Matt's in Ireland!

Tangent 2: Tegestology

2009-10-27T02:15:00.000-07:00

Hello family, friends, and stalkers. I hope to get more posts in now that all of my midterms and exams are over. I decided to follow up Ms. Kate's War and Peace of a wall post with a little tangent of my own. Without my knowledge, I have taken up a new hobby in my short time here in Dublin. It started as a fluke, but in recent weeks it is apparent that I have become a full blown Tegestologist--a beer coaster collector. This year, Guinness commissioned artist Steve Doogan to draw twenty famous pubs in Dublin. As a result, I am involved in a scavenger hunt to find all twenty. Not only is it a great way to explore the city, its fun to have a little competition with the friends I have made here and to have a pint o' the hard stuff whenever I find a pub with the desired coaster. Looking forward to getting caught up with my (mis)adventures around Ireland this week. I expect great fun to be had this weekend as I travel to London to visit some friends for Halloween.

Cheers
McMatthew

Katie's in Ireland!

2009-10-25T15:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I believe I should start off by saying that this installment of “Matt’s in Ireland” is brought to you by a guest writer. It’s Katie. I’m currently on the plane heading back to South Bend after a fantastic week in Dublin. From what I’ve gathered, Matt’s been pretty “busy” across the pond and hasn’t had the time to update his loyal readers with the details of his adventures. But now that I’ve got a good twelve hours to kill before I reach the states, I can at least regale you all with some fun anecdotes from my week in Ireland.

My trip to Ireland was just as all intercontinental trips are – long. Coming off of a show closing and a painful week of midterms, I wasn’t particularly stoked for twenty hours of travel. But once I claimed my bag at the “temporary” terminal at the Dublin airport and saw Matt with his signature airport sunflowers, it made the whole day entirely worth it.

After a gourmet meal at Supermac's we made it back to UCD and I got to see my beloved roommate Kenzie (shout out!) who is also studying at UCD this semester. Kenz, Matt, Ali (one of my current roommates who came to Europe for fall break as well), and I did a whirlwind Dublin tour, with a stroll down Grafton Street, a lounge sesh in St. Stephen’s Green, an encounter with the Cheetah Man, and my first Ireland Guinness at Quay's Bar. We then met up with Maggie who suffered a hellacious travel day from London where she’s studying, grabbed some dinner, and shot the craic.

That reminds me, MATT FACT: Dublin has made our fine friend surprisingly city-saavy. About a year ago, we went to Chicago from Notre Dame one Saturday, and while we were walking, some homeless guy started asking Matt for money. Persistently. And being the generous guy he is, Matt entertained his antics, and pulled out his wallet. Now I, growing up in and around Washington D.C., abide by the “walk fast, pretend like you’re deaf” approach to city-strolling, and promptly pulled him away.

So outside of Quay’s, we were waiting for Kenzie and Ali, who had made a quick stop at the bathroom. I’m standing next to Matt and suddenly this guy slithers – yes, slithers – up to him and says, “want some cocaine?” I freeze up, completely disoriented and don’t know how to respond. But Matt calmly and coolly says, “no thanks.” and the guy scuttles away. In pure awe, I look at him and say, “does that happen often?” and he just laughed at me.

Matt and I traveled to Killarney on Saturday, which was a great introduction to Ireland. A charming, quaint town, Killarney is home to a beautiful national park and the Danny Mann Inn, famous for their All Day Breakfast until 3 pm. No joke. We spent the weekend with Corbin and Krissy soaking up Ireland.

I had a stunning revelation during my trip to Ireland - The food is really good. I began this trip with the preconceived notion that I was most likely going to starve since I will not eat unidentified “puddings” and if I have to cook for myself, I will normally make tuna salad or call Wheat Thins and cheese cubes dinner. However, I ate some of the best sandwiches here and experienced a lovely little cookie which has already been featured in this blog, the Digestive.

MATT FACT: He knows how to cook and is good at it. Talk about a good catch.

