#Galway tennis

[freakingoutthesquares]

Material World: Pulp Photograph: Ed Sirrs New Musical Express, 10 October 1992 Transcription: Acrylic Afternoons

Where are you and what are the vibes like? We are in Norwich and the vibes are like shimmering shards of incandescent plywood.

What was the last thing you ate? Nick Banks: Chicken In A Bun Candida Doyle: Branston Pickle Steve Mackey: Cucumber (whole) Russell Senior: Earwax Jarvis Cocker: A Skoal bandit

What was the last video you rented? Girl On A Motorcycle and we still owe six pounds because we took it back late, so because of that we've had nothing since.

What was the last good book you read? Dead Babies - Martin Amis The Cement Garden - Ian McEwan One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey Woman In White - Wilkie Collins Bonfire Of The Vanities - Tom Wolfe Steppenwolf - Herman Hesse

Fave political figures? Arthur Scargill, Harriet Harman, Michael Foot.

What TV shows do you try not to miss? Open University - Particle Physics Module One.

What sports are you good at? Water, pocket billiards, table tennis, cards, arm wrestling, gambling.

Which public figure do you most despise? Sebastian Coe (he gives Sheffield a bad name - he stood for Parliament because he couldn't run for toffee).

Fave TV shows of yesteryear The Spirit Of Dark And Dirty Water Double Deckers Hope And Keen's Crazy Bus Banana Splits Cheggers Plays Pop Any public information films

Most embarrassing records in your collection Ours, because our mothers insist on playing them when relatives and insurance salesmen come round.

Name three great songwriting partnerships Chinnichapp, Bacharach & David, Peters & Lee.

Fave punk rock records Candida: 'Another Girl Another Planet' - The Only Ones Jarvis: '1 2 X U' - Wire Russell: 'Pretty Vacant' - The Sex Pistols Steve: 'Bingo Master's Breakout' - The Fall Nick: 'Roadrunner' - Jonathan Richman

Fave historical figure Vlad The Impaler and the Whore Of Babylon.

Worst lyric you've ever heard "Kick yourself in the head/Pretty soon you will be dead..." ('Get A Life' - Julian Lennon)

Who's overrated? Wim Wenders, Jacques Poos (Foreign Minister of Luxembourg), Bob Dylan, Graeme Hick, John Barnes.

Who's underrated? Fellini, potatoes, Donovan, Momus.

Who's sexy? Jarvis: Jan Francis Steve: Jane Birkin, Charlotte Gainsbourg Candida: Jack Nicholson Russell: Ingrid Pitt Nick: Sue Carpenter

Punchline to fave joke "Elvis Parsley"

Where would you like to retire to? Jarvis: Whitby Russell: Scarborough Candida: Shetland Steve: Galway Nick: Cardigan Bay

Name a record that can make you cry Nick: 'Honey' - Bobby Goldsboro Candida: 'Romeo And Juliet' - Dire Straits Steve: 'Blue Afternoon' - Tim Buckley Jarvis: 'Always Coming Back To You' - Scott Walker Russell: 'She's A Lady' - Pulp

When were you last drunk? When we dressed up as a bottle.

What was the last dream you can remember? Candida: Eating live cockroach sweets Russell: That Rotherham was a major international conference centre Jarvis: Sticking up toads at the top of my gran's cellar steps Steve: Being dressed in women's clothes at a disco

Three records guaranteed to make you dance 'French Kiss' - Lil' Louis 'Groove Is In The Heart' - Deee-Lite 'Disco Inferno' - Trammps

What was the first record you heard? Nick: 'Mr Tambourine Man' - The Byrds Candida: 'Love Is Just Like A Merry-Go-Round' - Sandie Shaw Steve: 'Itchycoo Park' - The Small Faces Russell: 'The Ring' - Wagner Jarvis: 'The Strange World Of Guerney Slade' - Max Harris

Fave fabrics Dacron, Trevira, Courtelle, Lycra, Dralon, Velour, Towelling, Darron, Suedette, Moleskin, Velvet, Sharron.

Motto "That which does not destroy us makes us stronger"

[veyoux]

Thanks for tagging me @candlelitutopia i haven’t done anything like that yet, it’ll be fun

tea, coffee, or soda? tea and coffee and soda for me, i drink water in the morning, coffee in the afternoon and earl grey in the evening. although in my house i’m the only one who drinks a lot of different kinds of coffee, so i’m more of a coffee person (does it make me an afternoon person??)

dogs or cats? definitely dogs. cats are cute when i watch them on the Internet. i used to have a dog, a german shepherd named Jackson, he was positively crazy, killing every garden hose, sleeping by the door so we couldn’t go outside and, beside this, really peaceful when we weren’t home

can you play an instrument? are people’s nerves an instrument? if no, then nope

what’s your sign? problems- i mean sagittarius

first song lyrics that pops into your head? “with the lights out it’s less dangerous here we are now entertain us”

do you have any tattoos? no, but i will have soon

favourite place you’ve travelled? first place that came to my mind was Galway, i spent there only two weeks but it’s really beautiful town, i just loved the atmosphere there, great, great place. i have nice memories from Dresden and Budapest as well as from Dublin, Crete and Prague, looking forward to call Milan my favourite place this summer

what’s the last movie you’ve watched? The fellowship of the ring. again. for the 50th time. i love this movie.

do you have any hobbies? i have an entire list of hobbies from sports (tennis, F1, football) to reading and writing (mostly fantasy) to music (all of the genres) to reading again (because i love classical literature as much as modern ya novels)

what languages do you speak? polish (did you know it is said to be one of the hardest languages in the world? so many grammar rules even native speakers don’t know how to speak it correctly — just had to share this piece of information), english (B2 level), i can say something in german as it was my second language in school for 6 years, and currently i’m trying to learn italian

you can hang out with one fictional character for an hour, who do you choose? OH MY GOD I DON’T KNOW WAIT… i low-key thought about someone wise like Dumbledore or Gandalf to ask them about the meaning of life or something, but idk… alright, gotta go with Avatar Aang, because he was my childhood hero

compliment yourself! i studied hard and i will pass the exams (i hope guys)

alright time to share it with the world, i’m tagging the nicest accounts i can list from memory (excluding the one i’ve been tagged by), if you don’t want to do this/have done this then sorry for interrupting!

@acrazybayernfan @musettina

oopsie just now i’ve remembered about @tam-is-blogging (short memory, sorry)

[herebetreasure]

Business Gifts Ireland- Framed Bespoke Caricature Art by Allan Cavanagh

Business Gifts Ireland- this caricature was part of a two-piece commission from an office for a couple of people who'd worked there and were moving on to other projects. Working from supplied photos and a brief of what references the client would like included I created this A3 print. This was then framed by The Framing Loft on the Tuam Road here in Galway, and packaged and shipped by Carabay Packaging in Liosban Industrial Estate, two suppliers I'm lucky to have so close by! This caricature depicts a woman in cycling gear and helmet in front of a bike, holding a Diet Coke and her mobile phone, and surrounded by calendar pages. A football, a tennis ball and a rugby ball whizz by at speed in the background, as she is a big sports fan and there is a signpost for Glasgow. Below you can see the framed piece all ready for packaging and shipping. Frames are all hand-made to order by Mark & Sandra in the Framing Loft, and great care and attention is taken in the careful packaging and shipping by Graham and the team in Carabay. If you'd like to find out more about the process of ordering a caricature please drop me a line! I'll be hitting one of my busiest periods soon and usually have a full book for commissions by start of December, so if you're thinking of presents for that time of year I won't event mention until December, you might want to get on that soon! Yes the irony of that is not lost on me. More Caricature Gifts and Business Gifts Ireland by Irish Caricaturist Allan Cavanagh: - Leaving gift for this Rory Gallagher fan! - End of School Year Teacher Thank You Gifts Ireland - Caricature Gift for Father - Caricature of Boy with Dog - Gift caricature of Chelsea fan playing poker with Frank Lampard and John Terry

Want to order a caricature? Click here. Want to make an enquiry? Click here. See my reviews here. See even more examples of my art at the bottom of this post! I'm Allan Cavanagh and I have been professionally producing caricatures and cartoon art for over 20 years. Want to follow my socials? Click here for Caricatures by Allan Cavanagh on Facebook and click here for Allan Cavanagh's Instagram. Read the full article

[whatsonmedia]

Thursday Thrill: Grab Your Groove December's Hottest Fests Await!

