DCN Off-Topic Thread

Larianne · 31-12-2009 11:32pm

Hill Billy wrote: »

(New decade doesn't start until 2011. )

That's what I thought, no??

Larianne · 01-01-2010 10:55am

Off to Poland today for a bit of falling on my ass skiing/snowboarding.

YAY!

Dizzyblonde · 01-01-2010 12:36pm

Happy new year everyone.

No new year's resolutions for me - it's the worst time of year for changing habits.
Plus, I don't want to beat myself up at the end of the month for failing

Beasty · 01-01-2010 12:44pm

Larianne wrote: »

Off to Poland Dublin Airport today for a bit of falling on my ass skiing/snowboarding. waiting
YAY!

Sorry - hope you don't have too much hassle getting there, and you have a great time

Beasty · 01-01-2010 12:46pm

Happy New Year to everyone

LeoB · 02-01-2010 5:51pm

Larianne wrote: »

Off to Poland today for a bit of falling on my ass skiing/snowboarding.

YAY!

Enjoy your trip.

For everyone else, Take 1 plastic fish box, (washed), put a bit of tinsel around it, wrap up well and head for a decent hill like at the harbour in Rush and hold on tight:):)

Martron · 02-01-2010 7:36pm

happy new year everyone.

any new years resolutions?

i have the usual ones. so if anyone sees a 6 foot 2 chubby guy on a bike thats just a tad too small for him cycling around rush thats me!!!!

another resolution of mine is to be more positive. The gf went away for 6 weeks during the summer( columbia ecuador etc etc). by sheer luck the night she went away i called to a friends house. he was watching the yes man. ( film with jim carey)

anyway long story short i had six weeks to pack out ( no gf) . never had so much free time and refused to waste it. anyway because i did not have to ol ball and chain to consult on entertainment decisions. i just started accepting every invitation/ offer to do stuff. ( i only refused if i had something else on that i had already said yes to) anyway it was slow at the satrt as i actually fell out of touch with a lot of friends. soon enough thought i was notjust busy every weekend but i was busy everyday.

so by saying yes and being more positve instead of just going to watch tv when i came home from work i managed to cover a lot of ground

went to u2 for free in croke park, reunited with long lost friends. bought a bike and started cycling, bought a noce camera and got into digital photography, went on a european roadtrip with with a good buddy of mine and raced on the nurburg ring, eurodisney, normandy dday landings, amsterdam, newcastle..... etc etc.

so anyway waht i am trying to say is that when i was more positive i was happier. now just incase the gf sees this it was not because of her going away i had a great time.)

so thats my new rsolution to go back and start saying yes more than no. ( and beofre anyone asks me for money ..... i dont have any ha ha ha)

so happy new year everyone...... and i hope everyone will have a as great a year as i am hoping for!!!!

Alan Farrell · 04-01-2010 1:35am

Martron wrote: »

happy new year everyone.

any new years resolutions?

I quit smoking after 15 years. Roll on day 9.

Dizzyblonde · 04-01-2010 12:38pm

Alan Farrell wrote: »

I quit smoking after 15 years. Roll on day 9.

Good for you! I'm off them years 7 this week, and I promise that once you get through the first few weeks you won't want to touch one.
This is the best thing you will ever do for yourself.

Hang in there

LeoB · 05-01-2010 12:24am

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

Good for you! I'm off them years 7 this week, and I promise that once you get through the first few weeks you won't want to touch one.
This is the best thing you will ever do for yourself.

Hang in there

.

I am off drink 20yrs and 4days, still dont see very clearly. Stopped when I got my first car as I would not have had the discipiline to leave the keys down.

As for the smokes!!!! I was off them for 8 years but went to the Ballycotton 10 road race with my wife. She had trained really hard for it and I had a nice Irish Coffe for her in the Thatch Pub in Killeagh. She bought me a tipped Cigar and here I am a few years later puffing away. Mind you the hassle I am getting from my kids could see me make attempt 146 in the near future. I know a lad who has a few smokes every St. Stephens day and thats it. Now I would love to be able to do that.

