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!

But I was brought nicely up to speed on the goings on in my own home town, Mullingar by my Twitter buddy @KeithNolan, who I have since dubbed my ‘Gar-espondant

I have learned 3 things.

One:

The Topic is online  – hopefully now they have stopped killing trees printing it.

Westmeath really does not have enough news for more than one paper and the Westmeath Examiner is marginally “better”

Two:

Christy Mae (Left)

Irelands first Disco DJ hailed from Mullingar, and is about to make a comeback *for one night only*

POPULAR Mullingar business man Christy Maye, the first person in Ireland to run a discotheque,  began his business career as a DJ with his Disc-a-Go-Go while still a student nurse in St. Loman’s Hospital, Mullingar……..

Christy Maye had to completely build a sound system and lighting display. “I had to find a way to cushion the turntables, and used a spring from a car seat, and foam, and other padding, so that we could get the sound and volume.  We separated the bass sounds and got the hi-fi effect, and we improvised in various ways to get the lighting effects”

Perhaps I’m being cruel but…. *cringe*

Three:

A Mullingar woman will be appearing in tonight’s Apprentice on BBC 1 at 9/10pm GMT/CET the Westmeath Examiner reports.

Lorraine Tighe

Lorraine Tighe the Examiner claims “although she grew up in Westmeath,  she was born in London. When she was six, her parents, Rathowen-born James Tighe, and his Streete-born wife, Loretto (nee Coffey) (now living in Petitswood), moved back to Ireland, and Lorraine attended Rathowen N.S., before going on to attend the Loreto College in Mullingar“

I have to say I love this quote about her business aim:

“to be able to drive a dead horse to the winning line”.

So I wish her luck, she left my hellish Alma Mater at 16, and I would have done the same given half a chance. She seems to have done good and hopefully she’ll go on to make a big success, she’s already a great role model for her two young daughters.

Best of Luck Lorraine.