tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75367882009-12-12T16:31:50.675-08:00kick through continentsanaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-48611610286240316572007-03-20T05:30:00.000-07:002007-03-20T05:51:38.958-07:00

I made a list this morning of all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites I've visited, for no particular reason. There are 830 properties on the list, and I've visited... 24 of them. I guess I'd better get cracking.I was suprised to see so many Italian entries on my list. Though I guess it makes sense, since I was playing tourist the entire month I was there, as opposed to working all week and having

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-59476462976776366022006-11-10T10:43:00.000-08:002006-11-17T22:25:07.480-08:00

I just got confirmation this morning that I am headed back to Ireland in two weeks. I'm only staying for four weeks this time, which is perfect. I'll leave the Friday after Thanksgiving and return the Friday before Christmas, so all the holidays will be preserved. And in the meantime, I'll be in Ireland! Yay!I have been bothered by how little pleasure I took from the first trip, and wanting

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-75654083129083697192006-09-26T19:17:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:23:26.896-08:00

For the past two days, I've been dealing with a totally unexpected, from-left-field, seemingly insurmountable obstacle to my India trip. The one scheduled to begin Saturday morning. And now it's official. It's insurmountable. I'm not going. I am angry about many things, but mostly at the complete incompetence that got us here in the first place. Everyone on my immediate management chain

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-91145849996801913342006-09-08T19:16:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:22:15.199-08:00

I'm back with an exciting newsflash: I'm heading back to India! Woo! I don't have specific dates, but I'm leaving in a few weeks for Hyderabad and I'll be there until the end of January. Those who remember how miserable and homesick I was during the second half of the European assignment will be happy to know that I've learned from that experience and negotiated myself some trips home this

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-4803371136397730312006-07-03T23:54:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:19:48.817-08:00

I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker by Sandi Thom. Wonderful and horrible at the same time. The song is barely 2.5 minutes long and is musically so all over the map as to be a complete mess, the sentiment is tired to say the least, and let's not forget that never in the history of ever have there been any punk rockers with freaking flowers in their hair. But whatever, the song is still catchy. I hate

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-30335354324052795092006-06-13T07:11:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:18:30.773-08:00

I forgot to say that I'm home from Ireland. Whoopsie. I got back a little over a week ago, and was mainly relaxing at home until my return to work yesterday. I'll have a lot more to say soon. I lost my posting chi a few weeks ago, but it's coming back slowly. Interestingly, the hardest part about returning has been a lingering habit of driving on the wrong side of the road. I never did it

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-263591436141088862006-05-29T10:45:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:45:36.878-08:00

For the past few days, I've been mentally composing a lengthy post about how Ireland kind of, well, blows. Except now I need to take the unprecendented step of recanting things I haven't even written yet, because as-of today ALL IS FORGIVEN. Owing to the first piece of gorgeous weather in, well, ever, and owing to the Memorial Day holiday that everyone at home is enjoying, I gave myself a

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-35185632613892517772006-05-22T11:34:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:16:47.769-08:00

I just realized that I am Gwen DeMarco (or rather, Lt. Tawny Madison, but let's not be picky). And you know, I'm pretty much okay with that.All this year, I've been working on a single project at work - the opening of a new office in Ireland for my company. It's my first time working inside our European organization, though I've known most of the players for many years. I am often the only

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-77446073241512130462006-05-20T07:26:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:15:55.849-08:00

All attention in Cork right now is focused on the city of Cardiff in Wales, where the state rugby team (Munster) is currently playing against the French team Biarritz in the Heineken Cup, which is the major European rugby final. I've never seen people so crazed over rugby before. Munster is always a big deal here, but the last few days there's been talk of little else. It's so all-pervasive

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-63435149323281871422006-05-01T11:52:00.001-07:002006-11-17T22:15:02.615-08:00

Now my project has launched, and K. has finally arrived, and I've stopped working 14+ hours per day, I've suddenly noticed that I'm working in a fairly pretty country. Who knew? We took a short drive this afternoon, my first journey beyong the daily commute. Just to be on the safe side, we stuck to one road and only traveled a short distance down through Kinsale and to the ocean shore just

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-64389504593341489112006-04-19T10:10:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:14:13.213-08:00

I made the drive in to work this morning in seven minutes. Either I suffered a bout of anxiety-induced hysterical blindness yesterday morning, or someone from the Cork public works department reads my LJ and took pity, because this morning there was airport signage everywhere. Clearly, it was the latter; don't even try to suggest otherwise. Seriously, there was an airport sign on my street,

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-84279923074795636262006-04-18T09:29:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:13:35.136-08:00

It took me an hour to get into the office from my flat. This is supposed to be, at worst, a ten-minute drive. Yes, I got lost. So, so lost, so many times. Our offices are in a business park 100 yards from the airport parking lot. You might think that the route to drive from the center of Ireland's second-largest city to the airport would be well-signed. You'd be wrong.I hate driving. I

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-54837862553938880292006-04-16T10:37:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:13:00.656-08:00

I have arrived in Cork, and I have not yet run anyone over with the car. I successfully navigated several roundabouts, and caused neither collisions nor screeching of tires nor honking of horns. At least, I don't think those people were honking at me. I don't think I was doing anything wrong at the time, but you never know. I was quite relieved to find that the turn signal was still on the

