FMM: 4 mi
Banks, Bathrooms, Burger King, and Water Fountains
Hi,Dudes and Dames,
Welcome back for more Tiztalk...Bob and I met at the bank yesterday to get a general idea of how many euros are in our account after six weeks of blind ATM withdrawals. They don't send statements, and we couldn't get set up online -- well, not without Tim, Megan, Molly, or Nancy to help us anyway... Now we're all set.. except for the part where we got to see how much money was in our account...Hmm...They will provide checks at a cost of $.75 each. We declined. All bills are paid online and that's that. I'm sure that's where we're headed in the U.S.,too, but we aren't there yet. In fact, they won't even print a receipt from an ATM unless you demand it...We then went to Burger King. Most of the fast food restaurants have their eating areas on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th floors. Luckily, Bob was along to carry the tray as getting myself alone up 3 flights of stairs without incident is an accomplishment...One thing I have noticed at restaurants here is that -- unlike in the U.S. -- they don't tell you if they give you a Pepsi when you've ordered a Coke. I ordered a Diet Coke the other day and my receipt read "Pepsi Max" whatever that is. I guess they figure we Americans won't notice the difference...On to water. Forget it! Who needs it? Evidently, not anyone eating in a restaurant or walking around a mall...It's an interesting attitude as water is "free" here; no one pays a water bill. And it certainly rains enough to provide plenty of water to all. As most of you know, ice is forbidden in Europe, or at least it seems to be. Sometimes you can beg one miniscule cube from a kind waitress, but don't count on it. I did break down and buy a plastic ice cube tray and it only cost me 6 dollars..Water fountains? Forget them, too. Drink before you leave home. I have yet to see or find an operating water fountain, even in a shopping mall...Bathrooms? Again, go before you leave home; many stores simply don't have them...So, here's my advice if you are thinking of coming: Before you leave the U.S., drink lots of water, go to the bathroom, and bring lots of euros with you. You will be fine! I am.
Water- blogged, but not water-logged,
I remain...
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Miscellaneous
FMM: 3 mi
Hi, internet addicts,
Don't you have something better to do? I guess not if you're willing to read a blog entitled "Miscellaneous". Well, if you REALLY don't have anything better to do, check out this 4 minute clip of the 100 best You Tube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BudhFVnN2o0 . You may recognize many, but there are a few new ones to enjoy...Now that I have 7 (already finished _Noah's Compass_ -- very good) new books to read, the library has called and the book I reserved 6 weeks ago has arrived, so now I have to read it before I can get back to my hand-picked stash...Woe is me!..In other news, Bob now has a cellphone. Now that doesn't mean he knows how to answer it or use it, but if you want the number, e-mail me...It is cold, dark, rainy and dreary here. They don't have exciting Midwestern-style rainstorms here with tree limbs blowing down and lightning and hail -- just dull, dark, droning, quiet ones. At least the cable - such as it is - rarely goes out; I don't have to miss my EuroNews in Portugese...I got a real letter from TERESA FOSTER yesterday. I was so excited. I promise to mention your name in the blog in CAPS if you send me a real letter; it doesn't even have to be hand written. E-mail me if you need my real live bricks and mortar address..You may be wondering how I am doing listening to _Dracula_. Well, for the first time in my life, I put on headphones and headed down the street. Outside of looking what I knew my mother would deem as totally ridiculous, I rather enjoyed the experience. However, I nearly stepped into the street while listening to an exceptionally exciting passage about a three vampire women about to attack the unsuspecting Mr. Harker...I've decided that I should limit my walking and listening to quiet park-like settings, not busy urban streets...I am off to meet Bob for lunch.
