The Hat is Back!

And sadly, with it comes winter. It’s cold in Dublin. Yesterday was 3 degrees Celsius. When you convert that to normal temperatures it was still cold at 36F. They salted the steps to the train platform because the heavy frost of the morning more resembled a thin layer of ice. I didn’t sign up for this! I volunteered for mild winters in the low 50’s. I embraced cool summers in the 70’s. No where did anyone mention freezing. It’s the old bait and switch again…

This weekend was pretty girly. I got my hair done (which desperately needed to happen) and I saw Harry Potter. It was fantastic. Goblet of Fire is my favourite of the books, so I realize I’m biased when I say that. But from everyone I know that has seen it, it’s been a hit. I haven’t spoken with my nephew yet but SwissMeliss (my sister) really loved it. And if she did, it’s a fair bet he did as well. I won’t go into any detail here; I just wanted to say that I loved it. And if anyone wants to send me a care package with the first 3 DVDs in it, I’d be forever grateful. (insert batting eyelashes and coquettish smile here)

What else is happening? Oh yeah, because I am trying to commit professional suicide, I’ve taken a new position here in Dublin. My last day with BDP is Dec 2, 2005. I’m joining a small firm near my home. In fact, it’s a 3 minute walk from my front door, which means I’ll no longer be relying on the Dublin Bus system to schlep me around. How nice will that be? I’ll be able to leave the house at exactly 9:27am and still be at work on time, even if I have to wait on the light to cross the street. Contented Sigh… What that means for you is no more Stories of the Bus. (sorry Melanie!) Although, the other day I did see a man fall down on the bus. Seriously, he fell straight over like a cartoon character. Actually, what I saw was his hand fly up; the rest of him disappeared behind a panel. 4 people immediately jumped up to help him back into a seat, and what was funny was this: he wasn’t the slightest bit disrupted. Not embarrassed, not angry, not hurt, not anything other than amused. After he got his hat back he said something about watching out when those drivers take off. Too right, buddy.

My wine tasting classes are getting fun. Everyone is loosening up and starting to talk. We have on woman who seems to be there only to drink the wine. As soon as it hits her glass, the glass hits her lips. No smelling the wine, no evaluating, just Shoot! Last night it took her 3 whole seconds to pronounce (loudly I might add) “Oh that’s much better than the first one!” I believe this is the woman whose husband described a wine as ‘rotting socks’. Personally, I thought it smelled of pineapple, but I’ve been known to be wrong. It’s shaping up to be an interesting class though. We’re studying the same types of wines in different regions of the world. At the moment, we’re in France, studying Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and other local blends. Next we go to Spain and Italy (many cheers went up when he announced it last night. Ok, many cheers from me and the guy sitting across the table from me. The rest of the room was pretty silent. Clearly beginners...) After that we travel to Australia and New Zealand, then on to Chile, with the hopes of an Argentinean Malbec sneaking in, and we round out the course in… um… who else makes wine? We do not, however, go to the US. I can’t say I blame them after seeing what wine the import: Talus, Ernest & Julio Gallo, Turning Leaf, lots of white zin. Not a great crop. And as imports, they lose their value of $3 wines by becoming $15 wines. I might be forced to take some lovelies into class with me. Hm… anyway, after the course is done I’ll post my notes, with my favourites.

A co-worker just came over to tell me that he’s worked with my new firm before and that his office has a great deal of respect for the new place. I’m suddenly very excited. www.jona.ie if you’d like to have a look. It was nice to hear. I was a little afraid he was going to have horror stories for me. I've already signed my contract.

Thursday is Thanksgiving, something I keep forgetting. In fact, an Irishman reminded me of it last week and then lobbied for me to make a traditional meal for the whole office. He was immediately laughed at. But it did get me thinking… My family hasn’t been together for a long time for this particular holiday, we're scattered all over the country (or countries in this case), so it’s never really a holiday I celebrate. It’s an Option-oliday. But this year, since Flatmate Suzie and I have decided to have a proper Christmas, including the tree and holiday cheer, I think it’s time for a proper Thanksgiving. I wonder if I can get a turkey at the butcher’s... I’ve got my mother’s pumpkin pie recipe, FS has the mashed potatoes firmly in hand, and cranberry relish is easy. What else do we need? Stuffing, yams, some sort of veggie, Tums, a nice wine and we should be set. Assuming I can find it, how do I season and cook a turkey?? Hope you all have a wonderful holiday. Eat too much, watch football and try not to fight with your families.

Oh, and as a follow up, I saw Crotchety House Kicking Man again the other day. He was back at the door, peering in and scowling. I’d like to think he was outbid by George Clooney for the property and doesn’t like his movies. More than likely he doesn’t like the project because it doesn’t look like the traditional houses next to it. No more kicking though.