Autumn weather is in full swing with more rainy days and cooler temperatures. I have resisted turning on the heat so far but finally succumbed this weekend, as it has been chilly with nighttime lows in the low 40s / upper single digits C. Christmas decorations have been going up above the streets of Dublin, although they are not being lit up yet.
Last weekend was filled with social events. On Saturday, my friend S. came into Dublin for an early birthday dinner since his birthday fell on a weekday this year. I took him and another friend of his out to a restaurant that is part of FX Buckley, a well known traditional steakhouse chain and butcher. The food and drinks did not disappoint, and I am becoming convinced that Irish beef does indeed taste better. Then, on Sunday, I took my friend CJ out to a drag brunch for his birthday at a club / café / restaurant called Wigwam. It was fun but boisterous.
This weekend has been much quieter. One of my projects has been to upload receipts to Revenue.ie (Ireland’s national tax authority) to claim a 20% tax credit for out of pocket medical expenses not covered by my private health care insurance. Unfortunately, eyeglasses / contact lenses and routine dental care are ineligible for whatever reason. Once approved, the credits will be applied to future payroll tax withholdings by my employer. As a regular salaried employee who is subject to Ireland’s “Pay As Your Earn” (PAYE) income tax, tax withholdings are calculated automatically for my paychecks. I don’t even have to file a tax return, although I will for 2021 in order to claim credits for medical expenses that I had not submitted during the year. The tax filing deadline is coming up sooner — 31st October.
Another weekend project has been to reprogram the timer on the immersion heater (i.e., water heater) and well as the two electric radiators in my apartment. When I first moved in, my landlord provided only the briefest of instructions so I have relied on YouTube videos to help decipher the dials and functions on the control panels. As soon as daylight savings goes into effect, the day time meter hours will run an hour earlier, from 7:00am – 11:00pm, so I adjusted the timers accordingly so the hot water heater and radiators go on before then.
It’s been a lazy Sunday with grey rainy weather. I made scones and tea for breakfast, then got out for a walk to St. Stephens Green to take in some of the foliage. Other than that, I’ve stayed in and entertained myself with some TV in the evenings.
There has been one news event of note in Ireland over the last couple of weeks. The Friday before last, there was an explosion at a petrol/gas station in a small town of Creeslough, County Donegal (population < 500). It occurred in the afternoon as people were going about their usual lives. Ten people died from the blast, ranging from ages 5 to 50. It feels like the entire country is mourning the tragedy. Funerals took place throughout this past week, and Ireland President Michael D. Higgins attended some of the memorials.
Until next time….