Good luck Alan and to everyone who has packed them in. It was gret when I was off them. You will feel better and look better.

Now a cup of tea out for a quick smoke, I dont smoke in the house (when herself is about);).

LeoB · 05-01-2010 12:37am

I meant to post this a few days ago but better late than never.

Dont forget to check in on elderley relatives and neighbours who might need a few groceries from local shop or a fire lit. A lot are afraid to go out in the frost and ice.

The Black Oil · 06-01-2010 2:42pm

Good point.

Snow and hail really hammering down at the moment!

Larianne · 09-01-2010 8:32pm

Had a great time in Poland. Lucky with getting there and back. Fell on my ass on the 3rd day pretty badly so I was out of action for the last two days which is a shame. But it now means I'll have to go back to give it a proper go! oh well...

Martron wrote: »

happy new year everyone.

any new years resolutions?

....................

so thats my new rsolution to go back and start saying yes more than no. ( and beofre anyone asks me for money ..... i dont have any ha ha ha)

so happy new year everyone...... and i hope everyone will have a as great a year as i am hoping for!!!!

I'm the same, say YES to more than no. I've been doing that the last year and it's deadly!!! So I'm gonna continue doing what I'm doing.

Other than that, get my aches and pains sorted - by getting proper orthotics for my feet and doing pilates. And to study like a mofo for my exams. Tis gonna be tough!

LeoB · 11-01-2010 12:43am

Larianne wrote: »

Had a great time in Poland.

Tis gonna be tough!

Jeaney you do have a good time....... Would you recommend it for city type break or tour? Must put it on my list

All the study will be worth it.

Larianne · 11-01-2010 12:56am

Krakow is good for a city break. It's quite interesting and you can go to Aushwitz (I didn't though..) and the Salt Mines which are near by. The history of the city is interesting.

Martron · 11-01-2010 1:00am

leo i was there 2 years ago. woould totally recommend it. was lovely city.

we stayed in hotel beside the castle with the dragons den.

we went out to auswitz and then the salt mines( 2 seperate days)

the market square is great. lots of great architecture

i would hold off til summer. weather will be great.

Clare Bear · 11-01-2010 5:53pm

Krakow is great. Definitely worth going to Aushwitz, it's an experience. I'd forget the Salt Mines though (probably the longest day of my life!). Lovely city, very pretty and lots of history. We found the people very helpful and friendly too. Definitely hold off til the summer if you can, the weather was amazing when we went in August/September.

Plus cheap as chips which always helps

Larianne · 11-01-2010 6:01pm

I didn't go to Aushwitz as I'd been to House 21 in Vietnam and just didn't fancy that type of experience again.

Instead, while the others went, I went on a free walking tour of Krakow, which was brilliant.

I liked the Salt Mines though. The Chapel was amazing. Although for the most part we were all laughing at the tour guide.

Martron · 12-01-2010 11:11pm

i thought the mines were fantastic. amazing in fact........ different stroke and all

Clare Bear · 12-01-2010 11:35pm

Martron wrote: »

i thought the mines were fantastic. amazing in fact........ different stroke and all

I think if the tour was shorter we would have enjoyed it more or if we just walked around on our own but you had to stay with the tour guide (don't know if it's still the same). It just really dragged on and ruined the whole thing for us.

LeoB · 13-01-2010 12:14am

I am interested in photography so not sure I would go during summer, better light in Spring/Autumn.

Is Aushwitz near the city? Hotels ok?

Larianne · 13-01-2010 12:42am

Oh Krakow would be beautiful in Spring or Autumn.

Aushwitz is about 2 hour drive away.

Loads of hotels. I stayed in a brilliant hostel though.

Martron · 13-01-2010 12:30pm

LeoB wrote: »

I am interested in photography so not sure I would go during summer, better light in Spring/Autumn.

Is Aushwitz near the city? Hotels ok?

plenty of organised bus tours. of which you can probably not only pick up a ticket in your hotel but get picked up there too.

we went in late september and it was still quite warm.

as for photograpghy. in most parts of the camp photography is a no no. but whe you go to the main camp you can take pretty insightful picture ( must route mine out)

the salt mines as you can imagine is very low light . i struggled to get good picture there but it really is a fantastic place

LeoB · 14-01-2010 8:27pm

Trying to save some of my leave for September so hopefully I can manage a few days.