Monday was pretty interesting since I was on my own for a while since my Ireland guides were busy with things like “class” and “community service”. So I took the bus to city center with Kenzie and killed a good three hours taking in Dublin – I got a scone with butter and jam, did a lot of shopping (not buying), and managed to not get lost. I apparently looked so together that I got asked for directions, but then promptly blew my cover with my flustered look and obnoxious American accent.

Tuesday was a pretty chill day. The highlights: Edward Scissorhands, Dirty Rice, and Q Bar. It felt like a standard day as if I were actually studying abroad. Go to a little bit of class, make some dinner, learn how to play the native Irish sport “hurling” - which, I think Matt will vouch for me, I was born to play. Watch out Damien Fitzhenry. I still haven’t nailed down the correct gerund for the sport, playing hurling? going hurling? hurl? boot? chowder? - And then go out and have a few overpriced beers.

KATIE FACT: I am absolutely horrible luck in Ireland. It may be because I am genetically distant from Ireland and their stereotypical luck, but Wednesday it rained all day, and before I arrived, everyone had been shocked and amazed at how wonderful the weather had been thus far. Kenzie busted out her wellies for only the second time in two months. I’m sure the weather is absolutely glorious there now. I even saw the sun peeking out as my plane took off…

Despite the weather, Matt and I made a trek to Bray, a small coastal town about a half and hour outside of Dublin. I’m sure it would have been far more enjoyable if it wasn’t deserted and raining sideways because of the wind, but we found a lovely restaurant/bar, took an epic jumping photo, and headed back to Dublin for the pub crawl (make claw motion).

We started at Dawson’s,"Probably the smallest pub in the world", and it most likely is. The whole thing is about the size of three rooms in Morrissey Hall. We then hit O’Donaghue’s, The Oliver St John Gogarty Pub, and then Doyle’s, home of the Irish Heath Ledger and “the sleepy guy”, who we will now on refer to as “S.G.”. Heath was our bartender, and a good one at that. Well, he was about as good as any other bartender, but he looked a lot like Heath Ledger, which is definitely an upgrade from the creepy European guy at the previous bar who was twice my age and very persistent in asking me to dance. But back to "the sleepy guy": We first spotted S.G. sitting on a stool by himself in Doyle’s. He was doing the sleepy head bob – you know, that edge of sleep when you are asleep and then your head falls to the side or to the front and the sudden sensation of falling finally wakes you up, only to have it happen eight more times until you decide whatever you are trying to stay awake for just isn’t worth it. Well, not only was he committing this pub foul, he was on the phone at the same time, and holding a beer. After the third head-bob wake-up, he fell asleep hard and proceeded to drop his beer on the floor. About five minutes later, he assessed his surroundings, clearly organizing reality and dreams, acknowledged his beerlessness, and moved to the bar for a little more support. While sitting at the bar, he noticed about ¾ of "probably the best beer in the world" - Carlsberg - about two and a half feet to his right, unattended. In his drunken stupor, S.G. begins his “stealthy” commandeering of another man’s beer, sloppily reaching down the bar and summoning it to his lips with a disturbing pucker and slurping sound. But Alas! S.G. succeeded. He clutched that Carlsberg like it was the last beer on earth, and nursed himself back to sleep.

Thursday was girl-bonding day with Kenz. She, Anne and I got crepes for lunch and then went to basically every store on Grafton Street. We had an early-evening dessert at Avoca, an Irish Anthropologie and then hit up Dunnes for some groceries. Matt and I made dinner, I got my packing done, and then hung out with some of his roommates and more of the Notre Dame UCD group. A much needed relaxing finale to a whirlwind trip.

