water

Grand Canal Docks

Retro Blogging a bit – to share some pictures that I didn’t get to share before.

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Board Gais Panorama

I have a friend who lives in an area of Dublin known as the Docklands. One sunny Sunday morning last December (2014) we decided to head out to brunch and then to the RDS event center for the Christmas Irish Crafts show. The day was cold, but calm and not windy.

The Famine Dog... playful or starving and ready to attack? In 2014 - the people of Austerity in Ireland are fighting back. Angry about water charges, angry about banks not having to repay the government, angry about medical cutbacks, rising rents, and 700

This made walking from the Connelly train station up to the docklands (about 15 minute brisk walk) quite an enjoyable task as I got to walk along the pedestrian zone with statues and nice views over the Liffey river.

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Once there, we met in front of the Grand Canal theater (aka Bord Gais energy theater) where there is an abstract art installation, a small performance area (for musicians in the summer) and plenty of seating to enjoy the water of the harbor.

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The docklands area has been significantly redeveloped in the last 15-20 years, and contains lots of new buildings housing larger businesses like Yahoo, Google, and Air B&B.

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The architecture is quite modern and seems to reflect different themes for the docklands. There is a bridge meant to resemble a harp on its side….

20141207_103747“Harp” Bridge

There is the Convention center that is designed to reflect a “telescope”, and a couple buildings designed to reflect the sails on tall ships or the steam pipes of the old steamers that once docked in the area….

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Convention Center (telescope)

All of this is quite stunning in the sunlight, but as you can see, the swans and other waterbirds – they just aren’t bothered to look about. They simply swim, dive, and eat.

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Like a Poo in the Sewer

10 days ago, I had a voucher for a flotation experience that I used. I’d gotten it for a little under half price – and it was described as follows:

You’re weighed down by your woes and sinking like a ship under stress. Free yourself and see what’s afloat at the XYZ(name removed) spa, Dublin’s fabulous floatation therapy centre, where today’s deal lets you pay just €20 for an hour-long flotation experience (regularly €60). Cast off your cares, abandon your anchor, and let yourself drift away on a warm raft of water. Go with the relaxing flow and you’ll feel as light as a feather as you float on a soothing solution of Epsom salts in your own private haven of calm. The best part? With a deal this great, you won’t find yourself bankrupt once you’re back on dry land.

Never having done this before, and being that it had a picture of a lady in a swimming pool floating, I thought this could be really relaxing and fun.

When I got to the center, the place was brightly colored and had tons of atmosphere. Despite being in the basement, it was quite cheerful. The guy who owns the place collects artwork, and the place was covered floor to ceiling with paintings in various frames and of all different styles. Visually it was really stimulating to see all of the artwork packed in one place – with barely any space on the intense violet, pink, and lime green walls. The style of the paintings was everything from classic still life paintings of flowers, to modern art and abstracts. The one thing they had in common was they were simply something that caught the owner’s eye – and most of them, thereby were interesting to me too.

After about a 20 minute wait (which I mostly spent gazing at the paintings on the wall and flipping through the auction books on the table) the person using the flotation area vacated. I overheard him discussing another appointment, saying how an hour wasn’t long enough – he was using the flotation experience to meditate, and looked forward to his next appointment – could he have it for 3 hours. As part of the conversation – the owner was saying how the longest he’d enjoyed floating/meditating for was 6 hours. They went into how great that was for mind and body and so on.

Sensory Dep Chamber

Eventually, the owner went back and drained and filtered the water, and I could hear the noise of the water running as it was refilled. Finally, he invited me to enter the tiniest of rooms. This room had no artwork on the walls – instead, it was a warm brown, and was wood paneled similar to a sauna, and had a carpeted floor. Entering the room, I had to turn sideways and walk around this fiberglass tank that was about to my chin – and about 6 foot wide. Much to my surprise – it was not just a “flotation experience” it was actually what we would call a sensory deprivation tank as it was covered and had a door to step in and out.

Well, I figured, for 20 euro, this could be interesting. I was instructed on the use of the tank, advised to take a shower first, insert earplugs, and to step in the tank. The tank was about knee deep in water and filled with epsom salts – about 3 times more than the salt in the dead sea. He reminded me that I don’t want to get the water in my eyes, and if possible, don’t drink it (eww! Nasty!) lest you want the runs later. Repeatedly he said to not be afraid, and that there was so much salt that it WOULD support my head. Essentially, he said, get in, flip off the light, and just relax to float your cares away.

When he left the room, I followed the instructions – (except I forgot the earplugs) and climbed in the tank. The water was warm – and the humid fiberglass enclosure smelled slightly of the sea. You could see the steam rising off the water, and as I closed the door and sat down, I realized that even trying to sit so I could close the door behind me – the salt water made me so buoyant it was difficult to not float. Proceeding to the opposite side of the tank – with my feet toward the door – my head toward the top of the 7 foot long enclosure, I leaned back and began to float. Turning out the light, I began to concentrate on relaxing.

