My Dublin Life

Wow. I don't know what to say. As recently as two hours ago, I was really happy, becase I was meeting my boyfriend's Mom. And while our relationship is still quite new, and we are taking it slow, it was a big thing for me, because I felt that he felt comfortable enough with me to let me into his family life, at least a little.

It started off well. We had a lovely lunch at the Kilkenny Design Centre. Everyone was talking about the recent "bad weather" (though, coming from Newfoundland, it doesn't seem that bad to me). We made small talk. We ate home-made soup and soda bread. It was all good. She seemed like a very nice lady.

Then, he went up to get some coffee for everyone. She leaned across the table, and said:

"Don't take this the wrong way, dear, but I hope things aren't getting too serious. You know that he's a father, and we're all hoping that he's going to get back with the mother of his daughter, because the feeling in the family is that this split is just a little glitch."

Well, I didn't know what to say, and as soon as he came back I made an excuse and left. I feel in shock. They've been separated for more than a year. Things seem to be reasonably amicable, but he's certainly never given me any reason to think that they are likely to get back together again.

Honestly, I don't know what to think, and I don't really want to see her again any time soon, though I am sure that she's a nice lady. I'm seeing him tomorrow and the way I'm feeling right now, I sincerely have no idea if I'll bring the subject up or not.

The city is in a bit of chaos because of the ice and snow, which is apparently worse than usual for this time of year. I expect that things will be quieter than usual in the city centre tonight. It won't make a great deal of difference to me, because I life downtown. But I'm telling you one thing: ice or no ice, I want to go out tonight. If Saoirse can't stay over (she lives out of town and the bus service mightn't be working late tonight), I hope Bepe will be free, because I need to escape from my thoughts and I'd rather not do it on my own. Tonight is a night for hot whiskey or a creamy Guinness and a talk. I'm going to the pub. I know Bepe likes the Temple Bar in, well, Temple Bar, so maybe if I offer to buy the drinks, he can be my shoulder to cry on.

Now that I'm not a Family Gal any more, there's a lot more time to spend with my Boyfriend. He has his daughter three days a week, but the rest of the time, he's all mine. What's more, I'm going to meet his Mom tomorrow, just casually, as she's hooking up with him at lunch time so that they can go choose a present for his father's birthday in town. Apparently, his Mom is a big shopper, just like mine, and she's a fan of the Kilkenny Design Centre, which is just near Trinity, and also has a restaurant. So we're meeting there. I'm nervous, but it's not like we're engaged or anything so I'm not sure why. We're taking it slow. But we're going out a lot. Like, really a lot. He's excited, because next week one of his favourite local bands is playing, actually in a place that I really like, the Odessa. I think possibly he even knows one of the band members. I've never heard 'em before, because honestly, there just seem to be so many bands in Dublin, but strangely, the longer we spend together, the more I realise how little we actually know about each other. So it will be a welcome opportunity to gain some insight into what makes him tick. He said that they are unusual, prog rock, and that they've been part of the scene for quite a while. Tonight, he's going to play some CD's at my place. The band is called "The Jimmy Cake" which I presume is a traditional Irish dish or something (?).

He's calling around at 7. I couldn't help but notice that Dublin Bus is cancelling the bus service after 8pm tonight, because of all the ice on the roads. And, I have to confess, I haven't actually asked him if he knows that. Because, gee, if the bus service is cancelled, the taxis will be really overworked, or maybe not working at all, and that means that he won't be able to get home, which in turns indicates...ahem...well

Annoyingly, I have the impression that Bepe doesn't like him. Which is fair, because I sure as heck didn't like that girlfriend of his. But it's also awkward, because we're roommates, and his schedule at the restaurant has changed, and he's spending more time at home in the evenings, and I just like it better when people get along.

Anyway. I'm at home now and I'd better tidy this place up a bit or he'll think I'm messy or something...which I am...but he can learn that later. Plus, there's the complicated issue of what to have for dinner tonight. With this chilly weather, surely some delicious fish 'n' chips would be just the thing?

I got an email from Dublin Tourism today to let me know that a new theatre is opening in March, and asking me if I would like tickets to see Swan Lake. Now, I know that I'm in a super-privileged position, because I get about 6 free tickets to stuff every month -- things I mostly couldn't possible afford to go to, but I'm a bit, oh, I don't know...

Now, I like good looking men in tight clothes as much as the next gal...but ballet? I've never been a fan. Then again, this is a huge deal, the Bolshoi, which even I have heard of. I think I just don't understand ballet. The women are so tiny and the men look so ridiculous and, dammit, it looks like it must HURT.

On the third hand, I would love to see the theatre, which is all shiny and brand-new and not even open yet and in an area that I like a lot, because also quite shiny and brand-new and a contrast to the rest of Dublin, which is either old or old-and-new.

Anyway, with problems like these, I don't have a lot to complain about ;-)

Today I managed to pick up some chestnuts for roasting, which I've heard of but never actually had before, and I'll be meeting my Boyfriend and then looking for a suitable place to roast 'em. I don't think my centrally-heated apartment is the right spot, so I'm hoping that one of those old-style pubs with big open fires will look kindly on a would-be chestnut roaster. I've no idea what they'll taste like, but I like the idea of tucking in while outside it's clear and bright and frosty.

