My first session with Getting Started

Yesterday, I presented myself at Age Action Ireland to begin my volunteer work. They had me start by doing some typing; transcribing notes of a meeting that had been tape recorded. It was hard, but everyone was so glad that they did not have to do it, I've been invited out for many pints. I met Margaret who is in charge of the Getting Started program. She was very nice and welcoming and this morning, I met her somewhere in the North side of Dublin to see what the training sessions were all about. I ended up working exclusively with one lovely woman named Jenny. She had missed a class and was a bit behind so it was good for her to have one on one attention. She is the nicest lady. We had a tea break during which she told me that her two sons were arguing about which was the better of two Internet providers. She said she wished they'd just stop arguing and get her something! She made me promise to return next Thursday. Not a problem, said I.

Then after it was done, Margaret gave me directions to Parnell Square which was very near where we were. All around that area are examples of the Georgian architecture that Dublin is famous for. So, off I went. Beautiful buildings, those Dublin doors and lots of history including the Garden of Remembrance. I visited the James Joyce Center which is in the neighborhood. Got to see James Joyce's death mask - now how many of you can say you've done that, I ask you. I'll put in a photo. They also have the door to 7 Eccles St., which was Leopold Bloom's address in Ulysses. The building was demolished but someone saved the door. While I was walking around, the skies opened and the rains, snows, and sleets all came thundering down. I don't think I'll dry out til April. Two days ago, it was mild and sunny. For the last two days, winter has settled in. I thought I was going to be able to ignore the freezing temps this year. My friend Dennis even got to use the ice scraper I brought over for him! yuck

Tonight - the Dropkick Murphys somewhere in City Centre. That'll be a blast. I'm dreadiang the walk to the train and from the train to the venue. Frigid, freezing, narsty cold, just like home, sigh