Martron · 15-01-2010 5:55pm

you really wont be disappointed.

LeoB · 18-01-2010 10:48pm

Did anyone see the state of the roads on R.T.E news this evening? Carlow is in an awful state. How are the roads in your area and what will happen as a result of council cutbacks and budget constraints?

We are in for a bumpy ride;)

Martron · 20-01-2010 6:14pm

pretty bad alright.

the speed bumps in rush are disintegrating too. but thats been happening a while.

cant wait to see how the fix the roads. my guess is some lazy so and so with cold tar.

bumpy ride........ have you bumped you head??? ha ha ha

Martron · 24-01-2010 8:26pm

was just talking to a friend of mine and we were trying to think of the amount of accounts we have linked by name and password. i am not sure if boards have a thread already about this.

basically after my friend said that he had the same email and password for different accounts we began listing all the password we might want to change

amazon
ebay
itunes
email
other forums

just in case anyone hads not changed these . you can add to this is if think of aymore

martin

LeoB · 31-01-2010 11:20pm

Martron wrote: »

pretty bad alright.

the speed bumps in rush are disintegrating too. but thats been happening a while.

cant wait to see how the fix the roads. my guess is some lazy so and so with cold tar.

bumpy ride........ have you bumped you head??? ha ha ha

I actually didnt realise how bad these were until you mentioned it.

Judging by the cuts in funding to local authorities dont be suprised if we see an increase in Road Tax. How are they going to repair the roads or more to the point where are they going to start? I would say some of the lads sent out with Tar are mortified knowing full well they will be back after another few showers.

Talking to a driver at work during the week he said the roads out this way are far superior to where he lives, Kildare. His local roads, HE SAYS are like a slalom course.

Anyway went into Dublin the other night on a Boards photo walk. This Photo is my best effort. The change along the docks is just amazing with some wonderful work being done. Probably could do with a decent retail outlet of or some sort of people park to attract more people down that way. Its a far cry from when I worked In Sherriff St Post Office around 1990. Well worth a stroll if you get a few spare minutes

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There are better images on the Boards Photography forum, follow link to night time walk

Beasty · 01-02-2010 12:33am

LeoB wrote: »

Judging by the cuts in funding to local authorities dont be suprised if we see an increase in Road Tax.

Road Tax? What's that? There's no such tax in Ireland (I presume you mean Motor Tax:))

The roads in North County were already poor, but they have disintegtated further as a result of the recent cold spell. The repairs that are being done are of poor quality, and will not last (as the ice will have penetrated the surrounds of the potholes it's only a matter of time before the roads break-up further)

They should have diverted some of the funding from the new Motorways that will hardly get used to get some of the existing roads up to some kind of standard. As it is I will continue to risk life and limb on my 50km+ return cycling commute.

Martron · 01-02-2010 12:55pm

thats a controversial thing to say about the motorways. as you know there will be someone to say something how we need motorways blah blah blah ( besides i think the source of that money is for development rather that maintainance)

i have experience in road building and in my opinion they are going about the temporary repairs all the wrong way.

for example at the traffic lights between the centra and the theatre there is a gaping hole which has been repaired a few times.

as for the rest of the town there is noting that really sticks out bar the speed bumps but they are still performing as speed bumps so i would not be too worried.

firstly you need experienced contractors to repair the roads. i know the lads with the councils are experienced but we need something more permanent.( surely there must be plenty out there now t5hat could do it at an extremely competitve rate)

anyway instead of keep coming back to the same hole and filling it with temporary tar . you close down one side of the the road for about 100m ( at night) plane out all the bad spots. and reinstate with proper material.

now i know what leo is saying with budget cuts but its hardly makes financial sense refilling a hole that you know has to be refilled 3 days later.

and on roads where there is more serious conditions and a fatal accident happens ....... no amount of budget is going to fix that.

nice pic by the way leo. what camera have you got. just picked up a 50mm lens myself the other day. have a little project in mind.

