There's No Place Like Home.

Don't let the title fool you- I really could have used another week or two. Man, do vacations rule! Kevin and I each took about 500 pictures- put 'em together and we've got a TON of frozen memories. And a few cool videos, too- one featuring an Irish burro eagerly devouring the apple we offered out the window as a peace offering. My Nikon held up. More on that during our Digital Cam War Finale on Monday's TSS.

It was a truly wonderful journey through the U.K. and Republic of Ireland. I'm too jet lagged and hungry to say much more, but rest assured I'll be writing a novella after a night or two of hibernation. For now, enjoy a few pics!

From London's ferris wheel we marvel at Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament:

My Mirror Project obsession produces a fine piece at the local laundrette:

Chillin above Ireland's Cliffs of Moher:

A nice little beach along the Ring of Kerry:

I hear my bed calling me. It's been terribly neglected and I must try to salvage our friendship. More pics and stories to come!

Dublin. Word.

Ok, I'm in Dublin, in a little internet cafe above Grafton St (main shopping hub). Just used Burger King for the bathroom- the only reason I would ever enter BK inside or outside the States.

Ireland is so great. Moving here as soon as I win the lottery. We stayed out on the pier north of the city in a little town called Howth for a couple nights, right alongside the ocean and a unique tidepool. Now in the heart of the city, staying one more night and then renting a car and heading for the hills.

A highlight from this morning was when an elderly man stopped us and asked where we were from (Kevin's Oregon shirt tipped him off). When learning we came from NorCal, he told me he knew I was of Irish descent- the lips and the cheekbones gave me away, he said, although he said my jaw was Anglo (damn). He approved of Lane, as it's a strong Irish surname. He wasn't so sure about Rose, but thought Kevin to perhaps have lineage from Eire's Northern regions- the hair and the eyebrows. A really cool chance encounter with a friendly old Irish fellow, and then he was gone.

This has been SUCH a trip so far, and I still have a week left!! The laptop's at the hotel, no pics this time. But trust that I have hundreds. Still love the Nikon, though I admit to being jealous of the Canon's petite frame.

It's so refreshing to go somewhere far, far away, and be remined that the Earth spins around the sun the exact same way every single day, regardless of where you lay your weary head. That said, absolutely nothing puts the spark back in my eye like a good vacation far from home. Dr. Bobby helps.

Viva Europa!

"I Heart My New Nikon," by Sarah Lane

I've been loving my new Nikon 5400 digital beauty up and down the block in our first week together. Man, I don't know how I'll even get through all the features before I get to Europe! I'd go through all the features, but if you care enough to muddle through the specs I think they say it better than me.

Now, I have issues with flashed pics. Yeah they keep everything crisp and clear, but they often sterilize the scene. The 5400 has about five million different flashless options for a clarity snubber like me. I think I'm in love!

Girl falls for DJ:

The Union closes in on the Confederates:

Foo Foo tears it up:

A lovely spot for a haircut and a Corona:

Warm hearts in a red room:

I have to start packing! I'll be en route in less than 24 hours! Good god!

3 days till blast off.

I can't believe I'm leaving for Europe in 3 days. I feel totally unprepared. So far I have my passport and my sleeping pills for the plane. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with planning a vacation and it sort of depresses me. That sounds ridiculous, I know. I can't explain it.

In the random department, while I was napping midday yesterday I had a dream that my cockatiel died in my hands right as I was about to give him a bath. I really did have a pet cockatiel for about 7 years as a kid, but he flew away. And I never actually gave him a bath. It was a very strange dream. I'm going to blame it on midday napping in the heat.

If you're sensing a less-than-thrilled attitude between these lines, you may be onto something. I had a terrible allergy attack up in Sonoma County yesterday and although I'm all healed today, it took the wind out of my sails. Those who have severe allergies will know what I mean... you can't sneeze 500 times in a single afternoon and not be a little out of whack.

In happier news, I'm getting a haircut tomorrow! I really love going to the salon. It's a fun place- we drink tea and chat and read magazines and for one day my hair looks really beautiful and perfect afterward. If only I had the time or energy to turn that hair dryer between visits, I'd really be in business. But sleeping in always wins.

Ho hum.

Movies that don't completely suck.

I love film. Nothing makes me happier (or sadder) than a brilliant movie. That said, my favorites list is an eclectic one, and not without some conflicts. (I've left out all SW and LOTRs because of the obvious factor).

1. Magnolia - one of the most moving 2 1/2 hours I ever spent. Went alone to the theater and cried like a baby. BTW, going alone to the theater is really fun!

2. The Princess Bride - Rob Reiner's classic tale of true love, giants, and swordfights. It's one of those movies I know all the words to, and am always highly disappointed when people don't get my references.

3. Austin Powers-Goldmember - Surprisingly enough, I wasn't in love with the first two in this series. I loved the third. There's nothing funnier than this movie. I generally think that people who don't agree with me are axe murderers.

4. The Breakfast Club - I saw this movie in 1986, a year after it was released. It was R rated, and I knew my parents would be mad at Kari Wallerstein's parents for letting me watch it, so I didn't tell them. Always takes me back to being an 80s kid and lusting after Molly Ringwald's dance moves. Don't even talk to me about John Hughes' other stuff. BC rules all.

5. High Fidelity - A wonderful love story/John Cusack masterpiece. Who doesn't love a good John Cusack? Damn, if you know what it's like to have loved and have lost --that's all of us, weep weep-- you'll relate. Also a must-see for music snobs across the world (we're better than you, nyah!)

6. Being John Malkovich - Because of this movie, I love Cameron Diaz (even after Charlie's Angels). Spike Jonez never ceases to amaze. I really want a porthole. Please let me know where I can find a good one.

7. Monty Python and the Holy Grail - This is silly English humor at its best. Walk, don't run, to your nearest video store and get your laugh on, trick.

8. Amelie - Possibly the most beautiful and positive film I've ever seen. Audrey Tatou is luminous and her performance made me want to change my life for better. And who doesn't want happiness in Paris? Awesome, awesome. And the DVD has some killer cinematography extras. Go rent it or I will cry.

9. Snatch - It's very hard for me to give props to my least favorite entertainer's husband, but hello! This movie is sooo awesome, and features my favorite actor in a, shall we say, less glamorous light...which is exactly how I love my men. And diamond heists are da bomb. And I've always wanted to be a gypsy. I'm pretty sure I am.

10. The Sound of Music - I've loved this movie since before I was born. It's undoubtedly a musical to end all musicals. I've converted many men to the Julie Andrews way. You can't tell me you don't like "Do Re Mi." The very best part is when he messes up and calls her "Captain" instead of "Fraulein" after they come back in their drapes/playclothes. I'm convinced it was a line flub and they left it in.

Yes, my list slightly changes from time to time, but these are pretty much my trieds and trues.

I'm listening.. tap tap tap....