Today
I worked
Nothing special
Doing my thing...
a slight, quiet woman passed by me and said, "We can change the world - one smile at a time".
Outta nowhere.
...and I responded, "yes we can".
That is my life.
That is what it's all for.
That is why I exist.
It doesn't matter what you think of me.
I live my life for those who need that smile.
For me.
For the shoes I walk in.
...and sometimes I need a reminder, the little voice that says, "hey, you are living your life, walking your path, the way you are supposed to - nothing wrong with who you are. Nothing wrong at all."
Simply: My smile is not for you if you don't want it. My laughter. My good spirit (you try to break with your self imposed rules of life and your ignorance of faith and hope). My "je ne sais quoi". You feel me?
My smile is for me, and how I live my life, and the world I live in, and if you don't get it, and you don't get me - that is so NOT my problem.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
The Beauty of Dublin
Dublin, not the dream-scape I had in mind when thinking of all the fantasies of Ireland... and Tuscany, and locations Hollywood have turned into romantic escapades for American women. The city was similar to many American cities with a large tourist factor. Vegas, New Orleans, D.C.; tons of tourists roaming the city completely engaged with the concept, not necessarily the city itself.
There was great food, I will start there. Lots of international fare as well as traditional favorites.
I had Guinness steak pie as well as Brasilian and Indian fare. The restaurants were outstanding and I felt very lucky and happy to be eating my way through Ireland.
The day I arrived, I sat and ate at a tourist trap in Temple Bar and watched hen party after hen party march through the city - into a den of debauchery no doubt. I was a bit jealous. Friends, Saturday night, partying like it's 1999 - that's all right up my alley. But, I was sitting in a restaurant mapping my mature path to independence, deciding how I would bring in my 44th birthday in a foreign country.
Howth: I found my lighthouse. I have an affinity for lighthouses and when I stepped off the DART and walked into the small fishing village and saw the lighthouse off in the distance I knew I had made the right choice by venturing out of the city of Dublin and off the beaten path.
The Ireland pictorial:
There was great food, I will start there. Lots of international fare as well as traditional favorites.
I had Guinness steak pie as well as Brasilian and Indian fare. The restaurants were outstanding and I felt very lucky and happy to be eating my way through Ireland.
The day I arrived, I sat and ate at a tourist trap in Temple Bar and watched hen party after hen party march through the city - into a den of debauchery no doubt. I was a bit jealous. Friends, Saturday night, partying like it's 1999 - that's all right up my alley. But, I was sitting in a restaurant mapping my mature path to independence, deciding how I would bring in my 44th birthday in a foreign country.
Howth: I found my lighthouse. I have an affinity for lighthouses and when I stepped off the DART and walked into the small fishing village and saw the lighthouse off in the distance I knew I had made the right choice by venturing out of the city of Dublin and off the beaten path.
The Ireland pictorial:
London
Well, it was the best of times it was the worst of times. Dickens could not have been more correct.
London is a fantastic city, rich with history and architecture. Very much like NYC, the people make or break any experience.
I truly enjoyed my interactions with the automated aspects of London. The same conveniences in all the major cities here in the states. The tube, the commuter train stations, and the grocery offered the ease of getting what I needed without the assistance of the typical personnel. I did need help at one of the stations - the one day I got lost, and the gentleman(employee) was most helpful. That was not the norm.
I was refused service at a bar by a hateful woman.
I was offered the most surly service at a club, by yet another negative Nelly.
Even the retail markets acted opposed to selling goods.
That said, I met the most wonderful family, extended friends of a friend from the States. They invited me to their home for a traditional English meal and it was the sole interaction I had with any UK residents. The hotel personnel at the EasyHotel, South Kensington, were simply delightful as well. These were the exceptions in my London experience.
I did tour and experience the London of my expectations (including the incessant rain), but strictly solo. No assistance, no bonding with the people, no smiles on most days. The highlights of most days were bumping into other tourists who were just as excited as I was to be in the city, with or without the support of the locals.
London is a fantastic city, rich with history and architecture. Very much like NYC, the people make or break any experience.
I truly enjoyed my interactions with the automated aspects of London. The same conveniences in all the major cities here in the states. The tube, the commuter train stations, and the grocery offered the ease of getting what I needed without the assistance of the typical personnel. I did need help at one of the stations - the one day I got lost, and the gentleman(employee) was most helpful. That was not the norm.
I was refused service at a bar by a hateful woman.
I was offered the most surly service at a club, by yet another negative Nelly.
Even the retail markets acted opposed to selling goods.
That said, I met the most wonderful family, extended friends of a friend from the States. They invited me to their home for a traditional English meal and it was the sole interaction I had with any UK residents. The hotel personnel at the EasyHotel, South Kensington, were simply delightful as well. These were the exceptions in my London experience.
I did tour and experience the London of my expectations (including the incessant rain), but strictly solo. No assistance, no bonding with the people, no smiles on most days. The highlights of most days were bumping into other tourists who were just as excited as I was to be in the city, with or without the support of the locals.
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