Ireland

Flash Movers

Last Thursday, the movers brought me a stack of boxes to pack my stuff, with the goal of coming today to pick my stuff up and get it shipped to Ireland to my happy new apartment.

For the last week, I have been packing, packing and more packing – except for the kitchen, which I woke up at 5:30 am and started packing. When I was on my last box – right at noon, the movers showed up with 6 guys. I showed them what all needed to be moved and they set to work – labeling each box, documenting what was put on the truck – and had the entire truck loaded with all my stuff in 30 minutes.

We’re talking my entire apartment – 22 boxes, 2 sofas, an armchair, 2 dining chairs, a table, 2 large clothing bags, my bed, mattresses, bike, etc etc. It was so fast I didn’t even get a chance to finish packing the last box before they were done and waiting on it.

As I hurredly finished the last box, they disappeared. I thought maybe they had left – but no, they were outside, eating lunch. Yep… I’m serious. They came in, got the last box, and then left. Done in less than an hour.

Talk about your flash movers – so fast, in fact, that I was a little flabbergasted on how quickly my apartment went from my home of 4 years to an empty cold apartment simply needing to be cleaned. After months of waiting, I guess when stuff happens it really does.

And so, I’m off to spend the rest of my time in Germany living at Kate’s house in Mitte – and preparing for the big long drive. Thanks Kate for letting me stay there – so I don’t have to spend time in my empty apartment.

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Packing and Logistics

Well, here I am. I’ve now started packing, and things are trying to come together with the move to Ireland. It looks like I may have to get some approvals for the move, however, because logistically – I’m just not finding an easy way to move the dog.

I thought I was going to be able to fly him – but being Riddick is 35 kilos and is 11 years old – most of the pet carriers simply don’t want to touch him because it’s risky. So, I’ve looked up the logistics and submitted to the company that I may need to drive from Berlin to Cherbourg, France (1400 km) to catch a 19 hour ferry up to Ireland. From there, it’s a 3 hour drive (on the opposite side of the roads) to Dublin and my new flat. It’s a little bit more expensive than expected, so I’m now waiting on approvals.

If the approvals come through – I’m going to book a ferry. This could be a bit of a logistical problem again – because the ferry only goes once every 3 days. While that’s do-able, the other issue coming up now is that the ferry only has 1 kennel that’s big enough for my dog. It looks like it’s booked out at least 2 – 4 weeks in advance and I will have to have a reservation for it. *crosses fingers* That means I’m already a week late – and hoping to be in Ireland by the middle of the month.

Packing, Packing, and more Packing….that’s what I’m doing right now. Good thing I left some stuff in Ireland when I went earlier. It may take 6 weeks before I get my stuff from the moving company, but at least I’ll have something of my own there.

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Silent Disco – WTF?

Silent disco at alchemy club

While I was in Ireland, I got the opportunity to go out and experience a bit of the local nightlife for A’s birthday. It was myself, A, A’s boyfriend, and several of A’s friends and roommate. It was her birthday, and she was very excited to go out to the Alchemy club in Dublin – and kept saying it was the hottest trend in night spots. I was rather excited – we’d spent the afternoon shopping and got a cute outfit. To say the least, we were quite cute and dolled up.

Anyhow, out we went to Alchemy. Overall the club was pretty fabulous. White diner style booths with blue and red Leds around the base, lots of shiny mirrors and reflective surfaces – and a great big dance floor with stage at the front. Despite the fact that the guys plopped the group next to a big brass pole (with a lampshade style top) which we teased them about incessantly, I thought this place has possibilities. Then, I looked at the drink prices and went well, they’re a bit steep – I guess I’ll only be having one or two, if that.

By 11:30pm, the place was just not happening. In the background was a female singer (belting out the latest and greatest of everyone form Pink, Lady Gaga, and Byonce) who was pitchy, and had the philosophy of “sing louder, it makes me sound better” who just made me cringe (ok honestly, I was wishing to go to karaoke just to have something that I know I should be laughing at!). Then, there were thye maybe 15 people in there, and the annoying fact that staff were busily “cleaning” so they weren’t standing about – mopping floors, washing mirrors/glass doors, and yes, even the columns. I was like uh… okay…

About Midnight, there was an influx of people – literally it was like the doors flew open and people surged in. Lots of single women, lots of poser metro-sexual style guys in their 20s who were sniffing about like dogs needing a place to piss. An announcer came on demanding over and over in between songs (the Banshee singer was still yelling) that we had to get our headsets now…

We were given neon green wrist bands (and of which people put in various places under their clothing to highlight naughty bits…) , and white 80’s style shades to wear. Amusing, but – the banshee in the background was still singing. A double Encore even – after promising to stop singing!! I wanted to leave, and was about to – until someone mentioned that tonight was “Silent Disco” night, promoted by Smirnoff – and we had to stay because it was the reason A had insisted we come to the club.

Intrigued, I asked for more information. Basically, on top of the 7 Euro cover charge, you paid 10 Euros to rent a headset (which was fully refundable). At 1am, the music in the club would be turned off completely (Thank GOD – I did have my MP3 player to enjoy once that happened!) and everyone with headsets would begin hearing music (I had brought my own – by chance!!) Those without the club provided headsets (and who didn’t bring their MP3 player) wouldn’t hear music.

Cool – I thought – it’s a great idea to stay within the “noise ordinance limitations” of the city. Plus, if you had the laser lights going and people dancing on the floor, it could be a bit trippy and a bit fun if I decided I wanted to have my own “mp3 player out — who needed to pay 10 euro if I had my mp3 right?!?”.

Anyhow, By 1:20 AM, the novelty had worn off (even without me pulling out my MP3 player), and I left.

Let me explain why this was a failure.

People got their headsets. There were 2 channels – A and B. A contaned disco music (think YMCA, KC and the Sunshine Band, etc). B contained “grunge rock” (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Oasis, etc). Everyone was switching between them and kind of happy. Red lights followed one music set, blue lights followed another at, of course, two different speeds. Girls were dancing to the Disco, Blokes to the Rock.

Inevitably, people wanted to chat. Only they had on headsets. So, what should have been a “silent disco” turned into people who were too lazy to take off their headsets YELLING LOUDLY to be heard over the other person’s headset music. Multiplied by everyone in the club… with the lights buzzing and whipping about, the 2 different types of dancing… it was funny.. UNTIL….

The male drunks started singing. Off Key… Slurring … “WONDERWALL” in the corner.

And the girls started Singing /Dancing to “Saturday Night” in the opposite corner.

And then everyone started YELLING LOUDER to be heard over the singers… and well…. at some point, I decided….

Some ideas may be great when you’re stoned….
They really should stay there…. because Silent Disco – Not so silent at all.

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