Thinking to myself “inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale” and “relax” and working toward clearing my mind, I kept coming back to the fact that the water was warm and slightly slimy. I also had a difficult time staying still – because each tiny movement moved me around the tank and resulted in gently tapping the sides with my fingers or my toes. This process lasted about 30 minutes – and let me say that it was a LONG 30 minutes. As time dragged on, I kept thinking to myself “inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale” and “relax” and trying to enjoy the experience. I could hear my heart beat in my ears, I could hear and feel my breathing. I could hear the gentle slosh of the water against the sides in the rhythm of my breathing as I continued to float.

Yes, I was finally relaxed! (Doh! damn it! I just thought about it… try to clear mind again… stop thinking…) And then, suddenly, my leg involuntarily twitched. Despite all my trouble to NOT move and remain relaxed, this twitch sent me off, and pushed my head into the top of the tank with a hardy “bonk”, which caused me to jump and splash…. and viola, the water was in my face… In my mouth and worse yet, eyes…

sputter sputter… spit spit…cough cough…

and what do you do when salt water gets in your eyes?

You reach up with your hand (still covered in salt) and try to wipe it out, right? Yeah.. almost. I realized as my hand was on the way up that that wasn’t a good idea….and promptly sat up (not a good idea either because my hair then DRAINED down my face) before I could…

Eventually, my eyes watered enough to get the slimy salt water out, but nothing could get the taste of the water out of my mouth. At that point, and quite suddenly, I was claustrophobic and just couldn’t breathe in the humid airless atmosphere. Then, I tried to figure out where I was in the tank, turn on the light, and open the door – because I just couldn’t stand it anymore. 5 minutes later, I had the door open, was breathing cooler air from in the room, and had calmed myself back down. Closing the door and turning back out the light, I tried again to relax…. Only….

No amount of trying to relax, recenter, and refocus was going to get me back into the state of attempted meditation. Pretty much, I was now worried about bumping into the sides of the tank, getting nasty water in my face/mouth/eyes, and/or my mind was focused on the fact that I went in the tank at 5pm and was now quite hungry and had to pee.

At an hour, there was a knock on the outside door and the light in the tank went on automatically. Let’s just say I was quite relieved to have made it an hour in the sensory deprivation tank. Heck, I was ready to get out somewhere between 30 and 45 minutes, and probabally should have.

Getting out, showering again, getting dressed and heading back toward the front of the spa, I realized that I was rather ashamed that I’d only made it for about 30 minutes before wanting to get out. I can’t imagine staying in there for 3 hours or 6 hours or even longer. I get the point – but either I need to work on my meditation – or I need goggles or something…

Let’s just say that it was an experience, and for 20 euro, not too bad in price. I won’t be doing it again – because I think that an hour the first time was just too long and I don’t think I can be that still and quiet for any longer. It’s quite simply not my “cup of tea” (to float in) but at least I can say I tried it.

One little note – I convinced one of my friends to buy the voucher as well, and they went in about an hour after I got out. Later, they stated that their experience was similar to mine (except for the water in the face) with the 30 – 45 minute mark and they too wouldn’t do it again. Their reasoning however made me laugh. Essentially, the whole experience made them recognize that this how a turd must feel floating down the sewer.

Sensory Dep Chamber 2

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Dublin Water Restrictions (rant)

Back in the middle of December, and again 10 days later (through the new year) Dublin experienced alot of snow. This area doesn’t usually get snow (before the a single snow dusting in the winter of 2009, most areas had been snow-free for over 18 years!) and the winter sees mostly rain. The result has been interesting – especially for a girl who has lived in other areas of the world that get alot of snow (Utah, Russia, Germany) plans for it, deals for it, and each person takes responsibility for their “area”.

Things I’ve learned about snow in Ireland – just since these two snow storms – which amount to cultural differences (in most cases):

a) There’s only one snowplow for all of Dublin

b) There are only 2 snow plows for all of the Greater Dublin area

c) There is just not grit/sand here for the roads – let alone the sidewalks, so while major streets may get cleared/salted – nothing else is.

d)  Culturally, people don’t/won’t clear their own personal walkways in front of their houses (this includes steps).  I don’t know if this is because they are lazy, don’t care, don’t know how to, or simply don’t have the “equipment” to do it.  (I removed my snow by a stiff broom – and did so repeatedly during the last storm.) It’s made transportation – and yes, even walking dangerous when there’s snow/ice on the ground.

e) My property management for my apartment complex won’t clear the snow either.  In fact, they sent out notices saying that the maintenance crews would only “grit” the places on the road where people turn in off the main road – and they didn’t get paid to clear the roads, sidewalks or etc.  On the same notice that they sent – they were stating that the fees that were paid (how they were spent), and how the insurance cost for the complex was very expensive.  (Really? and it’s not negligent to leave the sidewalks/parking areas/streets uncleared and dangerous to walk – someone falling because of this doesn’t raise your property insurance? Wankers!)

