Some of you may know that I am planning to leave for Dublin on September 5th.  I have diligently contacted over a dozen potential landlords and roommates over the last few weeks.  In these emails, I’ve honestly stated that I’m an American coming over for three months, possibly longer if all goes well.  Of these almost twenty personal emails, I’ve received zero replies.  So, this morning I started calling them via Skype.  One said that the slot was filled (Strange that it still says available on daft.ie..)and the other said they were looking for long term.  I respect that they want long term, but some do say short term, yet I have not been contacted.

Perhaps it is just my perception, but it’s like I automatically have a strike against me because I’m an “American”.  The American government has done a lot of bad things over the years, but so has Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Slovakia, and a number of other EU countries.  Yet, they are given a free pass.  Come on in, they say. 

I’m not asking for a red carpet welcome, just to be judged by my character not where I came from.  I’m not coming to leech off of the Irish Health Care System, nor am I coming to meddle in their business.  I’m hopefully coming because I love Ireland and Irish culture.  And, most importantly, I’m coming for illumination. 

Those that know me, know that I’m a gentleman.  I’ve always thought of myself as a “Human Being”, not an American.  Perhaps this stems from a multi-religious upbringing.  I’m not ashamed of being American, but I’m not a believer in labels.  I absolutely hate labels.  Regardless of whether we like them or not, labels are an intricate part of society today.  We are labeled rich if in a certain tax bracket, poor if in another bracket, stupid if below a certain number on a test, or a genius if above another number. 

I’m not a logical person in the normal sense of the word.  I’m a spiritual person.  I reckon that has to do with going through deaths door more than once and being able to return.  In college, I took all of the regular Algebra, Statistical, and Calculus classes.  I made really good grades, but it really was not my cup of tea.  There are so many things in this world that will never be explained with equations.  We think we are so smart, yet we know so little. 

Back to the subject at hand:

So, yeah, I’m an American, so what? 

I had figured that the easiest thing to do would be getting a place to stay.  I’m not really keen to the idea of sleeping on a bench at Stephen’s Green.  If I don’t find something by the end of this week, my plans will be knocked out of whack. 

So, I’m irritated.

I’m ill.

And, I’m downright pissed.

Excuse me, while I go for a walk to soothe my soul.