Forget tinsel! December's hottest trend is dancing! Dive into epic beach bashes, dazzling light shows, and world-class beats at these must-do festivals. Escape the ordinary, embrace the extraordinary. Dance your way into 2024! #DecemberDelights #FestivalFever Mareh When: December 26 - January 2 Where: Fortim, Brazil Mareh, an intimate festival on the scenic beaches of Ceará, Brazil, is a holistic experience blending music, dance, well-being, and coastal charm. Attendees groove to diverse sounds like house, disco, and Balearic beats by artists including Ruby Savage, Carrot Green, Cecyza, Vermelho, and Paulete Lindacelva. Moreover the festival offers more than just music, incorporating wellness classes, local gastronomy, and breathtaking ocean views with distant wind turbines. Lineup Highlights: - Ruby Savage - Carrot Green - Cecyza - Vermelho - Paulete Lindacelva Beyond Music: - Wellness classes for a balanced experience - Local gastronomy to savor the flavors of the region RA Pick: Nick The Record takes the spotlight with his infinitely deep bag of tricks, promising an unmissable experience for music enthusiasts at Mareh. Forever Midnight When: December 30 - December 31 Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, United States Forever Midnight, a groundbreaking dual-city New Year's festival, unfolds across Las Vegas and the expansive Los Angeles Convention Center. The latter, one of the largest in the US, transforms into a warehouse party-style venue at the heart of the city, boasting world-class production for an unparalleled experience. The inaugural edition presents a stellar lineup featuring the likes of Âme back-to-back Dixon, Jamie xx, Kaytranada, Carlita, DJ Tennis, and Chloé Caillet. Prepare for an unforgettable celebration as Forever Midnight sets the stage for a spectacular transition into the New Year. Lineup Highlights: - Âme back-to-back Dixon - Jamie xx - Kaytranada - Carlita - DJ Tennis - Chloé Caillet RA Pick: Don't miss the chance to groove to the timeless classics and dynamic sets by Green Velvet, adding an extra layer of excitement to this exceptional festival experience. Beyond The Valley When: December 28 - January 3 Where: Barunah Plains, Wingeel, Australia Nestled in the picturesque Barunah Plains, Australia, Beyond The Valley transforms this popular wedding destination into the country's largest New Year's Eve festival. Celebrating its eighth year, the camping festival offers a stunning backdrop for attendees from December 28th to January 1st. The event boasts an impressive lineup featuring exceptional artists such as DJ Heartstring, Jayda G, Lady Shaka, and Overmono. Spread across four days, the festival showcases DJ sets and live performances on architecturally built stages equipped with state-of-the-art sound and production. Lineup Highlights: - DJ Heartstring - Jayda G - Lady Shaka - Overmono - And many more all-stars Experience: - Architecturally built stages - State-of-the-art sound and production RA Pick: KETTAMA, hailing from Galway, Ireland, delivers a slamming, old-school-meets-new-school rave sound that promises an electrifying experience at Beyond The Valley. Sunburn 2023: Asia's Electronic Epic Explodes in Goa When: Dec 28-31 Where: Little Vagator, Goa, India Pulse to Asia's largest dance music fest: 350,000+ revelers, Tomorrowland-level stagecraft, and a stellar, yet-to-be-revealed lineup of DJs across genres. Beyond the beats: Goa's stunning beaches, local delights, and wellness activities offer balance and cultural immersion. About the Festival: - Massive scale: With over 350,000 attendees, Sunburn is Asia's largest dance music festival, promising a vibrant and electric atmosphere. - Spectacular production: They're known for their incredible stage visuals and effects, comparable to the renowned Tomorrowland festival. - Star-studded lineup: Expect world-class DJs and dance music artists playing across the four days. Register online to ignite your dance odyssey. #Sunburn2023 #GoaVibes #EDMRevolution Christmas at Kew When: Until 7 Jan 2024 Where: Kew Gardens Royal Botanic Gardens, London Immerse yourself in a luminous winter wonderland at Kew Gardens this festive season. The event, running until January 7, 2024, transforms the renowned botanic gardens into a captivating spectacle of light and sound. Embark on an enchanting journey: - Glimmering tunnels: Traverse pathways awash with vibrant hues, losing yourself in the mesmerizing play of light. - Illuminated giants: Witness iconic Kew trees adorned in radiant colors, shimmering like emeralds and sapphires. - Dazzling displays: Marvel at kaleidoscopic projections dancing across glasshouses, creating surreal kaleidoscopes of color. - Festive warmth: Indulge in seasonal treats that tantalize the senses, amidst the cozy backdrop of twinkling lights and carols. - A merry greeting: Meet Father Christmas in his enchanting grotto, spreading festive cheer for young and old alike. It is a cherished tradition, consistently capturing the hearts of both locals and visitors. Secure your tickets swiftly, as this mesmerizing experience tends to sell out quickly. Don't miss the opportunity to create timeless festive memories amidst the ethereal glow of Kew Gardens. Book your luminous adventure today: https://www.kew.org/kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas Read the full article

[wikiuntamed]

On this day in Wikipedia: Monday, 23rd October

Welcome, नमस्ते, Välkommen, Willkommen 🤗 What does @Wikipedia say about 23rd October through the years 🏛️📜🗓️?

23rd October 2022 🗓️ : Event - Myanmar civil war (2021–present) Myanmar civil war: Burmese military forces launched airstrikes that killed at least 80 concertgoers in Kachin State. "The Myanmar civil war (Burmese: ၂၀၂၁-လက်ရှိ မြန်မာနိုင်ငံ ပြည်သူ့ခုခံတွန်းလှန်စစ်), also called the Myanmar Spring Revolution, and the People's Defensive War, is an ongoing civil war following Myanmar's long-running insurgencies which escalated significantly in response to the 2021 military coup..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0? by 25stargeneral

23rd October 2018 🗓️ : Death - Todd Reid Todd Reid, Australian tennis player (b. 1984) "Todd Reid (3 June 1984 – 23 October 2018) was an Australian professional tennis player. He excelled as a junior and peaked in the Men's Tour in September 2004, reaching a career-high singles ranking of world No. 105...."

23rd October 2013 🗓️ : Death - Niall Donohue Niall Donohue, Irish hurler (b. 1990) "Niall Donohue (also spelled Donoghue) (25 October 1990 − 23 October 2013) was an Irish hurler who played at senior level for the Galway senior team...."

23rd October 1973 🗓️ : Birth - Christian Dailly Christian Dailly, Scottish footballer "Christian Eduard Dailly (born 23 October 1973) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a centre-back. Dailly started his professional career as a teenager, playing as a striker for Dundee United. He helped them win the 1993–94 Scottish Cup. Towards the end of his time with United,..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0? by Egghead06 (talk)

23rd October 1923 🗓️ : Birth - Aslam Farrukhi Aslam Farrukhi, Indian-Pakistani linguist, author, and scholar (d. 2016) "Aslam Farrukhi (Urdu: اسلم فرخی) (23 October 1923 – 15 June 2016) was an Urdu author, literary critic, linguist, scholar, and radio scriptwriter from Pakistan. He is also known for writing children's books. He remained associated as a professor and chairman with the Department of Urdu, University of..."

23rd October 1822 🗓️ : Birth - Gustav Spörer Gustav Spörer, German astronomer (d. 1895) "Friederich Wilhelm Gustav Spörer (23 October 1822 – 7 July 1895) was a German astronomer. He is noted for his studies of sunspots and sunspot cycles. In this regard he is often mentioned together with Edward Maunder. Spörer was the first to note a prolonged period of low sunspot activity from 1645..."

Image by Paulchar at en.wikipedia

23rd October 🗓️ : Holiday - Christian feast day: Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer "The Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer is a Catholic liturgical feast. It is celebrated in Venice as the Festa del Redentore. It is also celebrated by the Redemptorists and was celebrated in the City of Rome. The feast is found only in the special calendar of some dioceses and religious orders, and..."

[lovelytsunoda]

fairytale of new york // mick schumacher

summary: it's her first christmas alone, and he's wandering around new york in the middle of an existential crisis about his future. it was simply meant to be

pairing: mick schumacher x female reader

you were handsome, you were pretty, queen of new york city. happy christmas your arse, i pray god it's our last. and the boys in the nypd choir still singing 'galway bay', and the bells are ringing out, for christmas day (..) i could have been someone, well so could anyone

warnings: angst: mentions of mick losing the haas seat, guenther steiner mention, anxiety and loneliness, metions of hospitals and thyroid problems. cheesiness, a romance book-worthy meet cute, sexual tension, body image/insecurity, implied smut.

author's note: fuck guenther steiner. netflix created a monster as soon as they made him a series regular. and fuck gene haas, i hope he goes back to federal prison for tax evasion. mick really gave his all this season and got nothing in return.

new york city, new york. december 22nd, 2022

they've got cars as big as bars, they've got rivers of gold, where the wind blows right through you, no place for the old

she still wasn't used to the sounds of the city.

new york city raged around her as she walked down the sidewalk, her adidas tennis shoes squelching in the muddy slush.

there was no destination in mind, she just knew that she couldn't stay in her residence alone. her roommates had gone home for the holidays. her own parents had decided to embrace their newfound freedom and flew to puerto rico, leaving y/n to navigate the holidays on her own.

she was a small town girl at heart, raised on a vineyard in niagara falls. new york city had been a big change for her, but she was halfway through her semester and she wasn't sure if moving had been the right call for her.

she was still thinking when she felt the impact, a hard body running right into hers. the impact forced her off the sidewalk, and she fell in between two parked cars. melted slush soaked through her jeans and stained her puffer jacket, her glasses knocked from her face with the impact.

"what the hell is wrong with you?" she shouted, inspecting her glasses for cracks or scratches. "if there's anything wrong with my glasses, you're buying me new ones, asshole!"

"are you alright?" the person said hurriedly, kneeling down the help her to her feet. "i'm so sorry!"

he had a soft face, one that reminded her of an owl. his bright blue eyes were panicked, and his voice had a touch of an accent that she couldn't quite place.

she got to her feet, with some help from the handsome stranger, her feet sliding through the damp street shoulder.

"it's no big deal." she was breathing heavily, her anger dissipating the longer she looked at his soft face. "i should have been paying more attention."

"no, no. it's my fault. can i buy you a drink?"

"can i get your name first?"

"mick." he said softly, extending his gloved hand for a handshake.

"y/n. now, about that drink."

when you first took my hand on that cold winter's eve, and you told me that broadway was waiting for me

twenty minutes later, they were sitting in an old-timey british pub, with john lennon on the speakers and a basket of onion rings in between the two of them as they nursed hot drinks.

"i'm sorry about your jeans, by the way." mick said apologetically, swiping the whipped cream from the top of his hot chocolate onto his pointer finger before licking the cream off his skin.

the action sent shivers down y/n's spine as she shrugged to hide the involuntary action. "it's no big deal. they'll dry."

"still, i feel bad."

"well, don't." she smiled. "what brings you to new york? you're not from around here, are you?"

"but you're not either. not a hint of new yorker in your tone."

"touche. i'm canadian. i was raised in wine country, just over the border in old niagara on the lake."

"switzerland. genolier, but not too many people know where that is." mick laughed lowly before shoving an onion ring in his mouth. "new york was a pretty last minute decision, actually. didn't want to go home, didn't want to go to the ranch." i needed to be some place where people didn't know who i was. he didn't say it out loud, but he yearned to. "i lost my job in november. i'm not sure where to go from here, to be honest."

"i'm sorry to hear that." she frowned, taking a sip of her own hot chocolate, flinching as she felt it scald her tongue. "and around christmas as well. christ, your boss was a heartless bastard. this is my first christmas without my family around. my grandparents are in europe, enjoying retirement and all that bullshit. they've been retired for fifteen years, they just seem to not like staying in canada very long. and my parents are in puerto rico on a beach somewhere."

"so why aren't you with them?"

"i moved out when i went back to college. i took a gap year right after high school, and then it was two years digitally during covid, and my parents told me that i needed to" she paused, getting her fingers ready to make air quotes. "spread my wings." she ran her fingers through her hair, resisting the urge to mess with her hoop earrings. "it's lonely. making friends in university isn't as easy as they claim."

"tell me about it." mick laughed. "you can't make people like you. like my boss."

"does he live around here? we can key his car." y/n suggested halfheartedly, stealing another onion ring from the basket.

mick laughed. the first genuine laugh in weeks. the first genuine laugh since abu dhabi. "well, guenther lives in austria, so that might be a little difficult."

"austria? jesus." she laughed. "hey, this might sound strange, but has anybody ever told you that you look like micheal schumacher?"

mick's cheeks flushed pink as he thought about a response. "he's my dad." the german said simply, showing y/n a picture on his phone. "all i ever wanted was to make him proud, you know. do you watch racing?"

y/n smiled fondly, looking down at the iphone. "my grandfather did. i remember the schumacher era well, his big mercedes comeback. i haven't watched f1 in years, actually. granddad spent some time in the hospital for thyroid problems, and i'd sit with him for hours on end watching races with him while he was in for treatments."