Beasty · 01-02-2010 2:25pm

I am not saying don't bulid motorways where they are needed, and when they can be afforded - However, what's the point of building new infrastructure when we cannot afford the proper upkeep of the infrastructure that's already in place? We are just contributing to an even larger public deficit (and potholes:))

Martron · 01-02-2010 4:38pm

ah i know you were not. but what i am saying is that that money is european money given for the motorways. its not tranferable to the maintainance of other roads.

we should get motorways while the money is there.

i agree with you thought that the roads need fixing.

The whole bleeding place need sfixing....... out with the goverment!!!!!!

just kidding its just something else for us irish to moan about.

sure i was reading that the water leaking problem in dublin all in is going to cost 300mil to fix!!

so there is a lot of fixing to do.

LeoB · 01-02-2010 9:14pm

Ok Beasty Motor Tax it is!!

Sort of agree with putting a hold on building anymore Motorways for about 5 years. We really need a serious works programme on what we have. Some of our main roads are not that bad if they were upgraded in certain spots and also a concerted effort to stop speeding.

Driving along most roads there is a build up of mud along the verges as much as a foot in places. If this was kept back and the cuttings for excess water were kept clear it would be a starting point. The verge markings are also invisible in a lot of places so perhaps we should look at some basic housekeeping before we invest any more money

Mona Lott · 02-02-2010 3:37pm

....so the NCT was brought in to get to bring the standard of vehicles up to a European standard

So how about bringing a NRT (National Roads Test) in to match the hard pressed driver? Only trouble is we would be stoney broke in no time

don't know about the recent freezing spell but went to Portlaoise on saturday and some of the country's rural roads are seriously bad

LeoB · 18-02-2010 12:51pm

Saw Fingal out yesterday with the few lads filling in holes with tar. I feel sorry for them lads. Most people just laugh.

Why dont Fingal have a week when they say right lads we will clean all the drains and clear ditch's in flood prone areas. Then we will open open all the cuttings to let the water escape.

As for the road markings, why do we use that horrible Yellow? After a few weeks its so dirty you cant see it. The other day I saw this lefthand drive lorry, the street sweep one, going around cleaning the side of the roads like years ago and it left a line of of muck behind.

Still have not seen the drains along the street being cleaned and most at this stage are blocked which is causing a right mess outside peoples houses.

Martron · 18-02-2010 2:35pm

the colours of the lines are down to a european standard leo. and i would imagine there is some standard that also dictates how cloean the roads have to be. but as you can imagine the yellow ines would work if the roads are clean.

i do ( as always ) have one gripe. being a construction worker myself it boils my blood to see a tractor pull out of a field ........ ( opposite my house) and trail muck up the road after it.

if i did this at work i would have to gardai knockin on my office door. ( has happened)

it does not take long to pick off the main debris with a shovel. and if i had to do it , why not farmers?

P.s. Just back from new york........ that place is amazing!!

LeoB · 18-02-2010 3:47pm

Martron wrote: »

the colours of the lines are down to a european standard leo. and i would imagine there is some standard that also dictates how cloean the roads have to be. but as you can imagine the yellow ines would work if the roads are clean.

i do ( as always ) have one gripe. being a construction worker myself it boils my blood to see a tractor pull out of a field ........ ( opposite my house) and trail muck up the road after it.

if i did this at work i would have to gardai knockin on my office door. ( has happened)

it does not take long to pick off the main debris with a shovel. and if i had to do it , why not farmers?

P.s. Just back from new york........ that place is amazing!!

The white border road marking used up the north seem to be better in that they are more visable at night.

Some of the roads around here are terrible with the build up of muck and I have no doubt cars skidding on this muck have caused a few accidents.

