A Sportive Sunday

Today was a sunny Sunday full of sports events:

The Gaelic Football Semi Final- a giants match between Dublin and Kerry.
And as Grace keep saying: Kerry is The Best! They are. Dubs knocked out by Kerry. On September 16th Kerry will play the final against its greatest rival- Cork!

The Tour of Ireland.
On my way back from lunch with Dan, we saw that it was the time the competitor arrived the part of Dublin we were at. It was lame in a way. It didn't look like Tour De France with loads of people cheering the riders. There were approximately 40 people along 200 meters. Half of them were kids or even babies. Disappointing.

Grand Canal Walk
Well, this I didn't witness. It's just that on my way back home at around 18:00, There was a singer singing on an improvised stage. I must try to describe it- it was looked like an open container. When I'll have the pic I took on my mobile, I'll upload it, hopefully it is clear enough to see what I'm talking about. Besides the singer and the 2 years old girl wondering around him and his 2-people band, there were tens of people sitting at tables (or not) and drinking beer. The kids wore with their parents' Grand Canal Walk large size t-shirts.

What about me?
I had my own Cycling Tour at the gym
I had my own (Jogging) Marathon at the gym
And I had my own Grand Canal Walk on my way to and from the office.
Sorry, no Gaelic Football activity. I didn't even get the chance to discuss the rules with Grace yet.

My First Time

Or: First Month Summary

1. Got my first ever Free Massage for the first time in my life
2. Played Foosball for the first time in my life
3. Played Nintendo Wii for the first time in my life
4. Worked extra hours on my third week in a new job for the first time in my life
5. And must think how I want to spend my 11 Vacation days by the end of the year! And some other 25 days by the end of next one, not including public holidays - another 9 days per year. I wish this was my only problem. But when I come to think of it, I don't have that many problems these days for the first time in my life
6. Having an umbrella in my bag on a regular basis for the first time in my life
7. Walked in the rain wearing shorts for the first time in my life
8. Not working on Sundays for the first time in my life
9. Go to the Gym (for the first time in 6 years)
10. And don't have to pay for it for the first time in my life
11. Went to a Jews' singles party (organized by Rabbi Zalman), and enjoyed every minute (not everybody were Jews neither single) for the first time in my life
12. Drank alcohol every weekend for the first time in my life
13. Being broke for the first time in my life. Had more money when I was 16 (Don't want to spend the money I have in Israel)
14. But I'm also doing good by thinking how shall I spend the little money I do have.
15. Don't spend money on food during weekdays for the first time in my life
16. I'll have a very impressive this month for the first time in my life. This month only, though...
17. And of course living abroad, (18.) working abroad, (19.) to be precise- working at Google, (20.) partying and having fun and (21.) trying to count how many people in Israel are thinking of me and wanting to strangle me out of jealousy. Or just strangle me without any reasonable reason (I can think of one person right now! haha ha ha hahaha ha... I wish she could read that!) all of the above- for the first time in my life

There are many other first times I just can't remember. So many new good things and adventures. Besides, I must leave something for my next post.

I also have to go to a party soon, so no time as well.

You Should be More Careful!

That's what the nice Irish policeman said to someone I know, after crossing the street. Why did he say that? Because a car driver saw a pedestrian crossing the street, and that was a good-enough reason to speed up. Why not making the poor pedestrian sweat a bit and feel like this could be his/her last moment in life?

That's how it is here in Dublin. The streets of Dublin (or any other place in Ireland) are not a safe place! The unwritten law is that cars and drivers have the priority to drive (and maybe run over people as well???...), the pedestrians must be more careful and more responsible, and wish they had a car. That way we'll feel much safer.

After being here for almost a month, I can understand where it comes from. The streets of Dublin are very narrow and crowded. There are more traffic lights for cars than pedestrians. We have to cross the street whenever it seems safe enough. But there's always a car with a mad driver behind the wheel, just around the corner. Pedestrians always have to press a button if they want to cross the street, even at the city busiest junction. Otherwise the light will never change to green on most pedestrians' traffic lights.

The police' approach is to reproach and preach. At least they don't give pedestrians reports for crossing the street on red light and/or carelessness . Like in Israel. But at least in Israel pedestrians are more taken care of. the police do a lot in those cases, and give away many reports to rogue drivers. I read and saw on the news!

I know some might disagree. I know it sounds absurd, but wait till you are here, and then understand what I'm talking about. Yes, I do mean that Israeli drivers are more careful than Irish. Despite the fact that they can stab you when you argue with them. Well, I'm exaggerating, as almost always, but it does happen, sometimes. That, too, was written and on the news. From time to time.

I have one last tip. If you're in Dublin, try not to accidentally hit the mirror of the car next to you with our elbow, or the driver will start beeping like crazy and shout at you like crazy. Based on a true story. Not mine. Yet.