The weather is warming up slowly but surely, although the last couple of days it’s gotten down to freezing at night, with a typical scattering of showers but no heavy downpours. Daylight savings time went into effect last weekend, resulting in evenings that are noticeably much longer.
It’s been a busy week — wrapping up my old job at UCD and preparing for my new job at Mazars starting Monday April 4. I’ve had Friday and the weekend off in between. I’m looking forward to the change with a mix of excitement, curiousity, and some anxiety (as to be expected). On Wednesday evening last week, I was invited to a going away dinner for the person at Mazars whose position I’m filling. It was a small group of about 8 of us, so fairly intimate. The two partners of the firm who oversee the consulting practice were not in attendance, so the mood was casual. I sat across from the director of the team, who is around my around, whereas most of the other staff are younger. The group seems friendly and well humoured. I appreciated the opportunity to get to know them a little bit before starting. My new work laptop was delivered on Friday afternoon, after which I stopped by the tailors to pick up some shirts and trousers I had altered to expand my wardrobe of professional attire. Thankfully I will be working from home on the first day that will devoted to an HR orientation session, compliance training, and a more formal welcome meeting with my teammates.
On Friday evening, I met some friends out at a bar / dance club — the first time I’ve really had a night out with any large gathering. It was absolutely packed, and the crowd was mixed (not strictly gay) with lots of young people in their early 20s. The locals always complain about how there aren’t many dance clubs in Dublin, at least not compared to other European cities. And despite being a city known for its pubs and bars, last call in most places in Ireland is 1:30-2:00am, the same as in San Francisco.
Although COVID-19 is no longer at the top of the headlines here, Ireland has been experiencing a rise in new infections and hospitalisations over the last month. More people I know have tested positive, but as far as I know I’ve dodged it so far. There have been rumblings in the medical community about needing to impose some restrictions again, but the government is adamant that this is not an option. The numbers are starting to come down on their own, so hopefully we are on the downslope of the “deltacron” wave now.
Sunday April 4th is the national Census Night in Ireland for 2022. Dating back to 1841, the census in Ireland is supposed to take place every five years although it’s been six years since the previous one that was conducted in April 2016 (the delay of course being due to COVID-19). Earlier in the week, a census worker left forms in all the mailboxes of Sprangers Yard, although like in the U.S. they typically go door-to-door to survey people in person. The questions ask the same basic information as you would expect about the people living in the household — age, gender, ethnicity, citizenship, education, occupation. There are also questions about the languages spoken in the household (including whether or not there are any Irish speakers), religion, health conditions and/or disabilities, and details about one’s commute. There are pages asking the same questions for up to 6 household members, and shorter questions for additional 4 “absent persons” that appears to be intended mostly for students studying away. Responding to the census is mandatory by law. At the end of the booklet, there is a non-mandatory free form box to write whatever the household members desire for a time capsule that will be made public in 100 years.
Until next time….
