A few snapshots from Saturday

some iPhone photos from today

Today I decided to get some exercise and walk to school. The path to school took me through fields of curious cows and stinging nettles, mysterious and dark patches of hazel forest, barren stretches of unmarked limestone, and through a narrow stretch of grass between ripe blackberry bushes and a farmer's electric fence (good balance was crucial during this stretch). 

I stopped to play with two friendly dogs, and hurried past a yard of unfriendly greyhounds that almost reminded me of Scout. As I found my way back to the main road, I looked up and saw a castle in the distance. It occurred to me that that castle is my school and how very lucky I am to be living here. 

Then, 7 hours later I absolutely had to get out of the studio, so I took a walk up the hill and photographed some of the scenery. It was beautiful.

I took a walk to clear my head yesterday evening as the sun was starting to set. I turned around at one point to find this hill completely illuminated by the sun. It was surreal and beautiful. I know the photo doesn't capture how spectacular the moment was, but I tried.

The All-Ireland Hurling Final was this Sunday. Clare vs. Cork. It was a tie, which I didn't realize could happen, so I have a couple of weeks to hoard every blue and yellow wearable object I can find to properly deck myself out in Clare colours for the rematch. Can't wait.

part 2

Another video from Saturday night's Irish language conference dinner. This woman is 92 years old and has more passion and energy than anyone else I know. This is a poem she recited for us all, along with the background story:

There was an Irish language conference in Ballyvaughan this weekend, and I was fortunate enough to have been included in the festivities this afternoon and into the better part of the night. I had some fascinating conversations with various Irish speaking people concerning language preservation, folklore, Northern Irish politics, my own last name, and Eamon de Valera's ass. It was an unforgettable day filled with passionate debate, mournful songs, ancient poems, and contagious laughter. There is no way I could do justice to the experience, so I won't try. Instead, I'll upload a short video taken during the latter part of the evening (more videos may follow, depending on the wifi's cooperation). Although I've had my suspicions before, I can now definitely see where the "Ironbound song" tradition in my own family can be traced back to.

I entered this contest. Needing money.

Today I registered with immigration (I'm legal now!), and paid an astronomical fee to legally reside in this country for two years. That hurt. But I'm glad it's over and went well and I plan to send a gorgeous painting to that kind Garda officer who made the entire process as painless as possible. Spent the afternoon applying to as many cash-prize-offering contests as possible to compensate. Here is (what I think is) a link to one of the contests I entered, and a photo of the living room I was in while I entered (because I haven't uploaded any new photos for today).


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