Apa jadinya ketika sebuah pemakaman tidak lagi menjadi sebuah tempat yang mengerikan ataupun kramat, namun malah menjadi situs wisata? Hal tersebut bisa terjawab jika kamu melakukan perjalanan ke Dublin, Irlandia.

Glasnevin 773 Cemetery ialah tempat pemakaman yang juga menjadi objek wisata itu. Pemakaman yang menjadi tempat wajib kunjung para wisatawan ketika berkunjung ke kota Dublin. Beruntung bagi saya, yang mendapatkan kesempatan Private Tour dari Guinness, usai perusahaan bir hitam kenamaan dunia itu merayakan ulang tahunnya yang ke-250 beberapa waktu lalu.

Glasnevin, sebuah taman pemakaman terbesar di Irlandia, awalnya bernama Prospect Cemetery. Dibuka pertama kali pada 1832 setelah salah satu pejuang kemerdekaan Irlandia, Daniel O’Connell mengumumkan bahwa sudah seharusnya ada tempat dimana jasad orang-orang yang beriman dikuburkan dengan membawa kebanggaan mereka.

Lahan pemakaman yang hingga sekarang sudah menguburkan lebih dari satu juta jasad pria dan wanita ini juga menjadikan Glasnevin Cemetery sebagai rumah terakhir para pejuang Republik Irlandia.

Berawal dari ketidak adaan tempat untuk memakamkan warga Irlandia yang beragama Katolik, dan dipicu oleh pembatasan pelayanan bagi pemeluk agama Katolik. Puncaknya, meledaknya tangisan yang memprovokasi akibat duka yang mendalam ketika adanya Pendeta Katolik yang memprosesi pemakaman kematian seorang warga Protestan.

Kepekaannya terhadap Kesedihan itulah membuat Daniel O’ Connell juga dikenal sebagai Pembela Hak Warga Katolik di Dublin. Saat itu, dia mengatakan bahwa tidak akan hukum yang melarang siapapun yang mendoakan kematian orang Katolik disana. Selanjutnya O’ Connel mendorong untuk dibukanya tempat pemakaman yang bisa digunakan oleh orang Irlandia pemeluk agama Katolik dan Protestan.

Salah satu tempat menarik yang terdapat di Glasnevin Cemetery adalah sebuah menara yang menjulang tinggi di tengah-tengah areal pemakaman ini. Pada tahun-tahun pertama dibukanya pemakaman ini, banyak jasad-jasad yang dilakukan penjagaan demi menghadang para penggali kubur yang dikenal dengan sebutan Resurrectionists atau Sack-em-ups. Mereka dikenal dengan perbuatannya mencuri jasad jenasah untuk kemudian dijual kepada sekolah-sekolah kedokteran di Irlandia dan sekitarnya.

Menara tinggi itulah yang menjadi tempat penjaga kuburan ini memantau dan mencegah ‘pejambret’ jasad. Keberadaan si maling jasad itu sangat dikenal pada akhir abad 18 hingga awal abad 19. Para penjaga kuburan alias kuncen ini juga menggunakan anjing penjaga untuk mengikuti jejak-jejak darah jikalau ada jasad segar yang dicuri.

Pemakaman Glasnevin juga memiliki pemandangan lainnya yang sangat menarik, yang akhirnya membuat tempat ini jadi objek wisata bagi beberapa wisatawan. Beragam monument-monumen kematian terpancang disini dan berumur lebih dari 2 abad. Mulai dari nisan-nisan yang klasik, simpel, hingga masuk pada awal 1860an dengan nisan yang menjulang tinggi, dan berlanjut dengan nisan-nisan pembuktian nasionalisme warga Dublin dengan memancangkan salib-salib Celtic yang identik dengan pahatannya yang rumit, hingga marmer-marmer nisan Italy yang mulai digunakan pada awal abad 20.

Keunikan lain yang ada di Glasnevin ini adalah dengen salah satu bagian dari pemakaman ini, mengizinkan bayi yang masih bernyawa untuk dikuburkan hidup-hidup sebagai tanda pensucian pemakaman ini. Area tersebut dinamakan sebagai Angels Plot.

Sebuah cerita tentang penggalian jasad yang cukup dikenal oleh warga Dublin adalah ketika dua orang Irlandia, Burke dan Hare,yang melakukan aksinya, namun jasad hasil curian mereka malah tidak untuk dipelajari di tanah mereka sendiri, melainkan dibawa ke Skotlandia. Karenanya, untuk mencegah pencurian jasad di Glasnevin dengan membangun dinding kuburan yang cukup tinggi di areal pertama pemakaman ini.

Glasnevin sendiri memang dikenal sebagai tempat berkumpulnya monumen-monumen figur pahlawan Irlandia. Beberapa diantaranya adalah Charles Stewart Parnell, Daniel O’Connell, Michael Collins, mantan Presiden Irlandia Éamon de Valera, Arthur Griffith, Maude Gonne, Kevin Barry, Sir Roger Casement, Constance Markiewicz, Brendan Behan, Seán MacBride, Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, Christy Brown dan Frank Duff. Bahkan salah satu personel Boyzone yang belum lama ini mangkat, Stephen Gately, dikremasikan di Glasnevin Crematorium, pada 17 Oktober 2009 lalu. Hingga saat ini Glasnevin berkembang dari awalnya sembilan akre, hingga sekarang menjadi lebih dari 120 akre.(photo by megiza)

