Fat Margaret - Tallinn, Estonia

Fat Margaret – Tallinn, Estonia

Hi Folks!

Tallinn is one of the most exciting capitals in Baltia, right after Riga and Vilna. And this grey tower is the landmark of the Old Town. It’s called Fat Margaret. Poor Margaret, she would have deserved a nicer building to carry her name. Just kidding folks. Tallinn is fantastic! The town has a fascinating history as it’s been under dominance of many kingdoms. It was none other than Soviet Russia, which tried to suppress the proud Estonians. After the collapse of USSR, Tallinn has prospered.

-Gart

Bray Head - Ireland

Bray Head – Ireland

Hi Folks!

I sang, “As I was goin’ over the Cork and Kerry mountains. I saw Captain Farrell and his money he was countin’.., ” when I hiked over the Wicklow Mountains along the Cliff Walk from Bray to Greystone (Bray Head). And suddenly I tumbled over the Europe’s First geocache (GC43; 53d 11.478′ N, 6d 04.818′ W). I just couldn’t believe my luck. I mean what are the chances, One in a Million. So, I continued my hike to Greystone singing, “… Musha ring dumb a do dumb a da. Whack for my daddy-o. There’s whiskey in the jar-o”. And I ended up in The Happy Pear, a fine health food restaurant held by David and Stephen Flynn. They had gotten everything right in The Happy Pear. They even served Eye Candy for the ladies – much like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito in Twins (1988), but on a whole different level.

-Gart

Beach Picture, Esko Tirronen

Beach Picture – Esko Tirronen

Hi Folks,

I really hate it when I get sand in my beard. The best way to get sand out of beard is to avoid getting it in the beard in the first place. In my experience, art museums may be the most convenient places to enjoy beaches. And you simply cannot argue with me if you have seen Esko Tirronen’s Beach Picture (1977). If you are planning a beach day in an art museum, do not repeat my mistake: most museums do not appreciate bathers and bikinis. As you may see from the picture, beaches are crowded on a sunny day so remember to bring your own deck chair.

-Gart

Trinity College Library Dublin

Trinity College Library – Dublin

Hi Folks,

When I was studying in Trinity College Dublin, the Old Library’s (Trinity College Library) main chamber called the Long Room did not look the same. I believe it was in the 1860’s when Long Room’s roof was raised. I am not completely against the change but I preferred the lower roof. The Long Room was cosier back then. And it was definitely a more quiet place for studying. There are not many libraries that attract people as much as the Trinity College Library does. The archive includes a few books that I consider my favorites but are hard to find elsewhere. I highly recommend the fiction novel Book of Kells. Be sure to place a hold on the Book of Kells in good time. There is only one copy and it’s quite popular.

-Gart

Emotion Chart

Emotion Chart – Gart

Hi Folks, I really have to share this one! Ralf from Germany sent me this emotion chart picture. Ralf says that he’s a big fan of me, but claims that I don’t show my emotions. Well… what you think?

 

Big thanks to Ralf and happy New Year!

-Gart