Contemporary Architecture

Dublin has seen a blossoming of architecture in the past few years. Those intent on wearing us down with negativity could do well to open their eyes and take a walk round towns and cities, photographing the fine new buildings and the beautiful restoration work that has been down on the old.

I spent a few hours meandering through Melbourne's Southbank earlier in the year and gradually built up a mental picture of the place. It is full of nooks and crannies, atriums, fine shops and restaurants and offers a continuous view of the Yarra River.

Can't wait to visit again...

Maps and Statistics and Flagcounter

I have remained with a free version of Flickr as I upload only a fraction of my work there and obsessing over statistics has little appeal.

However, a freeware map embedded in my Flickr profile page gives plenty of information about visitors and, most interestingly, which countries these visitors are from.

I wonder if placing a copy of the map here will attract visitors.
One of my Twitter contacts showed an interest in this well designed map and felt it might rival the official Flickr one.
It's hard to tell.

Dublin is a Wonderful City...

... for street photogrphy.

Visitors to Dublin flock to admire the Georgian squares and mansions. However there are also may streets where fine Victorian buildings may be admired.

South Great George's Street is a personal favourite...

The sad account of fore-bemoanèd moan,

which I new pay as if not payed before...

The advantages of an education have never been so obvious.
I have been compelled to stay indoors due to a persistent cold and this has given time to focus and count my blessings.

Yesterday's budget is being analysed and there continues to be
"a lot of anger out there". The man who hoisted himself onto a cherry picker in front of government buildings early yesterday morning was arrested. It seems that many more protests are planned and Fintan O'Toole has a petition on his site where one may address leaders and air problems, personal or political.

The utter confusion, where young families do not have enough money to support themselves is being debated, notably by Fergus Finlay. I used teach in a school where girls came to school with no breakfast and fainted during class. This so alarmed me that it was a relief to change profession, as I had no say in such behaviour and could not work out the source of such problems.

Our water source was cut off for twelve hours during the night. I turned off the central heating as I wondered if the lack of water would put a strain on the system. There are many people who cannot afford heating and who go to bed cold. There is something sad and demoralising about such a society so I find that relying on personal resources is now essential. Our government keeps wittering on about "getting people back to work". Irish people have a high standard of education and do not welcome the prospect of performing mindless and mind numbing tasks in return for a minimum wage which is shrinking.

I don't see myself taking to the streets to protest... too dangerous. However it is worth saying that I shall continue to hone my computer and writing skills, just in case I should be forced out to compete in a jobs market that is cold, uncompromising and very uncomfortable indeed.

Twitter

I have been twittering for months and find that short conversations are possible via Twitoaster.



There are so many people online at any time that it is awkward to keep a sense of proportion.  
However I have managed to refind most of the posters from Boards.ie and it is easier to keep up to date through their tweets.


Brevity, after all, is the soul of wit...