It’s a very low-key, relaxed Saturday. My friend J comes over in the afternoon to hang out; we haven’t seen each other in a couple of weeks. We watch the latest episode of The Mandalorian, order some Chinese food for delivery, and then watch some of RuPaul’s Drag Race from last year (which he hasn’t seen).  When it’s time for J to head out, I walk him to his bus...

Today restaurants reopened both outdoor and indoor seating without many restrictions at all (pubs and bars not serving food are still closed). I’m not in a particular rush to dine in a crowded restaurant, but I did get out for a coffee with a friend and enjoyed sitting inside, especially given the drizzly weather today. Dublin is in full swing holiday mode. The lights and decorations really make...

Last evening, I met up with my friend D for a surprise activity. First he met me at Spranger’s Yard (my apartment building), then we got some takeout from a very good kebab place in Temple Bar called Zaytoons, which I had been to on a previous visit to Dublin but hadn’t revisited since my arrival in October. Kebabs and middle eastern food are actually a popular cuisine here;...