Good Morning, Mrs. Bliss!

Before the weekend begins in earnest, I'd like to post two things for your reading pleasure (or non-pleasure). The first is the poem that was jointly written by myself, Maire and Helen. I posted my contribution last week and we met up this week to write a poem from three separate poems. It was really fun! I think all three of us enjoyed the process and even though our poems were originally about three different things (the ocean, Rome and Giles County - all with the title of happiness), I think our finished product reads pretty well.

Felicita

The angels and the sculptured men

Learning to fly, free falling into growing up

Heaven was above my head

And beneath my feet some pebbled stones

Picture me, sandwiched between hot breath and not so sculpted bodies

Then comes the snow, two hours delay

She lingered until my mouth was warm

As he lay beneath its blank ceiling; belly bent and crumpled

Falling in love, serious this time

The sound drew closer as my ears froze

His exhausted body is sketched into history

Whether you want it to be or not, this knowing

Other than its place upon this globe

As round as an orange under light

Preserve the colour, colour, colour!

Heaven and eden belong to him now.

The second post comes from our Writer's Workshop response. Our speaker mentioned a project she had worked on about a woman being shot by the IRA. It was based on true events and when she researched it, the papers listed the cause of death as "Death by Misadventure". While her topic was serious, the phrase stuck with me because as some of you know, I frequently refer to my dating life as a misadventure. SO, with that thought in mind, I recalled a short story I had heard a couple years ago (courtesy of SJB), based on a personal ad. So the following is my own effort. I hope you like it.

Death By Misadventure

WANTED

SWF looking for SWM. Also looking for a LIFE. If the said male could contribute to this, the author would gladly agree to a second date. Looking for male who is kind and funny, also would prefer intelligent. Would prefer a life that does not require author to work in a chocolate factory but would very much like to eat chocolate, should the male provide this for her. Other things that would contribute to success: enjoyment of foreign films (author would like to note she would not judge male for NOT liking foreign films, but a willingness to watch would suffice), appreciation of fried foods (excepting oreos and twinkies as author finds these disgusting). In fact, though the author does not discriminate against vegans or vegetarians, she would very much like to not date one, as she enjoys bacon cheeseburgers and would not like to feel more guilty than she already does for consuming them. That being said, she welcomes candidates of all backgrounds and walks of life though a lack of criminal record provides an advantage. Author would like to highlight the fact that she does not seek a male to provide her with a life necessarily as she is sure she can find either one on her own. However, as she is clearly making an effort it seems silly to look for one and not the other. Qualities looked for in life would involve a certain amount of travel, though not anything that involves natural disaster or life or death situations, author would like to clarify she wants to travel for recreation only. Some things to consider before replying to this ad: as author condones full disclosure of all information to any replies, she wishes to come clean about a few things. Author does not have room for chickpeas or pickles in her life old or new and would greatly appreciate her future and perhaps potential life partner to respect this. She also would like to stress that although she is looking for adventure and excitement in life she does not look for drama (unless, of course, it involves the New York Metropolitan Opera or any community theatre performing musicals or Tennessee Williams). New life must be an upgrade from present life as the author is content at the moment where she is and would not like to digress but rather broaden her scope beyond Ben and Jerry’s Dublin Mudslide, the Princess Bride, the Disney Channel and singing Taylor Swift in the comfort of her own vehicle. She would very much like if she is not judged but rather cherished for these things. Lest she be categorized as flighty, the author would like to emphasize that she would never expect something of her partner she is not capable of herself. The author also enjoys crossword puzzles and public radio, as well as documentaries and volunteer work. Respondents are not required to share all of these interests, but those who do not will most likely not be compatible with the author and will therefore be discouraged from responding. Goals in life include learning a new language, traveling through Africa, owning a neon purple motorbike, living on the water and dying by misadventure. If a SWM or LIFE should be interested you can reply care of this publication. The author of this ad looks forward to hearing from you, but not overanxiously, as she does not want to appear desperate or too willing.

Happy Halloween!

Happiness... is a warm gun, mama.

So much can happen in a few short days sometimes. Other days drag by slowly, but oh no, not on this bank holiday weekend. It all started while I sat curled up on the couch in the living room, typing away. The door opened and I could hear voices then Ryan opened the door and said, "do you want to meet our friends?". Yes, dear readers, the boys have friends, these particular friends being from Derry. No, I couldn't understand them most of the time. Still, the boys were excited to have their friends around, and it was pretty amusing to see them hungover the next morning, then head out to go fishing, yes fishing, and come back and attempt to prepard and eat the "catch of the day". The house smelled like fish for two days. Yuck.

Yesterday threatened rain and turned cold. I was feeling pretty stressed because I hadn't been as productive as I wanted to be, but to take a break from writing a book review (that he changed his mind and didn't even ask us to turn in), I went to the bookshop to pick up some books for class. On my way there, I popped into a little dress shop that sells the coolest looking clothes (and hats). This place is right up my alley, except for the price tag. So, when the American woman and her daughter asked for directions to the city museum and the cashier fumbled, I offered to walk them there myself. I was going that way anyway. Turns out, it was a family from Florida on vacation. Karen was the mother's name and I don't remember the name of her husband, but they had two kids. It was the dad's birthday and they're from St. Augustine. So that was a nice detour. I headed on to the shop and only found one required reading, BUT I also found a book about irish women journalists from 1969-1981. YES. This may work its way into a non-fiction or women's writing project. I'm pretty excited about it.

