Christmas approaches

Yesterday it was 12 days of December gone and 13 days until Christmas and now it is 13 days of December gone and 12 days until Christmas.  It is getting closer.  There is still not that real Christmassy mood yet, but I haven't been to a Christmas party.  In workplaces people aren't doing very much, taking it easy, relaxing and so on.  After all, why should it be any different than the rest of the year? :)

It'll be time to start the Christmas shopping soon. Yep, it is approaching that time of the year.  Not an easy task.  An expensive one though, especially when there are lots of people to buy for. The snow is just about gone, but it could be back soon, which won't make shopping any easier.  Then there are those other Christmas expenses, like the parties and other nights out.  I am not expecting a Christmas bonus this year, but I'll scrape through.  Then it will be 2011.  An interesting year to come.

December Dublin Snow - 2nd December

Some showers have fallen today, but road conditions are generally good.  No problems getting into the city.  The traffic was light, because some people are afraid to drive on normal roads.  Despite what you hear, it is not so bad out there.  The road outside your door may not look to good, but once you are onto the main roads, it's a doddle.  No worse than a wet day.  With so little traffic, it's even easier than a wet day.  So why so many people stay at home is a mystery.  They see snow and they panic, over nothing.  The people that did try, got in with no problem.  So would the majority of others.  Come on my fellow people of Ireland, don't be afraid of a few flakes of snow.  Get out there, and I don't mean to make snowmen.

AA Roadwatch does it again

Yet again AA Roadwatch were reporting non-existing problems about a road I took into work this morning.  Despite the very imaginative reports, the roads were once again no worse than on a wet day.  Who writes these reports, J K Rowling?  A goblet of fire must have been held over the road, because it was very clear, despite reports to the contrary I heard as I travelled along it.  Looking around me it was clear that a lot of people don't believe AA Roadwatch's fairy stories as they too were making their way into the city without a problem.  Cars, buses, lorries, vans and even cyclists and pedestrians were making their way with ease.  Obviously the young wizard must have cast his spell on some people to make them believe the fairy stories being told by AA Roadwatch and making them stay at home.  I must have been a very powerful spell to make people believe it.  All they had to do was look outside their windows to see the truth.

AA Roadwatch reports

You sometimes wonder who sends these reports in.  This morning I heard reports of a road I travel to work on having problems.  When I went in on it, it was no worse than a wet day.  Even as I travelled in on it there were still reports coming about its "problems".  What planet are these drivers on?  It takes just one slow driver to cause a traffic jam, not bad weather.  We can see that in perfect weather conditions. They weren't far from perfect on that road this morning it has to be said.

I think some people take a peak out of their bedroom window, see white and panic and turn around in their bed and stay there with visions of Scott of the Antarctic going through their head.  If they looked a little closer from their window they'd probably see robins walking around, with the snow level not even reaching their ankles.  Even the drivers who brave the "Antarctic" conditions seem to see things that aren't really there.  Imagination is a great thing, but common sense and the truth is what should be used for traffic reports.

On your way home this evening, watch out for the little green men in their flying saucers blocking your way home.  In fact, take a diversion just in case.  Make sure your wipers are in good working order so they can clear the deposits on your windscreens from the low flying pigs.  Safe driving people.

Snow in Ireland and crazy driving habits

We had snow at the weekend.  People are now saying it is cold.  As I look out my nearby window, I see blue skies and sunshine and there is not a polar bear in sight.  So it can't be that cold.  The people sitting inside with their coats on are the ones complaining about the cold.  If they took off their coats they'd actually feel warmer, and feel the benefit of a coat when they went outside.  I had my usual cold breakfast with a cold drink - no tea or coffee for me - and I feel warmer than the people with coats and coffee.

In typical Irish fashion, drivers are either staying at home or creeping along roads that are no worse than an ordinary wet day.  The sight of white seems to do something to people's common sense.  I am not advocating dangerous driving, but slow driving on perfect road causes problems too.  The roads that are in best condition are the ones with cars on them.  So if drivers are worried about the state of the roads, then the more cars that are out there driving on them, the clearer they will be.  The road outside their driveway might be a bit of a problem, but they'll get through it and once they are on the main roads, which in Dublin are never far from anyone, they'll be fine.

The 23rd of November

It's been a busy day.  Classes taught and still to teach; exams and assignments sent away; exams invigilated; Google account stuff to be done.  A bit of blogging too.  It's all go. To top it off, I am on video, having been interviewed about my job.

Another Thursday

It'll be a long one, but I am much the way through it, and it is being followed by a long weekend.  It'll be a good weekend, as I am going away.  So it is something to look forward to.

Thursday

Last day of the working week for me. I like Thursdays.  Tomorrow it is off to London for what should be a good weekend.  Once the packing, which won't be much, is done I will be ready.  I am looking forward to it.

After Lunch

The remnants of my lunch lies around me.  Still a bit of cleaning up to do.  Some fun in the class with a webcam this morning.  I was just demonstrating what can be done.  I can't say the morning was totally quiet, as it had one event of note.  Our fire alarm went off.  We evacuated in reasonable time.  We spent only a very short time outside, before returning to get on with the class and the day.

After Midnight

Just gone midnight here.  So not much has happened today so far.  Maybe more will later.  It will be a busier day, that's for sure.  Yesterday was very quiet.  Anyway, time for some sleep.