enjoy Fall 2007 by having one new and fulfilling experience in October, November, and December

I have a bit of a tendency to expand the number of things I “need to do” & “want to do” to fill the amount of time that I have available. It keeps things interesting; but, unfortunately it usually has me burning both ends of the candle.

So, after a 3:30am visit to the ER on the morning of Christmas Eve for a back muscle spasm…I ended-up just taking the next few days easy & hanging out w/ my mom, without really “doing” anything. I have to say, even though it was physically imposed & a bit hazy from the pain meds & muscle relaxers in the beginning, it was really nice to just hang out, watch movies, and have long philosophical conversations w/ my mom.

Definitely new & fulfilling!

...And I made friends w/ this guy in the photo and some of his fellow equine friends. Don’t ask me exactly what kind of breed he is because all I’ve got is what I’ve made up: Miniature horse/bison/large dog/goat. Goat, because he kept nibbling at my pants.

It’s been ages since I’ve been on here…crazy (in a good way) holiday season; but, as soon as I get a chance I’ll write a proper entry under 43places for Ireland (have already posted some photos in my gallery).

I will say however that U2 has never sounded so good as when it was blasting from my ford focus stereo as I sped (legally at 80km-but it felt like speeding) around some of the “roads” in Ireland that had grass strips running down the middle, were technically “two lane” and weren’t on maps (but my GPS directed me to). Truly a magical trip.

So I’m leaving for Ireland in two days for a quick (thurs- tues) trip!! Just booked my final night at a B&B this morning and the man on the phone had such a wonderful accent & use of the word “grand” I was practically giddy w/ excitement! I’ve never been to Ireland before, so that’s the new part, and I’m travelling by myself, which I have done before; but, the personal challenge of pushing myself outside of the arbitrary mores society has somehow established about travelling by oneself…well, that’s ALWAYS highly fulfilling and I recommend it to everyone!

So, on the topic of recommendations…does anyone who’s been there have any? I’ll be flying in and out of dublin and spending a day each in Dublin, the lower Shannon area, the Cork/Kerry area, and the area around the Wicklow Mnts.

Oh, and as if that weren’t enough I’ll also be learning how to drive a left-handed stick shift!! :) As an SF native I’m a pro w/ right-handed stick and I’ve handled right-side of the road driving in major European cities…but the idea of left-side roundabouts does have me, I have to admit, just a tad bit nervous. :)

Thanks for any and all advice!!

If you haven’t already carved your pumpkins- I highly suggest it!

Final menu:
Butterbeer (we used 2 part butterscotch schnaaps to 7 parts cream soda—it was great; but, a bit sweet. We thought it might be better w/ diet cream soda, little bit of club soda and maybe adding some bourbon).
Butternut squash soup w/ toasted slices of seeded baguette
Mixed green salad w/ tarragon mustard vinagrette
Apple Crisp w/ Vanilla Ice Cream

Everybody loves a party, even super-cas. ones!!!

I’m having some friends over on sunday for a BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin) Carving Contest & Dinner. If you haven’t finished w/ oct. yet, feel free to use this, or some variation of it.

I think you should get double points for it too, because, not only will it be something that you’ll enjoy; but, you’ll also be bringing something new & fulfilling into the lives of your friends! :)

Some tips to make it fun & easy that I’m taking advantage of:

- Used evite for the invitations to keep it easy.
- Making a pumpkin (or butternut squash) soup w/ toasted crostini & a simple garden salad, so it’s easy to feed the masses…you could also make it a potluck to keep it really easy.
- Making butterbeer (from Harry Potter) to help everyone get creative while carving pumpkins (the recipe I found is 2 parts butterscotch schnapps to 7 parts cream soda; but, for nonalcoholic and other variations, just do a google search).
- And I picked up a good looking bottle of mix for sangria and a jar of olive bruschetta to give as a prize for the best pumpkin that wins the vote!...makes a good prize for anyone- girls or guys…cause it’s basically a starter kit for impromptu parties.

Good luck!

P.S. Re: my oct experience of chatting up the cute guy on the plane…well, we had our first date last night and it went great! 2nd date is already in the works! Never underestimate yourself and always remember those wise words: “What do I have to lose?”

I finally met one of my friends for lunch and a tour of Lucas Film (she works there) and it was both new and definitely fulfilling!!! If you want to hear more about it, it’s now listed as a completed goal under my list and there’s an entry there.

And as if that wasn’t enough, I finally had that experience that you always hear about; but, that never (until now!) happens to you! Met a cute guy on my flight to DC (who I was sitting next to- never happens!), chatted him up, and he’s since asked me out! Even if nothing more ever comes of it, although I hope not, the experience alone is one I’ve always wanted! And to think, all I did was ask him whether the Banana Nut Odwalla bar he’d eaten ( I love the Berry ones) was any good! Here’s to talking to strangers more! :)

November’s already taken care of w/ my solo trip to Ireland; but, still working on December.

Finding open reservations for lodging for my friends and in Yosemite has proved to be much more difficult than I thought…so, this one is going to have to wait till next fall.

So, Oct…I am visiting D.C., so maybe I can coordinate something there.

November is taken care of though! I’m going to Ireland for a quick trip and by myself!

December…hmm…going to have to contemplate this some more.

Not sure about Nov & Dec; but, for October I’d like to visit Yosemite! I’ve always only been in the Spring and Summer, when it’s great to be sure, but the fall sounds like a great time to also go! Think I’ll make a weekend of it w/ friends at the lodge. If anyone else is interested, here’s a great link for it: http://gocalifornia.about.com/od/cayosemite/a/fall.htm

One down, two to go!!