When I got back to the house, the boys were heading out to buy firewood and a pumpkin. So they built a fire and brought me a pumpkin to carve. I was so excited! Such great roommates! It was a lovely evening with the three of us working away at projects (Kasha was over at Colm's) and then Noel went to get more firewood. This is when we discovered that the outside pane of our glass door had cracked in tiny little pieces. Fantastic. Bertie is currently in the States for a wedding, so...yeah. The door looks sort of cool, but we're definitely not using it.

This brings us to today, which was dreary and rainy from the moment I woke up. Yuck. But, I got FOUR letters in the mail today (thanks Maw Maw, Louise, Sheree and Danielle!) and the rain stopped long enough for me to walk to campus. Excellent. So, I returned my library books, picked up the second required reading (the one I didn't find in town yesterday) and bought myself an almond latte. The barista there is really nice, but she can't hear me. She never hears me say almond and I always feel so bad for having to repeat myself. I also really like the almond latte because they always put AL on the cup, and have no idea those are my initials, and it's a bit of silliness to brighten the day. Today, however, I was also thirsty for something cool, so I went to the vending machine for another splurge, a coke (I haven' t had one in weeks). The machine was broken. No worries, I thought to myself, I just run back downstairs and go to the vending machine there. That machine didn't work either. Conspiracy! Just beside the coke machine, there is a water and Powerade machine. I only had enough change with me to buy a Powerade (which I haven't had since high school when there was a machine outside the back doors of the gym), so of course, I chose the blue one (berry and tropical fruit flavor). Out popped not one, but TWO Powerades (the second one was orange). This I took as a sign and I scooped them both up and headed to class to talk about Marilynne Robinson, plot and landscape. Now, here I am, listening to my cool new Acoustic France cd (thanks Danielle!) and preparing to read more poetry criticism. And eat. Let's not forget that. Kasha brought home cake :)

Two Posts in One Day?! Yes, yes the apocalypse is coming...

Okay, this is my last post for a few days. For the record, the second post isn't a practice in procrastinating. I've finished my poem from another poem. Now, this poem will be cut up, line by line and transformed into another poem mixed with elements from poems written by other people in class. So, before it got chopped, I wanted to share it, as I was inspired by all the football posts this evening. Hope you like it!

Happiness (homage to Giles County)

four seasons, not the hotel

starting with apple cider and hot chocolate

girls in jeans and letterman's jackets
while the boys take the field in shoulder pads

then comes the snow, two hour delays

painting your nails and curling your hair

ringlets that fall before the first bell rings
softball practice begins before the thaw
breaking your arm before Disneyland but after Prom, thank God

summertime and the living would be easy

if only you could tan and he would pick you up

meeting everyone else, lazy days at the river

learning to fly, free falling into growing up

understanding you're still in high school, just older

longer days, shorter vacations, wider hips

paying eighty dollars to see Tom Petty and pretend

you're still in college and your beer is free

except you're not and suddenly you're salaried

meeting up with girlfriends at kid friendly restaurants

and giving money to the little leaguers

buying boy scout popcorn and PTA chocolate

never missing a Sunday to visit your mother

talk baseball with your dad, politics with your brother

falling in love, serious this time

whether you want it to be or not, this knowing

everyone else's business but somehow relishing

all four seasons, not the hotel

Mission Statement/Mission Impossible?

It's cold and wet. Again. I feel as though I'm truly preparing myself for a life in the Pacific Northwest, should I ever want to go back. Also, it's Friday and I've decided that since I have a 3 day weekend, I should probably stop slacking and actually write a legitimate blog post. This is also a good reason to procrastinate a little more.

On the agenda this weekend (schoolwise): a completed response to the Writer's Workshop yesterday on Reviewing which means I'll be attempting to write a comedic short story about an author meeting a reviewer who hates the author's work. Typical plot, I know, but I want to try something funny. THEN, I'll attempt once again to write a poem from another poem, this one on happiness or celebration. It doesn't sound hard, but when you try to write it from another poem, holy cow. Not so fun anymore. After this I will write a review on a book I haven't written and discuss my strengths and weaknesses and then continue to write a piece stemming from an art exhibit that scared the bejesus out of me yesterday. To explain: the effect of multiple projectors in a darkened room playing silent film and photographs is creepy. When you put two t.v.'s at each end of the exhibit and the sound suddenly turns on without warning, that's terrifying. Especially when you're the only person there at 3 in the afternoon and it's drizzling (surprise) outside.

So, those are the more pressing assignments. Somewhere in there, I'll be in the library reading the hardest book of poetry to find ever and also reading criticism for said poems. The girl doing the presentation on this author (Eavan Boland) emailed us some suggested reading and said she was going to focus on the "victimization of women". I love feminist topics. Honestly, I do. Still, I'm going to make myself happy with an almond latte and maybe a scone. Interesting doesn't have to equal depressing, but we're definitely into depressing territory now.