"would you beleive me if i told you that i was a driver?" saying it stung. he still couldn't get used to the fact that he wasn't going to get to drive any more, even if he did sign the reserve contract with mercedes.

y/n raised an eyebrow. "i'd have to see it to believe it, schumacher."

mick laughed, pressing a few more buttons on his phone, pulling up a picture from abu dhabi, his last race ever. it was him and seb, with lance in the corner of the frame and esteban behind them both.

he was going to miss everybody so much.

"is that sebastian vettel?" y/n's eyes widened as she looked at the phone again. "the sebastian vettel? he's still around?"

"he just retired, actually. he had a great run, didn't he."

"he did."

"you said you were in university? what are you studying?" mick asked, shifting the focus of the conversation to the young woman across from him.

"english literature, with a focus on the mystery-thriller genre." she said sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. she was a nerd through and through, occasionally embrassed to admit her degree ut loud.

english lit was the fallback option for people who didn't know what they wanted to do with their lives, and the fact that she took a gap year first would tell everybody everything they needed to know about her.

except she was starting to get an idea of what she wanted. she just wanted to be around books, be it in a publishing agency or a librarian.

"so you're like, really smart." mick gushed

she brushed her hair behind her ear, hoping that mick would assume the red in her face was from the american winter raging on outside. "i don't know if those are the words that i would use, to be honest. i'm in like, the middle half of my class. incredibly fucking average. i've just always known that i wanted to spend my life around books.

conversation had reached a comfortable lull, with the duo sneaking the other longing glances as they munched on the onion rings and drank their hot chocolates.

mick thought she was stunning: with her shoulder length hair that shone in the lights from the bar, the cat's eye glasses that framed her eyes so nicely, the small golden nose ring that glittered against her skin. but more so than that, he enjoyed her company. her soothing voice, her beautiful laugh. her aspirations and eccentricities.

y/n was entranced by mick schumacher. his passion, his vibrance, his sunshine attitude that could light up an entire room without even trying. was it too soon to say that she had fallen for his soft features, his bright blue eyes and his beautiful hair?

sinatra was swinging, all the drunks they were singing, we kissed on a corner, then danced through the night

the song on the stereo changed, a group of drunk nyu frat boys in the corner who had been celebrating the end of exam season throwing their arms around each other and belting out the words.

y/n laughed at the group, before she started singing along herself. "and then we sang a song, a rare old mountain dew. i turned my face away, and dreamed about you."

"you have a great voice." mick said shyly, not wanting to embarass y/n.

"no i don't." she laughed, fighting the urge to hide her face behind her hands. "i just really like this song. it's my favorite holiday song. 'fairytale of new york'. it's not my favourite version, though. i like the creeper version better than the original. not the most popular opinion."

mick raised his eyebrows. "it's a little depressing."

"it's beautiful. melancholic, almost." mick didn't miss the sparkle in her eyes as she started talking about music. "i went through a phase in high school, I was really into the punk bands of the seventies and eighties, like i was a complete nerd about it. i could recite any fact about the sex pistols or the clash in seconds. sorry, i'm rambling."

"no, no. keep going. i think its cute." he regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth, a dusting of pink coating his pale cheeks.

why did you say that, schumacher? you're not as smooth as you think you are. what would sebastian say?

"do you want to dance?" he offered up instead, getting up from his side of the table and extending a hand for y/n to hold on to.

y/n looked at him, slightly confused but taking his hand anyways, an electric shock coursing through her veins at the closeness. "you know how to dance?"

"my mother raised me properly." mick laughed as he pulled her closer, leading her in a clumsy ballroom waltz and trying to keep himself together, overwhelmed by her vanilla scented perfume, her closeness to her body. "just follow my lead."

they matched their footsteps, circling around the carpeted floor and the frat boys in the corner, the couples sharing drinks after work, the group watching the premier league on the tv above the bar. the world narrowed down to just the two of them, fingers laced together and arms around backs to hold the other close while y/n sang along under her breath.

they stopped dancing as the song faded out, foreheads pressed together as they stood between empty tables.

"can i kiss you?" mick asked softly, scared that if he was any louder, his voice would betray him.

"yes." she answered equally as quiet, wanting to keep the moment a secret between the two of them.

their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss, mick's lips warm and soft against her own. she pulled away, a bright smile on her face as she rested her forehead against his.

"i don't usually kiss strange men in bars, you know."

mick laughed, both his hands resting comfortingly on her waist. "and i dont kiss strange women in bars, but i'm really happy to make you the exception."

"i'm glad. now, can you kiss me again? if we're going to break these rules, i think we should go all out."

and then mick kissed her, with twice as much feeling this time, each kiss punctuated with giggles and bright smiles.

you were handsome, you were pretty, queen of new york city

their giggles echoed off the hallways of the residency building. the apartment had been shoddily built for the sole purpose of housing students away from the university campus: three floors with paper thin walls and metal doors with electronic locks, pre-fabricated and cookie cutter pre-furnished three-bedroom apartments behind every electronic combination lock.

the hallways were hung with dollar-store tinsel, whiteboards with festive doodles proclaiming who lived where, the sound of christmas carols wafting up from the lobby and through the thin drywall.

she held mick's hand in hers, and the driver longed to touch every inch of her body as they ran down the hallway, the pom-pom on the tip of her winter beanie hat bouncing up and down as she ran, flared jeans swirling around her legs as she stopped in front of a door with a handmade wreath hanging off the front door, covering up the names on the whiteboard.

"all of my roommates went home for the holidays. it's just me here, we aren't in anyone's way." she said softly, pushing the door open.

a large christmas tree stood in the small living room, covered in mismatched garlands, homemade ornaments blinking rainbow lights and a picture of ryan reynolds perched at the top where the star should have been.

the sight brought a smile to mick's face. It was a glimpse into the life of a girl he could see himself falling in love with.

a girl that could help him find out who he was outside of the sport he had given so much of his life to.

"i'm just in here." she said softly, opening a door with a poster of guns n roses on the front, a small hangar reading "y/n's room" in calligraphy hanging off the doorknob. "sorry, it's a little bit of a mess."

"that's okay." mick beamed, taking everything in. everything in the youngest schumacher's life had been cookie cutter, neat and organized as a pin. he was ready to embrace a bit of disorder once in a while. "i actually like it. feels cozy."

every available surface of her room was covered in books: overflowing bookshelves next to the desk, another makeshift shelf constructed at the end of the bed that was filled with overflow, a few mismatched photo storage boxes on the bottom shelf. the walls were a collage of all the things that made y/n who she was: art cars with paintings from van gogh and monet, polaroid pictures of her and her small circle of friends from home, postcards of all the places she wanted to see. strings of fake flowers, their plastic petals bright against the cream colored paint.

y/n smiled as she flicked on the warm-colored fairy lights hanging above her bed, lighting a small scented candle that was on the side table before she took off her jacket and beanie, ruffling her hair in a way that allowed mick to see something that he hadn't originally noticed in the dim lighting of the pub: the magenta streaks running through the undersides of her hair.

"what?" she asked, a smile on her face when she caught him looking.

"i just noticed the streaks in your hair. i think it looks really good. you're beautiful, you know that?"

she shook her head, kicking off her shoes before crossing to where mick was, looping her arms around his neck. "unfortunately, that's not something i've heard from too many people."

"i don't understand why." he said, gently kissing the top of her forehead as he rubbed his thumbs up and down her torso, over her knit sweater like the gentleman that he was. "and if you'll let me, i want to show you just how beautiful you are, even if i only have you for one night."

she slipped her glasses off her face, folding the arms in and resting them on top of her romance book before turning back to mick and kissing him softly, cradling his face in her hands.

she never wanted to let him go.

she shivered under his touch as he undid the buttons on her cardigan, stripping her top half down to her lacy black camisole before he gently pushed her onto the bed, climbing on top of her and pressing his lips to hers in a bruising kiss. her fingernails left scratch marks across his abs as she slipped her hands underneath his sweater, bunching the fabric up as she tried to strip the german of all the clothing covering his upper half.

as he kissed down her neck, mick could feel himself getting hard, fully at the mercy of her labored breathing, the low moans and whines she let out as he nipped at her skin and dug his fingers into her jean-clad thigh, wrapping her leg around his body before he grinded into her, trying to find any kind of relief that he could.

his hands tugged at the cotton camisole with enough fervor that he was sacred it might rip as he scrambled to push it up, pressing kisses to y/n's stomach before she sat up, gently pushing him away.

y/n didn't know why she did it. why she let the sudden wave of insecurity and anxiety keep her from getting something that she finally wanted. thoughts about the stretch marks and acne scars marring her breasts, her not-so-flat stomach that mick was sure to notice soon enough. the little inner demons that would be the death of her.

"what's wrong, pretty girl?" mick's voice was gentle and soft as he brushed a lock of magenta hair from her face. "is it too much? too fast? please, let me know how you're feeling." he was gentl as ever, bringing y/n's hands to his lips so he could place a kiss on her knuckles.

she sucked in a deep breath, taking things into her own hands, making the conscious decision to overcome her demons as she pulled the camisole over her head, reaching behind her to undo the cotton tommy hilfiger bra, putting every vulnerable part of herself on display, hoping that mick would see past it, fighting the urge to cover herself with her hands, to shrink back into the person she used to be.

mick kissed her forehead, then her cheeks, her nose, and her lips, her head cradled in his hands. "you're the most beautiful woman that i have ever seen, and i wish you could see that in yourself the way that i do."

"tonight, you've helped me find that part of myself, made me feel things that i never thought were possible for me. and if we only have one night, i want to make the most of it." she said confidently, unsure of where that confidence had come from but knowing it was from the part of herself she had been trying to find for so long. "kiss me, schumacher."

the boys in the nypd choir still singing galway bay, and the bells are ringing out, for christmas day.

they didn't leave the bed that night unless they absolutely had to, one of her grandmother's heavy knit blankets draped overtop the duvet as they lay together in a tangle of limbs. the air was punctuated with bright giggles as they kissed, big smiles on their faces.

neither of them wanted to let the other go. they knew what this was: a one night stand, nothing more.

but maybe it didn't have to be that way.

"mick?" she said softly, moving to sit up, the oversized def leppard shirt hanging off her frame, making her look smaller than ever. "where do we go from here? i know that we went into this thinking it would be a one time thing, that you would go back to switzerland, and i'd stay here. but i don't know if i want that any more."

mick sat up, still shirtless and with a thoughtful look in his eyes. a shiver ran through his body from the cold, and y/n instantly reached for the blanket, wrapping the corners around his torso.

"that's not what i want either, pretty girl. what i've felt tonight is nothing that i've ever felt with another girl."

she shifted in place, resisting the urge to reach for the driver. "so what now?"