So now I’m on a plane in Frankfurt, headed back to the states. For as wonderful as my trip was, the worst part was that I had to say my goodbyes all over again. My goodbye with Kenzie was short and sweet, because I knew that if she asked me to stay and live in her room illegally one more time I probably would have. Matt, being the wonderful guy we all know and love, accompanied me on the unpredictable bus trip out to the airport. I guess that’s why I have such a love-hate relationship with airports. At first, they make everything all better. After nine weeks, that dumpy little terminal in Dublin reunited me with my best friend, and just one short week later, that same building forced me into those horrible security checkpoint queues where I had to say goodbye again for another nine weeks. And for as sad as that goodbye was, I didn’t tear up until right now, but I know that soon enough I’ll see Matt in the airport again, holding sunflowers.

Western Ireland

2009-09-28T05:33:00.000-07:00

Sorry it's taken so long to write a decent post. Life's been a whirlwind for Sir Stan and I. The last three weeks have seen your dynamic duo "gorge walk" through the impressive hills of the Connemara in Western Ireland and visit the beautiful--yet still very divided--regions of Northern Ireland.

A Notre Dame trip took Flat and I to some of the most fantastic landscapes of Western Ireland. Highlights included a trip to the Burren, an ecological wonder in County Clare that is home to hundreds of ancient monuments and thousands

of plant species. We traveled to Mámeán, an ancient church dedicated to St. Patrick that is wedged in between two mountains in Connemara. Your skinny protagonist (Stan that is) even teetered perilously on the edge of death at the Cliffs of Moher just for the photo opp. (Do you see the trouble he goes through for you? Yes, You!)
The trip to Western Ireland was such a blast that I decided to head back the following weekend with a few friends. The Second Trip gave us the chance to explore Galway and go gorge walking--all thanks to the incredible hospitality of a very special relative (Thanks Linda!)

Well that's Western Ireland. Be sure to check the photos I've posted on Sutterfly. And, hey, do you like what I'm doing here? I hope you enjoy reading the posts as much as I enjoy writing them. Feel free to leave me some comments/suggestions about what you'd like to see Stan do with his time in Eire.

One Love,
Matt

Tangent One: Digestives

2009-09-11T03:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry to keep my beloved readers waiting for so long without a post! Its been a busy couple of weeks for the Flat One™ and I--what with classes starting and all. Hopefully I will be able to catch up on our numerous adventures over the weekend. However, I would like to take this time let you know about my new favorite snack here in in the land of cows and sheep: digestives. These little holy wafers of graham crackers and chocolatey goodness have almost helped me survive the shock of not having dinner made for me on a nightly basis. They are particularly good with peanut butter and have been known to cause me to dance to 80s glam rock in a celebratory fashion. I have yet to learn how to control these induced fits of utter happiness. Hopefully I'll get on that soon. Stan's a fan too. Now I know this isn't enough post-y goodness to help procrastinate from doing work. Mea Culpa. Big post coming up this Saturday.

Cheers
S & M haha

First Weekend in Ireland Pt 2

2009-09-07T03:17:00.000-07:00

What had started as a great weekend on Sunday morning ended as one of the BEST weekends ever by Sunday evening.

When one thinks of Hurling and its association to Irish culture, one probably assumes that your benevolent writer drank beer all day on Sunday, got sick, and passed out.

Not True.

Hurling is a field sport created in Ireland. It involves using a round wooden club called a hurley to move a ball downfield. The league is maintained by the Gaelic Athletic Association. Many people in Ireland call it the the fastest field sport in the world. It's fast. It's intense. It's awesome. On Sunday was the All-Ireland Hurling final--the Super Bowl of Irish Sports.

Flat Stanley and I were there, cheering with 82,000 of our closest friends.

In an incredible game, Kilkenny defeate d Tipperary for its fourth consecutive title. Even though I was cheering for the underdog, it was hard to not appreciate the sheer joy and madness that emanated from Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

After the game had ended, Kilkenny fans fought off the Garda that was protecting the turf and rushed the field. Taking opportunity of their battles, and knowing full well that we only live once, Stanley and I also took to the field for the closing ceremony.

I was on the field frozen by the awesome spectacle of the stadium before I remembered to take some pictures of the event. Fortunately, Stan was in my pocket and was eager to snag a photo-opp on the turf.