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-10916820696983017282006-04-15T14:39:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:12:25.664-08:00

I spent the first half of the day in Bath, and the second half lounging about the flat. Then I watched the first four episodes of the current season of The Amazing Race and read two of the related TWOP recaps, caught the new Doctor Who, followed by Doctor Who Confidential, and ate a lot of food. I move to Ireland mid-day tomorrow. I haven't started packing yet. Is this bad?Now, instead of

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-66430730772005230662006-04-15T12:02:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:11:47.008-08:00

It's possible that the absolute best part of being in England is seeing the season premiere of Doctor Who in real time. And Doctor Who Confidential immediately afterwards (starting now). Because, dude, that rocks. Forget Stonehenge, Bath, theatre, museums. It's all about Doctor Who. I forgot what it was like to be at the center of the TV universe. I think I like it.

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-61279904755154201282006-04-13T14:55:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:10:57.724-08:00

Alas, tonight was my last night at the theatre. I broke my solemn vow for this show: I wasn't in the first few rows. I was dead center, but 14 rows back. And it was weird, but it didn't suck. It was still my most expensive ticket of the trip, though, because I was hitting all the big dogs tonight.If anyone out there was concerned that I have focused too much attention (albeit unwittingly) on

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-46230375758026539142006-04-10T23:48:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:09:47.305-08:00

Tonight was one of those nights that remind me why I keep going back, why I spend so much more than I can afford on theatre tickets. I have had a small number of theatrical experiences that transcend the day to day and enter the realm of the sublime. Among them: "'Night Mother" (Guthrie Theatre, 1984), "Cyrano" (Theatre de la Jeune Lune, 1991), and now "The Crucible" (RSC, 2006). They seem to

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-29949014840293647122006-04-09T14:53:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:09:07.038-08:00

I have never been so thankful for crappy weather. Despite being just a few blocks from Hyde Park, I haven't spent any time at all in it or any of London's other many public parks. Regent's Park, Hyde Park, St. James's Park, Kensington Gardens... they were all on the list at some point, but either weather or energy or bigger priorities always got in the way. Today's plan was to hit the National

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-30264242554315965942006-04-08T23:31:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:07:19.965-08:00

This is my last real weekend in London, and of course I am trying to fit in far too much. I have a four-day weekend coming up due to excellent luck on my part, but there's almost no London time to be had there. My company's English division has a holiday for Good Friday, while Ireland takes Easter Monday. Since I happen to be shifting to Cork on Sunday, I get the best of both. But I am

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-55617302670091343522006-04-02T16:28:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:05:33.236-08:00

Today's agenda was to visit the British Museum, an institution that's been at the top of my list from the outset, but which is so vast it requires extra reserves of energy to tackle. Since I spent the whole day lounging around the apartment yesterday, today seemed like the day to go.I had a totally unexpected, violently negative reaction to almost all of the exhibits. I think my increasing

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-50804745566017941282006-04-02T08:50:00.000-07:002006-11-17T22:04:59.004-08:00

Remember when I was going on about the train sounds I hear from my flat, and how disorienting they were at first? Well, apparently I'm even dumber than I look. Because today I finally opened the living room window blinds and LOOKED DOWN (hey, I've been busy). And guess what I saw?Yeah, that's the fucking tube station. In my defense, it's dark and shadowy there and whenever I go to the window

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-70812555058343461822006-04-01T14:56:00.000-08:002006-11-17T22:04:11.626-08:00

Tonight's show was a special performance of Ian McKellen's Ass Theatre. And I couldn't be happier about it. The 7:30 performance of "The Cut" at the Donmar Warehouse is the very last performance before the show takes to the road next week. I've been trying to get tickets for the last month, but it's a tiny little 250-seat non-profit warehouse theatre, and the star of the show is Ian Fucking

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-3070724689257982006-03-29T15:04:00.000-08:002006-11-17T22:03:17.055-08:00

It's very late and I have slept terribly the last two nights and really need to hit the sack right now, but I just got back from "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and need to say a couple of things before I forget. That show? Completely rocked. All 3.5 hours of it. (Oi.) I'm really glad to be stepping away from musicals for a while, and the next two shows (RSC's "The Crucible" and Noel

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-68067318636085881722006-03-26T10:12:00.000-08:002006-11-17T22:01:58.974-08:00

There's a lovely sheep meadow adjacent to the site. I love sheep. I wanted to go pet them, but the ropes along the path made it clear that I was not to stray.One thing they don't tell you about Stonehenge is that it's not exactly out in the middle of nowhere. There's a busy road just down the hill that provides a constant dull traffic roar that sort of interferes with any communing with Nature

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7536788.post-67916748968616644462006-03-25T12:47:00.000-08:002006-11-17T22:00:27.325-08:00

One particular poster on the tube escalator this afternoon caught my eye, and I want to share it with the world. The photo was taken hurriedly, from an escalator moving in the opposite direction, and I'm not sure it's totally legible in its shrunken form, so please allow me to translate the tagline up at the top: Reducing contractors' tax bills is like public speaking. It's best left to the

anaxilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05493377087243433403noreply@blogger.com0