Having read the Murphy Commission report I wanted to quickly summarise what it shows. The summary is very much coloured by my own research interests, which focus on the relationship between civil and religious law and is not intended to be comprehensive. Some of the main issues raised by the report are:

• The nature of the interaction between canon and civil law in the governance of priests who had abused children. This is of relevance to the behaviour of individual agents within the church, who knew canon law but ignored relevant principles, and who favoured canon over civil law.  Many of the churchmen involved in the mass coverup of child sex abuse within the church were qualified lawyers.  The operation of canon law in relation to child sex abuse within the diocese is outlined in Chapter 4 of the report.
• The interaction between churchmen’s loyalty to the state as citizens and fidelity to the church, and the consequences when there is a perceived conflict between them.
• The effective construction in Ireland of a parallel legal system – with canonical trials and rules of its own about evidence and secrecy and culpability, riven with disputes about interpretation and content  – beyond the reach of civil law, which was capable – through ’soft’ structures of government and police deference and societal respect, trust and fear  of isolating itself from the criminal justice system. That isolation was actively reinforced every time an abuse took place and those in power responded inappropriately.
• The manner in which that parallel system was bolstered by undue deference to the church, and the relationship between that ’soft’ deference and the hard law governing the relationship between church and state in Ireland. Did the church-state relationship and the tendency of successive governments towards the privatisation of church affairs insulate both church and state from responsibility to children?  The report seems to favour a more interventionist state, which has influence over certain aspects of church affairs. It refers to the secular functions performed by the church and the attendant blurring of the boundaries between church and state.
• The ‘complicity’ of other areas of domestic law in bolstering the harm done under canon law. Criminal law (see Appendix 2 to the Report), the law of evidence in relation to legal privilege, rules of procedure where delay has occurred in processing a prosecution, and child protection law are obvious candidates, but we should think too about how insurance law contributed to the church’s aim of preserving its assets.
• The effect of parallel legal systems on minority members of religious groups, such as children and the role of the civil legal system in providing an effective and empowering space within which victims of resultant harm can disrupt prevailing power relations within a religious group. One victim is mentioned as saying of the Archdiocesan officials: “you deal with me when I’m a threat to you legally but when I’m not a threat to you, you ignore me”.

What the Murphy Commission Report tells us is that impunity is produced by interaction between civil law and minority laws – in the work of individual legal subjects and in the actions of the state.

We have some in-house contributors who can post on a number of these issues, and you can expect commentary in due course. However, if any reader -in Ireland or elsewhere – has expertise enough to contribute a guest post on these or related topics you are most welcome to email maireadenright[at]gmail.com within the next 10 days or so with your proposal.

Dublin Vacation
All those who visit Dublin always carry with them sweet memories of this beautiful vacation spot. Dublin as Ireland’s capital city has shown tremendous growth in the last decade. It is located in the East Coast of Ireland and has a population of approximately 1.30 million people. It has been a land of immigration for many years and so it has a mixed population and over 10% of the total Irish population is constituted of immigrants from various parts of the world including, the United Kingdom, Lithuania, China, Brazil, Nigeria, Poland, Russia and Australia. This mixed population makes the Dublin culture more open to outsiders. So everyone who travels to Dublin will certainly have a wonderful Irish vacation.

Besides that Dublin travel is always exciting because it has something interesting for everyone and all age groups will enjoy their trip thoroughly. Beer lovers will have a wonderful time in Dublin with Guinness or the “Black Stuff” which originated in Dublin. Dublin which is ranks fourth among the most popular short break destinations of Europe has many budget hotels and also five star hotels. So you will be able to find a Dublin hotel that will fit within your budget. You will also find a number of bed and breakfasts.

There are number of interesting places in Dublin that you can enjoy such as cultural and heritage sites, historical places such as ancient buildings and castles, famous libraries, beautiful parks, gardens and much more.
If you love history you can spend time at Dalkey Castle which is a tower house belonging to the 15th century. Unlike the many historical centers this spot is just 15 to 20 minutes drive from the heart of the city. You can find a number of cafes and bars that you would love at Dalkey.

For the religious minded tourists, Christ Church Cathedral will be a great feast. This church is as old as 1030. Even non-Christians are welcome to attend the Sunday and weekly services.

For those nature lovers there is Dublin Butterfly House. Here you can enjoy watching the caterpillars turn into colorful butterflies; a rare site for the city dwellers. Even those who are not specifically nature lovers will become one after their visit to Dublin Butterfly House. Next in the list is the Dublin Zoo. Everyone enjoys their visit to the zoo. You will find a wide collection of animals that you can watch and enjoy for a whole day.

Besides these Dublin has literally hundreds of bars and cool places to chill out. The nightlife and the shopping experience will give the tourists an experience of their lifetime. You will enjoy the Irish wit all over the city. The whether in Dublin is generally unpredictable and the best time to visit Dublin is between June and October.

Make sure that you check in advance regarding the visa requirements and other travel documents required so that there is no confusion or unpleasant events at the airport. Make your hotel bookings in advance to avoid last minute anxiety so that you can find a hotel that will fit within your budget.

Filmbase Fundraiser Table Quiz Fri 27 Nov - Book Now!