"i've got no plans. no sport to go back to. i could stay in new york while i try and figure my future out." mick took her warm hand in his cold one. "i want to make this work, y/n. i want to get to know you, to wake up next to you every day. and if i ever get back to racing, i want you to be in the garage at my side."

"okay." y/n said, trying not to cry (the good kind of tears, of course!) "okay. let's do this. tomorrow i'll show you all my favourite places in new york?"

mick laughed. "sounds like a really good plan."

and then he kissed her again, wide smiles on both of their faces.

and even more important than that, they had hope for the future.

__________

tags: @sidcrosbyspuck @flannel-cures @libraryofloveletters @diorleclerc @magnummagnussen @daydreamingleclerc

[wolfpawn]

I Hate You, I Love You, Chapter 119

Chapter Summary - Tom and Danielle go house hunting.

Previous Chapter

Rating - Mature (some chapters contain smut)

Triggers - references to Tom Hiddleston’s work with the #MeToo Movement. That chapter will be tagged accordingly.

authors Note - I have been working on this for the last 3 years, it is currently 180+ chapters long.  This will be updated daily, so long as I can get time to do so, obviously.

All image rights belong to their owners

tags: @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog​ @jessibelle-nerdy-mum​ @nonsensicalobsessions​ @damalseer​ @hiddlesbitch1​ @winterisakiller @fairlightswiftly​ @salempoe​ @wolfsmom1​

If you wish to be tagged, please let me know.

‘What do you think?’ Tom asked as they pulled up to the house.

‘It’s a bit….big. What are we planning, a hundred and one dogs?’ Danielle looked at it. ‘It’s a bit fancy.’

‘Why not get something fancy if we are planning a home at all?’ Tom challenged.

‘Because I don’t want to have mortgage repayments of ten thousand pounds a month I suppose.’ Danielle commented in a bedpan tone. ‘I cannot afford to look at houses like this, Tom.’ She indicated to the house, how much is this even going for?’

‘Just shy of two.’

‘Two what?’ Tom did not look at her. ‘Million? Two million? Tom, what the hell are you thinking?’ She looked at him in shock.

‘That overall, this is a good house, it is big.’

‘I can see that.’ She looked at it again.

‘The front of it is like your parents.’ He pointed out. Danielle had to agree with him, it did. ‘Just look at it, please.’

‘Tom, I think it goes without saying, I cannot afford this.’ She stated. ‘I can’t.’

‘Please Elle, just take a look, we’ll talk more about that in a while.’

Danielle chewed her lip. ‘This is madness.’ she shook her head. ‘What made you even look at this?’

‘I want us to have a nice home.’

‘Nice does not have to equate to two fucking million.’ Danielle pointed out.

‘No, it doesn’t. It doesn’t mean it can’t either.’

‘Madness.’ Danielle shook her head as she got out of the car as the estate agent walked towards them.

Tom got out too and smiled. ‘Good afternoon, sorry for the delay.’

‘Not at all, was the drive out okay?’ He shook Tom’s hand. ‘Arthur Shrewsbury, by the way.’

‘Tom, and this is Danielle.’ He indicated to Danielle who had come up beside him, the estate agent shaking her hand too as she politely smiled at him. ‘The drive out was fine, bar the obvious delay we contacted you about.’ He smiled.

‘Well, let’s not delay any longer, I am sure you have a few places you wish to look at in the area, and we have a bit to go through here. It is a considerable 6,500 square foot property, and includes a car garage, several converted outhouses, a tennis court and a swimming pool.’ Tom refused to look at Danielle as she stared at him in disbelief. ‘It boasts six bedrooms, two studies, a living room, a dining room and a kitchen which of course, comes with all modern conveniences, but maintains a more classic look. It is, I should mention, a building that holds a Grade II restriction and cannot be altered externally in a manner that removes from the original design. That said, the roof does have solar panelling, though it is in accordance with the rules regarding its status.’

‘Wonderful.’ Tom smiled as he placed his hand on Danielle’s lower back, urging her inside.

Danielle, though slightly bothered, had to admit that the house was utterly divine. The house was beautifully done, beams exposed and airy. She could not believe the space it possessed as well as soon beautiful furniture.

‘What do you think?’ Tom asked, his eyes bright when the estate agent had left them to look around.

‘Six bedrooms? What would we ever need six bedrooms for?’

‘Mum, Sarah and Yakov, you and me, Emma and Jack, the Duchess, that is five rooms, Emma and Jack will probably have kids, not to mention, we might….’ He looked at her somewhat coyly, not wanting to make her feel like he was pressurizing her.

‘Planning for every eventuality?’ She smiled. ‘It’s huge, and so far from the city.’

‘I consider it a healthy distance from it.’ Danielle made a head gesture in agreement. ‘We don’t have to say yes, but I want us to look at homes like this.’

‘It is ridiculously expensive.’ Danielle commented. ‘I cannot afford half of this.’

‘Elle,’ Tom placed his arms around her. ‘Please, I know you are a very independent and proud woman, it is part of the reason I love you so much, you are strong, but if the reason we cannot get the perfect home for us, and I am not saying this is it, but in general, is because of your current income, I am going to insist on stepping in, because I can afford it, and I want us to be able to have exactly what we want, I think that if we are talking about making a home, it needs to be right.’

‘I would argue more, but considering the Ben and Sophie Hampstead debacle.’

‘Don’t even mention it. Honestly, it is over two years and they are still not in, he is withdrawing the application.’ Tom informed her.

Danielle looked out the window at the multitude of other buildings on the property. ‘That would not be an issue here.’

‘Definitely not.’

‘It’s too much, Tom. How would we ever even keep it clean?’

‘We’d need a cleaner.’ Tom agreed.

‘And a gardener.’ Danielle looked at the sheer amount of green area. ‘It’s a bit mad.’

The pair walked around the house more. When they came to the bedrooms, they stood in awe at the master bedroom. ‘Wow.’ Tom looked around the spacious room and en-suite. ‘This is bigger than I was expecting.’

‘That’s a bit of an understatement.’ Danielle agreed, looking around her. ‘It’s not very “farmhouse” here, is it?’

‘No.’ Tom opened a door. ‘I found a closet.’

‘I found another….wait this is….what is this?’

‘The nursery.’ Tom informed her, looking at the booklet in his hand. ‘It is smaller and off the main bedroom to ensure peace and tranquillity for any infants.’

‘Or a good room for people with weird sexual fetishes.’ Danielle stated calmly before looking at Tom and the pair laughed.

‘That too, I suppose.’ He grinned.

‘I love the name, by the way. Compton Bassett. This is not very Compton. Not the one N.W.A.rapped about anyway.’

Tom laughed again. ‘This is possibly the furthest thing from that Compton you could imagine.’

They looked around some more and assessed the house. ‘It is lovely.’

‘So you would consider it?’ Danielle made a non-committal noise. ‘What is bothering you, other than the price?’

‘The location from London, it is two hours each way, that is a serious amount of driving, I could go Dublin to Galway in two hours.’ She pointed out. ‘Also, I need to ask, but what is with a tennis court for one, we won’t be holding Wimbleton here next summer, and why, for the love of the divine Jesus, is there an outdoor pool, it is East England, it pisses rain three hundred and sixty days a year, the other five is a light mist. That is just madness to me.’

Tom laughed at her Irish turn of phrase and blatant exasperation at the idea of an outdoor swimming pool. ‘Think of the fun we could have in it?’ He winked at her.

‘What fun, your balls would ascend into your torso as a new pair of ovaries, the average temperature around here in summer is mid teens for fucks sake.’

He kissed her. ‘But is it along the lines of what you would like?’

‘I am a country mouse, I would be happy here, there is so much space, it is how I would want it if we have kids. Bobby and Mac would love it too, though I would insist on having some method of stopping them being able to get off the property, farmers tend to have a “shoot to kill” policy on wandering dogs near livestock.’

Tom paled as he looked at her in shock. ‘What?’

‘Farmers shoot straying dogs. You didn’t know this?’ Tom shook his head in horror. ‘Straying dogs chase livestock and can kill several ewes and lambs in a matter of minutes. It is legal for a farmer to shoot on sight, and rightly so. Honestly, people who don’t take control of their dogs need to stop this bullshit of “my dog is a sweetheart” I have seen the result of a “sweet” labrador left to its own devices, fourteen dead pregnant ewes, and several more wounded or with aborted lambs, two and a half thousand pounds old Irish money, that is about the same as here, maybe a little less, it was not pretty. The farmer was forced to sell a field as a result.’ She shook her head. ‘Dog was dead too, and it wasn’t a nice one, dad got him in, two rounds, but he was bleeding too badly, he suffered for about an hour after the shooting, so there were no winners. I don’t want that for our boys, they will be penned off outside or with us and no way to get into the farmland.’ She stated factually.

‘Yes, definitely.’ Tom agreed, shaken by what she had told him.

Seeing that he was still bothered, she put her hand in his and kissed him. ‘Did I upset you?’

‘No...I….I am not as strong stomached as you are.’

‘You never saw an animal give birth, did you?’ He grimaced and shook his head. ‘Oh boy, you need to toughen up. If they make a film adaptation of “All Creatures Great and Small” consider giving it a miss as a character. You shoving your hand up a mare to help pull out a foal would not do you any favours.’

‘Have you….?’

‘Shoved my hand up a cows or horses vagina, yes, several times. It’s all well and good until she shits on you.’

‘Jesus Christ.’ Tom felt nauseous.

‘Town mouse.’ Danielle laughed in return.

[dancing-in-a-storm-fearlesss]

I Am From Poem

So I had to write a “I am from” Poem for a class and well I don’t really share a lot of writing on here but I thought it would be a good get to know me kind of thing. It’s not very good but writing is something I do kinda want to do when I’m older sooo

I am from 

loud family gatherings and sitting around Christmas trees

little cousins hanging onto my legs and older ones teasing me.

I am from the soft swaying of a boat,

salt air blowing against my weathered skin,

my dad handing me a fishing pool and telling me to reel in.

I am from 

a grey spring day, 

5th grade,

Squeezing my best friend so tight not knowing we would be strangers in a few months.

I am from a Labrador named Lucky who made me laugh every day,

I called him my “brother” cause there were no siblings to play.

I am also from driving to the veterinarian, and waiting all day,

hoping,

and hoping,

not knowing I would never see him again.

I am from

staring up at castles, once every year, 

dreaming of princesses, and having no fear

I am from a old dance studio where I learned balance and grace, 

I later turned in my ballet slippers for a pair of soccer cleats. 

I am from picking up a book 

about a boy who lived under the stairs,

I discovered a love for many more 

but he is still my favorite.

I am from quite sunrise drives yawning as my dad drove, 

and walks at sunset while I chatted with my mom.

