Day 9 - Sunday, January 9th, 2011

A lazy Sunday morning did exactly what it said on the tin, also merging with ease into early afternoon, when the disappointingly poor FA Cup match betwixt ManUre and Liverpoor was viewed. (ManUre won 1-0 after a faultless non-aquatic dive from Mr. D. Berbatov of Bulgaria was rewarded with a converted penalty by Mr. R. Giggs of Wales.)

Onwards via another duet of Shank's mare and LUAS to Stoneybatter, where my sister Olivia and her partner Joan were hosting a soiree for both of their families, which in a fitting tribute to the modern Irish psyche didn't feature the slightest morsel of awkwardness, and the chatter flowed as freely as the mojitos, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages on offer. A sizeable buffet of niblets had also been laid on, featuring cheeses, olives, chips 'n dips, cupcakes, cake and chocolate - a calorific dream (or nightmare, depending on your dietary outlook). Joan's niece brought a lemon drizzle cake which seemingly needed a little more cookage, so it was placed in the oven for a further 30 minutes, and lasted all of 90 seconds upon its emergence, such was its deliciousness.

The evening concluded with most of the throng gathering around the television to watch the final of the BDO World Championships, and much discussion took place regarding how sexy darts now is. On the way back to the LUAS, I captured the urban beauty of Smithfield Market as it looks now - hurrah for urban regeneration!

Smithfield Plaza by night

                                          Sis-in-law Joan, me, brother Shane and sister Olivia
Contentment :  16 / 25
Excitement   :   4 / 10
Memorability : 6 / 15

Overall Score : 52% (2nd out of 9)