This morning I was surprised to hear the sound of a drum kit coming from Crow Street. I look out the window to see that a rock band has set up in the middle of the street with a camera crew. Over the course of the day, the band plays multiple takes of the same song, so I’m guessing they were recording a music video or a pre-recorded performance for an online event. Dublin’s vibrant music scene has not fully reopened yet, although there are some trial outdoor concerts/festivals this summer.
There’s a new email from the University College Dublin recruiter in my inbox this morning. She conveys that the hiring manager is “adamant” about receiving a third reference and makes no mention of the possibility of a phone call with him. However, she also says the reference can be from my time at UC Berkeley and not from the other UC job where I had a bullying boss. This is a much welcomed compromise. I immediately send a message to the previous CFO of UC Berkeley who had originally hired me back in 2012. We had a very positive relationship, and although she left UC Berkeley a year after I arrived there, we have been in touch every now and then. In my message I summarized my somewhat unusual situation and explained why I was asking her to be a reference after so many years had passed by. To my great delight and relief, she responded this afternoon saying she would be happy to be a reference. I immediately passed along her contact info to the UCD recruiter, so hopefully the turnaround will be quick and the offer will be able to move forward.
I’ve also been waiting for a package to be delivered today. My sister mailed me another three months supply of prescription medicines that I had filled in the U.S., along with a few items that are hard-to-find in Ireland. I’m looking forward to when I don’t have to rely on this workaround solution anymore. I have been reluctant to seek medical care and establish a relationship with a local GP (general practitioner, i.e., primary care physician) until I secure employment and get private medical insurance coverage.
This evening I have a dinner date with N. at a wine bar / restaurant called Piglet in Temple Bar, about a 5-10 minute walk from Spranger’s Yard. They are offering a 3-course prix fixe dinner for €35, which is a little pricey but everything sounds delicious… we order pâté, caprese salad, fresh pasta, a pork ragu, a cheese course and flourless chocolate cake for dessert. It turns out to be a very pleasant evening, with no rain again despite the forecasts. After dinner we have a few beers at The George in their outdooro patio space. We are probably the oldest people there. Two young women in their early 20s a couple of tables away from us apparently are celebrating their engagement, which adds to the youthful atmosphere.
Until next time….
