Well the countdown is on. Only 3 weeks left before I go on my holidays to Thailand. I don’t think I have looked forward to a holiday as much ever before. I have been pretty slack with updating the website over the last while too cause I just got to a stage where I was almost giving up!

There were times in the last few weeks that I thought I wouldn’t even make it to my holidays. Settling back into Ireland is proving way more difficult than I ever imagined. I thought at some stage that things would have to pick up but that hasn’t happened yet and instead it is steadily going downhill.

I really think that I timed my return badly. The economy has taken a big hit recently and people are being more conservative with their income. There is an heir of doom and gloom and this is definitely filtering its way into day-to-day life. A few years back I am sure that everyone was floating around on cloud nine talking about how much their property went up in the last week! Now, property discussions are all about doomsday predictions!

I’ve been out for a few beers in the last few weeks too which probably helps improve things. Although the inevitable walk in search for that elusive taxi is becoming very hard to take. In Thailand I only ever waited a couple of minutes for a taxi……. And they were so much cheaper. I’m afraid that if I start into the comparisons that I will go completely crazy so I will hold off on that for a while longer…

I am mad into watching the West Wing on DVD every evening. I bought a whole pile of DVD’s when I was in Thailand and I watch 2 episodes a night. It really is a great programme and the characters grow on you all the time….. I am now at the end of Season 4 so I have a few more to go. I reckon it will keep me occupied until my holidays.

The weather is certainly changing recently and there is a bitter chill in the air……

The stock markets have taken a big hit over the last few weeks. There has been a negative reaction to the Northern Rock situation but I think that some people may have over-reacted to this. For sure, no-one really knows which banks are holding all the risks and bad loans associated with the US sub prime market and until this is made clear the Bank stocks will continue to take sporadic hits. I still think that it would be a good bet to throw some money into AIB, BOI and Anglo now – but spread the investment over the 3 banks.

The economy is still ticking along but it is certainly not booming. Recent announcements by Intel about voluntary redundancies will not help the situation.

Its hard to know what really is going on in Thailand but I am sure I will know a lot more after my impending visit. The villa in Cha-am is certainly not making as much money as I would have expected and I am very disappointed in the returns. Recent efforts by the residents committee to question the legality of the rental scheme baffles me. I just cant believe that they are suggesting such a thing.

Bertie is having an interesting time at the Tribunals lately but I think he is still going to get away with it all. Its amazing to think that people have elected him knowing that there is so much scandal around his finances. I suppose we deserve what we get.

THailand are due to have elections in December but the anniversary of the Coup has just passed and there have been many reports about the restrictions imposed by the military. Martial Law is still in place in certain areas. Thaksin is still alive and well and I reckon he is just biding his time.

Rugby World Cup is in full swing now and Ireland are having a disaster! The game against Namibia was a really bad performance but could be put down to nerves, ring-rusty and the fact that the Namibians would be well up for their first game. We came away with a win but a battered ego. The game against Georgia was even worse and this time there are NO excuses. Georgia played their second string team and are ranked 24 in the world. They had just played a game against Argentina 4 days previously.

After the first 10 minutes things were looking dodgy but I thought that the Irish would start to impose their superiority. But they never did and Georgia were desperately unlucky not to win the game. Ireland were defending their line with last ditch tackles in the dying moments. Truly incredible stuff.

Eddie O’Sullivan has made a few changes to the team who will line out against France but there are some strange decisions in there. Why is Redden playing ahead of Boss? Why didn’t Redden come on as sub for Stringer before? Geordan Murphy is not even in the squad? No place for Alan Quinlan? There is definitely a lack of leadership in the pack and O’Connell needs to step up to the mark.

There is a genuine feeling amongst the supporters that these guys have got too big for their boots. They are more interesting in advertising, sponsorships and their hairstyles…… its time to get back to basics and get stuck in. Lets hope it all comes right on Friday. If we win, then we are through to the next round…..

United have had a bad start to the season but they are still up the top of the League and after Mourinhos shock exit it looks like it will be between Arsenal and Liverpool this season!

I have been working on my little web project recently but it is taking longer than I hoped or expected. I hope I can push it along faster and no doubt I will be doing some chasing of the developers when I am over in Thailand.

Very little developments on the techie front – I am getting out of the habit of surfing the net when I get home…..

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Quiet on this front. I am saving myself for my trip to Thailand.

I am hoping that things will improve when I come back from my holidays. First off Nang will be coming home with me so that should make things more bearable. Secondly, I will be moving into a house on our own so I won’t have to share with others.