Sunday, March 19, 2006

Linton's First Paddy's Day

The day started as my most sober Paddy's day ever. Due to working at the Spring House and Garden Show in the RDS, I managed to stay completely sober until 7pm. By the time I was finished in the RDS I had the serious jitters and a pint in Crowe's with work people was definitely in order. After two in Crowe's I strolled half way to town before getting a bus the rest of the way. Met Concrete COlleeeeeeeee outside Trininty and after briefly dropping off some gear in my gaff we wandered to Bruxelles to meet Fi et al. Bruxelles was packed and feeling very behind the others in terms of alcoholic influence, Col downed a double vodka. After one or two and a bit of dancing to such anthems as Another one bites the dust, It must be love, Jailbreak, and Viva Las Vegas, we all headed outside to decide on the next port of call.

We called the Germans who were in McDaid's for some reason but alas this didn't result in seeing them. I made use of Fi's artistic skill in the form of a shamrock on my left cheek and an Irish flag before we all headed up to Hogans. Not a whole lot of interest here but the place was rammed again. Close to midnight, myself and Col went back to Trinity to sign him in. Heading back to my room for a quick toilet stop we spied the tennis courts looking particularly inviting. We wouldn't be the men we are if we didn't stop for a quick game. Since Ro ro ro was being a knob and wouldn't lend us some floodlight tokens the game was played in the dark. Still in the same way as Pool and Darts I actually played my best ever game. No doubt due to the alcohol content in my body. WHile we were playing, a group of people were getting into a car. They asked me and Col to join them which were well up for until we realised their intended destination - Dandelion! We politely refused, finished up our game of tennis and headed back to Hogans to be reunited with the others.

Possibly the funniest thing happening in Hogans was when I heard a loud crash of many drinks and glasses hitting the ground and smashing. Looking around, I saw Fi's cousin on the floor and insisted knowing what had happened. I was expecting that he had been punched or had an epileptic fit or something that could explain him making a mess of the bar but it turns out he had literally just fell due to being polluted. As he was feeling somewhat embarrassed about the whole thing, Col tried to shut me up and stop me from insisting what had happened. Alas his subtle gestures were unnoticed and I continued to publicise this event. Unfortunately we were situated directly in front of a fire exit and random annoying punters kept trying to use it as a regular exit despite our cries of "It's not a door. IT'S NOT A DOOR!!"

When Hogans closed, Fi and the othes went home. Not ready to end the night yet, Col and I headed up to The Palace to meet Jennie and her mates. Hands down the most embarrassing part of the night was getting refused access to The Palace albeit only because it was full. It was waiting for Jennie outside the palace that I had a random encounter with Jeeban. Although I informed Jennie why we weren't getting into the palace she still had to verify for herself. So then it was on to The Village and on the way I bumped into my old tennis partner! Unfortunately, as COl just reminded me, I never had a tennis partner so I've no idea who that actually was on the street. I also have a vague recollection of smoking a cigar like a joint much to the interest of passing Guards. There was quite an older crowd in the Village and I felt quite young however we then went downstairs to where Jennie's friend was DJ-ing and that was much better. We danced to some funky music and when Michael Jackson's thriller came on, some randomer turned into a zombie!? Thankfully Jennie confiscated my phone and I was spared the opportunity to send drunken texts. We sat down and chatted after that and a bag of minstrels and a bag of wine gums mysteriously appeared from nowhere! I don't know who was adminstrating the sweets but all I know is that every few minutes a wine gum was stuffed into my mouth. I was talking to Pauline who I assumed was French. After a lengthy discussion about the Wales V France rugby match tomorrow I eventually discerned that she is in fact Belgian.

After being kicked out of the Village we headed for obligatory kebabs in a place that began with a Z. Kebabs were good but people were weird. Memory was seriously vague at this stage but I do recall a dodgy chat with Jennie about a certain other lecturer in the institute. Walking home, Col and I stopped into a newsagent where we were asked what the result of the England Ireland match was. When we arrived at the front gate of Trinity the security guard informed us that he was feeling "terrific" before heading on to 18.0.01 and to bed.

I sit writing this blog entry the next morning with a star on my forehead and drinking a glass of red wine.

Now away with ye...

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