Sunday, March 21, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Be Safe
You can break all the rules you want today when you go out drinking and celebrating all things Irish. But don't drink and drive, be safe. 
Happy St. Patricks Day
Today is the celebration of all things Irish. People all around the world will be wearing green, dying their rivers the emerald color, drinking a toast or two to the Irish in all of us. Gareth and I are going to watch the parade today in Dublin city centre at noon with a few of our friends.
The weather was miserable when I picked Gareth up from the airport on Monday. I was feeling a little better than the day before, but still very tired as I waited in the airport for him to arrive. But as tired as I felt, I knew he would be even more tired from his long journey. When I saw him walking towards me with one bag slung over his shoulder and the other trailing behind him, I couldn't help but suddenly feel alive and I rose quickly to meet him. When he noticed me walking towards him, the tired look on his face turned into a smile and he seemed to sigh a bit as he realized he was finally home from his long journey. I grabbed the bag from his shoulder, slung it over mine and with a quick hello and a wink we walked towards the car.
Once in the car, we took a moment to just hold each other close and have a few small kisses before heading home. As I drove the car he rested in the seat next to me with his eyes closed and his hand on my leg. Sitting at red lights he would open his eyes and we would interlock our fingers with each other. Feeling the touch of his fingers against mine reminded me of how long its been since we've been together. I wanted to run through the red lights and get home as fast as possible and get him undressed so I could feel the warmth of his skin next to mine.
When we pulled up to the house, I thought since we had gotten married in South Africa, I should carry him over the threshold. Leaving his luggage in the car, we walked up to the front door. My plan was to give him the keys, have him unlock the door and then I would pick him up the best I could (he is taller than me) and carry him inside. But as he unlocked the door he turned and quickly grabbed for me and tried to pick me up! Apparently he had the same idea for me. So we stood there for a moment grabbing unsuccessfully at each other until we found ourselves sitting next to the open doorway laughing. Our cats came running over and we each held one as they greeted Gareth on his return. We noticed one of our nosey neighbors staring at us from behind her curtains. Realizing we needed to get inside since we were causing a scene, and not wanting to let the other one carry the other inside, we decided to just roll inside at the same time, which we did. After shutting the door, we laid there for a moment laughing and talking of how the neighbor probably thinks we've gone crackers.
As we laughed, our fingers found each other again and I slid myself next to him and we kissed. I put my hand down to steady myself as I leaned over him and put it on a cat toy making it squeak, which made us start laughing again as we kissed. At this point the phone rang and it was my boss asking me to call him right away on an issue, the cats were circling us like sharks for their dinner, and Gareth said he really had to piss. So the romance was put on hold.
Gareth got a shower and shaved as I made dinner and called my boss. Then Gareth did the dishes and checked in with the hospital while I got a shower. Finally all cleaned up and with all chores done, I wrapped my towel around my waist and walked out to Gareth who was sitting in just his boxers on the couch reading. He threw his paper to the side when he saw me standing in front of him wearing just a towel, still kind of wet. I straddled his lap, pressed my chest against his and kissed him. I loved the feeling of his naked skin against mine. After a few kisses I held out my closed hand. Opening my hand with his, he saw I held our two real wedding rings in my hand. Neither of us really wanted to take off the wire rings we made in South Africa that day, but we decided to put them in a frame and hang them on the wall of our bedroom as a reminder of that day.
Putting our rings on, we whispered I love you to each other and after many miles of separation and seemingly endless days we finally spent the night as a married couple. It didn't take us long to get into the married life routine since he spent most of yesterday at the hospital and got home late. I had worked late myself on a project at work and fell asleep on the couch when I got home. Gareth brought hamburgers home with him last night, we ate them, watched some telly and fell asleep on the couch. In the middle of the night, I woke up, then woke him up and turning the TV off, we fell onto the bed face down and quickly back to sleep. The only romance was holding each others hand in the middle of the bed, with one leg draped over the others as we fell asleep, one on each side of the bed.