Here’s a sneak preview of some of the goodies up for grabs…

- Copies of Final Draft scriptwriting software www.finaldraft.com

- A Blackberry Storm courtesy of Vodafone www.vodafone.ie

- Tickets to a preview of Avatar (week of 14 Dec) care of 20th Century Fox www.foxmovies.com

- Free passes to the Light House Cinema www.lighthousecinema.ie

- Free tickets for screenings at the IFI www.ifi.ie

- Free prints from Red Dog Design www.reddog.ie

- DVDs & CDs from Element Pictures elementpictures.ie

- Disney goodies home.disney.co.uk

- North Face backpacks www.thenorthface.com

- Vouchers for the Jameson Dublin International Film Festival www.jdiff.com

- And even your own personalised Film Ireland magazine cover! www.filmireland.net

and more to come!

So book your tickets now for the upcoming Filmbase Table Quiz which will take place in Alchemy Club & Venue (http://alchemyclub.ie/), the Temple Bar Hotel, on Friday 27th of November.

This year’s quiz will be a fundraising event for to go towards improving the services we provide. As we know everyone’s feeling the pinch at the moment so, we’re not asking for much. Tickets for the quiz will be a pocket-friendly €10 per person when booked in advance (€12 on the night). We’ll also be holding a raffle on the night with lots of fantastic prizes!

To book contact Clare by email on clare@filmbase.ie.

Event: Filmbase Table Quiz Fundraiser Extravaganza!
Date: Friday 27th November 2009
Time: Welcome reception with canapés from 6.30pm, quiz starts 7.15pm (ends 10.30pm)
Venue: Alchemy at the Temple Bar Hotel, Fleet Street. This funky new club will play host to the Filmbase Quiz on the night and guests at the quiz are welcome to stay on for the late night club which kicks off from 10.30pm.

Two weeks ago I spent the weekend in Dublin and Killarney in Ireland. I know, I know, I haven’t written in a while, and I’m sorry for that. I’ve been really busy with school and everything, and I was only in Marburg for two days after returning home before I left for Italy (more on that next time).

We got to Dublin fairly late on friday night, so we couldn’t really do much sightseeing that day. Early on saturday we took a train to Killarney, which is in County Kerry. We found our guesthouse that we were staying in, then set off and walked around a bit. We walked to Ross Castle, which is on the edge of Killarney National Park. It was great weather the whole time we were in Ireland, which is very lucky because many of the locals said that they hadn’t seen the sun in months. Speaking of the locals, the whole time we were there, the three of us all thought that everyone we met was very nice and helpful. That was certainly part of the reason we all had a great time.

That night we went out to a pub, and listened to music and drank Guinness all night. The next morning we set out on a bus tour of The Ring of Kerry, which is supposed to be very beautiful (if there isn’t too much fog). We actually didn’t want to do this tour because we had heard that if there’s fog the trip is a waste of time, but this was the only tour that was offered that day. As it ended up, there was hardly any fog at all. Our driver said that it was one of the best weather days in a long time.

The tour took us around the coastline and also through Killarney National Park at the end. We stopped many times for pictures and in small villages for bathroom breaks and lunch. We wanted to go see the famous waterfall that is inside the park a bit (it’s a huge park), but the bus didn’t have lights on it, so when it got dark the tour had to end. Also worthy of mention was the massive number of sheep in the countryside. I also saw a rainbow, but no leprechaun.

The next morning we headed back to Dublin. We walked around and saw a couple of the famous churches that they have there, but didn’t go in because they were too expensive. We also went shopping a bunch. I really enjoyed walking around the city. The next morning we walked around a big park, and then it was time to leave.

I had a great time in Dublin and Killarney. All the sights, especially the national park were very beautiful, like something you would see on TV. The rest of the pictures can be seen here. I still wish that we could have seen the waterfalls inside the park. I also wish that we had time to tour the Guinness factory. It was a really great trip, and all three of us who went on it felt that it was our favorite trip. (So far…)

The Pink Calendar is finally here! Twele months of Irish lesbians (with some fmiliar faces you’ll have seen out and about), this calendar is for an excellent cause, with all money going to BeLonG To and LGBT NOISE.

Copies are available here:

http://www.thepinkcalendar.com/

Day 2: The Girl who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

The girl with the dragon tattoo is back. Stieg Larsson’s seething heroine, Lisbeth Salander, once again finds herself paired with journalist Mikael Blomkvist on the trail of a sinister criminal enterprise. Only this time, Lisbeth must return to the darkness of her own past (more specifically, an event coldly known as “All the Evil”) if she is to stay one step ahead–and alive. The Girl Who Played with Fire is a break-out-in-a-cold-sweat thriller that crackles with stunning twists and dismisses any talk of a sophomore slump. Fans of Larsson’s prior work will find even more to love here, and readers who do not find their hearts racing within the first five pages may want to confirm they still have a pulse. Expect healthy doses of murder, betrayal, and deceit, as well as enough espresso drinks to fuel downtown Seattle for months. –Dave Callanan
Remember to drop in to Chapters to pick up any of the 16 Books!

Carvery lunch €6.99

Today we visit the Eagles House in Glasthule. This modern styled pub has mountains of charm and a nice comfortable atmosphere. The carvery lunch special Mon – Sat is only €6.99 one of the best price and value we’ve encountered. With a huge emphasise on entertainment they have hugely popular Open Mic on Tuesday nights with drink promotions on 33cl bottles. Thursday is the free to enter pub quiz which has the whole community joining in and having fun. The weekend is split between live music and DJ’s with a crowded Sunday night with Paddy Doyle and Stefani Howlett entertaining on alternative weeks. They have just launched a new menu and we had to try their new asian plates. All in all a great place to stop by. Check out our video below.