Slogging through the bog,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Hi, internet addicts,
Don't you have something better to do? I guess not if you're willing to read a blog entitled "Miscellaneous". Well, if you REALLY don't have anything better to do, check out this 4 minute clip of the 100 best You Tube videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BudhFVnN2o0 . You may recognize many, but there are a few new ones to enjoy...Now that I have 7 (already finished _Noah's Compass_ -- very good) new books to read, the library has called and the book I reserved 6 weeks ago has arrived, so now I have to read it before I can get back to my hand-picked stash...Woe is me!..In other news, Bob now has a cellphone. Now that doesn't mean he knows how to answer it or use it, but if you want the number, e-mail me...It is cold, dark, rainy and dreary here. They don't have exciting Midwestern-style rainstorms here with tree limbs blowing down and lightning and hail -- just dull, dark, droning, quiet ones. At least the cable - such as it is - rarely goes out; I don't have to miss my EuroNews in Portugese...I got a real letter from TERESA FOSTER yesterday. I was so excited. I promise to mention your name in the blog in CAPS if you send me a real letter; it doesn't even have to be hand written. E-mail me if you need my real live bricks and mortar address..You may be wondering how I am doing listening to _Dracula_. Well, for the first time in my life, I put on headphones and headed down the street. Outside of looking what I knew my mother would deem as totally ridiculous, I rather enjoyed the experience. However, I nearly stepped into the street while listening to an exceptionally exciting passage about a three vampire women about to attack the unsuspecting Mr. Harker...I've decided that I should limit my walking and listening to quiet park-like settings, not busy urban streets...I am off to meet Bob for lunch.
Slogging through the bog,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Monday, October 19, 2009
Weekend Wanderings
FMM: 7.5 mi
Hi,
Wake up, it's Monday. See, I can't even thing of a name to call you...Many of you have been wondering if Bob got a jacket. The answer is yes. The North Face outlet was too far away, so he ended up with a fleece-lined navy jacket from a sporting goods store... However, now that Bob didn't get a North Face coat, maybe I'll go check one out for myself...The store wasn't really THAT far away...Just kidding; I would NEVER do such a thing...We went to the Pearse Museum yesterday. Padriac Pearse was a schoolmaster who instigated the 1916 Easter Uprising. The school is on 50 beautiful acres and has a lookout tower from which you can see the Dublin mountains and surrounding areas...We came home and read our books. Yes, we are boring old folks. Bob is on page 65 (or at least the bookmark is there) of _Ulysses_...I am off to the library. Now that I have my book fix, they won't be seeing me for awhile.
Readingly yours,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Hi,
Wake up, it's Monday. See, I can't even thing of a name to call you...Many of you have been wondering if Bob got a jacket. The answer is yes. The North Face outlet was too far away, so he ended up with a fleece-lined navy jacket from a sporting goods store... However, now that Bob didn't get a North Face coat, maybe I'll go check one out for myself...The store wasn't really THAT far away...Just kidding; I would NEVER do such a thing...We went to the Pearse Museum yesterday. Padriac Pearse was a schoolmaster who instigated the 1916 Easter Uprising. The school is on 50 beautiful acres and has a lookout tower from which you can see the Dublin mountains and surrounding areas...We came home and read our books. Yes, we are boring old folks. Bob is on page 65 (or at least the bookmark is there) of _Ulysses_...I am off to the library. Now that I have my book fix, they won't be seeing me for awhile.
Readingly yours,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Leaves, TGIF
FMM: 4 mi
Hi, weekenders,
Hope you enjoy raking your leaves today. I'll be thinking of you..I did get my book order and now I have 8 brand-new books awaiting me..It is like having a giant chocolate cake on the counter. However, I am finishing_Away_ by Amy Bloom before I dig into my book stash...Bob and I went to this great new restaurant last night. It's called TGI Friday's; ever hear of it?? :).. Anyway, we enjoyed the advertised "American" fare. Bob even had a Miller beer, not a Guinness. However, he did have a little mishap while trying to swat a gnat. He knocked over his full glass of beer...and you thought only I did such things...Today we plan to look for a coat for Bob. He liked his co-worker's coat and made note of the brand: North Face. (Aargh! Where is a sale at Kohl's when you need it??) Anyway, there is rumored to be a North Face outlet here (don't tell Molly, Nancy, or Megan), so we will go on a forced march to find it today... Some of you have asked if I have found myself a coat. Sadly, no. At this point, I am in a 6-year-old light green hooded coat of undetermined origin; Bob is in a blue Gap windbreaker that I got him for $6.99 years ago. (Tim used to have one identical to it, but I suspect Megan has gently encouraged him to throw it out by now)..Enjoy some R & R. Go, Mizzou!
