Saturday, April 4, 2009

Christmas Office Dinner

For one last Social Committee Event using what was left of our measly budget we went to the Dropping Well just up the street from our office. Everyone headed up just after work for drinks, multi course dinner started a few hours later, with some Christmas Crackers to open. The crackers are these tube things you pull and they go bang revealing some toys and a crown made of paper. Sean was the only boy brave enough to sit at our table with all girls. We had a bit of craic before dinner with several bottles of wine disappearing from our table. While dessert was being served our little surprise came to set up: Karaoke. I know I said I do not do that, well I made another exception. Since no one would do it, I promised Ruth and Denise if they got up there, I would do a duet with them. I knew with how many pints, no one would notice my bad singing!

Sean and Colin sang a few good 80s tunes that got everyone up and dancing. The night ended with nearly everyone dancing, and me dragging the boss onto the dance floor. At closing time (since this was a Thursday) we walked back to the LUAS which runs late during the Christmas season and dropped Vinny off at Ruth's house so he did not have to take the 60 Euro taxi out to his place and she went to stay with her boyfriend. Tutti, Edell and I got into town and we surprised with how packed the city centre was. We were not the only ones that were going to have a rough morning, misery loves company!

Swap Shop

Since money has not been growing on trees here anymore I have to find new ways to getting new clothes and I do not mean stealing. They have swap shops here. It is great! I go in with a jacket I dont want, a few shirts and a tank top and traded them for a jacket, dress and a top. Cost me nothing and I even have a few tokens to spend next time I go. Great since I have new outfits and a few more to get in the future with all new stuff every Saturday!

Strange Anomaly #33

As a registered architect the insurance for design work is super expensive and besides being worked into our contracts we are not allowed to do work on the side. But here, Nixers, or side work, is what people normally do on the side and get paid some cash. I even did a little one on the side, some 3D work. Not bad, especially since I needed the cash!