I have a pet peeve. Okay, actually I have pet peeves coming out my ears, but I just want to mention one today. Footpaths: namely, people walking on those footpaths.

Why is it so hard to form a semblance of order when walking in a crowd? To me it’s simple, walk on one side, and stick to that side as much as possible. It works perfectly well on the road; why not give it a go on pavements too?

Home in New Zealand I am a stickler for walking on the left side of the path (we drive on the left over there, for any non-NZ readers). People generally don’t seem too bad at dealing with that, there’s always going to be that one jerk pushing against the flow, but mostly it’s okay.

When I arrived in Spain, I was overly conscious that they drove on the other side of the road. I haven’t driven here, so I’ve mostly put this knowledge to use in my footpath behaviour. I dogmatically walk on the right whenever it’s an option. Everyone else though – they apparently just walk anywhere they want.

People in Spain confuse me. They can be so incredibly patient at times; I’ve stood behind people at a footpath bottleneck who seem nonplussed at the delay, or watched cars double-park to let passengers in and out while the traffic piles quietly up behind them. Yet at other times drivers will lean on their horn in ten second bursts at what is quite clearly a red light. Confusing.

So they walk on any which side of the pavement they like, and it’s not uncommon for someone to stop dead in the path in front of you with no apparent knowledge that you just narrowly avoided crashing into them. For someone with a particular peeve such as mine, it’s incredibly frustrating. Just the other morning, on the way to the bus stop, I got into a jam. As I came around a corner, a man had stopped to check out what some road workers were doing. When I went to pass him he turned to start walking again, directly into my path. I tried to squeeze between him and another oncoming woman (both walking on the left side). For my trouble I got a shoulder in the tit (from the guy, youch!) and the oncoming woman pushed my backpack out of her way. Good start to the day, no?

Last month I went to Dublin for a few days. First off I had to re-readjust my walking side, but once I did I was pleasantly surprised. People are so darn polite over there! They have a far more fluid footpath style, plus wider footpaths than generally found in Spain, so already that makes it easier. Then if someone does stop in front of you, say to detour into a store, they look over their shoulder, see you, and immediately apologise. I was in seventh Heaven!

What is footpath etiquette like in other parts of the world? I imagine I would have to check my sensitivities at the airport before entering a country like India. Anywhere else? Am I the only one who finds navigating chaotic pavements mind-bendingly frustrating?

I realise the title of this post sounds a lot more profound than the actual content.

Hace unos días me ocurrió una cosa bastante curiosa, que a más de uno le hubiese hecho perder la calma e incluso, por qué no, tener miedo… y dadas las circunstancias os voy  a lanzar una pregunta para ver hasta que punto es normal.

¿Se puede ser feliz cuando:

1. Estás solo.
2. Son las 6:45 de la mañana, por lo tanto de noche.
3. Estas perdido en un barrio que no conoces (y que se llama Cabra por cierto)  de una ciudad que está a miles de kilómetros de tu hogar, que está a una hora y media de camino hasta tu casa si sabes el camino… y no lo sabes.
4. Es domingo y no hay ni un alma a esa hora por la calle… y si la hubiera hablan un idioma que no es el tuyo.
5. Has ido a la parada de autobús más cercana y has comprobado que el primer bus que pasa es al as 9:30.
6. Has mirado en tu cartera y has comprobado que con 4 euros no te da para ir en taxi hasta casa.
7. Has empezado a caminar en dirección sur sin ton ni son hasta encontrar un lugar que reconozcas y así volver a casa desde ese punto.
8. El amanecer se acerca y esto es Dublín así que el frío es considerable.

… ? ¿Realmente se puede ser feliz cuando te está pasando todo eso?

Pues no sé por qué, pero yo lo era…

By Dian Hasan | November 24, 2009

The hallmark of any great city is its urban park! Commonly located at the center of its core, urban parks play a significant role in providing traffic-choked cities with much-needed green lungs. As well as recreation, sporting and cultural venues for residents and visitors alike. Here’s a look at some of the larger urban parks from across the world.

PHOENIX PARK, DUBLIN (1,800 ACRES)

Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland is is the largest urban park in Europe, and among the largest urban parks in the world. The park is completely enclosed and is known for being the location of the home of the President of Ireland. The park clocks in at just under 1,800 acres and is notably larger than the infamous Hyde Park in London.

Source: Wayfaring

Entao que eu resolvi retornar a postar aqui (Nao que eu fosse abandonar esse blog, nao mesmo, mas eu realmente nao tinha animo/vontade pra escrever alguma coisa decente aqui).

Estou a quase 4 meses em Dublin, Irlanda, e algumas coisas ja me aconteceram nesse passar de tempo.

Uma delas foi que eu realmente decidi que assim que eu retornar ao Brasil, vou procurar um psicologo. Por que? Minha depressao ta a flor da pele. Qualquer coisa, eu ja comeco a sentir como se estivesse sozinha e abandonada, como se nao tivesse para onde correr e que tudo que eu faco eh meramente figurativo para as pessoas que eu gosto (Nao que nao exista mesmo alguem que nao olha pra nada a nao ser as coisas que eu erro ou que acha que eu erro, mas prefiro nao comentar).

Alem disso minha baixa estima ta OVER 9000!! (Maldita baixa estima! Que poder monstruoso! Mal consigo ver seus movimentos!)

Em resumo basico, eu choro por qualquer coisa, entro em desespero, fico angustiada, me frustro, jogo a culpa do mundo na minhas costas e acredito que sorrir eh para fracos.