With today being St. Patricks Day, we're sharing the day with friends by going to the parade and then to a few parties. It'll be a great day to share some laughs, music, stories, and drinks with my Dublin friends, but in my heart throughout the day I will also be remembering my friends from distant shores and I'll drink a toast to you.
May those that love us, love us.
And those that don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if he doesn’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we’ll know them by their limping.
The weather was miserable when I picked Gareth up from the airport on Monday. I was feeling a little better than the day before, but still very tired as I waited in the airport for him to arrive. But as tired as I felt, I knew he would be even more tired from his long journey. When I saw him walking towards me with one bag slung over his shoulder and the other trailing behind him, I couldn't help but suddenly feel alive and I rose quickly to meet him. When he noticed me walking towards him, the tired look on his face turned into a smile and he seemed to sigh a bit as he realized he was finally home from his long journey. I grabbed the bag from his shoulder, slung it over mine and with a quick hello and a wink we walked towards the car.
Once in the car, we took a moment to just hold each other close and have a few small kisses before heading home. As I drove the car he rested in the seat next to me with his eyes closed and his hand on my leg. Sitting at red lights he would open his eyes and we would interlock our fingers with each other. Feeling the touch of his fingers against mine reminded me of how long its been since we've been together. I wanted to run through the red lights and get home as fast as possible and get him undressed so I could feel the warmth of his skin next to mine.
When we pulled up to the house, I thought since we had gotten married in South Africa, I should carry him over the threshold. Leaving his luggage in the car, we walked up to the front door. My plan was to give him the keys, have him unlock the door and then I would pick him up the best I could (he is taller than me) and carry him inside. But as he unlocked the door he turned and quickly grabbed for me and tried to pick me up! Apparently he had the same idea for me. So we stood there for a moment grabbing unsuccessfully at each other until we found ourselves sitting next to the open doorway laughing. Our cats came running over and we each held one as they greeted Gareth on his return. We noticed one of our nosey neighbors staring at us from behind her curtains. Realizing we needed to get inside since we were causing a scene, and not wanting to let the other one carry the other inside, we decided to just roll inside at the same time, which we did. After shutting the door, we laid there for a moment laughing and talking of how the neighbor probably thinks we've gone crackers.
As we laughed, our fingers found each other again and I slid myself next to him and we kissed. I put my hand down to steady myself as I leaned over him and put it on a cat toy making it squeak, which made us start laughing again as we kissed. At this point the phone rang and it was my boss asking me to call him right away on an issue, the cats were circling us like sharks for their dinner, and Gareth said he really had to piss. So the romance was put on hold.
Gareth got a shower and shaved as I made dinner and called my boss. Then Gareth did the dishes and checked in with the hospital while I got a shower. Finally all cleaned up and with all chores done, I wrapped my towel around my waist and walked out to Gareth who was sitting in just his boxers on the couch reading. He threw his paper to the side when he saw me standing in front of him wearing just a towel, still kind of wet. I straddled his lap, pressed my chest against his and kissed him. I loved the feeling of his naked skin against mine. After a few kisses I held out my closed hand. Opening my hand with his, he saw I held our two real wedding rings in my hand. Neither of us really wanted to take off the wire rings we made in South Africa that day, but we decided to put them in a frame and hang them on the wall of our bedroom as a reminder of that day.
Putting our rings on, we whispered I love you to each other and after many miles of separation and seemingly endless days we finally spent the night as a married couple. It didn't take us long to get into the married life routine since he spent most of yesterday at the hospital and got home late. I had worked late myself on a project at work and fell asleep on the couch when I got home. Gareth brought hamburgers home with him last night, we ate them, watched some telly and fell asleep on the couch. In the middle of the night, I woke up, then woke him up and turning the TV off, we fell onto the bed face down and quickly back to sleep. The only romance was holding each others hand in the middle of the bed, with one leg draped over the others as we fell asleep, one on each side of the bed.
With today being St. Patricks Day, we're sharing the day with friends by going to the parade and then to a few parties. It'll be a great day to share some laughs, music, stories, and drinks with my Dublin friends, but in my heart throughout the day I will also be remembering my friends from distant shores and I'll drink a toast to you.
