Books
You may have noticed the nice little book role to the left there. Jamie added one to his site and I thought it was a good idea.
I used AllConsuming.net, as did Jamie. Its actually a good way to share book recommendations among friends - as if picking up the phone to have a chat about books was passe already??? Actually you're right, maybe its a way to share book recommendations among strangers... very nifty.

Anyway, I don't want anyone getting excited that they'll be able to track my progress through the literary anals. I am a VERY SLOW reader and I go for whole periods of time where I don't read any books.
For example, Lord of the Rings has been beside my bed since last Xmas (that is, Xmas 2001). I've started it twice - although I'm very proud of the fact that on my second attempt I have passed the 200 page marker, but nonetheless I haven't gotten to any intersting bits with monsters and fire, etc. The other major deterrent, of course, being that that nice man Peter Jackson went and made a series of films. And you know I'm sure he made them for people like me. I don't understand all those people who read this book once every year, it will a life achievement for me if I ever get to the end. So I think Peter Jackson has friends like me who could just never make it to the end and to save them all that distress he made a damn good film....or three.

Hopefully though, having a list that shows the progress I make (or don't make) with books might spur me on to read faster.... Watch this space.

Easter Weekend
I had a very nice Easter. The weather is unseasonably good at the moment and I went down the country in order to get full enjoyment of it.
I went home to my parents in Clare. Its a beautiful place, and we went up to Lahinch (by the sea). COnsidreing the holiday season and all it wasn't too busy.
I actually went for a dip in the sea. Now considering that about 9 months ago I would have been too terrified to do that, I think this was an achievement. Although it is a stupid achievement due to the sudden onset of hypothermia and the fact that despite the unseasonably good weather I nearly lost toes to frost bite. Yes, the water was cold. I didn't stay in there long. I got wet and ran out. But it was invigorating......

I went to Tipperary to visit my brother. He has a new house out there - well the house is about 200 years old but it's new for my brother, so you get what I'm saying? Its in a very nice location up a mountain. (I have some great pictures from my weekend. When I finally get round to adding a gallery they will be on the "Photos" page.) My brother has a couple of new cars - typical boy, it has to have an engine to be interesting. But it was a nice day.

Then I went to Kerry to visit Jamie's family. That's a great spot too. On the Dingle peninsula, by the sea. And, yes, you've guessed it, I went for a dip. Now remember how cold it was in Lahinch.... It was like I had forgotten how blood stoppingly cold that was and in I went. Agian, invigorating, but my heart nearly stopped from the initialy shock.
The weekend was good. I enjoyed some walks on the beach and meeting up with J's family.

In my 5 days off I managed to cover a good chunk of the country... Hilary on Tour.....
For now I'm back in the office working hard. Until next time.

Just had a very nice weekend.
My friends (Lil and bendy, pictured left) have just moved into together in Dun Laoghaire. As Jamie was away for the weekend and I hadn't seen Lil and Bendy in a while, so I decided to vist them on Saturday.

They have a lovely little apartment and a very nice view. In the afternoon we went up to Johnny Fox's, where we had lunch and very many drinks. The view from the Wicklow mountains (pictured right) is really nice. It's so easy to forget that even though we're in Dublin city, we're still not too far away from some beautiful country side.

Anyway in the end Brendan was stuck in a car with drunk Hilary and Lil, not always easy to cope with in confined spaces. But he survived - bless him :-)

On Sunday morning Bendy made pancakes for breakfast (you come for the view, you stay for breakfast). I made it home without being crushed by the millions of Rugby fans around and watched Ireland not win the game against England - ah well, there's alays the World Cup!!!

Our friend Mike (yes the one who complains to people when their new Blog site isn't up to his standard) is coming to stay next weekend. We're all going to do some much deserved middle-of-the-day drinking (again!). Hopefully the weather will be nice!!