Belo modo de aproveitar a Europa, nao acham?

Nao vou dizer que nao estou aproveitando aqui, nem me divertindo, por que seria mentira. Apesar da gripe estar firme e forte aqui, eu to conseguindo me divertir, sair, conhecer novos lugares (Queria ir pra Berlin em Janeiro, mas com essa grime nao me deixando sair de casa, comofas para eu comprar a passagem???), conhecer outras pessoas, falar besteiras, paquerar um pouquinho, aprender a beber (Ops), conversar em ingles e ter um pouco mais de confianca nele, virar uma pessoa responsavel, que paga contas e tem que ficar calculando quanto eu posso gastar por mes pra nao morrer sem dinheiro, comprando as coisas que eu queria comprar (Como esse novo pc (y), teclado irlandes sem acento) e por ai vai.

Nao ando tirando muitas fotos primeiro pq nao tenho passado por muitos lugares diferentes, segundo, aqui SO chove, comofas pra tirar o cell pseudo-novo (Ja vai fazer um ano, vixe!) pra tirar fotos?

Mas vamos tentar olhar outros lados da minha viagem. Como eu disse, nem tudo eh  caos e panico.

Eu moro numa casa agradavel(Terreo e primeiro andar) que eh protegida por um portao eletrico (Que eu acho que metade da populacao Brasileira de Dublin deve saber a senha) e do lado de um rio (Ele tem peixes ate grandinhos, os meninos vivem falando que vao pescar ali ainda). Tem 3 quartos, um eu divido com um Brasileiro, outro que era de um Irlandes, com cama de casal, mas ele se mudou um mes depois deu entrar e dois (agora tres) Brasileiros ocuparam seu lugar e o ultimo eh uma suite bacanildz de um Irlandes muy loco e legal.

Na casa moram, atualmente: Eu (Vanessa), Pedro, Patricia, Bruno, Sabrina e Owen. Porem, durante o final de semana as Au Pair (Babas) bem para ca. Isso aumenta a populacao da casa em 3 (Amanda, Mariana e Tatiana). As vezes eh divertido, mas as vezes eu passo raiva por que perco parte da minha liberdade na casa durante o final de semana…

O unico problema daqui eh quando tem que limpar, eu acho que a Irlanda eh um pais feito de poeira, por que se bobiar, voce acabou de limpar, ja tem poeira infernisando o lugar. O andar dos quartos tem carpete e eu tenho bronquite asmatica (Isso pode ou nao ter algo haver com eu estar pegando gripe a torto e a direito, mas quem sabe?), ai eu acabo limpando a sala. Eu acho, sinceramente, que a gente deveria fazer uma vaquinha e comprar um aspirador de por pra essa casa, mas sei la, neh.

O transporte publico aqui eh bom, os onibus quase nunca se atrasam (Eles tem horario para passar em cada ponto) e aonde eu moro passam varios, entao eh bem facil ir pro centro. Alias, eu moro uns 20 min a pe do centro da cidade, mas com esse frio, nem caminho pra la.

Eu achei a cidade bonita, os predios antigos dao um ar diferente do que estou acostumada no Brasil. Sei la, ainda acho estranho entrar em uma loja de eletronicos onde a fachada lembra aquelas de 1800 e tanto, eh um contraste muito grande, mas que as pessoas aqui nem dao muita bola.

Alias, eh dificil aqui ter construcoes novas. Acho que eh por isso que quando os europeus vao para o Brasil, eles se encantam bastante. O Brasil eh um pais de construcoes novas, tudo parece ter cheiro de novo, se comparado as coisas daqui (Pelo menos em Dublin. Queria ter a oportunidade de ver outros lugares para ter uma opniao bem mais baseada.). As construcoes mais novas que eles tem sao os Shoppings (alguns) e algumas partes da faculdade. Tem partes da cidade que lembram aqueles filmes de comedia romantica ou infatis com as casinhas bonitinhas, uma do lado da outra, praticamente sem muro, onde voce pode olhar para o lado e acenar para o seu vizinho, outras que me faz lembrar estar em um lugar meio rural bem cuidado. E tudo isso em uma cidade pequena (Duvido que Dublin seja muito maior que Brasilia, na real).

Alias, curiosidade: Eles falam que Dublin eh uma cidade grande /rimuito. Perguntei pro meu professor o que ele achava de Sao Paulo e Nova Iorque e ele nao soube dizer hahahahah.

Alias, aqui tem algumas coisas curiosas:

• O interruptor da luz fica do lado de fora do banheiro – Isso mesmo, do lado de fora. Quando eu cheguei, lembro de ter entrado correndo no banheiro e ficar procurando o interruptor no escuro por minutos antes de desistir e usa-lo no escuro. Depois que eu descobri que se ligava a luz por fora.
• Papel higienico se joga no vaso – Todos os papeis higienicos daqui sao biodegradaveis, logo todos eles podem ir tranquilamente junto com o numero 1 ou 2.
• Voce tem que ligar um interruptor especifico para tomar banho – E quase como aquelas casas que a agua eh aquecida a gas e voce tem que acender antes de entrar no banheiro.
• Tesco eh o seu senhor e nada lhe faltara – O mercado mais barato da Irlanda, melhores precos para quem nao pode gastar de mais.
• Nutela grande da marca Tesco eh 1,36 euros – Por isso que toda mulher que vem para a Irlanda perde as esperancas de ficar magra ou manter o peso por muito tempo.
• As marcas genericas dos mercado SAO BOAS – Diferente do Brasil, que voce so compra as coisas derivadas dos mercados se tiver passando necessidade por que sao ruins, aqui as coisas ‘genericas’ dos supermercados sao tao boas quanto os produtos de marca (y) (Reler item do Tesco, tambem valido para alguns produtos da Dunnies).
• As roupas aqui sao baratas – Eu faco a festa na Pennies e na Dunnies com 50 euros, capas de sair com sacolas e sacolas de roupas e acessorios.
• Se voce veio para Irlanda fugir de Brasileiros, esqueca – Nem que voce va so na padaria da esquina, voce VAI encontrar um brasileiro no caminho.