I remain,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Hi, weekenders,
Hope you enjoy raking your leaves today. I'll be thinking of you..I did get my book order and now I have 8 brand-new books awaiting me..It is like having a giant chocolate cake on the counter. However, I am finishing_Away_ by Amy Bloom before I dig into my book stash...Bob and I went to this great new restaurant last night. It's called TGI Friday's; ever hear of it?? :).. Anyway, we enjoyed the advertised "American" fare. Bob even had a Miller beer, not a Guinness. However, he did have a little mishap while trying to swat a gnat. He knocked over his full glass of beer...and you thought only I did such things...Today we plan to look for a coat for Bob. He liked his co-worker's coat and made note of the brand: North Face. (Aargh! Where is a sale at Kohl's when you need it??) Anyway, there is rumored to be a North Face outlet here (don't tell Molly, Nancy, or Megan), so we will go on a forced march to find it today... Some of you have asked if I have found myself a coat. Sadly, no. At this point, I am in a 6-year-old light green hooded coat of undetermined origin; Bob is in a blue Gap windbreaker that I got him for $6.99 years ago. (Tim used to have one identical to it, but I suspect Megan has gently encouraged him to throw it out by now)..Enjoy some R & R. Go, Mizzou!
I remain,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Friday, October 16, 2009
TV Licence
FMM: 8 mi
Hi, Friends O'Mine,
I survived another hike along the coastline...I even stayed quiet walking up the hill this time. See, I'm learning! At coffee, one lady asked me what I missed the most about the U.S. I thought for awhile and proceeded to tell her how much I missed English muffins (I'd even take an Irish muffin at this point if there were such a thing) and Pepperidge Farm cinnamon bread. She looked at me rather strangely, then said, "Don't you miss your family?"...Oops, why do I always give the wrong answer? Of course, I miss my family more than I miss English muffins! I would like to have BOTH right now!..It seems that these ladies are lacking in their knowledge of sensational crimes. Probably because not that many occur over here. I was able to share a few crime tales that probably kept them up last night. And you all know I have more where those came from...Today I am off to walk 3 miles (who's counting?) to the post office to pick up my Amazon book order (thanks again, bunco friends!) AND to pay our television licence (that's how they spell it here) fee of $240. That's right. One must pay a fee of $240/year per television or risk a fine of $1,000 or even jail time. They actually come and knock on your door to see if you have a television! Even though we don't own the TV in our apartment, we must pay the fee. We were kind of ignoring the whole thing thinking that perhaps we could escape the fee for nine more months, but alas, we received a rather threatening letter yesterday which has prompted me to run to the P.O. this morning and pay the fee. All this for the privilege of watching EuroNews in Russian! It did occur to me that my blog would be considerably more interesting if I were imprisoned for not paying my TV tax. Do you think the U.S. embassy would come to my aid? .. Would you contribute to my defence (that's how they spell it here) fund? Just wondering... I went to a doctor's office yesterday and I thought I had stepped back in time a generation or two...Seriously, it was like walking into Mom's house and having her give me a flu shot in her bedroom while talking on the phone. Well, I must say that they don't waste a lot of time on paperwork (like who I am, my medical background, what side effects the shot might cause..) or fancy offices here. I pulled my shirt off in front of an open window that looked over the backyard garden, she gave me a shot, she had never heard of the medicines I'm currently taken for my cough, prescribed a few more, and sent me on my way...I guess I'm okay...
Well, it's time for my morning march.
Alive and (I think) well,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Hi, Friends O'Mine,
I survived another hike along the coastline...I even stayed quiet walking up the hill this time. See, I'm learning! At coffee, one lady asked me what I missed the most about the U.S. I thought for awhile and proceeded to tell her how much I missed English muffins (I'd even take an Irish muffin at this point if there were such a thing) and Pepperidge Farm cinnamon bread. She looked at me rather strangely, then said, "Don't you miss your family?"...Oops, why do I always give the wrong answer? Of course, I miss my family more than I miss English muffins! I would like to have BOTH right now!..It seems that these ladies are lacking in their knowledge of sensational crimes. Probably because not that many occur over here. I was able to share a few crime tales that probably kept them up last night. And you all know I have more where those came from...Today I am off to walk 3 miles (who's counting?) to the post office to pick up my Amazon book order (thanks again, bunco friends!) AND to pay our television licence (that's how they spell it here) fee of $240. That's right. One must pay a fee of $240/year per television or risk a fine of $1,000 or even jail time. They actually come and knock on your door to see if you have a television! Even though we don't own the TV in our apartment, we must pay the fee. We were kind of ignoring the whole thing thinking that perhaps we could escape the fee for nine more months, but alas, we received a rather threatening letter yesterday which has prompted me to run to the P.O. this morning and pay the fee. All this for the privilege of watching EuroNews in Russian! It did occur to me that my blog would be considerably more interesting if I were imprisoned for not paying my TV tax. Do you think the U.S. embassy would come to my aid? .. Would you contribute to my defence (that's how they spell it here) fund? Just wondering... I went to a doctor's office yesterday and I thought I had stepped back in time a generation or two...Seriously, it was like walking into Mom's house and having her give me a flu shot in her bedroom while talking on the phone. Well, I must say that they don't waste a lot of time on paperwork (like who I am, my medical background, what side effects the shot might cause..) or fancy offices here. I pulled my shirt off in front of an open window that looked over the backyard garden, she gave me a shot, she had never heard of the medicines I'm currently taken for my cough, prescribed a few more, and sent me on my way...I guess I'm okay...
