New layout for the updates giving you easier access to my ramblings!

My hunt for a new job still continues. Due to the Easter Holidays things will probably be quiet for the week but I am still keeping my eyes peeled.

My container is also due to arrive next week and I am hopeful that everything will go smoothly. Dealing with the IRish Freigh Forwarder has been very slow and it was difficult to get the information I needed. I have to say that things were much more professional on the Thai side! All things going well I should have my car and goods at home by the end of the week!

The main problem I have to deal with now is my car insurance. Due to the fact that I have been living outside of Ireland I have lost all my no claims bonus. The best quote I can get for insurance is 1800 euros – which is crazy! I am hoping that I can negotiate with myprevious insurer and gets some of the no claims back!

At the moment I have the house to myself. Denis and Amela have headed off to Argentina! Its hard to get used to cooking, cleaning and washing for myself. I start to realise how spoilt I was in THailand and how I should have appreciated it more!

{tab=Politics & Biz}

There is an Irish General Election on the horizon and it will most probably be a coalition government.

Funnily enough I think that Bertie actually WANTS to lose this election. I think he sees the problems ahead and they are all due to his actions in the last few years. Now, when things start to go bad and he is not in power he can blame the government of the day! After a couple of years he will get back in to fix all the problems they caused! However, we all know the real cause! Lets see how clever the IRish electorate are!?!!?

I think there will be a raibow coalition after the election and I think that Enda Kenny can make a difference but he needs to relax a little and stop being so uptight! He needs to be more personable!

IN THailand things are still very bad. There is still no word on the new election – if there will be one! They are drafting the new constitution but there was nothing wrong with the last one – except maybe for some small changes to be made – but a complete new one!!?!? NO way!

The Junta still have control but there is a lot of underlying dissent. People are beginning to see the negative effects of their policy changes and are feeling the pinch! THere is definitely not the same affluence and open spending as there was a year ago! The property industry has also stagnated and foreign investment is moving to Vietnam instead.

I am still having difficuly renting out my Condo in Bangkok – although it is a beautiful place and in a great location!

United had a bad loss at the weekend but these things happen. I believe their season will rest on the outcome of the game on Tuesday. If they manage to beat Roma and go through then I think they can go well in all 3 competitions. BUt if they dont get the result then their heads will be down and things wont go so well!

Harrington did well in the Maters but just couldnt do enough. I had money on Zach Johnson to win so that was nice at 125-1!

Ireland are playing in the cricket again today and I think they might get another win! THey have played well without getting the breaks! This could be the win they deserve!

ORdered a new laptop through Dell this week and it is great value. Dual Core 2, 1.6mhz, 2gb RAM – 1000 euros! That truelly is good value! Also, looking around in magazines and in shops I dont see a great difference in prices between Thailand and Ireland. THe only big difference is the availability of counterfeit items in Bangkok!

On the social scene I have been very quiet. I have not been going out much and dont seem to have the drive to get out there. Maybe my old age is catching up with me finally!

On the positive side it means that I am spending less and havent had to dig into my back pocket too much!

The next year or so will not be easy but it will give me a good idea of how likely I am to settle back into things in Ireland. As things stand I am still highly motivated and getting a decent job is the first main hurdle. Once I get over that hurdle then hopefully things will start to take shape!

Ireland has changed considerably but most of the change is positive! There is definitely a big problem with the demon drink but I think people are more aware of that now! Also, with the strictly enforced drink driving laws people are not “slipping for the one”on the way home anymore. More socialising is being done at home! Times they are a changing!