So yep... That was my weekend. How was yours?

Tune in next time as your heroes face their biggest challenge yet: School.

Peace

Matt

First Weekend in Ireland Pt I

2009-09-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

When Flat Stanley™ and I arrived in Dublin on Tuesday, we had no idea that our first weekend would be SO EPIC that I would have to break it down into two parts just to keep your mind from exploding. It all began on Friday with an innocent stroll through the beautiful St. Stephen's Green. As usual, Stan was delighted to be the center of attention and have his photo taken at several of the statues. I was delighted that I dropped the extra $6.00 on laminating the Flat One, as the wind blew him off one of the statues and into the surrounding pond scum. Filthy Stanley!
We brought the fun that night at Messrrs Maguire, a four-story pub in city center. Cigarettes, body-odor, and Europe filled the air as Sir-Stans-alot and I got funky with the rest of the Notre Dame Crew. Stan was a little shy at first, but after three (or fifteen...I lost count) pints, he was dancing the night away. Have you ever seen a two-dimensional fictional character from a children's novel written in 1964 spin on his head or sing all the lyrics to House of Pain's Jump Around?
Well I am here to tell you that you are missing out if you haven't. We got our groove on to a playlist of music that was predominantly popular in America in 1996.

Saturday morning we went on a hike in Howth, a small fishing town approx. thirty minutes north of Dublin. It was spectacular. We walked around the city and then hiked up a large mountain that met with the Irish Sea. To me, it felt like I had finally arrived in Ireland. Sure, the city streets and traveling gypsies of Dublin are nice, but the view from Howth was so spectacular couldn't think of any words to describe it. Which I suppose makes the entire trip meaningless to my beloved readers. To cap off what was already the perfect day, Stan recommended that we have an order of fish and chips for dinner before we went back home. Good Idea, Stan!

And if you think that was enough adventure for a South Floridian and his thin comrade, then wait until you hear what we did on Sunday, which will arrive in Pt II of our weekend trip as soon as I regain feeling in my writing hand.

Word to your mother,

Matt

We're Here!

2009-09-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

MY PATH TO IRELAND

2009-08-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

Begins in New Jersey. Of course it does. Since I fly out of Kennedy on Monday, I decided to come up a few days early and visit the family. Flat Stanley is having a blast chillaxing in Grandpa’s snuggie. It’s hard to believe that I will be in Ireland in less than two days. Before I ship off, I will be heading to Philadelphia for a day to see my cousin at Villanova. Who knows? Maybe Sir Stanly will find himself dangling from the ol’ Liberty Bell.

Matt

One Day, Nineteen Hours, Seventeen Minutes, Twenty-five Seconds...but who's counting?

2009-08-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

As you may have guessed from the unassuming title, I am heading over to Dublin, Ireland for the semester. Although I’ve never felt insightful or angst-y enough to write a blog before, I feel compelled to write one now that I’m traveling abroad to make the experience more meaningful to myself. For me, the hardest thing about keeping a consistent journal was thinking of something entertaining enough to keep me involved. Naturally, the answer to my problem came in the form of an unfortunate little boy who was crushed by a bulletin board one night in his sleep. Enter Flat Stanley. This little guy is going to be my (and your) source of entertainment for the next few months. I know it sounds lame—but I assure you that I have NOT been smoking the laminate used to keep squashed Stan from getting dirty on our excursions. I give you my word that you will enjoy Stanley’s shenanigans… almost as much as I will enjoy creating them. So after deciding how to keep my journal for the semester, I’m finally prepared to ship off to Dublin. I even bought a cute lil’ notebook to jot notes in so I don’t forget where the myriad of pictures came from.

So that's the story. I'm really looking forward to writing this and Flat Stanley's really looking forward to going to Dublin. Want us to go spelunking down some crazy cliff? Done. Want a few photos of authentic Irish people awkwardly holding Stan for a picture? Done. Want to see the flat one floating face-down in a vat of Guinness? So done. Your wish is my command.

One Love

Matt