Jeasus just back from N.Y and me looking for a sync lead for my camera........ Have to get there for a few hours browsing in Adorama and B and H Photo and video. Heaven

Martron · 18-02-2010 4:51pm

B and H was amazing........... i did not end up getting much there as there was too much choice and i could not decide what to get. so i got a nice filter kit.

new york is amazing.

must look through the pics hope there is some good ones. central park is under 6 inches of snow and very spectacular looking

LeoB · 19-02-2010 3:34pm

B & H and Adorama are my 2 favourite photographic shops that I have yet to set foot in. A look at their either site makes me cringe with envy. The price of good lens is just amazing. Altough in Fairness the Irish shops have become a little more competitive these past few months but nothing like as cheap as N.Y or Hunts in Boston.

What Filter set did you get? I got 2 N.D filters back from there before christmas and saved about €60.

Next purchase Canon 70-200 f2,8 IS USM $1,799 in N.Y or Boston while in Dublin its €1,999 in Conn's which works out about €650 of a saving.

Now I must convince my wife its worth it;)

Martron · 19-02-2010 7:56pm

ND kit and polariser.

looking forward to us nd kit.

yeah the lens over here are getting very competitive. i was expecting more of a saving on accesories though.

LeoB · 19-02-2010 9:50pm

Some of the accessories here are not to bad but some are simply a rip-off. I hope to have a off shoe syn cord for my flash. Saw one used a few weeks ago and it was quite effective. €75 in Dublin $42 in U.S. Are you in a Camera club? There could be one starting in a few weeks. Myself and 2 other lads are looking into starting one. Have about 5 or 6 interested. There was one but dont know what happened to it just seemed to vanish.

Enjoy the new kit. Some nice light in the evenings at the moment.

Martron · 20-02-2010 3:46pm

club in the rush area?

what exactly do you do in a camera club? yeah the sunsets are pretty good. must bother to get up early some morning.

LeoB · 20-02-2010 5:26pm

Martron wrote: »

club in the rush area?

what exactly do you do in a camera club? yeah the sunsets are pretty good. must bother to get up early some morning.

Eh Sunset! up early some morning! Jet lag.

I was in work this morning at 6.40 and it was really nice out despite it being -3. Some evenings this past week the light has been really nice with some lovely colours around the Drummanagh and looking towards Lambay from the Kings Gap.

There was a group called Ros Eó Photographic group. It used to meet in the Fingal Arts centre. I tried to get in touch with them as did another founder member and neither of us got a reply.I was busy with St. Maurs so could not get to that many meetings. Camera club would be a social event as much as a learning event. A chance for people who want to do a bit photography and pick up a few tips along the way. Possibly gather enough decent images to put them on display, have a few competitions for prizes during the year and maybe a few day trips!

If your interested pm me and I will get in touch when its about to start. There are 5 or 6 interested so far.

Martron · 22-02-2010 12:25am

sounds good.

i pm'd you there about the club.

i need a kick in the ass to take some serious photos.

LeoB · 22-02-2010 11:07pm

Martron wrote: »

sounds good.

i pm'd you there about the club.

i need a kick in the ass to take some serious photos.

It is often hard to find the time to get out with camera. Set yourself a target to get out and photograph something local. Then post it here.

If you want a little target I would suggest a trip to the north beach in the afternoon and take a few shots over by the cliffs or a few looking from North beach thro the range wall to the Harbour. The colours are amazing with the strong winter sun behind you throwing light onto the water, rock, boats and pier. Experiment.

Martron · 23-02-2010 2:00am

much like yourself leo its finding the time to do it .

ParkRunner · 23-02-2010 7:43pm

Is the weather always this bad in NCD?

I only moved here just before Christmas and between snow and floods previously and a combination of both today it seems to never end.

LeoB · 24-02-2010 12:00am

EF wrote: »

Is the weather always this bad in NCD? I only moved here just before Christmas and between snow and floods previously and a combination of both today it seems to never end.

Ya cant have it everyway you are living among the great people of North County Dublin. Count you blessings....

No the weather improves for a few weeks every year.....

The Hill Billy · 26-02-2010 1:15pm

On my way back to The Hills. I haven't been home in a month.
Can't wait to see wife and kids, have a plate of home-cooked stew, a creamy pint and sleep in my own bed. (In that order.)

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