Well, it's time for my morning march.
Alive and (I think) well,
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Things I Like About Ireland
Hi, Blogaholics,
FMM: 2.5 mi
There are lots of reasons Ireland is such a popular tourist attraction. It's not just that there are more people of Irish descent in the U.S. than there are in Ireland! Here are a few things I've discovered...There are beautiful, colorful flowers everywhere. I am reminded of New Orleans and some of the extravagant beauty associated with ordinary porches, windowsills, and even lampposts...Everything truly is green. The leaves haven't really started to turn yet..The classic buildings are consistently in exceptional condition. There aren’t blocks where some buildings are torn down and some remain. I have almost become inured to them after only a short time here. They are the essence of picturesque with their classic mostly Georgian style and brightly- painted doors......There’s a store called Argis in the mall at St. Stephen’s Green. Not only has it relieved my mind of where I to find items like a cordless LANDLINE (GASP) phone. You just look through the catalog, write down the number, and they get it for you from the back room. It’s very quick and efficient like the old Service Merchandise. With no Best Buy, Target, or Wal-Mart or any facsimiles of them in sight, this is HUGE!....There is no tax added to purchases. The price you see is what you pay. It’s nice to not have to figure out “about” what your meal cost....The bus service is very efficient. The buses are clean and there are plenty of them. Of course, I have no real bus service to compare them to since I’ve never even been on a bus in Columbia....The people read a lot. There a several thriving (or so they seem to me) daily newspapers. The bookstores are busy. There is an big emphasis on books and book reviews in the newspapers. There are a lot of author-celebrities here which I think is less common in U.S. Sorry I missed the chance to see Ozzy Osbourne signing his autobiography at Eason's on Sunday, but I hope to encounter a few authors before I depart the Emerald Isle. I do know where Maeve Binchy lives so I guess I could stalk her...I wish I had had my camera yesterday as I saw an older man (those are getting harder and harder to find, by the way, can somebody explain that to me??) stopped in the middle of the sidewalk intently reading the evening newspaper. I don't recall ever seeing a similar scene in the U.S. Of course, there are lots of sensational headlines even in the "mainstream" newspapers over here. The TV news shows also show you the front pages of each newspaper every day and read them to you; I find this a bit unusual...Well, that's my travelogue for today. I'm sure Molly and Nancy stopped reading this several sentences ago, but those of you who made it to the end, I thank you for sticking with me...I am off to hike the oceanside cliffs in Howth with a group of ladies who haven't tired of me (or changed their days, times, and location for walking) yet. I will try to keep my mouth shut!
