Too Many Sopranos Fans

I think the Irish population has watched too many episodes of the Sopranos. I can't think of any other reason for Bertie being re elected. People are sympathetic to gangsters. For a long time I tried to work out why I just couldn't vote for Fine Fael's front man. Sure, like everybody else I find him physically off putting. That churlish little smile. He's more cunning than his dopey dog-like quality lets on. It wasn't just this and I finally realised why I couldn't vote for this man or his party. If I were to do so, basically, then I was saying I support shady dealings. I'm saying that I don't mind if my political leader cannot explain his personal financial history. True, there is no hard evidence yet but listening to Vincent Browne's coverage of Bertie's financial explanations made me feel very angry. So it's ok for the politicians to get do things the way they like and the rest of us must abide by the rules? Is this the Irish way? Do we just expect our leaders to line their own pockets? Is this acceptable or just inevitable? I wanted to vote for change.

Summertime (sorta) and the living is not easy

So we have had an amazing spell of good weather and with this I knew it would soon be time for the jerk comments I have entertained for the many years of customer service I have given, the predictable "It's gorgeous outside, but you wouldn't know that since you are inside." or "Isn't it a crime to be working inside on such a glorious day?" A pity smile usually accompanies same. As a nation we talk entirely too much about the weather. But I have fielded an experiment in my current job to not mention the weather to any customer or engage in the topic when it frequently arises. The experiment has been too painful to carry through because people think you are weird if you don't talk about the weather or they end up drawing the conclusion that you are an ignorant prick because you have rudely brought attention to the fact that talking about the weather is banal and they might as well throw themselves off the conversation cliff. I know a Polish girl who told me once how bizarre she thinks it is that all we talk about is the weather, in Poland they talk politics but off course different strokes for different folks!

Of course the weather is sucky the weekend I'm off.

See? Vicious circle.

Oww-cu-puncture (I know, it's a terrible title)

I had acupuncture tonight for the first time. I had no idea really what to expect. I certainly wasn't expecting the pain I did feel. The therapist began by putting a needle in the centre of my foot. I did not feel any pain then or when she put one in my other foot, one in my right wrist, my forehead or four in my tummy (not much sensitivity there anyhow-I got me some padding) but when she came full circle to put one in my left wrist...Yowza! A shooting pain went up to my elbow. I got scared and wanted to cry. It reminded me of the time I tried out kickboxing and realised quite quickly that pads or no, I do not like being kicked in the body! Perhaps it was the combination of being afraid of something new and the body's natural impulse to protect itself. With all the needles in, bar the left one in said wrist, I laid for a while letting these needles move my chi and what not. It made those bits feel quite numb. I don't really feel any different after it yet but I think I'll give it a few more tries.

As an aside a man next to me in McDonalds was trying to complain about his Big Mac never arriving and it was pretty hilarious. The girl serving him had very poor English and when the customer asked for a manager, a man with even worse English was summoned. They argued with the customer for ages and he ended up apologising for not understanding the teller when she said to return to the counter for his Big Mac. Trauma. I give the guy kudos for even asking for the manager!

Sitting Down is Nice

Trying to gather ideas for my blloooogg and that is a new word I learned today. I came upon the A Nice Cup of Tea and a Sit Down website and I thought 'Yes, I'll pilfer that, thank you, very much.' But with good reason. It's important for visitors and readers of this blog to know that I like to sit down. Indeed. I do.