May those that love us, love us.
And those that don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if he doesn’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we’ll know them by their limping.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Back From Sea
Just got back today from our first voyage to sea this year. It was kind of rough, very chilly, and I have a headache. I'm drinking some tea right now and about to get a hot bath. My head feels hot, but the body feels cold. I hope I'm not getting sick.Gareth will be home tomorrow from South Africa. I can't wait to see him, touch him, smell him, hear his voice, and just be with him. And well, of course, do naughty things with him. lol
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Ireland 20 England 16
Ireland defeated England 14-13 at Croke Park on Saturday to take the outright lead in the Six Nations championship. After three rounds Ireland, who have not won a grand slam since 1948, are the only unbeaten team in the tournament.
Racing onto a pass from Tomas O'Leary, winger Tommy Bowe grabbed the headlines at Twickenham as he ran in the decisive try, five minutes from time, as Ireland battled to their sixth win in seven years against England.
Jonny Wilkinson appeared to have won it for England when, with the sides level at 13-13, he landed a 71st minute drop goal.
But Bowe added to his first half try by crossing moments later, with the reigning RBS 6 Nations champions, hampered by the loss of skipper Brian O'Driscoll, then surviving a ferocious late assault from a valiant English side.
Long-serving Irish prop John Hayes joined the ranks of rugby's centurions as he became the first Irish player to win 100 caps for his country, beating O'Driscoll to the milestone by one match.
O'Driscoll started despite missing Friday's Captain's Run session through illness, while the fit-again Geordan Murphy made his first Test appearance for almost a year at full-back.
Jonathan Sexton was also handed his first Championship start after being preferred to Ireland's record points scorer Ronan O'Gara at out-half, as one of four adjustments to the side beaten 33-10 by France.
England were unchanged following their 17-12 victory over Italy, with winger Mark Cueto shaking off a stomach bug to take his place in the starting line-up.
Reputations were at stake with England needing an improved performance to stop pressure growing on team manager Martin Johnson. And an England win would have left Ireland's title defence in ruins.
Wilkinson, who shipped some unfair criticism for his performance against Italy, made a hash of the kick-off, showing some early signs of nerves.
England reacted sharply, however, with strong runs from Cueto, Ugo Monye and Wilkinson sweeping them forward.
The bright start lasted only until the fourth minute when a turnover enabled RBS 6 Nations man-of-the-match Jamie Heaslip to break free before releasing Sexton who spotted Bowe on his outside.
A perfectly-weighted kick from Sexton set up a foot race for the line between Bowe and Lewis Moody that was won easily by the Monaghan man.
Sexton missed the conversion but England's problems increased when an injury forced heavyweight second row Simon Shaw to the touchline and he was replaced by Louis Deacon.
Wilkinson directed a routine penalty at the left upright before a promising attack was brought to an end when the Toulon out-half chipped into the arms of Murphy.
After adjusting his sights, Wilkinson landed three points to see England trail Ireland 5-3 by the end of a first quarter they had largely controlled.
Rain began to fall heavily, and the conditions became treacherous almost immediately. Sexton, who had made a composed start, missed a penalty, but was on target with another attempt in the 29th minute.
Ireland's efforts to build momentum were undermined by some kicking errors, but there was clinical edge to the visitors' play when they were created some space.
Winger Keith Earls made a scintillating break as he dashed through three tackles, with prop Tim Payne guilty of the biggest miss, but busy scrum half Danny Care came to England's rescue on the chip ahead, dotting down ahead of Heaslip.
Wilkinson kicked his second penalty to cut Ireland's lead back to just two points - 8-6 - but the champions' defence was largely untroubled.
The second half opened with Sexton and Wilkinson missing penalties and the match continued to be blighted by errors, with one passage of play seeing three successive knock-ons.
Monye, who was targeted by Ireland's kickers, shoved a dangerous chip ahead into touch with Bowe breathing down his neck and Delon Armitage then limped off injured with Ben Foden being introduced.