Hikingly yours,
Tizze/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
FMM: 2.5 mi
There are lots of reasons Ireland is such a popular tourist attraction. It's not just that there are more people of Irish descent in the U.S. than there are in Ireland! Here are a few things I've discovered...There are beautiful, colorful flowers everywhere. I am reminded of New Orleans and some of the extravagant beauty associated with ordinary porches, windowsills, and even lampposts...Everything truly is green. The leaves haven't really started to turn yet..The classic buildings are consistently in exceptional condition. There aren’t blocks where some buildings are torn down and some remain. I have almost become inured to them after only a short time here. They are the essence of picturesque with their classic mostly Georgian style and brightly- painted doors......There’s a store called Argis in the mall at St. Stephen’s Green. Not only has it relieved my mind of where I to find items like a cordless LANDLINE (GASP) phone. You just look through the catalog, write down the number, and they get it for you from the back room. It’s very quick and efficient like the old Service Merchandise. With no Best Buy, Target, or Wal-Mart or any facsimiles of them in sight, this is HUGE!....There is no tax added to purchases. The price you see is what you pay. It’s nice to not have to figure out “about” what your meal cost....The bus service is very efficient. The buses are clean and there are plenty of them. Of course, I have no real bus service to compare them to since I’ve never even been on a bus in Columbia....The people read a lot. There a several thriving (or so they seem to me) daily newspapers. The bookstores are busy. There is an big emphasis on books and book reviews in the newspapers. There are a lot of author-celebrities here which I think is less common in U.S. Sorry I missed the chance to see Ozzy Osbourne signing his autobiography at Eason's on Sunday, but I hope to encounter a few authors before I depart the Emerald Isle. I do know where Maeve Binchy lives so I guess I could stalk her...I wish I had had my camera yesterday as I saw an older man (those are getting harder and harder to find, by the way, can somebody explain that to me??) stopped in the middle of the sidewalk intently reading the evening newspaper. I don't recall ever seeing a similar scene in the U.S. Of course, there are lots of sensational headlines even in the "mainstream" newspapers over here. The TV news shows also show you the front pages of each newspaper every day and read them to you; I find this a bit unusual...Well, that's my travelogue for today. I'm sure Molly and Nancy stopped reading this several sentences ago, but those of you who made it to the end, I thank you for sticking with me...I am off to hike the oceanside cliffs in Howth with a group of ladies who haven't tired of me (or changed their days, times, and location for walking) yet. I will try to keep my mouth shut!
Hikingly yours,
Tizze/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Irish Television
Hi, Bloggies,
FMM: 3.5 mi
I guess you don't have anything better to do today than I do...I am enjoying my creative writing class. Last night I was paired with a young Polish man. He devised a much more exciting plot (about a policeman letting a criminal go free) than I would have cooked up for our story. He has lived here for four years. In fact, due to the Celtic Tiger, a reference to Ireland's formerly booming economy, there are many eastern European immigrants here. For several years, Ireland was the only country in the European Union (includes 26 of the 40 countries of Europe) that would allow eastern Europeans to immigrate. Guess what? Lots did, and many are still here. Many of the service jobs are held by immigrants....I know my kids are impressed that I know how many countries constitute Europe and even where Europe is...Now onto more important topics like Irish television...Our basic cable package seems to include mostly channels that are "off the air" or in another language. We pay to get EuroNews in French, Italian, Russian, PRT (which I think is Spanish) as well as an Irish language channel... People seem to actually go to bed over here, so many channels shut down, too...So, if you are planning to come visit and have some "happy tube time", as we call it in our family, be prepared! Again, no wonder the Europeans aren't fat. No fattening food, no endless choices of trash TV, and did I mention small portions at restaurants?? Nonetheless, I am becoming an expert on all these things and will help you through...I am becoming smarter, thinner, and I'm sleeping more.. Today I am carting myself off (I WISH someone would put me in my cart and push ME) to the SuperQuin for groceries and searching for a place to get a flu shot. Wish me luck!
Getting smarter by the minute, I remain..
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
FMM: 3.5 mi
I guess you don't have anything better to do today than I do...I am enjoying my creative writing class. Last night I was paired with a young Polish man. He devised a much more exciting plot (about a policeman letting a criminal go free) than I would have cooked up for our story. He has lived here for four years. In fact, due to the Celtic Tiger, a reference to Ireland's formerly booming economy, there are many eastern European immigrants here. For several years, Ireland was the only country in the European Union (includes 26 of the 40 countries of Europe) that would allow eastern Europeans to immigrate. Guess what? Lots did, and many are still here. Many of the service jobs are held by immigrants....I know my kids are impressed that I know how many countries constitute Europe and even where Europe is...Now onto more important topics like Irish television...Our basic cable package seems to include mostly channels that are "off the air" or in another language. We pay to get EuroNews in French, Italian, Russian, PRT (which I think is Spanish) as well as an Irish language channel... People seem to actually go to bed over here, so many channels shut down, too...So, if you are planning to come visit and have some "happy tube time", as we call it in our family, be prepared! Again, no wonder the Europeans aren't fat. No fattening food, no endless choices of trash TV, and did I mention small portions at restaurants?? Nonetheless, I am becoming an expert on all these things and will help you through...I am becoming smarter, thinner, and I'm sleeping more.. Today I am carting myself off (I WISH someone would put me in my cart and push ME) to the SuperQuin for groceries and searching for a place to get a flu shot. Wish me luck!
Getting smarter by the minute, I remain..
Tizzie/Tiz/Tizmom/Mom/Liz/Elizabeth
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