Another week of hassling agents ahead, but I’m feeling lucky this week! Last week I actually had an interview. Don’t get too excited though, it was with a freight management software company and it sounded like the kind of role where they throw you some specs and lock the door (and slightly dim the lights for the perfect programming environment) so I am kinda hoping that it didn’t go to well.

In more interesting news we have just had a great weekend filled with cultural experiences. On Saturday we went to the National Gallery to get cultured. That evening we went to an Irish BBQ. It was held on the roof of an apartment block. We showed up and they were trying to put the brand new Barbie together as they waited for the hostess to return from looking for a gas bottle. The BBQ was abandoned when she returned empty handed and everyone retired from the freezing cold rooftop to the cosy comfortable flat! Had a great time regardless, ending the night with everyone’s best renditions of New York New York!

Sunday morning was a bit rough but we managed to get out of bed and to the pre match drinks for the Dublin Vs Offley Gealic Football semi final. Fagens pub was a sea of light and dark blue jerseys of the Dublin team with a smattering of Offley supporters in their green and yellow, laying low. The pub had a carvery with meals consisting of meat and up to 4 types of potato – mashed, fried, chips, and in a cream sauce. The Irish really do love their spuds!

On to the game at Croke park. We had tickets for Hill 16, which, like the pub was totally overrun by the blue of Dublin. The crowd chanted “come on you boys in blue” and sang along to the marching bands Molly Malone creating a great atmosphere. The hill (consisting of concrete steps) is called Hill 16 after the 1916 easter uprising and the original stand was built from the rubble of the GPO that was destroyed by the English.

Gealic football is very much like AFL, very free flowing with not to many rules, even less rules than AFL in fact, and a soccer style ball. The game was extremely exciting with the two teams keeping within 1 or 2 points, Dublin winning 15 to 13 ( I think, Dublin won anyway and it was close) The crowd went ballistic, as did I, I am a converted fan!.

After the game it was back to Fagens for some celebratory drinks. Some of us then headed into town to see some Irish folk music at a pub called Hughes. You don’t have to try very hard in Dublin to find good craic, it just seems to happen. The music started off low key with a piper and a flautist but as the night wore on more musicians showed up and joined in. The music was great, “Diddly Diddly” music, I would call it, that you can’t help but tap your feet to.

Sue and I have decided to go on a holiday this Thursday and have booked a 3 night Southern tour on a backpacker bus. Back to the agent hassling till then.