This country is mad…… I think we have lost the plot!

What the hell is going on in Ireland? As each month passes I am realising that this is not the Ireland that I knew. It has completely changed – and not much of it is for the better. I know I am starting to sound like a moaning old man – and going on about the days when I had to walk to school in my bare feet but genuinely things are changing way too fast here now!

Immigration is a major issue. I think immigration is a good thing but it needs to be controlled. Ireland has been inundated with a huge number of foreigners in such a short period of time. I think it is too much, too fast. If we dont slow it down and control it then we are going to be facing the same problems as England and France. The problems really start if the immigrants do not integrate and start to feel isolated in the community. Due to their large numbers I think this is happening in Ireland now.

What is really strange is that I am now trying to get Nang – my girlfriend in Thailand – to come to live in Ireland. It really isnt that easy and there are so many hoops that I have to jump through. What I cant figure out is how they all got in?! Are they all legal?

During the last couple of weeks I could have been forgiven for thinking that I was back in Thailand. It was like monsoon in Dublin! The rain showers were so intense and the flooding was rapid! There was even some fork lightening to brighten up the day. And then 10 minutes later the sun was out! All in all, the weather has been crap this summer and it really makes Ireland a crappy place to be!

The other major thing I have noticed is the drink culture in Ireland. I know I havent been out much since my return but the few times I have been out I have noticed how “pissed” people get. THey really get blotto! And it is an accepted practice! Again, is this another sign that I am growing old?

But the main thing that I can’t get my head around is the high levels of stress all around me. Mobile phones, blackberries, emails, pagers and sorts of gadgets so that you just cant escape from work. People really are working all the time – and even when they are not in the office they are on call. It means that we dont really get any time to wind down. Therefore, all the stress is building up inside. I think its only a matter of time that all this stress will need to let itself out…… and that wont be a pretty site.

As yet, I havent seen anyone explode in a work environment but I think its coming! We all need to just chill out a little and relax. Its only work after all!

The Irish Stock Market has taken a pounding this week and I am very glad that I sold all my shares a few months back! For once, it looks like I did the right thing in a financial deal!

Property in Ireland is also going through a rough patch. It would appear that houses are taking much longer to sell and the asking prices are being dropped. SOme of the developments that are not yet completed are starting to feel the pinch and I think they will find it hard to sell all the units. What I notice more than anything is the high percentage of apartments/condos. 6 years back it was all houses. Now, most of the developments seem to be apartments! This is purely greed on the developers part. Down the line, people will want to move to houses to rear their families so I think the prices of houses will rise but apartments wont. Rent for both has got to increase in the next few years. Rents are very low in comparison to the sales prices!

I have not been keeping up-to-date on Thai developments recently….. just havent had the time.

I really have to start using my golf lessons that I was given as a Christmas present! After Harringtons great win I should be out there practising.

The new premiership season is starting again soon. Charity Shield is on next week!!!

I am working away on my new website. It is a fairly serious development and I hope that it will turn into something special. There are probably a few more months of development left in it but I am happy with the progress to date. It is taking up all my spare time but to be honest I dont mind. For some reason, I seem to have lost my adventure spirit now that I am back in Thailand.

THe skype phone is great but now I have to start working on getting broadband in the house. The phoneline is through eircom so I think I may just bundle it all. I have to get in contact with them this week.

I went to the Cinema on Sunday to see Transformers. I went early in the afternoon and there wasnt that many people in the cinema. The movie itself was OK but I think i will get into the habit of going there on my own and watching a movie on a Sunday. I kind of dozed off half way through so it must have been quite therapeutic! As long as I dont snore I dont mind!

Another tough week. Denis and Amela were in Bangkok so I was getting some updates which made me miss Thailand. I am 5 months back at this stage and I can honestly say that things are getting worse rather than better. My brave face is fading fast and my positive outlook on life in Ireland is slowly slipping away.

I am starting to look forward to my trip to Thailand in October. I really am going to enjoy myself and really appreciate what I had/have in Thailand. The “grass is always greener” syndrome is a dangerous one but it seems to be quite apt in my case!