:  Lisbon, Paris, Rome, Kathmandu and even our beloved Manhattan.  Stay tuned and I will report next from Ireland--God willing.  Time to disembark--that's Queen Mary 2 speak for get the hell off the boat!  

Going to the Chapel...

Yes, we finally did it! On Tuesday morning, July 22, 2008, we made it official and got married at New York City Hall. We stayed at the Duane Street Hotel a few blocks away for the two nights before, so we were able to walk over. The morning of, myself and one and half year-old headed out to the streets of Tribeca for a boys' morning after stbw returned from the flower market. One of stbw's fashionista friends sent over a stylist for stbw's hair and makeup and Tal, a photographer friend, spent the morning with us taking photos. Other than that, it was just the four of us and an unknown witness we grabbed from the line to sign for us. A bit of waiting after we paid our ceremony fee of $35, and the two kids managed to throw rose petals pretty much everywhere in City Hall. The ceremony was all of two minutes (Beats the hell out of those Church weddings--no offense Father Haddock). The fun part came after the wedding. Since we are moving overseas, we needed an Extended Form marriage license for it to be valid in other countries. So, you get back in line (5 people ahead of us) at the Records Office. At this point we made a good decision to send cw (current wife) and the two kids back to the hotel. It was 10:30 a.m. and car was picking us up at 1:00 p.m. for the trip to Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. After ten minutes in line, cranky Civil Servant gives me form, tells me how to fill it out, and tells me to get back in line after filling form out. I fill form out, get back in line (ten people ahead of me) and wait. Back again with cranky Civil Servant who takes form and tells me to have a seat until name is called. After twenty minutes, name is called (along with ten other people). I get in line (six people ahead of me) and wait. Cranky Civil Servant gives me a receipt and tells me to go to the next room and pay and then return to her line. I get in Cashier line (twelve people ahead of me) and wait. I pay cashier and return to cranky Civil Servant line (At this point I cannot believe that I have been in this line 4 separate times--this time I am first in line) Mayor Bloomberg, if you are reading this post, please do something--otherwise I cannot support your Presidential ambitions. So, cranky Civil Servant gives me my extended form Marriage License and I am home free! It's noon and I have an hour to pack and have wedding luncheon with the family. No wait, this is New York City and this Civil Servant is really cranky. Along with my extended form Marriage License, she hands me a piece of paper with directions to two separate buildings, which I know are not that close, especially on a 95 degree day in a tuxedo. It turns out, the signature on the license has to be validated by the New York State Supreme Court and the New York Department of State. I won't go into the messy details, but an hour later, I have my signature validations and cw and the kids are picking me up in lower Manhattan just in time for the boat. The process could take the romance out of a Danielle Steele novel!

Hello from the Atlantic!

Hi friends--just when I thought I had found a nice quiet spot on the QM2 for a relaxing posting, I am about to be dislodged due an early am Bridge class.  But hey, that's the life on board this magnificent ship.  So much to tell, and I apologize in advance for the non-chronological posts.  We are a little more than half way through our transatlantic voyage and enjoying every minute of it.  The free babysitting (9 am to Midnight) by English Nannies is as good as advertised though we usually use it mostly for the evening dining.  It's somewhat hysterical and frightening to see some of our fellow European passengers drop off screaming toddlers proclaiming, "You have 'speent' enough time with your Papa, go play!".  Yesterday was by far the roughest at sea, and the five-year old was a bit green.  The ship was built for 5000, yet full capacity is 2500 so there are plenty of places to get lost and find peace--unless of course you choose the card room early Saturday morning.  We have met a number of families who are traveling one way moving from the States to Europe as we are.  Our one and half year old has met a Swedish bombshell toddler and seems to be quite enthralled.  The five-year old loves the swimming pools and I am having a great time wandering the boat. Well, it's time to move on--Bridge is starting and I do not have a clue how to play.  Uh oh, Bridge cancelled due to twelve foot seas! Will try to get a photo of  the water later and pray my luck holds out for not getting sea sick!

Hot town Summer in the City!

Summer in New York is my least favorite season.  Fall, Winter, Spring so much better.  Too hot, too humid, too many tourists who don't know the unwritten rules of New York.  But, movie lines are short and so are shorts.  What is most amazing about this photograph however is that a pedestrian is actually crossing on a "Walk" sign.

More ice cream!

Even in Manhattan on every corner...

Must have it Now!

Four hour wait in line for the new I-phone in Soho yesterday--no thanks!

Sounder Train Suggestion #39

One of the few joys of coming to Jamaica, Queens is returning to the city on the Long Island Railroad.  A beer in a bag of ice is available for purchase on every platform which makes even the most mundane trip far more enjoyable.  Come on Sounder, get on it!

...but I play one on t.v.

I spent yesterday morning in a tiny room in Jamaica, Queens giving a deposition to an attorney representing a customer from one of our bars who was injured in a bar brawl on Father's Day three years ago.  In seven years in the bar business, it is the one incident we've ever had.  Yet we accept even in quiet places like ours, customers misbehaving is a hazard of the business.  On a side note, I am not sure I would hire an attorney named Salami.

Shotgun Wedding!

Apparently, New York City Marriage Bureau employees need to be behind bullet proof glass when issuing licenses.  This is the romantic place we picked up ours yesterday.

Left lane is for passing only!

Major New York subway etiquette breach.  This is one of the escalators that takes you out of the Grand Central Subway Station.  If you are not walking up the escalator steps, you stand on the right side.  You could write a whole book on "unwritten" subway etiquette and volumes on all those New York unspoken rules that you just know after living here for years:  the subway is the train, Greenwich Village is the West Village, Coffee Regular means with milk and sugar, you never wait for the walk sign, and every fourth drink should be a "buyback".

They're Everywhere!

There seems to be an ice cream truck on every block of our neighborhood tonight.  The one-year old's diet continues to go down hill!

More coolness in the Hood!

A clothing boutique across street from bar!

Joys of Jet Lag

STBW and I decided not to worry about the 1 and 5-year olds' sleep patterns this journey as we are crossing a number of time zones in a relatively short time.  So here they are wandering Greenpoint around midnight last evening after a wonderful dinner at Coco 68, a bar/restaurant across the street from our bar (fresh oysters in Greenpoint--who would have thunk it).  Washington State really needs to re-think its kids in bars policies.  I know there's a time and place but at times like this....