Tempers flared in the 54th minute with scrum halves Care and O'Leary providing the flashpoint as they squabbled over possession.
Initially O'Leary was at fault as he prevented Care from getting his hands on the ball but referee Mark Lawrence reversed the penalty for Care dumping the Corkman to the ground, with Stephen Ferris, who was very effective in the loose, also tangling with James Haskell.
The decision against Care was a harsh one that left England pinned back in their half from Sexton's ensuing kick - an inch perfect one - and they watched in horror as Ireland expertly worked the blindside.
Sexton's flat, fast pass did the damage with Earls gleefully diving over in the left corner for his maiden RBS 6 Nations try. Sexton missed the difficult conversion.
Nonetheless, Leicester prop Dan Cole set up a nail-biting final quarter when he drove over under the posts in the 61st minute with help from his pack and the despite the best defensive efforts of Donncha O'Callaghan and Rory Best. Wilkinson's successful conversion squared things up on the scoreboard.
Play was held up for several minutes after O'Driscoll was accidentally kneed in the head by Ireland's pack leader Paul O'Connell, as the Irish scrambled back in defence.
It was a heavy blow and in worrying scenes the Ireland skipper was attended by medics before being stretchered from the pitch.
The back-line was rejigged with Earls switching to outside centre and Andrew Trimble drafted in off the bench to take the wing spot.
With the match tied at 13-13, Wilkinson missed his third shot at goal but nailed a beautifully-struck 71st minute drop goal to break the deadlock.
But there was greater drama, four minutes later, when Ireland surged back into a match-winning lead.
Ronan O'Gara secured field position with a terrific touch finder, the Irish forwards put pressure on in the lineout and the concession of a subsequent lineout close to the 22-metre line led to England leaking a third try.
O'Connell tapped Best's throw down and O'Leary, pacing forward, sent a flat pass to the onrushing Bowe who swept through tackles from Wilkinson and Deacon before evading the grasp of Haskell to go over behind the posts.
O'Gara comfortably converted and with the likes of Heaslip and replacements Tony Buckley and Shane Jennings putting their bodies on the line, Ireland survived two late forward drives from England to take the verdict and crown Hayes' 100th cap with a morale-boosting win.
Chile Earthquake Reaches Ireland
Seismic activity relating to the the earthquake was picked up by a monitoring station in Co Wicklow.
Tom Blake, experimental officer with the School of Cosmic Physics run by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, said the earthquake was one of the most powerful on record.
'Without a shadow of a doubt it is one of the most powerful recorded. Bear in mind the strongest ever recorded was 9.6, this is 8.8. The 9.6 event occurred in 1960 and that started the whole movement towards tsunami alert systems across the Pacific.'
Mr Blake said the geographic region was known for very powerful earthquakes. 'It is where you have two plates hitting off each other.'
The Institute started seismic monitoring on behalf of the State in 1978 and will increase the number of monitoring stations from two to six this year.
Its outreach programme, the Irish National Seismic Network, has measuring equipment in 50 schools.
'I have already been contacted by some of the teachers who have say they have recorded it on their systems, which the children will see when they go into school on Monday morning,' Mr Blake said.
Tom Blake, experimental officer with the School of Cosmic Physics run by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, said the earthquake was one of the most powerful on record.
'Without a shadow of a doubt it is one of the most powerful recorded. Bear in mind the strongest ever recorded was 9.6, this is 8.8. The 9.6 event occurred in 1960 and that started the whole movement towards tsunami alert systems across the Pacific.'
Mr Blake said the geographic region was known for very powerful earthquakes. 'It is where you have two plates hitting off each other.'
The Institute started seismic monitoring on behalf of the State in 1978 and will increase the number of monitoring stations from two to six this year.
Its outreach programme, the Irish National Seismic Network, has measuring equipment in 50 schools.
'I have already been contacted by some of the teachers who have say they have recorded it on their systems, which the children will see when they go into school on Monday morning,' Mr Blake said.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
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