f) The government isn’t being held accountable/responsible (see more below), and they’re not holding anyone else responsible.  Regarding points d/e – The Taoisech (Prime Minister) of Ireland recently made a statement saying that property owners can’t be held liable for claims on their property due to injury during snow this winter – because it was a natural “happening” and as long as their due diligence had been done, then there could be no lawsuit.  The problem is – that due diligence here, is obviously NOT due diligence where some of the other places I’ve lived is concerned.  (Due diligence here in Ireland being that it’s snow, people shouldn’t go out in it until it’s melted, if you do, it’s your own risk… and other places being – let me shovel my own walk – so that people that might cross my property aren’t at such a high risk!)

g) There’s no public water for several hours each day because of poor planning, so make sure to have extra water on hand.  aka – Water restrictions?!? Really? Who the HELL Turns off their water on the coldest nights of the year?!? (Warning Rant below)

Back during the first snow storm – in the middle of December, there was a heightened use of water in Dublin – as we ran up to Christmas – as people were turning on taps to keep pipes from freezing, took extra showers to get warm, cooked more food, and had relatives in town, etc.  Because of this, the Dublin water council and many of the surrounding districts began removing pressure from the pipes.  The result was that the reservoirs were slightly re-filled.  However, not enough, and soon reached “critical” levels.  So, they began turning off the water between 7pm and 7am on different nights according to a schedule that they released only a matter of a few hours before they actually turned off the water.

The thing with turning off the water is this – it’s not just the water to my tap that’s getting turned off.  Much like most of the homes here, my heat is tied into my hot water boiler system.  Basically, how the system works is that the water fills up a tank and the tank gets heated.  The pressure of the water flowing through the system moves that hot water around and heats the flat.  The excess water from this system then either goes out as steam or is dripped out an overflow pipe into my front garden and/or back into the water tank itself.  In summary, when there’s no water pressure, the boiler won’t kick on – so not only is there no hot water, there is no heat.  (Luckily, I do have a gas fireplace to heat my front room – it doesn’t heat much much beyond that, but it does heat the front room.)  So, the result is that it’s not only turning off my water – when the water is turned off – it’s turning off my heat too. AARG!!

Now, logically, (returning to the water rant)  if you know anything about turning off the water to a district, there may not be water going to my tap, but there is still water left sitting in the wall, in the mains, and so on.   And because it’s no longer moving – even a little bit – the water left behind expands and cracks the pipes… right? Right.  The result, is that when the water comes back on or when the weather warms up – those pipes begin to leak (thus using more water).  Then the second storm hit – dropping between 8 and 10 inches of snow on Dublin -with yet several days of hard freeze.  And what happened?  These bright councils – they kept turning off the water to different areas, extending the “off” times from 6pm – 10 am every other night, and then again from 6pm – 12 noon.

Well, what’s the result?  The weather is went above freezing for 3-4 days – and … Water chaos has commenced.  There were broken water mains everywhere, the water is leaking out of homes and businesses, water mains and etc – and the water reserves are staying at critical.  They originally said oh – we’ll have everyone back on normal water starting on New Year’s Day.  Then, they said by the 5th of January.  Well, now they’re saying another 2 weeks (after having endured this for a month).

Thing is that the people here don’t seem very outraged or annoyed by it.  They’re filling up buckets, pots and pans, bath tubs, and water bottles each night before the water’s cut off.  And when it comes back on?!? What do you think that they’re doing with that water?  Um.. They’re opening the bath tub to drain the water (So they can bathe later), they’re dumping out the buckets into the toilet, and effectively – using more water than what they might have….  And don’t see the fundamental problem about it being wasted.

This weekend, Dublin is preparing to have water restrictions – still – and guess what?  We’re about to have another multi-day cold snap. Somehow, the logic of the councils turning off the water on the coldest days of the year (as they originally did) defied them – and at this rate, there’s no end coming soon for the water restrictions.

Oh – and if you think that I’m ranting just to rant, let me put in here, that in Germany, Russia, Utah, and Georgia – we had water restrictions in the SUMMER – but never in the winter, so if these other places can figure out that things FREEZE when it’s cold…  I would expect that people here could too.  (Note that  in Germany, the trains break in the winter.. trains … water.. trains.. water.  Umm – I can admit I was annoyed by the trains, but the water thing… you don’t need trains to live – you do need water… )

Oh well.

What do I know – the Pub is warm (from the masses of bodies packed in there), there’s plenty of Guinness to drink, plenty Guinness stew to eat, and “football” on the tele.  Maybe I should just go to the Pub, and deal with it like the Irish do.  Sláinte!

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