Our first houseguest

Our first houseguest happily (I think) survived his first visit to Ireland and to Dublin.  Professor M (to protect his identity) visited us from Missouri.  He and I are collaborating on a couple of projects.  He attended a conference in Germany, and he accepted our offer of a stopover in Dublin on the way back to the U.S.

I guess it's not surprising to report that the weather was beautiful up until the day of his arrival.  His arrival day started off cold and windy, but it warmed up and became less windy by the time he arrived.  Given concerns about the weather, FABJ and I took Professor M down to Dun Laoghaire (pronounced Leary) Harbour so he could get a look at the Bay and the boats.  I think a good time was had by all despite a few complaints from FABJ.  But she enjoyed watching a couple of boys fish off the harbour, while Professor M enjoyed a walk to the end of the pier.

FABJ enjoying the pier, even with her eyes closed

LABJ cooked her usual wonderful dinner, and we enjoyed a relaxing evening of food and conversation.

Then, the rain started.  But Professor M, being a successful economist, took the weather as a sunk cost and made the most of his trip to Dublin.  He did a walking tour of Trinity and saw the Book of Kells (highly recommended for visitors), and we had a very nice two-course lunch at a restaurant overlooking Trinity's campus - the Pig's Ear.  The rain was so bad that we got dinner delivered.

On Tuesday, Professor M gave a talk at UCD (and braved the bus to get from our house to campus - two days) and met with some of my colleagues.  After helping me pick up the girls from school / day care, we took a taxi into town to have dinner with colleagues and a visiting prof from U. of Chicago.  It was a nice meal.

Despite horrible traffic and an inability to find a taxi, Prof. M made it to the train station for a trip to Galway and the Connemara.  Sadly for him, the rain stayed with him, while we had nice weather.  But Prof. M assured me that he had a great time out West.

Prof. M and Dublin's liquid sunshne

Check back soon for an update on our second house guest, the one and only Purple Lisa.

wedding of the century

First, a little background.  Back in 2011, LBJ was traveling for work in Africa.  Her mum called the house wanting desparately to talk to her (although she assured me that everything was ok).  She called back the day after LBJ returned.  The reason for excitement was that her cousin (the cousin of LBJ's mum, not LBJ) was getting married.  LBJ's mum finally got approval to share the news and was just dying to tell her.  The bride (POL for her anyminity) is in her 60s and not previous married.  Thus, the wedding preparations were elaborate - hence the title of this post.

FABJ was very excited about the wedding, as she was a flower girl (one of 4, no less).  She was so excited about her new outfit, not to mention that flowers were involved.  ORBJ was excited too and did not seem to mind that she was not a flower girl.

The girls were very well behaved at the start of the wedding.  FABJ even shared her bouquet with ORBJ.  Trouble struck when FABJ wanted her flowers back.  ORBJ did not want to give up the flowers and started to cry.  Loudly.  So LBJ sprang into action, took ORBJ out of the church for a couple of minutes, and magically found a flower to give to ORBJ.  Yet another crisis solved by LBJ, who will be off to the Middle East any day now to broker a better peace deal between Palestine and Israel.

The kids had a very good time at the wedding.  ORBJ was smitten by one of LBJs cousins, who was happy to entertain as he has sons, not daughters.  FABJ played with the other flower girls.  And LBJ and I were entertained by the guests at our table, including a woman with several piercings and tattos.

It was an enjoyable outing for all, even the happy couple getting married.



FABJ making a break because she's not the center of attention.

"But it's not my idea to have my picture taken!"

Now I am willing to have my picture taken, but why can't my dada rotate this picture.