At the Races… the Greyhound Races

The night of Jacqui’s birthday, she invited several people to go to Harold’s Cross for the greyhound races. Having never been and finding a ticket deal (including sausage, chips, and a drink for each person and a 1 euro bet) on one of the coupon websites for 8 euro (normally 10 for entry and then food being extra) – I thought it would be an interesting evening of fun. The races started around 7pm, which meant leaving home at around 6pm. We hopped on the bus to the city, and away we went.

The problem with Dublin transport is that it’s never very clear where you want to get off the bus at. Unlike the Berlin bus/train system – or even the ones in New York or Atlanta, the bus stops aren’t announced nor is there any signage once you’re on the bus. So, if you don’t know where you’re going, you have to ask the bus driver to remember to point out your stop to you. Something that may or may not work. We had to change buses from the 38 to the city, and pick up a 16 – and then get off about 15 minutes into the route. To say the least, thank goodness for Google maps on the cell phones – because it was dark, foggy, and cold outside – so you couldn’t see beyond the light on the inside of the bus to see where we were supposed to stop. Luckily, about the time that I was going to go ask the driver, the signs were seen as we drove past the race track – and were able to have time to hit the button and hop off.

Walking back, we passed the pub and the liquor store

and then were greeted with the outside of the Harold’s cross stadium.

Having met up with Jacqui and Zac on the way in, we picked up our packets, grabbed the snacks, and started examining the racing program for the evening. Zac had been before, and showed us how to read the books –

and I decided to go with my proven failsafe method – pick the names at random – based on the ones I thought were funny. 2 euro “place” bets on 11 races was 22 euro spent (my chosen horse has to finish 1st or 2nd to get a payout), and we went outside in the cold to wait the first race.

There were bookies that kept announcing the odds (what the hell did they say?!?)

and then a parade of the dogs each wearing their respective “jacket” and being announced. Then, the owners brought them around and put them into the starting gates.

After a few moments, a bell rang, and an electronic rabbit started moving quickly around the track. As it passed the dog shoots, the gates flew open… and the dogs started running….

so fast, in fact, that the little point and shoot camera I had only caught them as a blur…

greyhounds so fast the camera can't keep up

A fast 30 seconds later, the race was over – the dogs had finished – and people had won or lost their bets. Within moments, there were calculations done, announcements of winning totals per ticket type, and then a 15 minute interval for the next race.

In the end, out of 11 races, totally picking by names I found funny alone – I ended up with 2 first place dogs, 2 second place dogs (paying out) and 3 third place dogs. The others finished mixed 4th and 5th, and only one didn’t finish.

Not doing too bad - 3 races won, out of 8

For a first time out – I was pleased that I had 4 winners – 18 euro total – which covered the cost of the ticket and transport in/out of the city. And.. for 4 hours of fun – I figured that was a pretty cheap evening out having a new experience, one which I will gladly do again – maybe when my mom comes over this summer.

Jacqui’s Birthday

2 weeks ago, on the 18th of January, my friend Jacqui had a birthday. At work, we decided to decorate her desk as a surprise – not realizing she wasn’t in until the next day. So, picture two grown women in work early, with a bunch of cupcakes, a couple cards, and a bunch of balloons and ribbons standing there blowing and blowing – and tieing until we can barely breathe – and achieved the following:

The unfortunate thing was that because she wasn’t in, by the time she arrived the next day (after our Greyhound racing get together – see next post) some of the balloons were deflated. That didn’t stop the surprise, however – when she discovered the decoratons, food, and cards on her desk.

I will note, however, that as pleased as she was that everyone remembered her birthday – I think she was even more pleased that the shoes she’d ordered off of eBay had arrived. The shoes I affectionately refer to as “the shoes Rainbow Bright Puked on”. Now the thing with these shoes is that they’re supposed to be men’s shoes… and I don’t know a SINGLE man who would wear them…. women, yes, but men – no. That’s why it was so funny when she invited me over to her desk to see her fabulous new shoes….

Honestly, I think they’re not for me, but when Jacqui wore them later in the week, I have to admit that they weren’t half bad. So, here’s to Jacqui – the birthday girl, and our favorite daring shoe lover and her awesome sense of humor.

Update – My Ambitious Project

A few weeks ago, I started to crochet for my friend, Jules, who is having triplets. You can read a bit more about the project Here. I ended up purchasing about 15 skeins of yarn, mostly this beautiful bright pink color, along with a petrol, a creme, and a green (I decided I didn’t like the violet once I got going – it clashed too much) and have been going at this project ever since. When I sit down in front of the TV, when I am at lunch, when I am in the bus, the hairdresser’s, or at the pub, I’m crocheting like a mad woman trying to get these done before Jules babies arrive.

The first few days were the best – because I was off work for 3 days, I made lots of progress – whipping through the first sweater (modifying the pattern as I went) – to make The Petrol and Pink –

even with the going back and adding little ties because I didn’t like the look of the buttons.

Then, I started on the second sweater – What I nicknamed the Spring Garden:

and was able to keep going – even adding a new type of stitch – a Tunesian style stitch – to my abilities. This type of stitch involves carrying the bottom thread along one level and then switching as needed – so I’m running off of two balls of yarn at the same time – to make the “pink” blooms:

As I continued, the sweater took shape into a nice spring looking outfit.

From there, I promptly moved on to the Third sweater – most of which was done sitting at the pub, gossiping with friends, after eating Saturday’s Cutlery Dinner. this one I call “transitions” because it looks like it goes from winter to spring to summer.

I’m currently working on the white edging, and am trying to decide on what colors to make the ties.

So that’s pretty much where the project is at – at the moment. 20 days and about 3 sweaters completed. Also, as a side note – I have started one of the hats – because I was at the hair salon and didn’t have the pink yarn with me. It’s nearly done too:

So, Jules – about those babies.. you think you can wait another couple weeks so I can finish!?! 😛

Phoenix Rose's Blog

The Chronicles of a Girl, Her Dog, and a Lifelong Journey…

At the Races… the Greyhound Races

Jacqui’s Birthday

Update – My Ambitious Project