My Easter Day.

Easter Mass

I went to mass earlier than usual today, knowing that the special Easter mass in the pro-cathedral was at 11am.  I was particularly looking forward to the Palestrina choir which I've read is supposedly very good.  What greeted me when I got to the church were little pink booties tied to the railings of the church and people with videocameras and protest signs.  There were protesters who were there to express grief and anger over the child abuse reports linked with the Catholic Church.  I've found an online news story for it as well:
http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/abuse-protest-at-easter-sunday-mass-452646.html

It did dampen my Easter spirits a little bit, especially when the ceremony was disrupted by a few minutes when someone walked in in the middle of mass.  However, I understand the anger.  I just hope that people realize that what happened were sins (and yes, crime) committed by another human being.  No one in the Church is perfect and anyone who claims to be has to be doubted.  I just wish that people stop abusing each other, verbally and by any other means (did you read about the churchgoer verbally abusing one of the protesters? And I take offense over the fact that I disgust someone because I go to mass --- I don't support child abuse and I am not doing so by practicing my faith. )

Easter Brunch

After mass I figured I might as well walk around a bit since I already was outside anyway.  A bit of exploring led me to one of the restaurants that I've read about which apparently serves a mean Brunch.  Odessa was just a few apartments away from the main street where we usually walk.  I was pleasantly surprised that their Brunch menu varies from vegetarian breakfast, to full on Bacon-Eggs-and-other-goodies.  I ordered something in the middle, a nice Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict and of course, a cup of coffee.  The restaurant was packed with families and friends brunching together, along with some couples, but dining alone has never been a problem for me, so I didn't mind being alone and sitting in the middle of the far wall.

The price was a bit too steep for Eggs Benedict...but much much MUCH cheaper than Tavern on the Green in NYC and probably just as yummy.  Definitely a must-visit place again for me.

Window Shopping

A few blocks from where I ate was Grafton Street, Dublin's premiere shopping street.  Since most of the shops were closed, I had a small selection of stores to visit.  Brown Thomas was open and I've been telling myself that I should buy better quality clothes, specifically, better quality shoes.  I took the opportunity to see what was in this really high end, designer-laden department store's shoe section.  And then it happened....

I found myself drawn to a beautiful pair of shoes, the kind of I've only seen in magazines and websites, the kind that hollywood royalty wear to red carpet events.  It was a pair of Christian Louboutin peep toes.   Sleek, shiny and beautiful. I held up one shoe in my hand to examine, and I'm certain I must've looked like I was in awe.  I turned it and saw the price tag.  435 EUROS.  Strictly speaking, I could probably afford it.  And if I were serious about quality shoes, then this would be the most serious pair I can buy.  A pair of designer shoes were actually reachable.

But let's be honest.  That much money can probably feed an entire family for at least a week.  It just isn't right.  I've never been comfortable spending a lot of money shopping for myself, I don't think that will change soon.  Its just not...right.

So I put it back on the shelf and walked away....and glimpsed a section dedicated to Manolo Blahnik.  That was when I decided to leave and escape.  The shoes would be lovely, no doubt about that.  But I just can't surround myself with such beautiful expensive things and start to delude myself that it will be okay for me to own a pair.

Easter 2010 was the day I held something I've only seen on Sex and the City and realized I could. But its also the day I realized I can't.

Table for two, finally

So I flew to the US a few weeks ago not because of the lure of the land of milk and honey, but more importantly, to spend time with the other half.  Allan was spending St. Patrick's Day at Chicago and I flew in from Ireland (because I just had to have more than just one Paddy's Day celebration?).

 

It was the weekend when I took photos again and promised to keep at it. Chicago's architecture and the river dyed green gave me the perfect beginner-again practice shots.  Photos posted at my flickr site...but I have to say, this one's my favorite:

the only thing I do

...is work or workout.

There has to be something better than this.