patrick.net

Standing on the corner of Chad and Simp.

Brother of CHAZ, the patron saint of anarchy and mayhem.

I hope you get a chance to make it out to town while you're there. If the laws were different I'd definitely consider returning to my ancestral homeland and living in the English countryside.

King Billy Day!

We are going to Wales soon, because it's scenic and Celtic. I'm also kind of interested in the Welsh language, which seems to be surviving much better than Irish.

Yesterday was part of a heatwave, but that means high 80's. Fortunately it's quite overcast so that at least provides some protection from the sun.

Walked though the British Museum, which is very impressive and free, though they nag you to donate.

I haven't noticed anything Irish at all yet, no accents, no Irish flags or Irish pubs. They must be around somewhere.

Patrick says

Walked though the British Museum, which is very impressive and free, though they nag you to donate.

I hate that setup. There are museums in Chicago that do the same. Don't say it's free and then try and sell me to donate. Most large museums are funded by rich people as a tax write off at some gala or to get their name/business on/in the building somehow.

Have fun, but I have zero interest in ever visiting Europe. Greece or Spain are about the only ones that I'd think about and that's at the far bottom of bucket list travel I'd do. And yes, I know it's not about me, but I just don't have any interest in it and I'm surprised when people say they're going to Europe.

Patrick says

Yesterday was part of a heatwave, but that means high 80's.

You forgot to mention that they don't have air conditioning there.

zzyzzx says

Patrick says

Yesterday was part of a heatwave, but that means high 80's.

You forgot to mention that they don't have air conditioning there.

Even low 90's is not hot. I like sweating to be honest as long as it not at a wedding or formal event. Sweat my ass off golfing yesterday. Probably lost a pound and it was fun.

Problem is I can't smell much anymore. I'm sure I got covid at some point and my sense of smell is mostly gone still. But I did a quick armpit sniff and I'm pretty sure I was the stinky guy yesterday. Oh well. As long as you're hydrated heat is a good thing. Humidity and dew point is the bitch though here. 90º can feel like 102º. You'll just stand there and sweat.

Patrick says

I'm also kind of interested in the Welsh language, which seems to be surviving much better than Irish.

Yes, the Welsh never stopped speaking their language. Back in the early 90s. the wife and I spend a couple days in Aberystwyth, staying at a local B&B. I remember riding an old steam train through some valleys, and how green everything was and the plethora of sheep. Nice seashore as well. For some reason, real estate in Wales is considered undesirable despite its beauty and priced much cheaper than in England. Mwynhewch eich arhosiad.

zzyzzx says

Patrick says

Yesterday was part of a heatwave, but that means high 80's.

You forgot to mention that they don't have air conditioning there.

True. That's kind of annoying, and "cold" drinks are only barely cold, even in the store refrigerators.

Saw two more homeless people, but it's still minimal. Certainly no tents or encampments.

People don't seem to expect tips, but then service is not as good as in the US.

HeadSet says

For some reason, real estate in Wales is considered undesirable

Probably because there are no jobs there.

Patrick says

People don't seem to expect tips, but then service is not as good as in the US.

Most of western Europe as well as Canada have tips "built-in" to the prices of food & drink at restaurants, bars, etc. They used to love Americans because they would tip anyway.
Don't tip when you're in Europe or Canada.

Patrick says

I haven't noticed anything Irish at all yet, no accents, no Irish flags or Irish pubs. They must be around somewhere.

Finally walked by an Irish pub. I plan to have a beer there later.

Surprising number of security cameras everywhere.

Another oddity: when getting on the plane in SF, they knew who I was before I presented any ID. They did it via facial recognition, which was creepy.