I am from plucking strings

hitting keys,

playing notes,

and singing while dancing around my room.

I am from tears on a pillows and feeling useless,

wondering if I’ll ever be enough for my coach the next day at practice.

I am from tired eyes, 

shining in the flashlight,

devouring pages,

reading about true loves,

wondering if I’ll ever know it and saying one more chapter.

I am from two best friends I made when I was three, 

now I have two more who I know will never leave.

I am from never being scared about what the future will bring, 

now I get nervous about every little thing.

I am from an acoustic cafe

where I strummed and sang, 

I got over those nerves,

and was the only one who got a standing ova

I am from bus rides in Ireland 

and seeing the streets of Dublin, Killarney, and Galway,

thinking about how the world is so beautiful and so much bigger than little Connecticut.

I am from the first day of tennis practice, freshman year, 

butterflies in my stomach, not knowing the happiness it would make me feel.  

I am from summers of chaos, going from practice to practice, 

waking up everyday muscles screaming, and head pounding.

And I am from a summer of nothing 

leaving my mind a time to finally think,

realizing who my true friends are,

relaxing,

being kind,

realizing I don’t have to do it all and I can still be happy.

[malkalaila]

4 March 2020. Ireland Tour Day 2

TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge started day 2 on tour of Ireland at Jigsaw in Temple Bar, the National Center for Youth Mental Health.There, the couple met with staff and young adults who personally felt the positive effects of the Youth Mental health center.  

They stepped out after and visited Love Lane, a popular attraction of wall art in the Temple Bar neighborhood--it’s said to be covered in romantic quotes. 

After Jigsaw, Will and Kate visited Savannah house and met with the charity that runs the house, Extern. There, they put themselves to use at meal prepping-- a healthy life skill Savannah house equips it’s patrons with among other vital skills. After, Will and Kate faced off on a friendly game of table tennis--KP’s instagram story had some fun with this, go check it out before it’s gone. 

After, they headed to County Meath and visited Teagasc Research Farm to learn about the farms research in sustainable farming and talked to farmers who practice sustainability. 

The last engagement of the “day” was embargoed and it was a visit to Howth Cliff. According to Kensington Royal instagram, they met with the Marine Institute to “talk about their innovating work across Ireland” before we got those gorgeous photos of Will and Kate walking alone, taking in the coast line. 

The Duke and Duchess attended a reception the evening of their last day in Dublin, hosted by Irish Tánaiste Simon Coveney. Tánaiste means deputy head of government, so I think we can say he’s deputy Prime Minister. The reception was held at the Museum of Literature Ireland and it was here that Will made his speech on the future of positivity, peace, and the special bond between Ireland and the UK. 

Now, the diplomatic fashion. 

Outfit one of the day brought back a much loved coat from Kate’s pre-Duchess days. I keep seeing people say it’s a touch dated and I don’t feel that way? I think it’s a classic silhouette with a fun collar. Everything else in this outfit is new (EDIT: Equipment blouse is NOT new, it’s a rewear)--the shamrock earrings are really on the nose and cheesy but I almost find it endearing because it’s such a Kate thing to do when dressing diplomatically. New boots are unnecessary? Kate easily could have worn her Aquatalia ankle boots or her LK Bennett lace up boots (girl has too many shoes) but I digress. Kate wore high waisted jeans today and I feel like I’ve never seen her in any? But this was an easy, casual look and I loved her bringing this coat back. 

Classic Kate, she kept her staple pieces on (jeans and earrings) and swapped out the rest for a fresh look more appropriate for a farm and a hike on a cliff. These Penelope Chilvers boots have seen a lot and can now say they’ve walked on Ireland. The jacket is new and is her first and only Irish brand so far this whole tour. Ignoring some of Kate’s life choices when it comes to patterns on this tour, my biggest complaint is the lack of local designers. Maybe the Pakistan tour spoiled me, but I really wanted to see Irish designers. 

Last outfit of the day saw Kate in vintage and no I’m not talking about her Reiss coat vintage, I’m talking actual vintage. I believe this is the first time Kate has done this and now that it’s been done I’m going to need to see it done more often. The dress itself is pretty, but I really hate that hanging ruffle beneath the ruffled collar (if there’s a word for it, I don’t know it). Did you also see Will’s tie matched Kate’s dress?? I love when they do that 😍 Other than that, I’m just really glad she’s not wearing a color of the flag of Ireland tonight, she was a little too green yesterday. Shoes and clutch are a repeat and the earrings are new and sent a lot of us into a tizzy trying to track them down. I’m honestly unsure of who to give credit to, but Kate’s fashion sleuths are amazing. 

These two head to Galway tomorrow for a day of engagements for their final day in Ireland! 

[cilldaracailin]

A Kind Of Magic

Hello my lovelys! I am so sorry for not posting on Tumblr yesterday. I was in full writing mode and had to keep going or my train of thought would have been lost but I am back with two more posts for you this evening! :) While reading this part, I realised that I have not translated any of the Irish words in previous parts or given a phonic pronunciation of them as I did on AO3 so I apologise for that. My bad. I will go back and change that now on my previous posts. This is another one of my favourite parts from this story. It makes me smile a lot. So here are the words first: Cwtch - is Welsh and pronounced ‘kutch’ (As google told me) Camogie - Ka-mo-gee (Where gee rhymes with key) Sliotar - Shlit-her And the pictures for this part help visually with what cwtch looks like and what hurling is :) Thanks again for all the lovely Tumblr love. You are all wonderful! 

22

“This is the part where I kiss you.”

Robyn arrived home from work on Monday in a wonderful mood. The funding she had managed to secure had arrived and it was more than she thought they were going to get and was very excited about the research she had started on for rehauling the garden. Also, the new girl who had started was fantastic and an absolute God send for Robyn, taking up Valerie’s old position in the preschool room easily and the children already loved her.

“Hey Taron!” She called happily as she hung up her coat in the closet at the door. “Taron?” She called again as she walked out of the closet and closed the door. “Tar…” Robyn stopped speaking when she walked into the sitting room. “Oh no.”

Lined up along her couch were her teddy bears and sitting in his usual space in the corner was Taron with a large blue dinosaur on his knees.

“Hello Robyn.”

“Been snooping by any chance Taron?” She asked.

“I had no idea there were drawers under your bed and when I opened them, I found all of these!” He said smiling.

When Robyn had purchased her bed, she made sure it had lots of storage space underneath and she used a lot of it to keep her soft plush bears and animals, not willing to put them in her attic. Being a woman in her thirties it was not very grown-up to keep teddy bears on display but she couldn’t part with them so kept them, but kept them hidden away.

“You are like a bloody sniffer dog.” She said as she sat on the poof.

“I love them all but this dinosaur I think is my favourite.” He said giving it a squeeze.

“I don’t have a particular favourite but you might have seen a pattern here.”

“These ones?” Asked Taron as he pointed to the right side of the couch where he had all the Care Bears lined up.

“Yeah the Care Bears. The brown one, my favourite. Tenderheart Bear.” Robyn moved and lifted the large plush toy and sat down on the couch. “You probably think I am a wierdo, with all the teddy bears.” She said hiding a little behind the bear in her hands.

“Not at all and don’t make that noise at me. I don’t judge you for any of this. I told you. I love them all. I had a good time pulling them out and looking at them, wondering what story you had for each of them.”

“Well the one you are holding I won from a claw machine in Galway.”

“Seriously? This thing is fucking huge! It’s bigger than my upper body and you won it from a claw machine?”

“I am quite talented at them. The rainbow unicorn, London bear, glitter eyed bear and a few of those smaller ones I have won from the claw machines. The glitter eyed bear is actually called Freddy.”

“After Freddy Mercury?” Asked Taron as he reached over for the soft brown and black bear.

“Yeah. Remember in the 7/11 I told you about the time I had to sing the Queen song and freaked out over remembering the words?” Taron nodded at her. “Well that gospel music festival was in Galway and I won that bear and called it Freddy.”

“Do they all have names?” Asked Taron, putting the bear back.

“No, just the ones that have a memory attached to them.”

“Does this guy have a name?” He asked holding up the dinosaur.

“Nope. The festival was in Galway the next year as well and I won him too.”

“Can I name him?” Asked Taron.

“Be my guest.”

“Let me have a think.” He said as he turned the dinosaur around so he could look at him properly. “So, you also love the Care Bears?” He said.

“I know I am a nineties kid but I loved eighties cartoons and the Care Bears were my fave. I have been collecting them. I had auditioned for Wednesday Adams for the musical society and desperately wanted the part but I was so ill during the audition I couldn’t sing the song, didn’t get the part and I went to Tesco afterwards to buy my weight in chocolate and there on the shelf was this bear, True Heart Bear, one of the first original Care Bears. I was so excited and it was a bloody bargain at fifteen euro. It was going to make up for my terrible audition. She was beautiful, all rainbow coloured but when I went to pay for everything, they couldn’t sell her to me. She wasn’t supposed to be on the shelf and I questioned it and they still wouldn’t sell it to me. I even rang the head office the next day to complain and the person on the phone was so lovely but it was something to do with stock rotation and they couldn’t sell the bear. I was absolutely devastated and as you can tell. Still as bitter as ever.” Robyn laughed a little. “Seems petty, it is just a teddy bear, but at the time it meant a lot to me. Still does but I cannot get it anywhere however I do keep adding to my collection. No idea what I am going to do with them. Maybe I will build another room and put them in glass cases and display them all!” She laughed. “And now I am rambling about fucking Care Bears. Jesus Robyn shut up. Shit sorry Taron.” Robyn felt her whole face heat up with an embarrassing blush while Taron’s face lit up in a massive grin as she rambled on.

“I am calling this dinosaur ‘cwtch’” He said.

“Bless you.” Replied Robyn which made him laugh hard, Robyn not having a notion to what word Taron had just used, but she knew it was Welsh.

“You are the epiphany of cwtch.” Taron chuckled. “It’s a very special welsh word for a hug or comfort but not just any hug or kind of comfort. It’s the most important and extraordinary type of love you can feel for a person. It’s more than just a hug, it is something shared between two people, that only those two people understand and have this connection of pure trust, faith and belief. It’s what we have and it’s what I am calling this dinosaur so when you look at it, you will call him cwtch and smile and think of our time together.”

Robyn moved the care bear that was between herself and Taron and sat right beside him. “I love it. Cwtch.” She repeated. “Though I don’t need a blue fluffy and glittery dinosaur to think of our time together Taron but…” She took the dinosaur from his hands and made the sign of a cross over his blue forehead. “I now christen thee, cwtch.” She said. “And it is official.”

