Yesterday evening one of the smoke alarms begins to chirp intermittently, and after some trial and error I determine it’s the one in my bedroom. The new shoe storage bench from IKEA turns serves as a good substitute for a step stool. There are three plastic tabs holding the smoke alarm in place, and I carefully use a flat head screwdriver to pry each one open until the assembly is freed from the...

It’s been a low energy day… lockdown fatigue is definitely setting in. I didn’t have the greatest sleep, so this morning I’m slow to get up and moving. After breakfast, I find myself getting drawn into reading news articles and watching videos, including a recent episode of RTÉ’s “All Walks of Life” series featuring the Tanaiste (deputy minister) Leo...

The forecasted snow doesn’t materialise this morning, and instead, there’s a light rain throughout the day. Surprisingly, I haven’t used an umbrella the whole time I’ve been here. A good rain jacket with a hood suffices for most days, especially given how the rain comes and goes. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen my friend J. He comes over in the afternoon...