That being said, I full intend to enjoy my weekend, rain or not. Unlike last weekend which was consumed by feeling awful (side note: there's a commercial for a cough syrup that shows the ugliest/cutest mucus thing that continues to attack people, almost like a puppy, it's hilarious), this weekend is going to be productive. I plan to do some shopping, a little exploring and a LOT of writing. Combine that with Geribody (aka Spice Girl) yoga and you've got yourself Allison in Ireland. Next weekend is Halloween and it looks like most of the friends I've made will be out of town, but never fear! Despite the fact that I have yet to come up with a costume, my early friends, the international kids, will be around, so I'm sure fun will be had. I'm also planning on venturing up to Kylemore Abbey and the Connemara area next weekend to look at gardens and cottages and castles turned to religious purposes. Until then, I'll be baking and eating and studying. Life is good.

Makeover!

Yesterday I got an e-mail from my dear Summer J. Brown. Allison, it said, I've made you a new blog header, if you like it, we'll skype and I'll talk you through the html codes. Well, this conversation basically turned into the usual exchange, with me being hopelessly inept at technology and SJB working her magic without my help. Then, knowing I would never make the blog look any better, she offered a full blog makeover. Ladies and Gents, this is the result of maybe thirty minutes of the talented SJB's time. I hope you enjoy it!

A quick life update

This past weekend and week beginning have been alternatively exciting and uneventful. I did end up going to the Fiction Slam on Friday and reading. I didn't pass out, thank goodness, but my knees were shaking! In fact, a friend from class, the super talented Sarah Griffin won the whole competition and a bottle of wine! All in all, it was a successful night, minus the nose congestion. I walked home and promptly went to bed, feeling pretty rough, but not awful. That came on Saturday. Miserable is the word that comes to mind. The boys had a friend visiting and they made me drink a whiskey and go to bed. Have I mentioned my roommates are awesome?

Anyhow, Sunday was much better, complete with a depressing but compelling book for Irish Women's Literature and... a Hugh Grant chick flick. Notting Hill never gets old. Monday, of course, was poetry class. As usual, it was amazing, even if I couldn't really breathe because my head cold was now a chest cold, but still! Today was fiction and it was more interesting than usual. I always love talking about readings for class, but since it's a fiction workshop, I'd rather we talk about what we're working on, and we almost got there today.

This evening, I made scones with crystallized ginger. I have to say, they're pretty tasty. I may even attempt yoga tonight in my newfound industriousness. I may sound like a man, but I don't feel as bad as I sound. Now, it's off to read a few articles for tomorrow's class!

A Gentleman and A Scholar? To Be Determined

As a special request, I'm writing this blog about my roommate, Ryan. You see, Ryan is paranoid that I spend my entire blog writing about him. In fact, he may even think I write all of my stories about him. So, I'm dedicating this entire blog to dear Ryan Kelly, just so that he can say he's right (he loves being right).

When I first arrived in Ireland, I obviously had no idea what to expect and hoped I would luck out and have great roommates. Clearly, this has been the case(yay Kasha and Noel!), but a special word about Ryan. We call him "The Professor" he's such a serious seeming boy, studying Classics and English. Some mornings, you can find him with his cup of coffee or tea, listening to the news and reading the paper. I mean, what else can you call a twenty year old who reads Plato and Wordsworth and enjoys it AND is up on current events? According to our dear Noel, Ryan doesn't particularly like this, but it's fitting and I think it has a ring to it. Ryan, you'll thank me later in life. In some ways, he reminds me of (brother) Phil because he can be quiet and serious and then joke around, when he wants to, that is.

Our dear Ryan loves his football(soccer) and in fact, has a cousin who's currently playing for the Ireland 19 and Under team. You can hear him sighing in agony over an awful play or letting out yelps of delight when something good happens. You can also find him in the back garden kicking around the soccer ball he stole from the street on any given evening. It's all rather endearing. Just like Phil, you probably should give him space when his team loses. I'm telling you, dear readers, it's like having a little brother around, he even shares his popcorn and makes me tea sometimes. Though he doesn't giggle or call me when he has a joke to share. I do miss that.

Though he may be paranoid, chivalry is not dead in Ireland. It's true, I've called him a mean spirit (and he is when he decides to cease conversation prematurely or scare unsuspecting people in another room, cough cough), but both he and Noel agree that the man should walk closest to the oncoming cars, so they would get hit first instead of the girl. And let's not overlook the fact that they did buy me a Hannah Montana birthday cake, despite the fact that I'm 25 and no one over the age of twelve should ever request a cake like that. So this is just a little appreciation for Professor Ryan Kelly for all of his paranoid, sometimes gruff and well meaning ways. Rest assured, living with these boys (we can't forget Noel, these two are a bromance for the ages), I won't get run over by a car or ever have to go without tea, and I might learn something about football (soccer) while I'm here. They even do the dishes! So is it far to say Ryan Kelly deserves this dedicated blog post? Perhaps so or perhaps not, but it'll make him blush anyhow and to me, that's a job well done :).