Entao, o que eu lembro sao so esses… hmmmm. Se tiver algo mais, eu posso postar depois.

Hmmm, mais alguma coisa para falar? Ah sim, andei de Limosine Rosa sabado passado e me peguei com um ruivo gato (y). So tenho uma coisa a reclamar: Por que eu sou tao FUCKING timida??? erhjiuogndihvomdnnnl

Nao sei se tenho mais alguma coisa pra falar… Na verdade nao to me lembrando agora, os topicos felizes a cima me fizeram perder qualquer outra coisa que eu tivesse pra falar hahahaha.

Ah, semana passada teve um evento de anime aqui na Irlanda, o Eirtakon. Eu me diverti, foi quase um Espaco Otaku ahaiuhaiuahaiuahiu. Eu nao sei se sao eles que nao tem costume, alias, acho que nao tem mesmo. O evento foi meio fraquinho, pra quem eh acostumado com Kodama e AnimeFriends, quase nao havia estande e os estoques eram muito limitados, mesmo assim comprei algumas coisinhas. <3

A artist alley deles tambem era meio fraca, apesar deu ter achado uma das minas que eu do watch no DeviantArt. <3~

Alias, esser final de semana tem VGL Ireland <3<3<3 Eu to na primeira fileira, de frente para o palco! MUWAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH *Risada maligna do Larhal*.

Quem sabe depois eu nao venho falar como foi?? =3

Bem, agora acredito que nao tenha mais nada pra falar mesmo. Ate mais o/

El lunes por la noche fuimos al Club M, está cerca de Temple bar y es un club de teenagers donde ponen éxitos del momento, la entrada son 8 euros pero los lunes las bebidas son a 3, y eso en Dublin es bastante raro, así que estaba petado, llegamos sobre la 1 de la mañana y la gente ya iba hiperborracha, las tias vestidas como si fuera nochevieja y los tios con un olor a sobaco y un pedo que no se tenían, eran bastante mortimers (por eso debe llamarse club M). La gente no baila de manera normal, se restregaban unos con otros como si se fuera a acabar el mundo, “cebollet restreguin yu” que le llamamos nosotros, había un chaval como de metro y medio bailando con una chica de como metro 70, era todo un espectáculo, él like a culebrilla restregándose con ella, lo que nos pudimos reir. Eso si, en Irlanda olvídate del cubata, miden las porciones de alcohol, por ejemplo te ponen como el equivalente a un chupito de ron, el hielo y el refresco, o sea una mierda y a 9 euros, así que viva la Guiness!!!!  Más anécdotas próximamente…

It reminded me of the visiting priest in Fr Ted who breaks up his book case while screaming “shoddy workmanship Ted, shoddy, shoddy, shoddy”.

irishtimes.com:

Three blocks of a Dublin apartment complex have been evacuated this morning after roofing was blown off.

The incident occurred at Carrickmines Manor development on the Glenamuck Road, Dublin 18. The roof blew off one block and landed in a nearby field, while it lifted slightly in the other two blocks. There were no reports of injuries.

According to one resident, who alerted the fire brigade at 8.49am, there are 28 apartments in each block, with many young mothers and children living there. “If it the roof had gone the other way [away from field], it would have been a disaster,” he said.

…

Carrickmines Manor resident Hazel Melbourne said she felt like she was in a scene from the Wizard of Oz when she saw the roof fly past her second floor apartment at 8.30am.

I can only presume this has something to do with a chimney:

Actually the lyrics make more sense when you realise the slang, putting a chimney on someone is giving em a black eye, and she’s going on about how her man’s bit on the side aint going to look so good with a shiner.

This from June 2008 which should have signalled to people something was wrong with the way things were going in Ireland:

Council will be flush after toilet sale
Written by Gordon Deegan
Clare County Council could net up to €300,000 at public auction next month for the site of a dilapidated toilet block in Lahinch with ‘uninterrupted sea views’.
The local authority is behind the sale of what Costelloe Estate Agents describe as a “stunning seaside development opportunity”.
The small site measures 290 sq metres with 23 metres of frontage on to the prom and, according to Costelloes, it is zoned ‘other settlement land’ and ideal for mixed residential or commercial scheme.
The proposal to put toilet block site up for sale was first mooted in July 2006 but delays in obtaining title prevented the council from proceeding until now.
According to local councillor Martin Conway, the time it has taken to secure title will cost the council.

The first three of the 16 Books comprise The Millenium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson. Remember to pop in to Chapters on Parnell Street, if you’re in Dublin, and have a look at all 16 Books.

You can read an in-depth article  on The Millenium Trilogy from the Irish Times here:  http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2009/1003/1224255760034.html.

