Oh, isn’t it just lovely to walk past an expensive jewellery store and gaze at the beautiful displays of necklaces and rings that most of us can’t afford? Oh, but wait, what’s that? A sign that says, “Split Your Payments”? How considerate of them to offer such a generous payment plan for those of us who just can’t resist the temptation of their overpriced products. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go into debt for a shiny bauble, right?
But in all seriousness, let’s be real. We all know that jewellery is expensive. And while the displays in the front window may be beautiful, they often come with a hefty price tag. So unless you’re a millionaire or have someone willing to foot the bill, it’s best to just admire from afar and save your hard-earned money for something a little more practical.
As the rain poured down on a gloomy evening in Dublin, a group of young people were out and about, determined not to let the weather dampen their spirits. Among them was a woman with pigtails and a sky-blue dress, looking like a ray of sunshine on an otherwise dreary night. Her companion, a man carrying an umbrella, hurried to catch up with her as they made their way through the rain-soaked streets.
In the background, the Luas could be seen with its doors open, having just disgorged its passengers. It was a snapshot of city life in all its glory – the hustle and bustle of people going about their business, the constant movement of vehicles and public transport, and the determination to keep moving forward even in the face of bad weather. It was a reminder that sometimes, it’s the little moments of human connection and perseverance that make life worth living, even on the gloomiest of nights.
It was a typical wet and gloomy Halloween night, and I was walking past a shop doorway when I noticed two young men huddled together, seeking shelter from the rain. One of them was dressed in a frog costume, and they were engrossed in something on the other’s phone. As I watched them, I couldn’t help but think about the magic of Halloween, how it brings out the child in all of us, and how it can turn a rainy night into a playful adventure.
In a nearby shop window, three male mannequins stood in a row. Despite being inanimate objects, they seemed to be staring into space, almost as if they were lost in thought. The light from the window chased away the shadows, creating a surreal scene that contrasted sharply with the dark and rainy night outside. It was a reminder that even in the midst of the ordinary and mundane, there is always a touch of magic waiting to be discovered.
The bus shelter is adorned with a poster promoting a message of “Freedom, Peace & Energy Independence. YOU ARE EUROPE”, featuring a group of youthful individuals standing beside the text “YOU ARE EU”. This poster can be spotted throughout the EU, and I even noticed a few on the Europe subreddit last week.
Meanwhile, an advertisement displayed on the bus parked at the stop bears the message “THAT’S US BTW!” with an arrow pointing downwards towards the end of a URL. However, I like to think the arrow is pointing towards the individuals featured in the EU poster.
These types of advertisements and posters serve as a reminder of the interconnectedness of people across the EU, and the importance of promoting unity and solidarity among diverse communities. The bus itself is a common mode of transportation throughout many European cities, offering a convenient and efficient way to traverse the bustling streets and vibrant neighborhoods of these dynamic urban centers.
During a walk through the bustling streets of Malaga, I happened upon a man who was seated upon the steps of a nearby building. As I approached him, I observed that he appeared to be deep in thought, his gaze fixed upon the cigarette he was smoking. Despite the cool temperature, he seemed content and at ease, bundled up in a cosy woolly hat and scarf. Notably, he wore a vibrant red watch on his wrist, adding a pop of colour to his otherwise understated attire.
Against a wall adorned with white arrows, a young woman with foxy red hair leans motionless, her face illuminated by the eerie glow of her phone.
As shadows creep in from the corners of the scene, she remains lost in her digital world, completely engrossed in the screen.
The bright red woolly hat atop her head stands out in stark contrast to her black coat, boots, and bag, drawing attention to her enigmatic presence in the dim surroundings.
Last Friday night, my wife and I had the pleasure of attending a Beatles tribute band called The Beatlebums at Coughlans Bar on Douglas Street.
It was truly a fantastic performance by a talented group of musicians! They played many of the Beatles’ classic hits, as well as a few lesser-known B-sides that I wasn’t familiar with. And although we were promised a test on the music at the end of the night, I was relieved when that never came to fruition – LOL.
Despite being a small venue, Coughlans was packed to the rafters with fans who were absolutely loving the performance. We were blown away by the energy and talent of The Beatlebums, and can’t wait to catch them again – whether it’s at Coughlans or in a larger venue.
As a woman was crossing the road, she noticed an ambulance approaching with its sirens blaring. The ambulance had broken a red light but wasn’t driving particularly fast. She looked both ways and realized she had the right of way and could continue walking across the road.
As the ambulance got closer, she waved nervously at the driver to let him know she was aware of his presence. The ambulance driver slowed down and came to a stop just a few feet away from the woman. She continued on her way, feeling relieved that the driver had been paying attention and had stopped in time.
She couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude towards the ambulance driver, who had taken the time to slow down and stop for her, even though he was on his way to an emergency. She continued on her way, grateful for the safe and uneventful crossing.
Thanks ChatGPT. Here’s the overly dramatic first version of this post it created for me!
As a woman was crossing the road, she suddenly heard the blaring sirens of an ambulance behind her. She turned around to see the ambulance rushing towards her at full speed, and she knew that she had to act quickly.
The woman’s heart started racing as she realized the danger she was in. The ambulance was coming at her so fast that she had no time to think. Her instinct was to run, but she knew that could be even more dangerous. Instead, she waved her arms frantically, hoping that the driver would see her and stop in time.
The ambulance driver was focused on his task of getting to the emergency as quickly as possible. He was not paying attention to the people around him until he saw the woman waving nervously in front of him. In that split second, he slammed on the brakes, bringing the speeding ambulance to a screeching halt just inches from the woman.
As the ambulance came to a stop, the woman breathed a sigh of relief. She realized how close she had come to being hit and was grateful to be alive. She looked up at the driver, who had now gotten out of the ambulance to make sure she was okay. She could see the fear and concern in his eyes.
The woman smiled at the driver, trying to reassure him that she was fine. She was amazed by his quick reflexes and skillful driving that had saved her life. She knew that he had a difficult job and that he was doing his best to help those in need.
After the woman had crossed the road, the ambulance driver got back into his vehicle and continued on his way to the emergency. The woman watched as the ambulance disappeared into the distance, feeling grateful for the dedicated and courageous people who work in emergency services.
In conclusion, the woman’s experience of crossing the road in front of a speeding ambulance highlights the importance of being aware of our surroundings and being prepared for unexpected situations. It also shows us the vital role that emergency services play in our lives and the risks that they take every day to keep us safe. We should always be grateful and supportive of these brave men and women who put their lives on the line to help others.
One of the heads in a fabulous art exhibit in The Crawford Art Gallery in Cork. This head was only one of many, all suspended in the air by thin threads, and with a mouth that opens and closes continuously.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure who the artist is who created this installation. If anyone knows, please leave a comment!
Edit: I heard from the person who runs the Crawford Instagram account! This work is called “Doubt Ensemble”, by Peter Nash.
There’s a dark room in the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, with 3 stained glass works by Harry Clarke. This photo is one of those and should be seen in person if you’re in Cork.
They were made by Clarke while he was in his early twenties, and still a student at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. In 1911, he was awarded a highly covered gold medal for these works at the South Kensington National Competitions.
Rain pours out of the sky and runs along the pavement in this street in Dublin last year. It wasn’t a bad night if you had an umbrella.
Aperture
ƒ/2.8
Camera
ILCE-7M3
Focal length
24mm
ISO
12800
Shutter speed
1/80s
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