don't look back too far

I've noticed that some people are looking back at a decade now that a new one is right around the corner. I can't do that, nor do I want to look back that far. A lot of good things happened in the last ten years... and some truly awful things too. So for me, one year is a good time frame to review.

On January 1, 2009 I didn't know what the new year would bring, I just knew I would be alone. I decided I wanted to travel and did I ever! None of us knows how long we have on this earth, no matter what our age. And there are places I want to see and I'm going to visit as many possible. I don't like traveling alone, but if it's the only option - so be it.

Stay tuned for more 2010 plans...

it's a puzzlement...

I don't understand why I will travel halfway around the world alone, but I will not go to a restaurant to eat dinner alone. I did once this year (see Big Salad) and I have resolved to do it more often in 2010. I'm tired of take-out and drive thru... (this is my favorite Chinese take-out place).

More resolutions to come...

Yes, Virginia...

"You tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood."

December City Cards

In these last couple of crisp days before xmas our city card racks are busy with Campaigns. National Cultural Institutions are open for business during the Christmas season full details available at www.cnci.ie.

Aware provides valuable support for those suffering from depression all year round but especially at this time and their details are available through our 300 venues or visit aware.ie.

Jameson have announced their 60 second movies competition with closing date on 28 March 2010 - lights, film action!

Rehab are letting you know they support services available with for more information and contact details are available through thier website.

Millers give a twist competition has just come to any end.

As Guinness 250 Celebration year draws to a close they have a campaign toasting you! We also have number our cards sprinkled through the network for your enjoyment.

Our office will be back open on 4 January in the meantime our media will be working as normal.

Xmas Light Walk

Last week just before the weather got really cold the Light Walkers headed out into the City to bring some festive cheer to the folks of Dublin. The cheer was provided in the form of colourful Art from the Children Of Griffiths Barracks School and was done in association with Barnardos.

every creature has a job to do...

As I sit at my desk and watch the squirrels cavorting across the lawn and up-and-down the trees, I wonder why the "outdoor" cats (see above) are not doing their job... which is to keep my kingdom (queendom?) varmint-free.

A little background on the outside cat family: over a year ago, a stray cat gave birth to a litter of four underneath my deck. Of course I fed her - she looked quite bedraggled, mostly from nursing her babies. So... I started feeding her and then when the kittens were weaned, I fed them too. The mom eventually left - I have no idea where she went but I hope nothing bad happened to her. And so, today I still feed her family - twice a day. I refuse to let them inside my house - I WILL NOT be the woman who lives with six cats!, so I bought a large doghouse and added a heated bed for them to stay out of the rain and cold temperatures. I wish I could get them to a veterinarian to be spayed/neutered, but they are quite feral, despite allowing me to feed and house them. I haven't been able to pick them up and when my son tried to pick one up it really freaked out. If only there was some animal birth control that I could add to their food...

But back to their lack of good work ethics... their hunting genes are apparently being suppressed by the current buffet on the deck. Perhaps a salad bar instead...

lonestar

Lonestar where are you out tonight?
This feeling I'm trying to fight
It's dark and I think that I would give anything
For you to shine down on me.

How far you are I just don't know
The distance I'm willing to go
I pick up a stone that I cast to the sky
Hoping for some kind of sign.
~ lyrics, Norah Jones

the redness...

The 'eye thing' started again the other night... I won't go into the details, but it's painful. I managed to get an emergency appointment with the ophthalmologist this morning and... it's finally been diagnosed and is being treated. Nothing very serious, just aggravating.

Resume the merry-making...

Green

I am tired of being sad... have I said this before? And then gotten mired once again in the feeling that I cannot move?

I met a couple on the cruise - they were from North Carolina and very nice to chat with. During one conversation, the moment seemed appropriate for telling them that I am a recent widow. They told me that one of their best friend's husband had committed suicide a year ago and they have been helping her deal with his death. And then they said that they were wondering when the hand-holding would no longer be necessary. I know the comment took me by surprise... I don't know if my expression changed, but I thought to myself "Yes, that is how people feel; that a year is probably long enough to mourn." And then you flip a switch and move on with your life. Well, I certainly have tried. I have covered thousands of miles trying to move on, haven't I?