Taron took the plush back. “You carry a very important name now catch and you must uphold the honour that comes with such a responsibility and always be trusting, faithful and believe that one day I will be back to take you out from your home of darkness and show you the light!” Taron held the dinosaur over his head and started to sing the chorus from The Circle of Life, Robyn chiming in with the Zulu words.

Laughter filled the air as Taron lowered the dinosaur slowly to his lap, the two grinning at each other. “Can he stay on the couch? I would feel bad putting him back under the bed so soon after his christening.”

“Why not. He matches the décor.”

“So, he would have been going back in if he was a red dinosaur?” Asked Taron.

“Yep.”

Taron hit Robyn with the dinosaur, gently. “Don’t worry cwtch, I’ve got your back.” He stood up and placed the newly named animal in the corner. “I will put these back for you and I wasn’t lying when I said I like them. I like snooping around your home and I like it even more that it doesn’t seem to bother you at all.”

“I told you Taron, nothing to hide.”

“Can’t wait to see what I discover tomorrow.” He said giving her a wink before he turned and grabbed a handful of her bears and walked around the couch. “I also want to write a strongly worded letter to Tesco for you. Not very fair having the bear on the shelf but not selling it to you.”

“Thanks Taron. I mean you have connections, might sway them to dig through their store room and find one for me, especially if they get a letter from none other than Elton John.”

Robyn stood up and picked up some of the Care Bears and helped Taron to tidy all of her precious bears back under her bed.

After dinner, Taron sat lazing on the couch, his new dinosaur friend beside him while Robyn was outside routing in her garden shed for something. He had no idea what she was looking for, but quickly added the garden shed for his next place to snoop. He saw her through the glass doors closing the garden shed and she walked around the side of the house and in through the kitchen patio door.

“Right Mr Egerton. It’s time to get physical.” Taron looked over the side of the couch to Robyn who was holding two wooden sticks in one hand and two white balls in another. “We have spent way too much sitting on that couch. I think it is time I introduced you the concept of hurling.” Robyn carefully threw one of the balls his way, Taron catching it in two hands.

“Hurling?” He asked looking at the small leather ball in his hands the same size of a tennis ball.

“Yep. One of the most fast paced and some would say dangerous sports played in Ireland.” Robyn walked over to him, bouncing the ball on the end of the stick she was holding.

“So, you know I am under doctors orders to rest.” He said. “I am not allowed to play hurling.”

Robyn grinned at him. “Well come and get some fresh air with me then.” She handed him one of the sticks that was flat with a curved end. “It doesn’t take much effort.”

“You just said it was one of the most fast paced and dangerous game in Ireland.”

“When you actually play the game properly. We are just going to go and hit the sliotar, the ball, with the hurley stick into the goal.”

“Me and cwtch are just going to hang out here.”

Robyn moved to stand in front of him, her head tilted. “It’s just like cricket.”

“I am feeling kind of achy today. Think I should stay on the couch.”

“Achy my arse!” Laughed Robyn. “You had no trouble moving all those bears to the couch earlier.”

“The bears are light.”

“I will show you how to bake key lime pie tomorrow.”

“Ok so you just hit the ball like cricket?” Taron got to his feet while Robyn smirked at him. “What’s the shit eating grin for?” He asked.

“Men are easily bribed.” She said as she started to walk away from him still hopping the ball off the end of the hurley.

“You were a sporty kid, weren’t you?” He asked as she followed her out the front door, closing it behind him.

“Absolutely not. I never was sporty but dad encouraged me to play camogie, the female version of hurling. I gave it a season but then gave it up. I am not a sports person but every now and again, I head out to the football field and have a play around.”

“And now you are dragging me with you.” Taron said as he watched her still volley the small ball off the hurley stick.

“I will pay you in baking skills and to be fair you kind of owe me.”

“How?”

Robyn stopped and caught the ball in her left hand. “Do you think any other woman would have allowed you to snoop so much through her home and not say anything about all the re-arranging you have been doing?”

Taron smiled a little. “I was wondering if you were ever going to say something. I have been waiting for the backlash for moving all of your stuff around.”

“No backlash to come from this woman.” She said, walking up the drive to her old childhood come. “I have found it amusing.”

“You switched the shampoo back to way I put it.”

“I can get used to little changes, though the DVD’s will probably not stay backwards. My OCD is not liking that change at all and I am just going to get the dog, if that’s ok. She’ll happily run around the football field while we are in there.” Robyn could see a little confusion in Taron’s eyes as he followed her around the back of her old house. “And like I said you owe me.” Robyn used the hurley to roll a green tennis ball back and flick it up in the air, catching it in her left hand along side the other ball she was holding.

“Should I be worried?” Asked Taron as they walked into the back garden.

“Nope.” Answered Robyn giving her mam a wave through the kitchen window and she continued on into the house, Taron right behind her.

“And you’re back for more stories Taron?” Asked Lizzie when her daughter and guest strolled into the kitchen.

“Nah just for Pearl.” Answered Robyn, the dog running her way, tail wagging. “I am going to show Taron how to play hurling.”

“Do you want a helmet?” Robyn’s dad strolled into the kitchen when he heard his daughter mention hurling.

“A helmet?” Taron looked to Robyn, eyes wide. “I need a helmet?”

“No, you don’t and we are going now. I only wanted the dog.” She lightly pushed on Taron’s back. “You don’t need a helmet. Let’s go.”

“Don’t hit the ball at his pretty face Robyn!” Called Lizzie as her daughter rushed out of the door, pulling on Taron’s hand as he went, the dog following them.

“Maybe I should take up the offer of the helmet.” Questioned Taron as they walked back down the drive.

“We are going to be hitting the ball at the goal, not each other.” Robyn gently threw the tennis ball down the road, the dog running straight after it.

“I don’t need matching bruising on the other side of my face though.”

“Thought you said you trusted me?”

“I do.” Taron replied quickly. “It’s the wind and force of gravity that I don’t.”

“Good answer but you’ll be grand. This way.”

Robyn made her way in through a small hole in the hedge, calling Peral who came running, Taron following her up the small incline and into a football field he had no idea existed beside her house.

“Welcome to Kilcreen’s local GAA club. You have gained access through the private entrance.” She grinned, picking up the tennis ball Pearl had left at her feet and throwing it further away this time. Robyn walked over the grassy area and ducked under the bars to get onto the pitch, the dog coming back with the ball again. She dropped the white leather ball from her hands and picking up the tennis ball, threw it in the air with her left hand and with one swift swing of the hurley, her two hands holding the handle, hit the ball for the dog down the pitch.

“Thought you said you only played for one season?” Taron watched at the dog ran full speed after the ball, while Robyn used the hurley to pick up the other easily and catch it in her hands.

“I did. I just don’t have the interest in the competitiveness of it and anyone can hit a ball with a hurley.” She walked over towards the goal. “Even you.”

Taron dropped the ball she had given him and hit it gently with the hurley, taking his time. He enjoyed how she easily invited him into her world and surprised him daily with little adventures. He hit the ball a little harder, still conscious of his healing ribs. Pearl ran past him and dropped the ball for Robyn and she quickly picked it up and hit it again for the dog.

“Are you even allowed in here?” He asked as he stood beside her in the middle of the goal posts.

“Absolutely.”

“Are you just saying that?”

“No one would try to kick me out. My dad is president of the club. He has been involved with the club since he was a kid and has coached many teams. He also got the funding which helped build that clubhouse.”

“Like father like daughter!” Laughed Taron.

“Yes, you could say so.” Robyn picked up the tennis ball Pearl had left for her again. “So, I can come in whenever I want and no one can say anything. You want to try and hit the ball for her?”

“I don’t think I will be as good as you.”

“She won’t care. She just wants to run after the ball.”

“You go again so I can watch and learn.” Robyn threw the ball up, swung back the hurley and hit it hard, Pearl galloping after it. “Just like that.” Robyn looked to him. “Don’t give me that look Taron. I watched Rocketman. I know you hit that baseball on your first take and nearly every take after that.”

“Ahh shit. I forgot about that.”

“Maybe I should have compared hurling to baseball instead of cricket.”

The dog came back with the ball and dropped it at Robyn’s shoes. Using the hurley, she picked up the ball and handed it to him. “Just don’t hurt yourself. Or me.”

Taron took two long strides away from Robyn. “No guarantee I will get this first go.”

“No pressure on you to do that.”

“I don’t want to disappoint Pearl.” When Taron moved away from Robyn, the brown and white dog followed him and sat sitting patiently waiting for him to hit the ball for her.

“I’ll speak to her if you don’t hit it.” Grinned Robyn.

Chuckling, Taron pulled his phone from his pocket. “Let’s make some more memories.”

“You want me to video this?”

“Yeah, why not. I can show my mates at home.”

“Don’t you want a practise shot?” Asked Robyn as she set up his phone to video.

“I am going to take a chance on the first try. Can’t let Pearl down.”

“Ok I am recording.”

Taron threw the tennis ball up in the air, a little higher than he meant to, with a thud that echoed around the empty field, hit the tennis ball a little further than Robyn had, the dog taking to a sprint to run after it.

“Ahh yes!” Shouted Taron with excitement. “And it was a little better than yours!” He gloated doing a little dance as he walked back over to her.

“That was a tennis ball, not a sliotar. It is a lot lighter.”

“You can do better?” Asked Taron taking the phone from her and turning it so both their faces were in the frame.

“Yes, I can do better.” She replied.

Taron held his hand out towards where he had been standing. Robyn smirked at him and picked up the sliotar and walked away from him, Taron filming her the whole time. The dog came to stand at her feet with the tennis ball, Robyn took it from the dog and threw it to Taron to catch. “Go sit with Taron.” She said to the dog, who followed her instructions and sat at Taron’s feet “Stay.” She hopped the white ball off the end of the hurley. “If I hit this further than you hit the tennis ball, then you have to go and get it.”

“Sure. That’s all?”

“You want me to ask you to wear your Elton hot pants and send a picture of you doing so to Claire? And Maggie?”

“Ok so loser goes to get the ball.”

“Yeah that’s what I thought.”

It took less than five seconds for Robyn to throw the slightly heavier ball in the air and hit it very hard, the echo resonating around the empty field, as she put her whole body weight into the strike, the ball landing just past the forty five metre line on the opposite side of the pitch, much further than where Taron had hit his.

“Tennis ball?” She asked looking to Taron, who stood with his mouth slightly open but he threw her the tennis ball. From his throw, she hit it with the same force as the sliotar and the tennis ball travelled further. “Go Pearl!” She called and the dog left Taron’s side while she went to stand beside him. She took the phone from him. “Go Taron!” She laughed and he made a face for the video he was still filming and started to walk down the grass field to where Robyn had hit the ball, while she started to sing We Are the Champions as he walked away. She continued to film Taron as he picked up the ball and walked back to her.

“You still filming?” He asked throwing her the ball.