Book 1: The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo (2007)

“Cases rarely come much colder than the decades-old disappearance of teen heiress Harriet Vanger from her family’s remote island retreat north of Stockholm, nor do fiction debuts hotter than this European bestseller by muckraking Swedish journalist Larsson. At once a strikingly original thriller and a vivisection of Sweden’s dirty not-so-little secrets (as suggested by its original title, Men Who Hate Women), this first of a trilogy introduces a provocatively odd couple: disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist, freshly sentenced to jail for libeling a shady businessman, and the multipierced and tattooed Lisbeth Salander, a feral but vulnerable superhacker. Hired by octogenarian industrialist Henrik Vanger, who wants to find out what happened to his beloved great-niece before he dies, the duo gradually uncover a festering morass of familial corruption—at the same time, Larsson skillfully bares some of the similar horrors that have left Salander such a marked woman. Larsson died in 2004, shortly after handing in the manuscripts for what will be his legacy.” -Publishers Weekly

“Our goal is clear: an end to these inexcusable crimes – whether it is the use of rape as a weapon of war, domestic violence, sex trafficking, so-called “honour” crimes or female genital mutilation/cutting. We must address the roots of this violence by eradicating discrimination and changing the mindsets that perpetuate it.”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Message for the International Day  for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

25 November 2009

With the launch of the 19^th annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence on November 25^th, information is pouring in from organizations and activists around the world. The Center for Women’s Global Leadership, which coordinates the international campaign each year, has already heard from hundreds of organizations in more than 60 countries! Campaign activities range from marches and rallies to music concerts, information sessions on new legal frameworks for addressing violence against women, blogging marathons, radio broadcasts on community radio stations, art exhibitions, self-care workshops, and much more. We’re thrilled to see all of the events that are being organized across Ireland by Women’s Aid and its partners.

As the coordinator of the campaign at CWGL, it has been incredibly exciting to see how this year’s theme “Commit ▪ Act ▪ Demand” is resonating with so many people in diverse parts of the world. CWGL produces a Take Action Kit based on the theme each year, but participants are encouraged to develop their campaign around the issues that are most relevant in their local context. To read more about what activists are planning in their communities, visit the full International Calendar of Activities or become a fan of the 16 Days Campaign Facebook page.

The idea for the 16 Days Campaign originated at the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute (WGLI) organized in 1991 by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL), where twenty-three women from every region of the world met to discuss women’s leadership and the issue of violence against women as a fundamental violation of human rights. Happily, one of those participants was Monica O’Connor, who was working with Women’s Aid Dublin, so the 16 Days Campaign’s roots in Ireland go all the way back to its birth! While it was unlikely that the first WGLI graduates could have foreseen the incredible success of the campaign as a global mobilizing tool, their dedication to working on this issue exemplifies how every action, no matter how big or small, can make a difference. Now since the first campaign, over 2,800 organizations in 156 countries have participated, and the movement continues to grow.

I’m inspired each day as I read more about what women’s organizations around the world are doing to bring an end to violence against women. The 16 Days Campaign is powerful because it gives us opportunities to work in solidarity with one another, and it provides a period of heightened international attention to gain support for our local efforts. So let’s make sure that the whole world hears our voices this year from November 25 – December 10! Gender-based violence must stop, and we all have a role to play. Together, we must Commit, Act, and Demand an end to violence against women!

Keely Swan – 16 Days Campaign Coordinator

Center for Women’s Global Leadership

16days@cwgl.rutgers.edu

Today is Day 1 of the 16 Days Campaign, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and there is a huge variety of things happening around the country:

• “In Her Shoes” exhibition in Longford
• 16 Rights for 16 Days exhibition in Sligo
• Poster display and lily campaign in Mayo
• Aoibhneas Refuge’s “Step Out of the Shadows” campaign
• Galway Rape Crisis Centre’s social media campaign
• Art and Poetry is on display in Donegal
• Pavee Point is running a pampering session for staff, and various invited guests
• “Break the Silence” ceremony and solidarity campaign in Leitrim and Sligo
• Panel discussion and film screening in Wexford
• “In Her Shoes” exhibition in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary
• NUIG Femicide Awareness Campaign in Galway
• Dundalk Women’s Aid asks “What are you doing about it?”
• Annual Big Breakfast and Pampering Day in Limerick
• Pamper morning for women in Blanchardstown
• Women’s Aid’s campaign begins with a Public Action outside the Dáil Éireann, and the first of the 16 Facts for 16 Days emails

Show your support and get involved in something in your area!

The North Inner City Group (Hill Street Family Resource Centre, Inner City Organisation Network, Lourdes Youth & Community Services, Dublin Adult Learning Centre, SWAN Youth Project, NASCADH CDP, Dublin Multicultural Centre, Community After School Project, Saol Project) are holding a public event at the Mountjoy Square Park, Dublin 1, on Wednesday 2nd December from 12noon onwards.

They invite you to remember with them the 159 women who lost their lives violently in Ireland since 1996, by displaying a banner of flags showing the towns and cities where the women came from. In addition they have designed and crafted a wooden key 8ft high, that will be on display. The key is symbolic in two ways; firstly, for women who are experiencing violence in the home, and are aware of the danger to them and their children every time they hear the turn of the key in the door; and secondly, it symbolises how a woman regains control of her life when she finds the courage, strength, and support to leave a violent relationship.

The key was designed by Katherine Sankey and made by the trainees on the Child Care Group in LYCS.

