Category Archives: Adventures

Stories of some of my adventures, either indoors or outside

A wee day out to Galway

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Wednesday, 06-May-2026


The drive out to Galway was lovely. Long, quiet, and a great chance for me to embrace the highway hypnosis while listening to some good music.

I’d scheduled a few meetings with various musicians and music shops, so this wasn’t just a pleasure trip… but I’d ensured there was adequate time between each meeting in case they ran over – so I was fully expecting a bit of time to relax, grab some food, and enjoy my time in a town I’d heard so much about.

Now… This may just be my general frustration shining through, but… Frankly, I wasn’t particularly enthralled by Galway, I’m sorry to say.

It was neat! It was pretty! I took some cool photos, and enjoyed the time outside and out of Dublin!

But… It was touristy.

If I’m being fully candid, Galway felt like every small tourist town I’d been to in the US – the little Cape Cod towns, or the Oregon beach towns, where you visit for a few days and enjoy the tourist shops on the main drag… because the main drag is all there really is.

Now, I’m sure I was missing something, and that I was in a more negative headspace than normal… my meetings didn’t go particularly well, so I wasn’t the most positive person you’ve ever met. But the lunch I got was mediocre, and I walked out of the first coffee shop I stopped in to after they wouldn’t let me sit at a table unless I ordered a full sit-down meal (at a coffee shop. Not a restaurant, a coffee shop. With a walk-up counter like every other coffee shop)

So… yeah. Galway. Kinda pretty. A bit disappointing.

I visited, I got through my meetings, and I drove home. Got Burger King on the way home, which was the best meal of the day.

C’est la vie.


But upon my return, there were adorable love notes waiting for me… so you know what? I’ll take the whole annoying visit as a reminder that I have the best I could ask for already waiting at home for me.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 – The re-deviling!

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The Devil Wears Prada 2 – The re-deviling!

Monday, 04-May-2026

I adored the movie “The Devil Wears Prada”. To be clear – fashion and style aren’t my thing. I’m learning, vaguely, but… still not quite my thing. I enjoy Haute Couture, to a point, but I tend to prefer tents and hiking boots.

That being said, movies are fun! So Andrea, myself, and one of our friends all bustled up and headed to a nearby theater to check it out.

It was fancy – they had a whole waiting area ready for us. They had bubbly (I doubt it was actual champagne), they had snacks, and it just looked fancy.

We enjoyed, we headed in, and we watched a singularly disappointing movie (in my opinion, at least).

I won’t get into details, except that I have a huge problem with sequels that build themselves up by damaging the original… especially when I appreciated the original so much. Am I glad I saw the movie? Sure, yeah. Do I wish they hadn’t made it? Also yeah. Am I astounded that this is the best that Hollywood could do, with such a star-studded cast? You bet your butt.

Anyways. It was pretty, it was a nice day, and we had a lovely walk afterward. So I won’t complain any more than I already have.

A day with Lyra

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Saturday, 25-April-2026

Lyra is a dog that lives in our building. She’s a Cocker Spaniel, she has long ears, and she loves seeing people. She loves seeing people so much that she runs around in circles while peeing. Frankly, I am not convinced that this is “happy to see you” pee, vs. “I am scared and can’t even” pee, but her owners are adamant that it’s happy pee.

Also, Andrea loves Cocker Spaniels. Like, so much.

A few days back, Andrea had a bad day. So I pulled some strings, got the phone number for Lyra’s owners, and arranged a playdate for the two of them. That quick opportunity to pet a fluffy puppy led to today – a day when Lyra’s parents were busy, and we got to watch her for the day.


What did we do with this pup, you may ask?

WELL!

We stayed home and did some work, first off. Then, we went for a WALK! It was fun, it was lovely, and it was a beautifully warm and sunny day. One of the earlier ones of the year, if I’m remembering right, and a perfect day to take a nice long walk around the park.