This season always gets me down... I'm not sure why. People are frantic to shop and spend... hoping that in that pile of gifts will be the perfect, life-altering, cue-the-choir-singing-hallelujah!, this is the best present ever!

Too Grinchy am I? Okay, green isn't my color anyway.

my timbers are shivered

I've returned from my cruise of the Windward Islands, aboard the Royal Ciipper. She is a beautiful sailing vessel and the trip was fantastic!


More photos here

Now... to get through the rest of this season.

New Teaser for SATC2

OMG! OMG! OMG! Oh my SATC! Check out a new teaser poster and photo from Sex and the City 2 … opening in theaters on May 28, 2010! I literally don’t think I can wait that long!

New Teaser for SATC2

OMG! OMG! OMG! Oh my SATC! Check out a new teaser poster and photo from Sex and the City 2 … opening in theaters on May 28, 2010! I literally don’t think I can wait that long!

Heineken Light Walker Projections

We were busy last week with Light Walker Projections for Heineken.

Wednesday and Thursday our Light Walker Crews were out in Dublin and Cork with projections centred around the White Lies Green Spheres Gigs.

Friday night we were in Limerick for Heineken Cup big game.

Check out the videos below of the projections in full techicolour.

Santa Came to Town

It's become a regular gig — yesterday I photographed Santa and "Mrs. Santa" again at the Tunbridge Public Library as a fund-raiser for the library. I enjoy my small role photographing community events (and getting caught up on the town gossip as well). Click here to see more.





From top: Getting ready for their appearance in the library's basement, "Mrs. Santa" helps Santa with his belt (they are played by Euclid and Priscilla Farnham); reactions to Big Red ranged from curious to accomodating to downright scared.

Meet the Biggest Loser

Forty-year-old Danny Cahill has taken the season eight title (and $250,000 prize) of The Biggest Loser. At the beginning of the sehow he weighed 430 pounds. He dropped 239 pounds - an entire person - and now weighs in at a healthy, happy 191 pounds. Congratulations to Cahill and his family!

Meet the Biggest Loser

Forty-year-old Danny Cahill has taken the season eight title (and $250,000 prize) of The Biggest Loser. At the beginning of the sehow he weighed 430 pounds. He dropped 239 pounds - an entire person - and now weighs in at a healthy, happy 191 pounds. Congratulations to Cahill and his family!

Heineken Green Spheres

The White Lies are playing in the Academy tonight in association with Heineken Green Spheres . To promote this, Heineken booked a City Card campaign which has been in our racks for the past month.



If you are out and about in town tonight or tomorrow night , the movie above shows another Heineken Light Walker projection which will be played against the City's canvas.

Sneak Peek at The Lovely Bones

Based on the critically acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, and directed by Oscar winner Peter Jackson from a screenplay by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Jackson, The Lovely Bones centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family – and her killer – from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal. Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg and Oscar winners Rachel Weisz and Susan Sarandon star along with Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli and Oscarnominee Saoirse Ronan. The Lovely Bones hits theaters on Dec. 11.

See sneak-peek stills from The Lovely Bones on Glam.com.

Sneak Peek at The Lovely Bones

Based on the critically acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, and directed by Oscar winner Peter Jackson from a screenplay by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Jackson, The Lovely Bones centers on a young girl who has been murdered and watches over her family – and her killer – from heaven. She must weigh her desire for vengeance against her desire for her family to heal. Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg and Oscar winners Rachel Weisz and Susan Sarandon star along with Stanley Tucci, Michael Imperioli and Oscarnominee Saoirse Ronan. The Lovely Bones hits theaters on Dec. 11.

See sneak-peek stills from The Lovely Bones on Glam.com.

the tree

A little something different for the season.

I made it through the day yesterday. My family kept me occupied with shopping, etc. Milestones don't really change anything; the day after a birthday or anniversary is pretty much the same as the day before. We just use them to mark the times of our lives...

Sneak Peet at Invictus

From director Clint Eastwood, Invictus tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country.

Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

See more photos from Invictus HERE.

Sneak Peet at Invictus

From director Clint Eastwood, Invictus tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country.

Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

See more photos from Invictus HERE.

I am not there...

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there.
I did not die.