I have cut back on my ‘a.m.’ coffee run on the way to work. Recessionary times and all that… But today I noticed that Dublin’s best barista was back in ‘il Valentino’, a favourite stopping point of mine on the way to work. So I had pop in. I mean, it would haven rude not to. There is a sign up inside proclaiming that they serve the best blend of coffee in Dublin and have the best barista in town. Best blend, maybe. Best barista, definitely. This guy is gas. I get my usual large Americano to take away. And it is good, real good! Really strong, just as I like it.

I have noticed that when ladies order either a latte or a cappuccino, the barista creates a fancy love heart on the top of the froth. He then flirts outrageously with them. It’s so obvious and they love it. It makes their day. The ladies always seem to order milk based coffees here. I wonder why?? So next time, I will order a latte just to see what symbol he decides to create for me – if any. I assume it will be a love heart and he will follow up the obligatory outrageous flirting. As optimistic as ever.

1. I had a CAT scan done on Friday. For my body, though with my recent blog posts and tweets, you’d think it was my head that needed a scan, right? Anyway. I don’t know about you all, but I definitely THRIVE with guidance. So, Mr. CAT Scan Technician, perhaps you could have offered up some guidance while I laid there on that bed, going back and forth through that machine? Mentioning that I needed to have my arms above my head during the process would have been handy. (Oh, helllllo, Insurance Company! Hope you don’t mind those bonus scans in my bill! Wheeee!) Also, if you could have mentioend that towards the end, the machine goes BAM WHOOOOZE BING BANG BADDDDDDDDDUMMMMMM BANG BANG POOOOOF! Well, what I’m saying is: if you could have mentioned that tidbit about the machine sounding like it was about to explode into a billion tiny pieces all over the room, while I’m halfway through it, I would have been grateful, instead of losing my shit all over the place -hello panic attack! And screaming. The screaming could have been avoided, as the paranoid, near-death experience. Thanks!

2. Also on Friday, immediately following the CAT scan, I had an ultrasound done. If you’re a woman and you’ve ever had one done, I’m talking about the INTERNAL ultrasound. Oh, YES. So my ultrasound tech is very brusque with me and kind of doesn’t give me clear directions (hello, perhaps there’s a relation to the CAT scan tech?) and tells me to get undressed, wrapping myself in a sheet. Which in all actuality is a giant paper towel that RIPS at the slightest movement on that stupid bed. Tech leaves while I undress and I am wondering why she needs me fully naked, when I know she’s only doing an internal. Anyway, I sit on that bed for fifteen minutes, completely naked, wrapped in the paper towel that is full of rips and she comes back in, only to bark, “PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON! I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU NAKED!” Well same goes lady, but like I said – a little direction would have been nice! So I put my clothes on, only to find out she meant to go PANTLESS.

3. Continuing on with this technician, she has ME insert the stupid giant wand and then does some Star Wars Lightsaber action up in my business, barking still, “I just need to check out your ovaries!” “This doesn’t hurt that bad!” and “You need to lie still while I wriggle this around you.” Lady, I’m having this ultrasound done because I am IN PAIN, in THAT AREA. A little tact and more gentle maneuvering would be helpful, thanks! And I’m not exaggerating with the lightsaber action. She had TWO HANDS on the other end and was biting on her lower lip as she yanked the damned thing around.

4. What is SPAM? It looks like condensed cat food to me. I’ve never tried it in my life, though Steve swears by it. Does it need to be cooked? It looks…so…raw? I don’t know what the deal about SPAM is, but I NEED TO KNOW.

5. How do you mommies feed your babies when they get to that VERY WRIGGLY stage? I mean, I hold onto Dublin on the couch while I give him his bottle, but he is SO HEAVY and SO LONG and just a generally very big baby, he’s hard to hold and feed. Plus, he loves to use his feet as leverage to arch his back up and wriggle himself into a new position, covering the both of us in formula. Really, how am I supposed to feed him? Mommy fail!

6. I kind of feel like a failure of an adult asking the following question. What is the deal with Tylenol and Motrin? Is it, take one or the other? Or can you take both at the same time? I don’t understand! What is the difference between acetaminophen and ibuprofen? I know I could google this, but I’m asking you people instead.

7. Come after me with pitchforks all you’d like, but I can’t help it. There is something very skeezy about Mario Lopez.

Mostrando su lado caritativo, Joe Jonas juega un partido de baloncesto en el Club de Deportes de Olimpiadas Especiales de la Comunidad Escolar Holy Child en Londres, Reino Unido.
Joe, que actualmente se encuentra en Irlanda, tratará de que la gente tome conciencia de lo importante que es el deporte para los niños especiales. El compartió con JJJ: “Estoy realmente emocionado de estar em Dublín, Irlanda. Tengo un evento de caridad para tomar conciencia de las Olimpiadas Especiales. El primero fue en San Antonio y realmente estuvo muy bueno, y vamos a hacer el segundo en Dublín, así que estoy emocionado de hacerlo y comenzar otra vez. “

Aqui os dejo las fotos

Stealing from Tesco is the work of a gobshite

Tesco customers in the North Inner City as well as in Dolphin’s Barn on the South Side will now have lovely security tags on their supermarket meat to match the ones on their ankles.

Because they keep on stealing it.

Seems fair enough to me.

Although it being Tesco, I’m surprised that there was ever any food on the shelves to theive anyway, seeing as the shittest of all shit supermarkets does well to keep it’s stores stocked with basics like milk and bread on a daily basis.

People who shop in Tesco are fucking idiots anyway.

They’re always dirty, and the staff are all dirty too.