Hi!

I am sorry that I have not been very forthcoming lately, but between my internet connection issues, Erika's visit, and my overwhelming amount of coursework/projects, I have been swept out to sea by several waves of frustration, fun, and busy-ness.

The Internet Connection bit: Currently Trinity College's ISS networking folks are winning the 2006 award for the "Best Post-Soviet Bureauracy on the Whole Darned Planet" award. We are now into the 37th day of no network / internet in my room. At last check of the "Open Query" applet, the networking folks are getting a price bid on a new ethernet faceplace.

Yes, they can be bought at most electronic suppy stores for less than $7, but here at Trinity College, Dublin, apparently all items must be put out to contracting price bids. I bet Maplins can beat Peat's in price. I bet I can go out and buy one and swap it out myself, before the networking folk can get their official first bid in.

Note to All Americans Thinking of Applying to Graduate School at Trinity College, Dublin: Unless you have a great love for Bureauracy, don't.

Think UC Berkeley. Apply Yale. Wish for Orange Coast College. Just Say No to the lovely, brilliant, but oh so Frustrating and Inefficient Trinity College.

Someone in power, please explain to the department heads at Trinity that it is much, much cheaper and more efficient and better customer service to have in house trained folk who can solve the problems and fix them the first day that they come out to visit.

Dear Trinity College, please send ALL of your staff and maintenance folk for training at Boston University ASAP! BU has 3 times the students, professors, and staff that Trinity does and 3077% more efficiency and speed and less bureauracy. Jack Weldon and Ken Elmore could whip Trinity's bureauracy into shape in 3 weeks of August training!

The Fun Bit: Erika just left today after a week long visit over my birthday weekend. Thanks, Erika! I had a blast and it was greatly restorative to have a long time friend come and see my world in Ireland. Pictures coming soon.

The Overwhelming Crazy Bit: Right now we are in the last 3 weeks of coursework before the exam reading period begins. I am / We are overloaded with project work. I am currently working on getting some Flash movie clips to layer correctly right now. Sigh.

Anywhoo have a great week. Get out and enjoy the Spring. Say hi to your local flowers and blooming tress. I will be back in full force soon.

Big giant thanks to my sister Allison and family for sending me a very funny "Theme" photo album of Scruffy and Belle "dressed" up in various outfits. I laughed hard.