“Making memories, Taron, making memories.” She caught the ball and handed him his phone back. “You want to try and score some points now?”

“Let give it a go.” He agreed finally stopping the recording.

It was a half an hour filled with their laughs and shouts, Taron enjoying his newly learnt skill. He took it easy, making sure he didn’t push himself too hard but still celebrated each time the ball went through the posts into the goal and even more so when it flew over and between the bars.

“If you keep pulling out all of your surprises for me before Saturday Robyn, I won’t want to come back.” He said as they sat on the ground in the goals, Pearl between then, panting hard from all of her running around.

“And you have figured out my master plan.” She let out a fake cackle, Taron laughing at her.

“So, you don’t want me to come back then?” He said throwing some grass at her.

“You will always be welcomed back with open arms.”

“And baked goods?”

“If there is nothing in my fridge when you arrive, we can bake something together.”

“Like key lime pie?”

“Like key lime pie.”

“So, when do we get to make that? It was my reward for learning hurling with you.”

“Tomorrow?” She suggested. “I will have to get the ingredients in the shop.”

“Yes shopping! I love shopping.”

“We don’t need a pile of stuff Taron. Just the ingredients for the pie.” Robyn looked his way when a pile of grass landed on her arms. “And there is no surprise inside it either.” She picked the grass from her arms and threw it back at him. “It is one you could make for your mam and you won’t need a recipe for it. It’s very easy and simple.”

“You do realise that the things you are good at, like hurling, baking and playing piano are simple for you because you are good at them.”

“Well you are good at throwing grass it seems!” Robyn took some more grass from her jumper. She threw it back his way, another wade of blades landing on her once she got the others off. “Taron, you are…”

“Handsome? Funny? Incorrigible?” He asked grinning.

“That last one yes.”

“Oh, so you don’t think I am handsome then?” He got to his knees, his two hands at his sides, full of grass.

“Because I am really going to say that to your face.”

“So, you do think I am handsome?” Robyn shook her head at him, throwing the tennis ball for Pearl, who ran after it.

With the space between them, now that the dog had moved, Taron took the chance to move closer to Robyn. “Say it!”

“Nope.”

“Say it. Say ‘Taron you are handsome.’” He did the best Irish accent he could muster up, grinning as Robyn rolled her eyes at him.

“Nope.”

“You really should say it, especially if you believe it is true.”

“No, I really shouldn’t and nothing you can do will make me say it.”

“Oh really?” Taron dropped the grass he was holding onto the ground and with his two hands started to tickle Robyn, her hands immediately trying to push his away but Taron used his strength against her and continued to tickle her mercilessly. “Tell me!”

“Never!” Robyn tried to lay down, turn over and crawl away but Taron grabbed her sides and turned her over onto her back and got his hands to her stomach again, fingers tickling her skin as it came on show as she tried to move away from him.

“I won’t stop till you say it!” He laughed, enjoying how Robyn’s chuckles came from deep inside, as she squirmed under him. “Why Robyn I never knew you were so tickly.”

“Taron!” She called still laughing. “You are not going to break me!” She tried to moved his hands again but he knelt firm, nimble and soft fingertips running up and down her sides. Using her feet, Robyn started to push herself backwards, desperately trying to get away from Taron as he tickled her sympathetically, his own laughter filling the air. He snuck his hands under the elastic band of her hoodie and aimed straight for her ribs, Robyn immediately squirming more under his warm touch.

“Come on chicken, you know you want to say it!”

“Never!” Robyn tried to drag Taron’s hands by his wrists from under her jumper, but her movement only made him more determined and he put a little more vigour in the speed of the tickles. “Ok ok! Taron please stop!” She cried, wet tears starting to form at the corner of her eyes from laughing.

“Tell me you think I am handsome! Admit it!” He demanded feeling his hands slip down her stomach and she wriggled away from him. “Don’t even Robyn!” He chuckled.

Robyn moved a few inches backwards again when she felt Taron’s hands ease a little but then she felt a weight on her right leg and realised that Taron had thrown one of his legs over hers to carefully pin her down. “Taron!” She put her two hands on his chest and gave herself one more push backwards, while trying to knock him over with her other leg but her laughter suddenly stopped and she gave a shout of pain as her head hit the goalpost, Taron lifting his hands immediately from her.

“Robyn?” He asked concerned as he heard her groan a little, laying down beside her, so he was curled up protectively against her left side.

“Ugh why do I always get the raw end of these play fights.”

Taron brushed her hair from her face as he leaned over her, his leg still entwined with hers. “You ok?”

“Yeah I am ok.” She said bringing her left hand up to rub the back of her head. She felt Taron’s fingers beside hers as he massaged where she had hit her head off the wooden goal post, his hand that had moved her hair away now at the back of her head. “I hate being tickled.”

“I noticed.” He said grinning at her. “You sure you’re alright?” His hand moved back to her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. Taron felt his heart skip a beat, his stomach drop and a heat rise to his cheeks as he half held Robyn in his arms on the grass on the ground. His eyes closed when he felt Robyn’s left hand rest on his cheek and when he opened them, he didn’t even feel himself moving closer to her but her face was getting closer to his, freckles and blue eyes becoming clearer as he moved. A shaky nervous breath left his lips as Robyn’s hand moved from his cheek around to the back of his neck, her fingers twirling through his hair, her fingertips leaving electric sparks against his heated skin.

Robyn had never seen Taron’s eyes so dark, their colour changing almost completely to brown with a slight ring of green around the edge. Her right hand was still flat against his chest and she could feel how his heart beat changed quicker than a finger click. Her left hand automatically went to his cheek, her hand on skin that was blushed and warm and Robyn knew it wasn’t from their effort of trying to play some Irish sport. She inched her hand down his jaw, his growing beard soft yet coarse against her fingers. He hadn’t bothered to shave since last weekend and as her hand moved down his neck, her thumb grazed the mole at his throat and she felt him swallow as she lightly trailed her fingers across to the back of his neck and into the hair as the back of his head. Her eyes closed for a few seconds as his own hand cupped her cheek just as delicately as she had held his and when she opened her eyes, Taron’s forehead met hers and she watched as he bit his bottom lip before dipping his head a little so their noses touched.

A tennis ball dropping on Robyn’s neck, made her break the intense stare she had with Taron and her heart started to beat rapidly after it had near stopped as his perfect face moved from hers. Her hand dropped from the back of his neck , Taron moving right back from her face and she was sure the red tint that filled his face mirrored hers and just as she had been working on ignoring those bubbling sparks, within milliseconds, they were ignited again but Pearl had finally found the ball she had thrown earlier and happily dropped it back to her master, not caring that she was lying down on the grass with her new friend, breaking the tender but charged connection between herself and Taron

“Thanks Pearl.” Robyn pushed the dog’s nose from her face as she started to lick her. “Ugh Pearl no.”

Taron moved so Robyn could sit up and took his leg from hers so she wasn’t pinned down any more. They sat side by side with each other, Robyn throwing the ball for the dog again. It was the first slightly uncomfortable silence that ever fell between them, both thinking about what would have happened if the dog hadn’t of come back with her precious ball.

Taron was desperate to run his hands through his hair, stand up and shake himself off but instead made himself sit still and try to take calming breathes without Robyn knowing he was doing so, but as she sat right beside him, their shoulders touching, he could feel the one long breath she took. It seemed he wasn’t the only one who needed a minute or two to collect themselves. He tucked shaking hands under his arms but felt Robyn hook her right arm through his left elbow and the kiss she placed on his left cheek triggered the good kind of tingles on his skin.

Nervous energy ran through Robyn’s blood and she really needed to do something with her hands as she started to pull at the skin around her thumbs. Her heart was still racing and from the corner of her eyes, saw Taron slip his hands under his arms so she linked her arm with his and without thinking twice moved so she could kiss his cheek, lingering a little with her lips pressed against his soft skin before she turned back to stare in front of her.

“Taron?”

“Hmm?”

“You are easy on the eye.”

He chuckled a little. “Robyn?”

“Hmm?”

“You’re alright.” He chuckled more when she pulled her arm from his and dug her elbow gently into his left side. “You know I think you are beautiful Robyn. Inside and out.”

“Taron?”

“Yep.”

“You are handsome.”

Pearl came running back with the ball again this time dropping it beside Taron, who threw it for her again.

“We should probably head back.” Said Robyn as she looked to Taron. “It’s getting dark.” She dropped her left arm around his waist and leaning her head on his shoulder, gave his waist a squeeze when he didn’t answer or look at her.  “Few more minutes?”

“Please.”

Granting Taron his wish, she gave him another little squeeze, Taron dropping his own arm around her waist and when Pearl came back, Robyn made her lay down beside her, so they could just sit together and watch as the sky changed from light blue to dark blue to black, taking their heat from each other as they night drew in cold, that slight awkward moment between them setting with the sun, their usual secure feeling coming back quickly.

[theleaderdotinfo-blog]

Galway tennis players on the Costa Blanca has been published at http://www.theleader.info/2018/09/30/galway-tennis-players-costa-blanca/

New Post has been published on http://www.theleader.info/2018/09/30/galway-tennis-players-costa-blanca/

Galway tennis players on the Costa Blanca

A group of tennis players from Galway lawn tennis club visited the Costa Blanca recently for a full week of tennis. They teamed up with Steve Durie LTA 'pro' tennis coach who organised all their activities. Arriving on Saturday, their first stop was to join the Sunday morning club time on the courts at Campoamor golf club. Monday was adult group coaching at ISN Almoradi, with the regulars. On Tuesday an American tournament was organised at the Montepiedra sports centre. This consists of a number of doubles matches with different partners and opponents. After three hours of competition the scores decided which players would compete in a mixed doubles final. Scores: Men 1st- Eoin Brennan. 20pts, 2nd- Brian O'Farrell 19pts, 3rd- Frank Schnittger 18pts Women 1st= Maureen Hewitson 17pts, 1st= Alison Vos. 17pts, 3rd= Leslie Ann Walsh.     16pts In the final Alison teamed up with Brian to win a close final 6-3 against Maureen 'Mo ' and Eoin. Wednesday saw the group join Wednesday club morning at Campoamor golf, after a hard group training with Steve. Another group training sessoon with Steve on Thursday morning at Almoradi set the players up for their hardest day. On Friday, the players joined the morning club session at Montepiedra, then in the evening Steve arranged a special treat for the players, taking over all 4 clay courts at the rural club of Jacarilla. This was followed by a great Argentinean restaurant in Catral. Steve Durie would like to thank all the visiting players for being such fun and listening and trying so hard and hopes to welcome everybody back again. Steve offers individual and group coaching and runs a number of social tennis doubles sessions at different venues on the Costa Blanca. Anyone who is interested can contact Steve Durie- tel 635 061 439. E-mail sdurie@hotmail.co.uk.