Today was a glorious day, or at least a glorious morning. While the newspaper headlines were shouting about ice and peril and danger, for this lucky city slicker, it was a morning bright with sunshine and the odd patch of slippy ice just added a little excitement to my walk to college. The library is open again, and I am working hard. Life is good, and I am happy. Happy to have had a fantastic Xmas, happy that it's over and that I can enjoy some privacy with my man again!

I was also surprised last night when Bepe opened the door and I realised that it was good to see him. I hadn't missed him, exactly, but he's an easier roomie than my Mom, who turned everything upside down and cleaned it while she was here, with the result that most of the kitchen implements have not been traceable ever since. I felt as thought I hadn't seen Bepe for ages when it was really, what..? 2 weeks or something? 2 and a half? He was suitably impressed by how shiny and tidy the apartment was and by the gifts Mom had left him. We decided to go out for a drink and considering the weather had one of those wonderful hot-whiskey-and-brandies each. Fabulous. Fabia, the girlfriend I've loved to hate all this while, is not coming back and as his job is still here, he thinks that they are going to "take a break". He's better off without that little...little minx. Pah! I'll help him find a better girl.

Here's a funny thing tho'. We were in this pub, Conways, which is on Parnell Street just near one of Dublin's maternity hospitals. It's a cool, old place with lots of mirrors and wood and "characters" having their drinks. This man came in, all emotional because his wife had just had twins. He didn't even want a drink -- he just wanted to tell someone all about it. Apparently, they are the most beautiful babies ever born in Ireland. I even saw a picture of them on his mobile phone. They looked like regular babies to me, but he was so excited, it was a good excuse to buy him a drink and have another round!

Well, I was sorry not to see my Boyfriend today -- but I am seeing him tomorrow and he's organised a surprise and I'm sure it's gonna be fantastic!! ;-)

The forecast is for snow, and more snow. And while I know that that's a pain in the ass for a lot of people, this Newfoundlander's heart is glad because there's nothing more beautiful than snow -- at least during the falling-from-the-sky part. I hope it won't interfere with my folks' flight plans tomorrow but apart from that, I'm treasuring my own tiny patch of snow on the minuscule balcony that Bepe and I call the great outdoors. He's due back tomorrow, and he's in for a nice surprise because my Mom has left a bunch of gifts to say thanks for letting them use his room.

Like most people, I've started a diet. The good news is, the less money I spend on food and drink, the more I have to spend on Cultural Pursuits. That's my resolution this year: go to the theatre more often. I've picked up a brochure from The Project Arts Centre and am thinking I might look into the whole modern dance scene maybe -- it's not something I know anything about and while I doubt I'll ever do any, I'm prepared to be blown away by someone else doing it.


Also, my uncle Joey is coming over soon so I really will have to detox before his visit because despite being 50-odd he's a party animal and will want to be taken around all the pubs.

I love Uncle Joey, honestly, but right now, after having eaten and drunk too much for the last couple of weeks, what I want more than anything is for something to offer to take him off my hands a little!! I'll see if Bepe feels up to the challenge.

XXX all best wishes for 2010!

Mom and Dad's holiday is nearly over. Apart from some tenseness about the whole your-boyfriend-is-a-father issue, it's been good. It's too bad in a way that they haven't gotten to see the rest of the country but they are thinking, if their finances hold up, they might come back while I am still here.

And that introduces a scary thought. How long am I going to be here? The plan was always to stay for a year and a half but now, with 2010 about to start, I'm feeling pretty settled in and good about being in Dublin, and I have absolutely no plan for the next stage.

[Buries head in sand and resolves to think about it later].

Today I'm planning to take the folks to the Museum of Modern Art which is a place that I love because it's in a cool building, it's free and there are beautiful grounds all around -- although I don't think the weather today is really for strolling. And then we've all been invited out to Saoirse's families places for dinner in a local pub in Killiney. There's definitely a winding-down feel about our days now, and Mom has already packed one of her cases and bought yet another case to fit her thousands of purchases into. And while it's been great...well, I wouldn't say I'm exactly sorry it's nearly over. I must be growing up at last; time to get on with my own life!

Plus, I've gained about 4 kilos!!! Let the great diet commence. I might even look for a cheap gym or at least check out the college facilities.

One of the folks who read my blog suggested a great idea -- taking the Green Line Luas for a trip through the various suburbs and "villages" and having a pub crawl. We're going to do just that, but as it's a day time trip it'll be more a "coffee crawl". It's kind of chilly today so I like the idea of popping in and out of cafes and stuff. That should keep everyone happy. Dad has his guide book to refer him to all the history and things, Mom will shop (but of course) and I will be a Good Host with the minimum of effort.

The greengrocer down the road told me that people didn't like the idea of the Luas while it was being built, but having never seen Dublin without a tram system, it's hard to understand why. I love the way the Luas looks gliding around Stephen's Green -- sort of "the future as imagined by people in the past" and I would say it is definitely a big addition to the urban landscape. Not to mention a cool form of public transport. I almost never use it, living bang in the centre as I do, but I'm actually looking forward to the day. It's so easy to just stay in the centre and forget that there's a whole world of Other Neighbourhoods out there.

Thanks, Rose. I'll let you know how we got along.