So lets see, what have we missed?
Well while I’ve been up to my fuzzy mop in yawn-worthy project ….. the summer has started (allegedly)

Mum visited… and we went to the Keukenhoff… photos on flickr

Tuilps from Amsterdam

We had Queens day, which despite its National Drama, and some more personally experienced drama, was a lovely time.

I went back to work and things just moved along…..

I will say that living here lends a lot of time to thinking and planning, which is in my opinion something I am glad for. Being here I have learned to really listen to what I think or feel about a situation, to depend on my own reaction and thoughts and to stand up for what I want. I always put others opinions on what I should do or how I should react as the more important. I second guessed and self doubted as if it was an Olympic sport that I was in training for.

Here; I am my own person, of my own making. I loved that when I came here first I could almost begin again, as a 30 yr old If I wanted to be decisive and confident I could be, and no one would be able to judge me on previous experiences or on past failed endeavours.

So all this thinking and inner confidence building up has produced quite the effect, to my mind anyway, and be prepared for the next few months, as the fruits of my thinking time come out and shine.

So that’s the Elf? What of Amsterdam?

Well Amsterdam is as it ever was, I’m enjoying the summer, the longer evenings and the sun on my face on my way to and from work. My *new* bike, purchased in February has proven to be the most fabulous purchase ever, I love it so much. Cycling the 19km round trip is a breeze and in hail, rain or sun (I don’t do snow) I cycle to work and everywhere besides. Actually I have gotten extremely ‘dammer about it, as was pointed out by a “newbie” who remarked that I cycled the 2min walk to my local Sunday brunch spot, and why not, isn’t it even quicker by bike!

Cycling does give me a fantastic freedom, I never wanted a car and I wasn’t pushed on learning how to drive. But once I got over the paralyzing fear last summer of the first few months, and especially since the new dream-bike, it has just really improved my life quality. Even with the crap bike, in the winter I missed cycling, I missed the exercise and the brain stimulation. So now I am *getting* to ‘dammer proficiency (I’ll never be a Shaun who whizzes kamikaze style) but I can pedal my own!

Summer is definitely in bloom with many of my friends pregnant I know 3 couples now eagerly awaiting bundles of joy and poo! Even some of my utterly wonderful gayer-boy  mates are contemplating procreating, which makes me really happy. I have to say, a nicer bunch of people you couldn’t find!

Im really looking forward to this years Pride, we have a few of the family participating in the Drag Queen Olympics and then we are going to set up camp at our vantage point early, so we can brunch and rink in the sun, and await the passing boast bedecked in carnival and nearly naked beings!

My apartment had its own dramas this spring, after one particularly bad spring storm there was a leak from the roof, which bypassed the upstairs apartment via their kitchen wall, and ended up ALL over my bed. It was so bloody annoying, although not as annoying as dealing with the agency. Quick note for anyone that is moving here, contact me regarding agencies, they charge like a mofo and do nothing to help when you need them.

So for now I will leave you, I have to say I’ve missed blogging, I may not get back to the Lenten Post a Day rhythm I had. But I will be back, as my plans and the summer unfolds I promise you now at least two posts a week!

Drinky Links and Amsterdam Cool need an airing too!

Elf!

Castleblayney Record breaking Smurf-fest

Well The NY Mag reported that:

On April 2nd, 2009, the Rutgers University Programming Association (RUPA) and Rutgers Student Life broke the Guinness World Record for The World’s Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Waldo from the iconic picture book series, Where’s Waldo?.

1,052 Rutgers students, staff and community members were spotted “showing their stripes” at the historic State Theatre located in downtown New Brunswick, New Jersey. Rutgers smashed the previous record, set by 577 Acuity Insurance Employees in Sheboygan, Wisconsin at the Acuity Insurance headquarters.

University of Waldo

Hmmm, I guess you can really convince people to do anything.
That said I do love Where’s Wally Books.

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Ps, I apologise for the appalling lack of content in this post, I have some cool things to share, but I went for dinner with two of my best friends here tonight, and I’m way to chilled to say anything of substance. Great Company, Great Food, Great Wine, Fantastic Service *shocker here* and a new “find” made for a wonderful end to a sunny evening. Conor and Shaun rock!

A very kind, funny, talented bloke, who is absolutely stellar to hang out with

I met him on a train from Salzburg when I did a tiny weeny spot of inter-railing in 2007.

At the time he was touring the world and in total he was traveling for 560days in a row

His blog on the adventure is well worth reading click any of the links above.

He came to stay with me in Ireland for a few days in early 2008, before jetting off to Cuba

I love his videos and his photos
Two fine examples here

Click here to view the embedded video.

Anyhow, he created a new video as part of his showreel and I got a sneak peak this morning.
So here you go, a blogging exclusive, if you will….

Dan Murphy’s Showreel.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The 4th Irish Blog Awards took place last Saturday the 21st in
Cork International Airport Hotel

(Otherwise known as “some internet thing, you know like the twatty website” – by my mum)

It was my first Blog/Twitter Event, and it wont be my last!
Its been a (lax, badly run) year since I began this blog and 7 months since I began on twitter.

I never thought I would meet anyone from it, let alone loads of very cool, lovely, funny, amazing, madcap, fantastic, charming, welcoming, sweet, sexy, gorgeous, intelligent, inspiring antos as I did at #iba09

Wow! Bloscars are amazing!

I have no words really to describe it other than Loved

I met so many cool people, and I know I’ve only remembered a tiny weeny few, but believe me you all left a huge impression on this little elf!

Bloggers Roadtrip 09 – Amsterdam!
Anyone is welcome so long as you don fly WhineAir

Elf!

Anyway, as I am an elf that’s opposed to change, this makes me sad.
Somehow the fact that there were still staff (Al and Lisa) there seemed to take the edge off the pain. I know its just an office and just a company, that in the end didn’t care about us. But it was so much more than that for me.

My university experience sucked hairy monkeys balls, and really that office and the mayhem and friendship that occurred behind its creaky, sticky brown doors replaced that magnificently. Except it was better as I was earning money!!

Anyway, thought I might post one or two of the shots from that era, now passed!

So long my old friend.