[theirishaesthete]

An Ambush and its Consequences

An Ambush and its Consequences

Although the weather was somewhat cool for that time of year, on the afternoon of Saturday May 15th 1921 John and Anna Bagot invited a number of friends to visit them at Ballyturin, County Galway and play tennis outside the house. Following the game and tea, the guests dispersed around 8.30pm, a party of five being driven by Royal Irish Constabulary District Inspector Cecil Blake in his own car.…

[inkbee]

5 questions, 15 mutuals

Thanks to @the-moon-loves-the-sea for tagging me!

1. Are you named after anyone?

I think so? My full name is Anne Elizabeth, I think both are from relatives on my mom’s side.

2. When was the last time you cried?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

3. Do you have/want kids?

Ye! When I’m older and more responsible ofc.

4. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Not a whole lot, but if I’m joking around with friends then I like to.

5. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

I tend to try and evaluate their mood at the moment, and whether I’m pissing them off or not. 

6. What’s your eye color?

Hazel

7. Scary movie or happy ending?

Why not both? I’m v fond of happy endings but I also like horror. I also feel like happy endings are more satisfying if you’ve really put the characters through the emotional grinder before hand, so I think in a weird way horror lends itself well to the kind of happy endings I like.

8. Any special talents?

Not really

9. Where were you born?

NYC baybey!

10. What are your hobbies?

Writing, drawing, walking in circles around campus, pathfinder/dnd. 

11. Do you have any pets?

I have a dog named Wally (also known as Wa-Wa-Wasputin) and a cat named Mike

12. What sports do you play/have you played?

I used to do a lot of tennis in middle school

13. How tall are you?

5′3-4?

14. Favorite subject in school?

Varied between english or history, depending on who was teaching which. 

15. Dream job?

History professor with tenure that gets to spout off about my favorite subjects and then work on my own writing projects in my spare time. I’ve noticed a lot of my professors tend to namedrop their own books/projects in class, and I want in!

@galway-bae @attentiondeficitohlookasquirrel @kyleandthekids @cats-galactic @seagoing-nerd @splashythemagiccarp @seasidefanasties @mrpanda149 and also any other mutuals who I haven’t listed! (I’m a lazy bastard forgive me)

[gravemattersguru]

Margrit Tenny Kelly (d. 1827), Patrick Kelly, and Michael Kelly. Mainistir Phort Omna (Portumna Friary), Co. Galway, Ireland. Photo taken 20 July 2018.

[divinexgods]

&. BASICS

Full Name: Circe Eireann Prescott

Nickname(s): n/a

Age: 35-45

Sexuality: Bisexual

Romantic orientation: Biromantic

Date of Birth: April 18

Place of Birth: Galway, Ireland

Gender & Species: Feale (Human, mainverse)

Current Location: New York, New York (mainverse)

&. MORE BASIC INFO

Languages: English

Education: Masters in Business

Occupation: CEO of Prescott Inc

Drinks?: Frequently

Smokes? Rarely

Drugs?: Rarely

&. PERSONALITY

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Likes: Working, vacationing, sex, animals, parties, getting her way

Dislikes: Losing, 

Hobbies: Working, Exercising, Tennis, Swimming

Fears: TBD

Positive Traits: Charming, Intuitive, Observant, Flirtatious

Negative Traits: Competitive, Hot-headed, Ruthless, Secretive

&. APPEARANCE

Height: 5′9

Hair: Red, straight, never a hair out of place, falls just past her shoulders

Eyes: Green

Tattoos: None

Piercings: Ears

[bdscuatui]

’S Thật tuyệt vời khi chứng minh giá trị của mình với những người đánh thuê hạng nặng này Mullingar tự nhiên Alan Stenson hầu như không chạm vào Thành phố New York khi anh bắt đầu đặt nền móng cho giấc mơ Mỹ của mình. Bảy năm sau, anh ấy là một trong những nhà môi giới bất động sản thành công nhất của thành phố, đã mang về cho mình khoản cắt giảm doanh thu hơn 250 triệu đô la trong năm năm qua. Bí quyết của anh ta để làm cho nó trong thành phố Empire? Tôi đã bay vào JFK một ngày trước ngày Paddy, vào khoảng 1 giờ sáng, ông giải thích về giám đốc cấp cao 31 tuổi với công ty môi giới bất động sản đầu tư Brax bất động sản. Tôi đã làm việc xếp hàng và sáng hôm sau tôi xuống Soho đặt sàn gỗ lúc 6 giờ sáng. Trên tay và đầu gối của tôi đập đi. Tôi đã làm việc 14 giờ ngày hôm đó, thức dậy và làm điều tương tự vào ngày hôm sau. Một vài công việc theo cách của tôi, tôi đang thực hiện nó. Tôi được một anh chàng hỏi rằng tôi có chơi tennis không, và tôi nói tôi làm. Một tuần sau, tôi đang học bài huấn luyện riêng với một nhóm trẻ sáu tuổi ở Tribeca - và lần cuối cùng tôi nhặt được một cây vợt tennis, tôi sẽ tự mình lên sáu. Đó là sau khi thực hiện một ngày làm việc trên sàn, và sau khi quần vợt kết thúc, tôi đã đi pha chế đến 2 giờ sáng. New York là một nơi mà bạn nói đồng ý và tìm ra nó sau đó. Đây là loại ghép bạn phải làm trong vài tháng đầu. Và đó là điều mà rất nhiều người đến New York don nhận ra. Phát triểnTốt nghiệp từ GMIT với bằng danh dự về nghiên cứu tài sản vào năm 2012, ông đã làm việc trong Galway và London trước khi chuyển đến Mỹ. Ông hiện đang làm việc trên một trang web phát triển trị giá 53 triệu đô la ở New York và trước khi Covid-19 ra mắt, đã bán được 11,45 triệu đô la tài sản trong quý đầu tiên của năm 2020. Trong khi tôi đang làm tất cả những công việc đó, tôi cũng đang phỏng vấn cho các công ty doanh nghiệp. Vì vậy, tôi sẽ phải nghỉ hai giờ vào giữa ngày, về nhà và tắm, mặc một bộ đồ và buộc lại. Tôi đã nhắm mục tiêu các công ty môi giới bất động sản lớn nhất và tốt nhất trong thành phố, Marcus và Millichap. Tôi nhắm vào anh chàng mà tôi muốn nói chuyện và đi vào công ty và ngồi đó cho đến khi anh ta có thể nhìn thấy tôi. Đó là vào một buổi tối thứ Năm và tôi bắt đầu công việc đó vào sáng thứ Hai lúc 8 giờ sáng. Những điều duy nhất về những công việc công ty này là bạn làm việc đến tận xương. Tôi đã làm việc hơn 80 giờ một tuần. Bạn làm việc ‘cho đến khi bạn thả xuống vào tối thứ Sáu lúc 8 giờ tối. Tôi đã từng đưa tàu trở lại Brooklynvà tôi ngủ liên tục trên tàu và kết thúc ở cuối hàng. Vì vậy, tôi đã cố gắng đứng dậy, và điều tồi tệ là tôi đã từng ngủ thiếp đi và vẫn bỏ lỡ điểm dừng. Họ nói với bạn trước khi bạn bắt đầu, bạn cần phải có một năm tiền thuê nhà xếp hàng vì bạn có thể thấy một xu trong một năm. Trong lớp đầu tiên tôi tham gia, trong khóa đào tạo của công ty, 30 người chúng tôi bắt đầu; Bây giờ có ba người trong chúng tôi còn kinh doanh. Sau ba năm, ông đã mạo hiểm, rời khỏi một công ty đầu tư cửa hàng nhỏ hơn đáng kể - Brax - nơi ông hiện là nhân vật chính trong các giao dịch trị giá hàng triệu đô la. Kể từ khi thực hiện chuyển đổi, không chỉ thu nhập của anh tăng vọt mà anh còn dành thời gian để chạy marathon ở New York trong ba lần và năm ngoái, kết hôn với Laurie, một người New York thực sự và một công nhân thậm chí còn chăm chỉ hơn tôi , Kerry. Những giao dịch đầu tiên của tôi đều đáng nhớ. Bạn đang ở trong một căn phòng có hai hoặc ba tỷ phú, và một người đang viết một tấm séc trị giá 15 triệu đô la cho người kia và bạn đã ngồi giữa họ sau khi môi giới rất nhiều cho khách hàng của bạn [the seller]. Thật tuyệt khi chứng minh giá trị của mình với những người đánh thuê hạng nặng này, và sau đó bạn đi ra khỏi đó với đủ tiền trong túi để mua một ngôi nhà đẹp ở Mullingar với một chút đất dọc bờ hồ. Tuy nhiên, trong kinh doanh này, bạn ăn những gì bạn giết. Tôi không dựa vào tiền lương, nó chỉ dựa trên hoa hồng và tất cả phụ thuộc vào mức độ chăm chỉ của bạn. Vì vậy, khi thị trường quay đầu, bạn có thể bị hạn hán trong một vài tháng. Đó là bản chất của con thú. Thời gian đối mặtCũng như một sự thèm ăn vô hạn cho công việc khó khăn, Stenson nghĩ rằng anh ấy cũng được giúp đỡ trên đường đi chỉ đơn giản là người Ailen. Chìa khóa là thời gian đối mặt, nhưng để có được thời gian đối mặt, bạn phải thực hiện các cuộc gọi. Vào một ngày bình thường, tôi có thể gọi 100 người. Và nếu người đó ở trong thành phố, hãy sẵn sàng 24/7 để bỏ mọi thứ để đi và gặp họ. Một cách khác biệt và khác biệt giữa một người Ireland trẻ tuổi, năng động, biết làm việc. Cạn Chúng tôi yêu tất cả các nơi trên thế giới, một quốc gia thực sự không có kẻ thù. Vì vậy, những gì tôi muốn làm là đưa một số khách hàng của tôi, sau đó, đến một khung cảnh Ailen. Và chúng tôi sẽ ngồi tại quầy bar và thưởng thức Guinness. Và tôi đã biết người pha chế và chúng tôi gặp một người ở đó mà chúng tôi biết. Và chúng tôi nói về bất động sản, chúng tôi nói về những tòa nhà này và lịch sử Ailen của họ. Bạn có thể đưa ai đó ra ngoài trên du thuyền hoặc trên máy bay riêng, nhưng bạn đã có thể liên hệ với họ. Bất động sản vào cuối ngày, bạn cần đặt thời gian, bạn cần ngồi xuống trước mặt họ và chọn bộ não của họ, lắng nghe họ. Đó là cách bạn làm kinh doanh, và đó, nơi mà người Ailen là một lợi thế lớn. [ad_2] Nguồn